THE TIME IS NOW!

Casual Christianity has become a plague in the church of Jesus Christ. Reaching the world with the life-changing message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ receives a yawn at times, rather than the movement it deserves. The world is yearning and crying for someone to stand up and tell the story of Jesus Christ.

While we can become so blessed by our own work in the world or even through our church, we cannot settle in this moment of time. This is a seasoned moment, a special moment, a one of a kind moment in the scope of history. If you confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior, trusting in Him alone for your salvation, then this is your time in human history. As all of us who have been changed by the power of Jesus Christ report for duty to our Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ, we must stand ready.

I Love To Tell The Story

Yesterday morning at our Pinnacle Hills and Springdale Campuses, we sang the old hymn, I Love To Tell The Story. It was an amazing moment as all of God’s people engaged in singing a hymn that many of them learned as a child, but the tune and lyrics grabbed the attention of all. It is an easy song to sing, therefore, masses cried out to the Lord wanting to tell the story of Jesus and His love.

As Evangelical Christians

As evangelical Christians, our missional vision is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations. We believe this is the heart of Jesus Christ. We believe this is His Great Commission. At times, Satan detours us on to some of the side streets of life. Sometimes, it is the things of this world. At times, the distractions of our job or vocation, or even family, lead us down these side streets. Sadly, even some elements of Christianity get us off on side streets. Various matters begin to dominate our thinking from one issue to another and none of them really help us to keep our eyes on our missional vision.

This Week At Cross Church

This week at Cross Church we have a rare opportunity. We have the occasion to get off the side streets of life, or even of our Christianity. We have the opportunity to get back on the main roadway to fulfilling our mission of presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.

Our Partnership With Southern Baptist Gospel Churches

Cross Church is a part of a vast partnership of 50,000 churches and congregations that comprise the Southern Baptist Convention. This convention of churches has two major mission-sending ministries:

            *The North American Mission Board, which is based in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia

            *The International Mission Board, which is based in Richmond, Virginia

This week at Cross Church, the Board of Trustees of the International Mission Board, and the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention will commission 58 new missionaries who will serve outside of North America. Eighty-five percent of these missionaries will serve in level three countries, which are countries that are hostile to Christianity. These missionaries will leave their families, churches, jobs, and careers to pursue the calling of God to make disciples of all the nations. These 58 new, God-called missionaries will join 4,900 other missionaries who serve in 189 countries of the world through our International Mission Board.

Our Commissioning Service

This Wednesday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m., on our Cross Church Pinnacle Hills Campus, we will join in partnership with other churches and commission these 58 missionaries to their God-called places in the world. It is a one of a kind services, a lifetime opportunity, that none of you want to miss if you are near Northwest Arkansas. Most every one of us can prioritize our schedules and lives to participate in this tremendous moment in time.

Let’s Walk Away From Casual Christianity

It is time to walk away from the casual Christianity that declares “I don’t have time” or “I have an appointment” or “my child is doing this or that.” Developing a true legacy of faith, which is what IMB President Dr. Tom Elliff talked about with our people on Sunday, calls for a specific moment in time when everything changes. A new, definite moment when our direction and heart moved towards God in a new way.

I challenge you as your Pastor and friend, walk away from your normal Wednesday moments and schedules. Then, walk towards God and His heart:

            Presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all the nations.

Let’s walk together towards God and His heart this Wednesday night. This is our moment. This is our time.

Yours For The Great Commission,

Ronnie W. Floyd