firstIMPRESSIONS
from Senior Pastor Timothy Satryan

Even before Titanic arrived on the big screen in 1997 people have been fascinated by its story, perhaps because there is so much to it.

Clearly, many mistakes were made that led to its sinking. Although it was called the unsinkable ship, it sank. And it sank relatively easily. 1,500 people perished in an icy grave.

There were not enough lifeboats on board. Many of them went out half-full – some with only four or five people when they had the capacity to carry at least 60.

But one of the greatest tragedies about the Titanic is the fact that while there was room in the lifeboats, no one went back to save anyone else. They had rowed out a distance from the sinking vessel because they were afraid of its suction. Survivors said they could hear the screams of the people as the Titanic finally disappeared below the surface.

Here were people in lifeboats that had room. They could have rowed back and pulled others in. Yet they did nothing about it. They waited for about an hour, and then they went back. By then, they were only able to save a handful of people. They waited until it was too late.

Right now, there is a lost world around us. People are going down, and we have room in our lifeboat. Do we care enough to go and pull them on board? Do we care enough to do something for them? Or will we say, “They should have gotten into the boat when there was time”?

Do you have a burden for lost people? Are you involved in soul winning on a daily basis? The Bible tells us that “he who wins souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30) Let’s become wise!

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 7.16. Live for God, on purpose, sharing the good news of God’s saving grace!

Here’s a riddle for you – What is it that most Christians believe they should do, but rarely do? What command have they been given, but most often ignore? What do they hear of others participating in, wish they could, but never get around to doing? What is it that many Christians feel that they aren’t “gifted in” but God has nonetheless called them do?

The answer, of course, is evangelism! There are methods and manuals, plans and procedures written by scores of people, taught in churches, seminars and conferences all over the land. But, by and large, most Christians rarely if ever share their faith. They claim to “not have the gift.” They say they don’t like to be confrontational. They don’t want to go “door-to-door.” They are afraid of rejection. The list goes on and on.

Have you ever considered that the first church, as described in the book of Acts, didn’t have any manuals, didn’t have evangelism seminars, didn’t have man-made plans and procedures as to how to obey the command of the Lord to “go into all the world and preach the Good News.”

They just did it.

More accurately, they lived it. It is my firm belief that that is exactly what we need to do today – just go do it and live it.

This four part series of messages will take us through the fourth chapter of the book of Acts, helping us to learn how this early church effectively reached their world for Christ.

Effective Evangelism

April 22 – The Action of Evangelism – Acts 4:1-12

April 29 – The Reaction to Evangelism – Acts 4:13-16

May 6 – The Interaction in Evangelism – Acts 4:17-22

May 13 – The Compassion of Evangelism – Acts 4:23-27

Don’t miss a single message of this critically important series!

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The Buzzard If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

The Bat The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

The Bumblebee A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

People In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks up.

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In chemistry, He turned water to wine.
In biology, He was born without the normal conception.
In physics, He disproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven.
In economics, He disproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5,000 men with two fishes and five loaves of bread.
In medicine, He cured the sick and the blind, without administering a single dose of drugs.
In history, He is the beginning and the end.
In government, He said that He shall be called wonderful counselor, prince of peace.
In religion, He said no one comes to the Father except through him.

Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him master;
He had no degree, yet they called Him teacher;
He had no medicines, yet they called Him healer.

He had no armies, yet rulers feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.

I feel honored to serve such a leader who loves us!

Join us and let’s celebrate Him for He is worthy.

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by Melanie Schurr

A wealthy family decided to rent a yacht for their upcoming vacation. The father had no experience in sailing, but as everything in life seemed to come easy to him, he boasted that this too should be no problem.

The family loaded everything they needed for their world-wide cruise; clothes for every occasion, make-up, fancy jewelry and the finest perfumes, since, one never knows what kings, queens or heads of state may greet them at each port.

Living in such opulence was nothing new to the Van Dyke family. Both parents were raised with the proverbial silver spoons in their mouths; attended to by nannies, butlers and grounds-keepers, and they raised their two children in the same lap of luxury.

What should have been a pleasure cruise began to slowly turn in to a nightmare after only a few days at sea. The radio died, but always expecting the best, Mr. Van Dyke ignored the loss of this necessary communication which would have also allowed him to hear of the impending storm they were approaching. Before long, the white yacht was being rocked by massive waves, and pummeled by bullets of rain.

“Not to worry,” said Mr. Van Dyke calmly. “Let’s just tie down our valuables. We wouldn’t want to lose anything important!”

Mrs. Van Dyke took a silk sash from her bathrobe, wrapped it around her large ivory jewelry box, then tied the box to the post of her bed hoping no ring, necklace or bangle would shift out of place. The Van Dyke children, Martha and Ben, gathered up all their toys and electronic game equipment, and placed them in a wooden chest. “Wouldn’t want anything to happen to my XBox!” exclaimed ten-year-old Ben.

Just as Mr. Van Dyke was pondering what valuable he should be most concerned with, a towering wall of water smacked their vessel so hard, the yacht fell to its side. Immediately, the ship began taking on water, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it. “We need to get off the boat! It’s going to sink!” yelled Mr. Van Dyke. In the blink of an eye another massive wave came and washed the entire family into the dark waters of the raging sea. As they fought to stay afloat, Mr. And Mrs. Van Dyke frantically tried to get to Martha and Ben, who not only did not know how to swim, but who also were not wearing life-jackets.

Terror gripped the entire family. For the first time in his life, Mr. Van Dyke, the typically over-confident and self-centered business executive, was now helpless and unsure what next to do. As his children’s small bodies slipped under the turbulent water, Mr. Van Dyke cried out a blood-curdling scream of, “Dear God! Please!”

Seeing her children being swallowed up by the waves, Mrs. Van Dyke dove under the water where her little ones were, and pushed them back to the surface. Suddenly, Mr. Van Dyke noticed something floating; a plank of wood from the children’s toy box. “Grab tight to the plank!” He shouted. “Don’t let go!”

While the sea began slowly to calm, all that remained of their yacht was the tip which had yet to be swallowed up. Martha began to cry. “I don’t want to die, Mommy!”

“I don’t want to die either, dear,” replied Mrs. Van Dyke, as every muscle in her body ached from treading water so long. The Van Dykes knew the situation was very grave, and that there was a chance their family would not come out of this alive.

“I would like us to pray,” said Mr. Van Dyke as he too struggled to stay afloat.

“But we have never prayed before, Daddy,” whimpered Ben as his tiny body shivered from the cool waters.

“I know we haven’t, and that was a terrible mistake I made,” said Mr. Van Dyke. “I guess I was so busy with other things I thought were important. Now I can see they really weren’t.”

“What your father is trying to say, dear, is all that is important is you!” cried out Mrs. Van Dyke as she began to flounder in the sea; her arms beginning to give out.

“Your mother is right. It was a big mistake, and I hope you and God will forgive me,” replied Mr. Van Dyke inadvertently swallowing a gulp of salty sea water. His arms were so weary from treading the thick waters. “Martha and Ben, promise me that no matter what happens, you will not let go of the plank. Also promise me that in your life as you grow older, you will put God first, then family.”

“We will, Dad. We promise,” said Martha and Ben in unison their little knuckles white from holding onto the plank so tightly.

“Then let’s pray,” said Mr. Van Dyke as he lead his family in prayer for the first time.

[Hours later]

“Mr. Van Dyke? Can you hear me yet, Sir?” whispered the voice of a woman clad in white.

Slowly, his eyes opened, and while confused of his whereabouts, Mr. Van Dyke’s first thought went to his wife and children.

“It’s OK, Sir. Your family is safe and all on dry land here in the Coast Guard hospital,” reassured the nurse. “Your rescuers were able to salvage a few things from the yacht, and here is one of them I thought you might like.”

The nurse held Mrs. Van Dyke’s ivory jewelry box.

Mr. Van Dyke took it in his weak hands, and upon opening it, saw that it was still intact. Looking at the nurse he said, “You know, I paid millions of dollars for the contents of this box.”

Upon closing the lid, he replied, “Give this to the hospital. I don’t need it. I already have everything truly valuable I need.”

Spiritual Application: The above story is purely fictional, yet for many of us, it is reality that a relationship with God is pushed to the back burner of our lives, and like Mr. Van Dyke, replaced with other things which seem important, but really are not. The Van Dykes realized this in time, and thankfully, had a second chance to begin anew, but how many people go to their grave without even considering God and their spiritual welfare?

My dear friends, do not put off ’till tomorrow what you can do today. It is never too late to start anew!

Melanie Schurr is author of “Ecstatic Living: A Christian Marriage Manual and Life-Guide", “Son Salutations” and “Daily Contemplations", which are a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations. For more information, visit www.MelanieSchurr.com. This article ©2005 Melanie Schurr.

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by Sandy Lynn Moffett

Lord it’s easy to praise You on the backside of the blessing
When the answer has already come.
But do I trust enough, do I have faith enough to sing
Before the answer comes?

When I have crossed the raging waters and reached the other side
It’s easy Lord to lift my voice to You.
But when the weight of the dark storm presses on all sides,
Can I sing until you bring me through?

Before the blessing comes, let me praise you.
Before the blessing comes, let me rejoice.
You have never let me down, never looked away or abandoned me
So before the blessing comes, I’ll lift my voice.

My life is full of mountains, hills and valleys, too.
The longest rollercoaster I’ve known.
But even rollercoasters have to stop sometime.
So I’ll just keep on holding until I’m home.

Before the blessing comes, let me praise you.
Before the blessing comes, let me rejoice.
You have never let me down, never looked away or abandoned me.
So before the blessing comes, I’ll lift my voice.

You can read more of Sandy’s work at www.sandymoffett.com

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• Communion now sponsored by Welch’s Grape Juice

• In Christmas play, Joseph seen drinking a Pepsi

• Greeters all dressed like Mr. Goodwrench

• Personal pew licenses now sold

• Baptismals include dolphin show from Sea World

• The 12 disciples replaced by Disney characters

• Luxury pews with wet bar and satellite TV

• Scripture verses brought to you by Microsoft

• Sunday bulletin has coupon section

• Offering envelopes have Visa and Mastercard emblems on them

• Handicap parking sponsored by the Family Medical Group, LLC

• Wednesday night suppers sponsored by KFC

• Church vans traded in for Ford Broncos

• Choir robes with the Nike swoosh on front

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A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball and bat. “I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced. Then, he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed.

Strike One!” he yelled. Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” He tossed the ball into the air.

When it came down he swung again and missed. “Strike Two!” he cried.

The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed. “Strike Three!”

“Wow!” he exclaimed. “I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!”

Well, it finally looks like spring will arrive this weekend here in Delaware. Although the calendar has said April for three weeks, the outside has felt and looked more like February! But, there was never any doubt that the weather would change.

Likewise, the “spiritual weather” continues to look like it has for years and years – but just as sure as we know that the temperatures outside will grow warmer, we also know that spiritual conditions will change. Christ is coming back soon! So, let’s do all we can to serve Him and win others for Him until He returns!