An Open Door - in or out of the church?

I've been working on the sermon for church later today. There is going to be a bit of a tie up between the morning service and Sanctuary First. I've been reflecting upon that great little text in 1 Corinthians 16.9 where Paul says this " a great door of opportunity has opened up for me, but i face many adversaries. I going to be encouraging every one of us to make the most of our life opportunities. We can't live our lives in regret. never can we live our lives in fear. Too many people over the years have held back from the call of God on their lives because they could only see the obstacles rather than the opportunities. So tomorrow will be "Open Door Sunday" I think the evening service has the potential to be really interesting. One of the themes we will be looking at is the living dead that inhabit the church. Here's a sample of the material we'll be reflecting upon. A scene of first aid - blue lights flashing emergency noise soundtrack - someone being brought back to life. Paramedics flat on the ground - receiving the breath of life from a passer by. The point is that the church is facing an emergency. The scene depicts the struggle for the Christian who is slipping back into the world. The church is called to be like the rescue ambulance seeking to strengthen Christian life. However the church is dying no longer able to carry out rescue missions.The passion for renewal and revival is now outside the church in the most unexpected places. God is Emerging in the lives of people who would normally pass by. GET REVIVED OR DIE? - ALBERT BOGLE (The actor pacing up and down looking at the audience then at the paramedic flat on her back Desperation can be detected from the voice) They've got to wake up! You better wake up! So much to do It's absolutely ludicrous I can't believe what I'm doing I can't believe what I'm saying I can't believe what I'm seeing This is a crisis. Religion is dead Church is dead But I,- We need something to believe in Imagine Para medics being resuscitated By the patients If you where told that You'd laugh in disbelief But we're living in an upside down world How did the church get into this state? Something happened! Something terrible is happening The world has gone crazy And the Church with it Oh what ever happened to you? Why have you stopped talking? Why have you stopped explaining? Why have you stopped believing.? It was your job to bring us back to life To bring us hope Salvation Meaning and purpose But you lost Your heart Your passion You got side tracked into alternative programmes You stopped believing people were sick You became sick yourself believing lies You got caught up in a counterfeit world You've got to wake up Start coughing Breathing O Please just start Living again Loving again Singing again Caring again Healing again Believing again I'm the outsider here I'm not into rescue I need to be rescued I've got my own problems My own plans But people like me need help Children need love Don't look at me like that You look dead I'm not like you I'm the outsider here I'm not a Church I can't do it your way I'm into relationships I like it minimalist Not too complicated O Please wake up Strengthen the things that remain Song - Bob Dylan – From the "Slow Train Comin" - When You Gonna Wake Up
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