Sunday Summary

Today was another great Sunday at EBC!

• We started the service by baptizing a young man named Bryce, whose father had the privilege of leading him to Christ at Christmas.

• Libby's family surprised her for her 30th birthday! They came from Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The siblings all sang together in our service and knocked it out of the park! It was inspiring and amazing -- especially since they couldn't practice until they all arrived here. This family used to travel with evangelists and sing in revival crusades. It was neat to see a picture of the sisters with Dr. Lee Roberson! Libby, her husband, and sister-in-law have now formed a group named "One Focus."

• Heather, the musical selection was tremendous this morning. There was truly a spirit of worship.

• This morning I preached on "Apostasy vs. Authenticity." Billy Graham said that the greatest mission field in all the world is the American church. God has done a miraculous work at EBC, but I still feel we have some in our pews who are religious, but lost. The Bible speaks to this repeatedly: Wheat-tares, sheep-goats, professors-possessors, religious-real, saved-lost, Simon the sorcerer-Ethiopian eunuch, apostates-authentic believers, and you get the picture. We are in a "culturally Christian" community, where everyone says they are saved, but far fewer act and live like they are. Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." This is easy to do when things are going our way, but true Christians are revealed when they choose to obey instead of pursue their natural desires. For the invitation, we gave people cups and asked them to place them on the altar in an up position stating they want to obey God and be filled with His Spirit; or in a down position stating they are declining God's offer and choosing instead to be filled with their sin. This is a powerful illustration to show us that we either choose to obey God or disobey Him, but we can't have it both ways.

• Tony, your song tonight was a sermon in itself and a great reminder-- I'M FORGIVEN!

• Joseph, great job on your exegesis of Genesis.

• Thanks to everyone for catching the vision and allowing time in our services to pray for other churches and other pastors. Remember... we're all on the same team.

• Deacons, thanks for being prayer warriors and faithfully "serving" our church, instead of trying to "run" it. I am privileged to serve with godly men. Keep praying about ways we can diversify our ministry to reach more people for Christ!

• Buddy and Donna, we will be praying for you this week.