Throw some candy - see what happens!

When was the last time you went to a parade?
Doesn't everyone love a parade?
Why do people go to a parade?
Have you ever been in a parade?

Do we go to see the marching bands, the amazing floats, the homemade floats, the grand balloons, the fire engines, the people walking on stilts, the candy being thrown, our children or grandchildren as they are mesmerized by all the action?

Did you know that you are in a parade every day of your life? You are on the most incredible float the world has ever seen. Are you aware of how people see you as you are in that parade?

Paul reminded the Christians in Corinth, "In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No—but at least we don’t take God’s Word, water it down, and then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ’s presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God and say it as honestly as we can." 2 Cor 2:14-17 (Msg) 

Thanks for being an amazing, average Christian on one of the beautiful floats of Jesus in His parade. Jesus has His parade going through every city, every school, every neighborhood, every work place, every person. He is inviting everyone to join His parade.

Thanks for joining His parade. Thanks for being a visible image of the aroma of Christ to everyone you know and you encounter. Do you recognize the aroma that you give off to others? Do you know the powerful influence that God has given you? What can you do as you are on this parade?

I was in a parade once. I threw out candy. It was awesome giving out gifts for free, to see people scramble to grab as much candy as they could. And it was brutal to watch some kids not get any candy and miss out on the free gift.

You can throw some gifts this week, like people throwing candy. You can email a few email invitations to friends, inviting them to our new series entitled, Challenging Questions. So many have drifted from God and the church due to challenging questions and issues, so I thought we would address some of them head on in an honest and open manner.

In the last few days, I have been in this Jesus parade throwing wonderful candy by emailing over 40 email invites to this fall series and the free pulled pork BBQ lunch afterwards. Some of these people said they would love to come. Others have said they cannot make it. A few have said no thanks. A few have ignored me. I cannot control anyone's response. But, I still have the privilege and joy to throw candy.

Will you join me in throwing candy?
Who knows what God will do as we do our part being in His grand parade?!

Praying God will push back the darkness.
Praying God will adopt many into His family.
Praying God will give us courage to throw email invites.
Praying God will use you to change eternal history for someone.
Praying for conversion growth.
Praying for discipleship growth.
Praying our church will never be the same because we did our part on Jesus' parade.

Pastor Chris

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