I was driving around town recently looking at all of the flags flying at half-staff because of the recent shootings that had occurred. It is but one small symbol of a nation that is suffering. It takes only seconds to peruse the news or social media to see that we are a nation and a people divided, angry, at odds with one another, deeply concerned about very different priorities and hurting. What do we have in common? Where could we find a place to stand together truly united?
I believe that the place we stand on common ground is at the foot of a cross – the place where an innocent man was put to death two thousands years ago to purchase freedom and pardon for all of those guilty of violence and hatred, of judgment and crimes. He also purchased our healing there for those who have suffered from those same things.
Isaiah 53:4-6 describes this suffering servant, Jesus, saying: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
It’s just like the old hymn says, “What can wash away our sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make us whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
Not as churches, but as The Church, we gather together once a year in Bowling Green for an entire day of worship, prayer and fasting – eight hours set apart for Jesus. This year, the eighth year of Worship Kentucky, we come together for Celebration, Adoration, Invitation and Proclamation.
Celebration – What are the best celebrations? Weddings? Baby showers? Birthday parties? What about when we gather as the church of Jesus? What are we celebrating in our services? The love of the Trinity for one another and for us. Jesus’ perfect life, death and resurrection to give us HIS life. Freedom from bondage, sin and death. Our eternal home in Heaven. The people of God should throw a HUGE party to celebrate! How about eight hours together at the Capitol Arts Center on September 14?
Adoration – Whom do we adore? How do we show it when we adore someone? We stare into their eyes. We hang on their every word. We talk about them to everyone. We take picture after picture and post it everywhere. Worshiping the Living God is where adoration finds its ultimate function. It’s the only proper response to a God who would rather die than live without us. It is a time to pursue intimacy with the Holy One. It is time to slow down, focus on eternity and adore God. How about we adore God together starting at 10 a.m. on September 14?
Invitation – Invitations arrive in the mail, via email, and on social media. They request a definite response from us – are we coming? How many people are we bringing? God also invites us in His Word, through His world, and especially when His people gather together to respond. Are we coming? Join us in responding to One who initiated the world and our redemption. It’s free, you can come any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and you are invited!! Come and bring some friends!
Proclamation – It is a message meant to spoken, yelled, trumpeted and shouted in the streets. What message are Jesus-people to proclaim? Glad tidings. Great joy. For all people. A Savior was born. A Helper was sent. Glory is our destiny. All is not lost. How can we proclaim this message together? Join us September 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Capitol Arts Center to proclaim the Good News.
See you there!
