Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them." He told them this parable: "Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn't leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. Luke 15:1'7 WEB.I could hardly contain my excitement as we headed to the church. I was zealous for Jesus, and I had been sharing my faith with a friend at work for several weeks. He finally agreed to come to church with me. As far as I know, he had never been to church before. This was his first visit. I guess I was young and naive about how arrogant people can be when it comes to religion.
My friend and I were both musicians, but he actually looked like one while I was clean-cut. He had really long hair in a spiral perm like most rock and roll drummers did in the 80s, as well as a few tattoos. On the inside, He was a gentle-spirited, good-hearted guy who would give you the shirt off his back if it would help you.
The church that I attended had been having revival meetings all week. The preacher had brought a solid message about Jesus every night. He spoke on love and mercy, forgiveness, heaven and hell. The works. Then he followed it with a powerful altar call. The turnouts and conversions had been outstanding. I wanted my friend to hear the message about Jesus as distraction-free as possible, so we arrived at church early. I found us some seats on the front row, and we settled in to listen.
When the preacher walked onto the stage and saw my long-haired friend sitting on the front row, his countenance transformed from Jekyll to Hyde. His message suddenly changed from how Jesus came to seek and save the lost to how shameful it is for a man to have long hair. He yelled his way through the sermon and beat his bible with a red face while staring directly at us with what appeared to be contempt. It was as if I had placed a pile of moist dung on that seat in the front row, instead of a dear friend.
As the church filled with shouts of "Amen, Brother! Preach it!" I began to feel sick. I sank lower and lower in my seat as the service went on. My excitement was gradually replaced with disgust. I slowly realized that they only wanted to share the good news of Jesus amongst themselves, and they glared at me for bringing a sinner into their sacred gathering.
We crawled out of that church in shame. But the shame I felt was because I had brought my friend to such a sinful place. I attend a different church today, and I don't know if my friend ever went to church again. He stopped talking to me, and we finally lost touch.
That church was nothing more than a members-only social club. Their bouncers were called ushers. Their membership fee was collected with offering plates, and they had a strict dress code. All new memberships were by invitation only and had to be approved.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. We should welcome them just as they are. Until they come to know Jesus, you can keep the commandments for your Bible study, for they don't apply to the lost. It is not the outside of us that matters anyway, but the inside (Matthew 23:27).
It is a religious spirit that rejects the lost, never the Holy Spirit. Jesus ate and drank with the sinners, while the religious Pharisees stood outside and watched. If we exile the lost and hurting who try and come to us, we have become nothing more than a social club.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let me see the world through Your eyes. Help me recognize the good that You have placed in people and value them as You do. Please don't let me ever drive someone away from You. Instead, use me to bring them to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page:
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Yes Lord, in Jesus's name I pray, amen.
Amen
Amen farther, you say you will by no means turn anyone away, Jesus died for everyone, when I 1st started going to church I had long hair, I wore jeans ^ trainers I didn't do it to be disrespectful, but I didn't handle a suit im not really a suit person anyway, Jesus is more interested in what's going on , on the inside he's not bothered about people who think wearing a prada suit makes them more acceptable, Jesus loves us not what we wear, I wish everyone a blessed day, Amen
Amen
Amen
AMEN. Heavenly Father, Thank you for accepting me as I am. Thank you for all blessings. AMEN
Amen!
Thank you Jesus for all your love. Amen
In Lord Christ Yeshua's name I pray, Amen.
Amen!
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Amen !
Lord, please let me see the world through Your eyes and prompt me to be Your arms and heart. Thank you. Amen
May my thoughts, words and actions reflect You to others, Father. Amen!
Amen. Iv been judged more harshly by Christian's in the church than non Christian's in my life because I don't look disabled. Two major car accidents and decades of severe constant pain. But then the word tells me I have to look at the rock in my eye at times iv judged others... Gods grace is sufficient for me.
Amen thank you Father for your love and for sending us your only son so we can have a relationship with you let me see this world as you do
In Jesus Name, Amen
That's what drives so many people away from the church. Just an example. People get drunk in bars on Saturday night and then look down their noses at the bartenders, cocktail waitresses and band members if they dare to show up to church on Sunday. At our church, one kid got labeled as a troublemaker and so of course he became one. Thank the Good Lord he does not do that to anyone, and those who do will be sorry one day.
Amen!!
Amen and Amen!!! An old hymn just popped in my head while reading Pastor's prayer "instead, use me to bring them . . ". It's called "Bring them in, bring them in . . ." from the composer called William A Ogden! Oh Lord, please help me to bring souls to You, and may I NEVER ever turn anyone away from You because of what I did or said, in the name of JESUS, Amen!!!
I know exactly what you're talking about. That's one reason some of my children will not go to church. I love you Lord and I pray I will never be like those in the social club. Thank you Pastor Dion.
We are all God's children Amen
I don't go to the local churches because of their hypocrisy and their " best for me, but not for thee" attitude. All I can do is pray for them.
Amen Lord Jesus!
Amen!
When I go to NC, I go to church with my sister. Each year they have a big Christmas celebration and there are so many people that you have to get tickets for it. Doesn't cost anything, it's just for crowd control. Well last year my nephew went with us. He hadn't been to church because he thought they were all hypocrites. He didn't like all the yelling and screaming. Well the whole time we were there, he didn't say a word. When we got out, he pulled his Mom to the side and said "Thanks Mom. That's was not what I expected it to be. It was a great sermon." My sister was in tears. We prayed so much over him and he is engaged to a fairly religious girl. We look at this as a sign from God. I think the good Lord is going to bring him home!