A wild week and a word for the season

Pastor Max Lyons opens by describing a week in the hospital with his daughter Lola, who had appendicitis, and thanks Pastor Juliet for holding the family together. He then celebrates what God is doing at Elan Church: eighteen people baptized, families dedicating their children, and the move into a permanent lease space. But he adds a caution drawn from the parable of the talents. The reward for good work is more work, and the reward for fruitfulness is pruning. God prunes us today so we can handle what He wants to give us tomorrow.

Navigating the first six months

A board member who had led his church from portable to permanent warned Pastor Max that when setup and teardown disappear, the need becomes less obvious and people drift to the sidelines. This message is a preemptive word for Elan as it moves to two services, launches new Teams, and hits the five-week mark when excitement wanes. The goal of Elan Church has never been size but health and holiness, because God cares about heart, not numbers.

God sets the vision, people set the pace

Recapping Israel's story, Pastor Max notes that an eleven-day journey took forty years because the people were not ready. He recalls his own whiny prayer seven months into portable church, when the Holy Spirit replied that if he could not handle a portable space he would never handle a building. He contrasts the ten spies who saw giants with Rahab's confession in Joshua 2:9 that the whole land was terrified of Israel. Whether you believe God can or can't determines whether you cross over. He adds that at some point in the next three years two services will not be enough either, and the answer is not for a few people to double their work but for everyone to do something while no one does everything.

Do not get comfortable camping

In Joshua 3:1 Israel camps at the Jordan before crossing. Too many Christians get comfortable camping, with unforgiveness as a prime example: it is familiar, but you cannot carry it and walk in freedom. Verse 3 instructs the people to follow the Ark, God's presence. The kingdom of heaven is not a democracy; our job is to follow Him.

Every believer is a priest

Hebrews 4:14 names Jesus as our high priest, whose sacrifice makes everyone who follows Him right with God. First Peter 2 adds that believers are a royal priesthood, so every Christian must learn to steward God's presence. Verse 4 says to follow the Ark but keep a distance, a picture of holy reverence. Pastor Max turns to 2 Samuel 6, where Israel put the Ark on a cart instead of carrying it on poles and Uzzah died when he reached out to steady it. He then contrasts carting and carrying: a Christian who carts God's presence wants God on their terms, worships when convenient, says "it's my money," and is a casual attender, while a Christian who carries God's presence goes where God goes, worships when it is inconvenient, returns the first ten percent gladly, and is an all-in disciple. He applies this to worship teams unwilling to do the private work, team leaders complaining about problems they can solve, and anyone too busy to put God first.

Consecrate yourselves and step in the river

Joshua 3:5 calls a new generation to consecrate themselves, and Pastor Max urges the wave of new people at Elan to serve, give, and join a Group rather than assume everyone has it covered. In verse 8 the priests must stand in the river before God parts it; He is often waiting on us to step into the mud. Verse 9 lists the nations Israel will drive out, a reminder that God gives the land but we must fight for it, whether in a new building, a promotion, or a marriage.

Crossing over for others

Verse 17 shows the priests standing in the Jordan until the whole nation had crossed; our stepping out makes a way for others. Pastor Max tells of arriving in Chicago during the pandemic and being told good musicians would only play if paid; he and Juliet refused, and she led worship alone with an iPad for six months until God brought the right people. Because every person is a priest, their job as pastors is to equip the saints, as Ephesians 4:12 says, not to rob them of ministry. His closing word: "God does not call us to comfort, he calls us to steward his holy presence." We have camped long enough; it is time to get up, step in the river, and watch God make a way.