Mar 31, 2019 | Greg Johnson
End of Chapter One - The School Days
1. This moment was for future generations.
V21– “when the kids ask what this is about…” – this is what legacies are made of – for generations, people would remember this event
2. This moment was a testimony to extraordinary God-activity.
3. This moment was to proclaim the power and presence of God.
So, why is this important for you and me today? As we are closing our chapter here at the school, I want to remind you of why it is important that we remember our time here
This chapter was for future generations.
The foundation of Restoration is not at 107 Fish Creek, but is embedded in the hearts and minds of everyone in this room – we all have very unique perspective on everything that happened during this season.
Remember our first evening service on August 17, 2014? Or our first Sunday morning on Feb 15, 2015, or that Sunday our first Summer when we had about 30 people here.
Remember the Summer of 2016, when we were kicked out of Lone Star for the summer because they were remodeling and we spent the summer both at Montgomery Elementary and Deer Lake Lodge? It was like a summer road tour, and made us appreciate the school so much more.
Remember the Bearden’s opening their home for student ministry during 2015-2017 – and for the foundation for students that was laid by Jeff and Aaron, Robbie Glass, Tanner, eventually Teddy Seago and now Chance and Kelcie? The Middlebrooks donating their home on Sunday nights for the last 7 months.
Remember Destiny Sports Camp last summer? Over 250 kids and 150 volunteers gathered for an incredible week of sports and Jesus – It was a huge catalyst for many of you in the room to join Restoration.
I could spend hours telling stories, but here’s the point: you have laid the foundation for future generations – you have been creative, perseverant, and have laid the foundation that ensure that Restoration moves into the future.
This chapter was a testimony to extraordinary God activity.
I think of our call to foster care/adoption and all the kids who have been rescued from foster care – Zoe Hall, Jo-Jo Wagoner, Chrissy and Tate Hogan, Katherine Jenkins, Tori Rodriquez, the list goes on – So many kids lives have been rearranged, and it’s been because of God’s extraordinary work
Bearden’s pool in February 2016, when we baptized about 17, with many women walking into the pool all blinged up
And just last month, baptizing 26 over two weekends, each a testimony to God’s extraordinary work
In January 2016, Ted Seago approaching me about the potential of a church merger that would lead us to take possession of the land that we are about to move onto
Again, story after story leads us to the conclusion that God is at work in an extraordinary way – he has parted the waters for us
This chapter was a testament to the power and presence of God.
God began this process in 2013, calling a failed worship pastor to plant a church – every step of the way, it has been his presence that has guided us – he has changed lives, he has opened doors, he has created a way for us – our journey has been rooted in him since the beginning – no marketing, just Jesus.
In closing, want to take you quickly over to 1 Peter 2:4-5
The altar that is Restoration is built on Jesus.
Jesus is the cornerstone, or the foundation on which we build.
You are the stones that are building the spiritual house.
It is not the building that defines us. We have not arrived because we have a permanent structure. You are the fabric that is Restoration. (call out names of people in congregation).