Launch Sunday Series

Launch Sunday

September 5, 2010

I am so excited about today and what’s coming in the next 7 ½ months. I really believe the opportunity for spiritual growth by every person is going to surpass what we’ve ever imagined for our lives. This is going to be fun! We’re going to laugh, we’re going to celebrate, and I’m sure we’re going to cry. It’s not always the best thing for the Pastor to say, I’m not sure where we’re going to land, when this is over. In a sense that’s scary, yet, that’s also really cool, because it means we have to trust in the plans God has for us, as opposed to the plans we have for ourselves.

Today is what we’re calling LAUNCH Sunday. It’s like thinking about a rocket taking off on it’s journey. Do you remember the old Apollo launches? They would count down from 10. It was so cool to watch and listen as that huge rocket took off. And be ready for next weekend, because we will see something remarkable from a group of Apollo astronauts. So, we’re in that countdown phase. It’s like we’re setting the table for the food and we’re eagerly awaiting our meal.

You know, when I think about The Story, I think about our stories. I mentioned that at the end of worship last week, after Charlie, Adam and Kevin spoke. We all have a story, and the Bible is wrapped up as one humongous story. It’s the story as we move from creation, the creation of the world and humanity, to the creation of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation. The Bible is book-ended as an amazing story, but it’s more than just a story, it’s more than a history book, it’s the story of God and humanity. It’s a story which more than anything teaches, encourages, exhorts and commands us to get involved in the story of God. The story is God’s pursuit of you and I.

Think about it, and we’re going to talk about it over the next months, and it’s really the Gospel story contained within the overall story of God . . . it’s the story of His love for you and I and His willingness to seek us out and bring redemption to people who are filled with sin. God loves you and I so much that it breaks His heart when we turn away from Him.

So, we’re going to look at the condensed version of the Bible over the next 7 ½ months. And we’re going to test our readiness for the Story with a Bible quiz. So, get your paper and pencils ready, because here we go. . . I’m serious, get your paper and pencils ready. The beauty is, you can correct them yourself. There’s only 5 questions — —

1. On the seventh day God created . . .

A. Light

B. The Sunday afternoon nap.

C. Confusion

D. Elephants

E. The Deacons

2. When Moses parted the Dead Sea, did he use . . .

A. A huge wind

B. A sea parting angel

C. Union labor

D. The Deaconesses

E. This is a foolish question

3. How many people did King Nebuchadnezzar see in the fiery furnace?

A. 3

B. Pastors Michael, Doug and Rob

C. 4

D. The Trustees

E. Brett Favre and Tom Brady

4. Jesus’ first followers were called . . .

A. Peter, Paul and Mary

B. The Disciples

C. The Apostle Islands

D. The Rolling Stones

E. The Finance Team

5. The Bible is like . . .

A. A library

B. A John Grisham novel

C. An encyclopedia

D. A story of power, love, joy, grace, majesty, strength, energy, forgiveness, gifts, skill and so much more

E. All of the above.

Okay, correct your papers. I’m not going to ask how you did. But, over time, my hope is that not only do we gain Bible knowledge, but we’re able to demonstrate the Spirit of the Bible to those around us.

Now, as we move forward, just like we saw last week, in Adam, we’re going to get to meet some Bible characters. Some of those Bible characters can also be called heroes. Some of them may come from the Bible. As we look at the Bible over the next months, I want you to write down the answer to this question - - - who are your heroes? Write down some names of people who might be a hero.

Often times heroes are —

Sports stars / Movie or TV stars / singers / politicians

As we get older, we tend to look away from these people as our heroes and our heroes become more of the ordinary people in our lives. People who have in our hearts and minds accomplished some extraordinary accomplishments.