Back to Square One

Many years ago, while we were teen ministry pastors, the Lord gave us this little song to express the importance of going back to the basics:

We were face with deadlines; before the bills came due
We asked a miracle from God, but it all fell through.
I know what the Bible said, but still my dream is dead.
I confessed the positive verse; mere words that fell to earth?

Square One: Did I really hear God’s voice?
Square One: Understand what You say?
Square One: Have I totally counted the cost?
Square One: Dared to truly obey?

Satan does the evil deed to destroy and steal what’s ours,
So I thought this was a trial to show God’s overcoming power.
Is my motive selfishness? My inner goals simply pride?
I want to know from this day on, How to walk by God’s side.

Square One: Did I really hear God’s voice?
Square One: Understand what You say?
Square One: Have I totally counted the cost?
Square One: Dared to truly obey?

Last Sunday's teaching, Empowered by God, was all about being filled with the Holy Spirit. It was one of those Bible basics teachings. We’re going back to square one. Now that we have more people attending who have very little exposure to church and religious terminology, we find it very necessary to go back to that simple message about the love of God, the purpose for Jesus Christ dying on the cross, and the role that the Holy Spirit has in our lives today.

We are absolutely giddy with excitement about the journey we are about to take together. For the remainder of this year, we’re going to get back to Biblical basics like: What it means to be born again; who is the Holy Spirit; what are the gifts of the Spirit; what are the fruit of the Spirit; what it means to live by faith; and how to live with a passion for God that draws others to Him.

Over the past two years, we touched on these topics in brief segments within other subject matter. However, in this season we have become a group that is hungry for the Lord’s Presence, Word and Purpose. We can now move at a pace that will build up our new people and fine tune those who may have been on this journey for many years.

We recall those years when our sons were small little guys, daily exploring the world around them. It was a wonderful thing to see life through the eyes of our toddlers. Everything was new. Many things captured their attention that we had long since taken for granted, ignored or overlooked. That’s what it feels like to be the pastors of this church family.

It’s great to watch you guys fall in love with Jesus or discover a part of your purpose. It touches our hearts to watch God touch the heart of someone who never knew how much HE loves them. It blesses us to watch God drive fear, regrets and sadness out of your lives. There are many things that we “veterans” in the church have taken for granted and you guys have brought freshness into our gatherings. That’s because old things have passed away and all things have become new in you. You have reminded us of how awesome it is to be a child of God. In these ways, you have taken us back to square one.