WOW, I CAN TOTALLY RELATE TO THIS. This article is called, “What Do You Say?” Let me begin with an example. “The pastor says they sit front and center. The unruly, teenage girls. Sometimes they hold hands. And some folks have said he should address the issue. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
There is the couple who are pregnant and not married. Walks in shame as her father a “Man of God”, physically slaps her legs while she is having morning sickness and the Boyfriend who is not wanting to marry her. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And then there’s the man who sneaks in the back door. Fresh off the street. After the service starts. And leaves before altar call. The people sitting close complain about how bad he smells. Of beer and smoke and sweat. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And then there’s the young mama who wears dirty clothes and lets her four children come in and eat all the donuts and drink all the watered-down juice. Some church staff say they “…eat like little pigs. Like they haven’t eaten in weeks.” While the Mama just stands there and lets them. And the elders say something must be done and said. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
And there’s the whore sitting among the faithful. And everybody knows her. She sits with a painted-up face, cheap perfume, and a broken heart. And those who sit close, well, they all treat her for what they think she is. And at the last staff meeting, her name came up. Something must be done about her. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
The pastor is a good man. Holy and just. And he wants to do the “right and loving” thing. And he wants to “look like Jesus”. And he asks me, if I have any thoughts on anything he could say.
Yes, sweet Pastor. I do. Start with this and say it Louder than any other words: “Welcome to Church. This is a place of love and hope and safety and forgiveness. There will be food for the hungry. Living water for the thirsty. We are so glad you are here. You are invited. You are loved, and wanted. Come on in—we’ve been waiting on you. Welcome here. We are the church.” Say that. To the called and to the called-out. To the leaders and the greeters. To the dirty and the clean. We are all the same in Gods’ eyes. Present Jesus as the solution and Savior,share Jesus compassion, love, and sacrifice.
May we blow the dust of religion out of our souls and choose affection instead. May our words and actions and reactions be a sanctuary for all. Jesus broke many (RELIGIOUS LAWS-NOT MORAL LAWS) laws to love. So, Jesus, be our voice. Be the only words we should ever speak. I believe this with all my heart. Years ago we were kinder. Everybody looked out for one another. We need to go back to that. It takes us all. We gotta do better at looking out for each other instead of breaking each other down.” Author Unknown.
I was one of those poor unacceptable kids. I had hand me down rags for clothes, I was 8 years old before I ever had a new pair of blue jeans. Starved as a kid, and beaten for being born. THAT IS NO JOKE. NOT WANTED, NOT NEEDED. THANK GOD FOR JESUS.
Dear Reader, “Do you throw the baby out with the bath water?” Learn to distinguish the actions of a person as unacceptable from the person themselves. Learn to distinguish “THE SIN FROM THE SINNER.” Many come in the church not knowing about Morality, Gods Ways, or appropriate behavior. Even church discipline should be done in Love. It is hard to tell someone you love them, while punching them in the face at the same time.
UNACCEPTABLE
The Religious rulers of Jesus day, hated Him and everything He did. As Got Questions .com says, “Soon after calling Matthew to follow Him, Jesus ate a meal with “many tax collectors and sinners” in Matthew’s house (Mark 2:15). Matthew had been a tax collector, and these “sinners” were his friends and acquaintances who were now spending time with Jesus. Matthew wanted to introduce people in his social circle to Jesus.
The scribes and the Pharisees, who despised tax collectors, complained, but Jesus’ actions in spending time with sinners were in perfect accordance with His mission to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus showed mercy, as opposed to self-righteous judgment. The Religious rulers self-righteous attitude was their own sinful human nature. They only had condemnation for Jesus and His friends. This happened numerous times. Never once did they question how God looked at them.
Jesus chose to eat with sinners because they needed to know that repentance and forgiveness were available. As Jesus’ ministry grew, so did His popularity among the social outcasts of society. Once Matthew was part of His inner circle, Jesus naturally had more contact with the pariahs of His society. Spending time with the tax collectors and sinners was only natural, since He had “not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). If Jesus was to reach the lost, He must have some contact with them. He went to where the need was because “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Luke 5:31).
Who would help the homeless or hungry? Would you actually help a starving child or baby? Who would help and send a Bible to a person in prison? What did Jesus say, Matthew 25:34-40 “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
WHAT DO PEOPLE WANT?
People today want a “RELIGION” without consequences. A religion without Jesus, or a false Jesus, made in mans image. This is acceptable in many churches. Their acceptance is based on the size of their wallet, pocket book and bank card. All are welcome so come on in and sin. You want God’s blessings, you pay for it. Buy my books to see how you can be rich like me and successful. We promise to give you a fake Jesus with a false feel good gospel. You will love our entertainment. “WE ARE WOKE AND PROGRESSIVE.” This is the popular movement of today. They only represent the culture of the world today, with all of its Political Correctness and social issues rule supreme. Social Justice warriors only represent their social agenda, not what God values.
CONCLUSION
Here is the worst part of this article. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit have become irrelevant in so called churches. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, has been replaced with modern day progressive programs and false doctrines. Churches have moved from being God centered to man centered. Jesus has been “HUMANIZED” to fit the wants of secular churches. Jesus Deity has been stripped away.
Maybe I can now pull everything together that I have said. I wanted to show The church as God told us and its mission here on earth. I wanted to show what Jesus did and commanded us to do in love and compassion. Unfortunately, so much of the so called church looks more like Satan’s church then Gods’ church. And it continues to progress in Satan’s favor. That is the real shame, but God told us what to look for at the end of our days. Here is the most important thing that you can ever know or learn about life and eternal life.
Finally, and most important is this, YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR A FACT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS YOUR OWN PERSONAL LORD AND SAVIOR. God is real and so is Satan. Heaven is real and so is hell. Sin has always separated us from God because of who God is. He cannot and will never accept sin but He will forgive it, because Jesus paid for sin for us. Jesus came to earth and died a cruel death on the cross to pay for our sins and satisfy God’s judgment. II Corinthians 5:21 “For he (GOD) hath made him (JESUS) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection was for us, and gives us FORGIVENESS and eternal Salvation.”
It is free to us, but it cost Jesus His very life to pay for our sins. Will you bow your heart and turn from yourself and turn to God? Will you ask for forgiveness and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Will you put your faith and trust in Jesus? I assure you on the word of God that He will save you and give you a new life in Christ. Romans 10:13 says, “For who so ever shall (ASK) call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Bow your heart and ask God. This is one prayer God will ALWAYS answer. GOD CAN FILL YOUR EMPTINESS WITH LOVE AND JOY-AMEN. We know exactly what God has said. “WHAT DO YOU SAY?’
If you have prayed and been forgiven, then please let me know in the comment section below so I can rejoice with you. And your thoughts, opinions and comments are welcome so leave them below in the comment section on the bottom left. Please enjoy this beautiful song. Dear Reader. let this song speak to your heart. Jesus loved us and died for everyone, you and me even when we did not know Him or want Him. Even those that hated Him. RAY
with an example. “The pastor says they sit front and center. The unruly, teenage girls. Sometimes they hold hands. And some folks have said he should address the issue. But the pastor tells me he doesn’t know what to say.
available. As Jesus’ ministry grew, so did His popularity among the social outcasts of society. Once Matthew was part of His inner circle, Jesus naturally had more contact with the pariahs of His society. Spending time with the tax collectors and sinners was only natural, since He had “not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). If Jesus was to reach the lost, He must have some contact with them. He went to where the need was because “it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Luke 5:31).
from yourself and turn to God? Will you ask for forgiveness and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Will you put your faith and trust in Jesus? I assure you on the word of God that He will save you and give you a new life in Christ. Romans 10:13 says, “For who so ever shall (ASK) call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Bow your heart and ask God. This is one prayer God will ALWAYS answer. GOD CAN FILL YOUR EMPTINESS WITH LOVE AND JOY-AMEN. We know exactly what God has said. “WHAT DO YOU SAY?’