28 April 2008
Stand up for Jesus
There was an old hymn we used to sing (when I was a child) at church with these words. Well, actually, it went, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross.” Not sure that would connect with people today but it will always be special for me.
You see, we live in a world where people are no longer committed to much of anything,
- Country
- Job
- Marriage
- Friends
- Church
The list goes on and on. So it would be a bit hard to relate to “soldiers of the cross” when you can’t even locate the army.
But we still need people who are sold out to Jesus.
Fully devoted followers of Christ, some call them.
This past weekend we wrapped up one of the most powerful and life-changing series we’ve ever done as a church, “One Month to Live.” And this weekend I asked for the army to stand up and be counted.
I did everything I could to prevent a herd mentality on the one hand and encourage as many as possible to get serious for Jesus on the other. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. I made it clear that I mean business because God has been moving in mighty ways at Southbrook and is clearly taking it up a hundred or so notches.
When it came time to stand I was blown away!
More than 700 people stood ready to charge Hell with water pistols if that’s what God asks them to do!
That’s more than a gathering, friends. That’s a small army.
Two thousand years ago Jesus’ rag tag band of twelve (one a replacement for Judas) ignited the world for Christ.
Imagine what He can do with 700!
7 Comments currently posted.
Stand up for Jesus says:
Lance Ratliff says:
This weekends service was so refreshing. It reminded me that I had forgotten I used to be a person of convictions. Years of having political correctness beat into my head had changed me. Society almost teaches us that we should not have strong convictions about anything but be neutral and never offensive about anything. I for one am going to try an chnge this in my life. I want to be called a Jesus freak a zealot or whatever they call it today. I just want my convictions to be clear that I live to glorify Jesus. Thanks for an awesome series Southbrook lets keep it going.
Michelle Singleton.com says:
I’m a soldier of the cross…I love that hymn…and I love my Jesus! Let’s keep standing up for Him!
jerry says:
what ever christ wants me to do I will do
sara says:
Keep a mental note of those water guns assaulting hell and listen to the sizzle.
Mark Cianciosa says:
Rob … I have spent a ton of time reading about Gideon the last two weeks or so. Every time I am challanged in my life I seem to go back to Judges 6. Again I can hear the LORD speaking to me via Gideon … you say we will go with our water pistols … I am willing ot go with even less … what ever the LORD asks me to go into battle with … all the time knowing that he has sent me … Judges 6:14 … But God faced him directly: “Go in this strength that is yours. Save Israel from Midian. Haven’t I just sent you?” … the LORD confirms to Gideon that he has everything he needs because the LORD has sent equiped him … perfectly for this time and this battle … In HIS Service!
sandy says:
Hi..just some thinking on page…as we do not want our children to forget great Bible stories, creation, Daniel, Joseph, Gideon, is there any room to remember the old hymns? Or do we just catergorize them as “old’ and not up with the contemporary way of doing everything? Were most of the “soldier hymns” a result of world war I or II? Maybe we could have a hymn based around the greed for oil in the middle east? Like, “give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning…” ok, oops that is already taken, hahahahahaha…have a great day, whether you like the old songs or the new, don’t be afraid to sing!!!
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