It's Friday but Sunday's coming.

It’s Friday, Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, the disciples are hiding, Peter is denying, Judas is betraying. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, those six trials by night have been a sham, and the king of Glory is weary and tired. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spat upon. His beard is torn from his face. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, the Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. A scarlet robe placed upon has torn back as the mock the King of King. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, see Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It’s Friday; but Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, see those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and wrists of my Lord. The agony is beyond words. Hear my Jesus cry, “Father, forgive them.” It’s Friday; but Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying next to criminals. But Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, the sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, “My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?” What a horrible cry… but Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday and at the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that’s because it’s Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday’s a coming...

It’s Friday, the earth trembles, the sky grows dark, my Jesus absorbs the wrath of God for the sins of the world and dies, but Sunday’s comin’.

It’s Friday, hope is lost, death has won and Satan’s justlaughin’. But he don’t know, Sundays comin’

It’s Friday, Jesus is buried in a tomb, the stone is rolled over the entrance and two soldiers stand guard. Fear, regret and worry grips what is left of his followers. But Sunday’s comin’.

People… It is only Friday. Sunday is a comin’!

It’s Friday…But let me tell you something Sunday’s comin’

 

Today is Friday and many people will go on with their busy lives, they will accept the holidays from work, the chocolate eggs and party invites yet they will pay little or no attention to Jesus death on the cross. They will shrug their shoulders at his death; perhaps it has no relevance to them, maybe they will accuse him of being a mythical figure, a delusional Jewish boy or merely a good man or prophet. Some will just avoid the truth that they know deep inside because they are afraid of change; they might as well be made of the same chocolate they enjoy eating...

 

What about you? Show some courage today. Just stop for a moment to read and reflect upon the most significant three days in the history of the world. No politician, army, nation or religious leader has affected the world like Jesus. The very date on your newspaper points to his life, death burial and resurrection. IF this Jesus is the son of God you cannot ignore him any longer. He deserves more. 

You will never understand the significance of Friday until you embrace the power of Sunday. If Jesus did not rise from the dead then our faith, our hope is lost. So let me remind you… Sunday’s comin’. Show up at a bible believing church and discover the peace, the joy, the glory, the liberty, the hope, the love, the power of Sunday.

 

 

…Sunday’s comin’. 

 

Church Membership?

Why should you consider church membership? 

Context: This was intended as a little handout for our connect group at CFC. We thought we would post it as a helpful resourse to others. 

 Amanda and I both believe that church membership is something every Christian should prayerfully consider. 

Many people switch off to the idea and are quick to point out that Jesus never spoke about membership, neither did the apostles. Whilst this is true we must remember that we are looking at a church in its infancy. As it matured there is clear evidence of membership in early Christian writings. It’s worth noting that the first Christians were Jews and thus already were “members” of the Jewish faith and Christianity was not considered a separate religion.  “Becoming a Christian” was for them a matter of belief and baptism—believing that Jesus was  the promised Messiah of Israel and identifying with him.   The Jews already had a strict behavioural code; they needed no instruction on the existence of one God or even on how to respect authority, give of their time, money, energy and prayers—in many ways the Jewish lifestyle was stricter than the Christian standard would be.  As the Church expanded so did the challenges of engaging new cultures. Evangelists to the Jews had it easy when it came to behaviour—most Jews already behaved, or at least knew how to behave.  The gentile “dogs” were very different.  They were called dogs by the Jews because they had the morals of a wandering dog. It soon became clear that there was a need for some mechanisms for instruction and support as these new Christians where baptised and joined the local church… it is here that early evidence of membership began to develop. By 200 A.D church membership programmes where in operation in preparing new converts for baptism. 

Amanda and I moved church for the first time in 2014. It was not an easy decision and one that took months of prayer and conversations. We knew it was not a matter of God calling us out of a church but God calling us to a new church family and a new chapter. We had been members of our previous church since we had come to faith around 20 years ago. When we finally made the decision to join C.F.C. (October 2014), we became members within a matter of weeks.  Why? It was a natural response from our hearts to say… we belong here, this is our new home.  

Here are a few thoughts and reasons why Amanda and I think you should consider church membership.

1, it is a wonderful tool to assist in your discipleship. Christianity is not a spectator sport or activity you participate in in isolation. Your discipleship develops best when belonging to a community.

2, it makes a statement that you are committed to your local church, its leadership, vision and values.

3, it allows you to identify yourself clearly and publically to your church. It’s a public declaration that says ‘this is my team, my family.’ 

4, it improves communication within the church. There is often  a channel of communication which can only be accessed by members, it is for good reasons and helps with levels of confidentiality. When you join any organisation, including the church, channels of communication should become much clearer and more accessible.

5, it creates more opportunities for you to serve in the Church. Service should not be exclusive to members however responsibilities such as leading home groups, eldership, home visitation/pastoral care is best kept to those members who are committed to the vision and values of the church. 

6, your commitment as a member helps the church leadership plan for the future.  It’s impossible for a leadership to plan if no one is committed to the vision and values. If everyone avoids responsibility and commitment no team or organisation can thrive.

7, membership has little or no special privileges other than the privilege of responsibility. One of the greatest dangers in the church today is the crazy gang of freelance Christians who hop for church to church and display none of the characteristics of a ‘good and loyal solider.’ (2 Tim 2:3). Taking up responsibility is to keep rank, show loyalty, play your part in the battle and help carry one another’s burdens. (Gal 6:2). Membership carries expectations and responsibilities that we should not shrink back from. Many do not become members because the want to avoid these two words and yet they are the essential building blocks of spiritual maturity.

8, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her (Eph 5:25), so should we love her and give ourselves to her. Too many people today ‘date the church’, some even ‘date’ two churches at once. They attend one church in the morning and a different one in the evening. They get the best of both churches but no church community gets the best out of them. Membership is a little bit like a marriage, it gives us an opportunity to say ‘This is my church, I feel responsible for her. I am committed to her mission, vision and ministry. I want to serve God here and grow in my faith.’

9, the church is the body of Christ. Membership brings a connectedness to the body which helps us function in our gifting and support others exercise their gifts.

10, church is a family and membership says to everyone in the family, I love you; I want to be identified with you as my brothers and sisters. It places value on individuals by demonstrating acceptance to each other and saying ‘I want to journey with you’.

11, by becoming a member you are presenting four gifts to the church: Time, money, energy and prayers. I can’t think of better way to spend these gifts than into the local church. 

12, Accountability: membership to a local church places us in a healthy place of accountability. Honouring the authority of the lead team and living in community with them, agreeing to live by certain established godly principles and standards will safeguard us from bad doctrine and choices. It honours what God has already established and demonstrates our commitment to each individual as well as the bigger organisation. 

As you consider membership please remeber it  is not about exclusivity, superierity, position or  rights; it much more about responsibility, service and commitment. 

The next course on exploring mebership  is on Monday 22 February at 7.30pm in the Ark Room, CFC East Belfast.

https://thisiscfc.com/activity/exploring-membership/