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"I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of
goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another." -
Romans 15:14
He walked into the church on a Sunday morning just
like everyone else there that day. His mannerisms and his outward
pleasantries lead those present to friendly discussions with the
stranger. As the people begin sitting in the pews, he finds a seat 2/3rds
the way back on the left. Sliding into the pew, he looks around to take
in the surroundings and assess the state of being of those present.
Children, teen agers, young adults and newly weds, parents, grandparents and
senior citizens fill the quiet country church this morning. Time passes
and the minute hand crosses over the apex as the noon hour comes and
goes. 10 minutes go by and the Pastor still hasn’t arrived for the
morning sermon. People are beginning to become agitated as time ticks
by. You could hear murmuring in the crowd as people leaned towards one
another to complain about the tardiness of the Pastor. Some were actually
standing and making their way towards the door, when the stranger stood up.
He moved quietly through the people, slowly and methodically he made his way to the front of the church. Eyes began looking toward him as he began singing out a favorite hymn of the church – “Mighty to Save” Instinctively, the people followed his lead and sang with him. The a cappella sounds rose to the rafters of the old white church. Angelic in nature, resounding above the dissenters murmuring and bitterness – the beauty of the song drew the congregation together in worship. As their voices began to soften, their attention once again fell upon the man at the front of the church.
”Congregation, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Charles, and starting this morning, I have been asked to step in for your Pastor. My first sermon this morning is on the role of a Christian in the church.” You could have heard a pin drop as the people took their seats and for the next 90 minutes or so listened to this humbly dressed minister. He preached on taking ownership of the righteousness, the reaching out, the pursuit of love and kindness and helping others.
What this church learned that morning was that the church body of Christians have a responsibility to resist evil and deliberately pursue right. We are challenged to help others learn from our actions and knowledge of the Savior. In all circumstances we need to be consistently focused on His love and grace and our ability to share that love with others. I am constantly reminding myself to ask, “If Christ were here with me, would I be making the same decisions, and doing the same things.” Taking on this simple attitude allows us to remain focused on always doing the righteous things and avoid the evil and deceitful lies of society. This goodness dwells within each of us through the Holy Spirit, and can be called upon in all circumstances. In this way, when others cast their eyes upon us as Christians they are more inclined to see the true reflection of Christ.
PRAYER:
Lord,
Humbly we come before you with our hearts open and our heads bowed. In awe of Your holiness and righteousness we ask that You engage in each of our lives. Convict us to be persistent as we pursue all things that are right and resist evil in our lives. Help us to teach and share Your love with others that we encounter. In Your name we pray - Amen
©
Sondove Enterprises, 2013He moved quietly through the people, slowly and methodically he made his way to the front of the church. Eyes began looking toward him as he began singing out a favorite hymn of the church – “Mighty to Save” Instinctively, the people followed his lead and sang with him. The a cappella sounds rose to the rafters of the old white church. Angelic in nature, resounding above the dissenters murmuring and bitterness – the beauty of the song drew the congregation together in worship. As their voices began to soften, their attention once again fell upon the man at the front of the church.
”Congregation, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Charles, and starting this morning, I have been asked to step in for your Pastor. My first sermon this morning is on the role of a Christian in the church.” You could have heard a pin drop as the people took their seats and for the next 90 minutes or so listened to this humbly dressed minister. He preached on taking ownership of the righteousness, the reaching out, the pursuit of love and kindness and helping others.
What this church learned that morning was that the church body of Christians have a responsibility to resist evil and deliberately pursue right. We are challenged to help others learn from our actions and knowledge of the Savior. In all circumstances we need to be consistently focused on His love and grace and our ability to share that love with others. I am constantly reminding myself to ask, “If Christ were here with me, would I be making the same decisions, and doing the same things.” Taking on this simple attitude allows us to remain focused on always doing the righteous things and avoid the evil and deceitful lies of society. This goodness dwells within each of us through the Holy Spirit, and can be called upon in all circumstances. In this way, when others cast their eyes upon us as Christians they are more inclined to see the true reflection of Christ.
PRAYER:
Lord,
Humbly we come before you with our hearts open and our heads bowed. In awe of Your holiness and righteousness we ask that You engage in each of our lives. Convict us to be persistent as we pursue all things that are right and resist evil in our lives. Help us to teach and share Your love with others that we encounter. In Your name we pray - Amen
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