Repent. When you hear this word what occurs to you? Judgment? Condemnation? Well, the Gospels record the word "repent" as one of Jesus' first words in his message to a world that he came to rescue and transform. "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand", Jesus heralded to those he loved. Jesus, understands "repent" as a word of invitation to make a decision for something completely different than what is currently being experienced. No judgment, no condemnation in the Savior's use of the term. He didn't come into our world for that purpose. He came to invite people into the extraordinary life of knowing the Father and living life from the overflow of the Father's love for humankind. Repent, is a word of opportunity. It is a word that invites disruption to the status quo. The book of Revelation records Jesus using the word "repent" with the church of Ephesus. He urged them to "repent" and return to their first love. Repentance isn't just for the person who doesn't know Jesus. It's for all of us who know Him and want to know Him more.
On March 16, 2008 (Palm Sunday) I delivered a message to the congregation of Long Beach Christian Fellowship entitled Jesus, at the Center of Our Attention. In this message I share my heart for our congregation and issued a call for repentance. Apathy, distraction and hidden sin have/are taking their toll on the life of our church (as well as in the larger church community Long Beach). It is time to interrupt the status quo, the norm, the convenient and turn with humble hearts toward Jesus with a heart of true repentance.
Beginning March 24th LBCF will enter into a 50 day season of repentance. It will conclude on Pentecost Sunday, May 11th. Every night we will spend time together in the chapel seeking the Lord. Sunday nights (5:00 PM - 6:00 PM); Monday-Saturday nights (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM). We will pray together, for one another, confess, reconcile, worship and renew ourselves through hearing Scripture...all with the focus of repentance. On Friday evenings our time together will shift to singing "love songs" to Jesus for the entire time.
I would like to request that you listen to the Palm Sunday message (March 16, 2008) in preparation for this historic season of renewal and re-birthing of God's purposes in our congregation's life. I would also ask that you share this message with others outside of LBCF. I believe this is a "now-word" for the Church.
With much anticipation of God's faithfulness,
Pastor Doug Richardson