This past week I had the privilege of visiting the city of New Orleans with some pretty amazing people. There were 11 of us total from the congregation I serve, but we met up with a larger group. It was a great of over 25,000 people from around the world! The vast majority of these 25,000 people were high school youth who descended upon the streets of New Orleans for one purpose – to learn and to live Jesus.
The theme for the week was In Christ Alone. The thrust was that there are many different philosophies floating around in our world but only one that really matters. There are religious traditions all with their distinct beliefs and rituals. There are factions of people groups scattered around the world who all have variations in their belief structures. But when we gathered into the wide open space of the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome we had one focus – Christ alone. ‘
Our goal wasn’t religion. It wasn’t a set of rules and rituals. The purpose of our time together had nothing to do with the things we have to do. All of it was about the amazing gifts we have in Christ alone. From our joy to our identity, our humility and love to our community it all comes in Christ alone.
There will be more details to come on the powerful message of this weekend, but for now take a moment and enjoy the theme song for the weekend. As you watch the video, pay attention to the lights flashing in the crowd. Those lights were cell phones that came from various parts of the world flashing in unison to the message In Christ Alone. Remember that we come from different corners of the earth with our various traditions and practices, but in Christ alone do we gain salvation. In Christ alone do we find the heart of God.
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