Most of us are familiar with this verse from John 12. But what does it mean and how does it affect our lives? Is it an excuse to pass them by (like the priest and the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan) because they will never change and always be with us? Jesus teaches otherwise, and even describes how OUR TREATMENT OF THE POOR HAS ETERNAL CONSEQUENCES FOR EACH OF US.
The poor includes people who have fallen on hard times, some who lost their jobs and are unable to find work, some are unable to work, some are ne’er-do-wells who will not work, some are drug addicts or alcoholics, and some have hearts hungry for love and truth. Our responsibility is to be sowers of God’s truth and love, then let God sort them out; that’s His job, not ours.
Do you know anyone as a friend who is poor, with limited or no financial resources? In recent months, I have come to know three limited resource persons (described as “poor” by our society). It has opened up a new awareness of their life experiences, how they live, what they value, and even their religious beliefs. Realizing that this is from a limited number of people, the following is what I have learned.
Limited Resource Persons (my preferred term to “poor”):
Have life crises, just like you and me, but with limited or no safety net and support network.
May be just one crisis away from losing a job and homelessness (severe illness, car breaks down, family crisis requiring them to care for a loved one at home, etc.) People with resources can typically handle crises more easily.
Make unwise (and often sinful) decisions, just like the rest of us, but the stakes are higher because they don’t have the resources to recover.
May have serious health issues that are unattended to.
Experience more crime because they can’t afford to live in nicer, safer areas.
May have been homeless for a time, but did not stay that way.
Have a short time horizon, as short as 24 hours. It is hard to plan for the future on an empty stomach.
How Did They Get That Way? Often a mix of:
a terrible home life that did not prepare them with life skills, attitudes, habits, and relationships necessary to function in the working world,
unwise (and often sinful) decisions they made, or people around them making unwise decisions that directly affect them,
having bad breaks – they get cancer, their employer goes bankrupt, etc.
experiencing physical, mental, or sexual abuse growing up, which traumatized their souls, their lives, and how they relate to other people,
relying on alcohol and drugs to numb the pain and suffering in their lives. and
often have several interrelated, intractable problems (called wicked problems) – they can’t keep a job because their vehicle breaks down, but they can’t afford a reliable vehicle because they don’t have the money (because they can’t keep a job) and on and on.
How God Sees Limited Resource Persons
Society says these people are addicted, but our Lord sees them as afflicted. They are sinners, just like you and me, and they need the Lord – the truth and love of Christ. When we focus on their sin and shortcomings, we will not see their pain, loneliness, and suffering. And if we have not walked in their shoes, it is difficult to truly grasp what they are struggling with on a daily basis.
Limited resource persons may be Spirit-led Christians who effectively witness to many people you or I may never encounter. The three limited resource friends I know are the most fervent and effective evangelists that I know. They are materially poor but spiritually rich, and share their spiritual wealth freely with everyone who comes across their path. They are real missionaries, reaching people with the good news of Christ – people we will likely never meet, but all loved by God.
True Riches and True Poverty
This takes us to another level, seeing how Christ looks at poverty – true poverty. In Revelation 3, Christ spoke (through John) to the church of Smyrna, the persecuted church: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)”. He then spoke to the Church of Laodicea (the lukewarm church), saying: “Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich.”
Jesus describes how we can be materially wealthy but spiritually poor (true poverty) and therefore are on the broad path that takes us to the Lake of Fire. Jesus sent out the disciples 2 by 2, without any money. So they would have been poor in the eyes of the world, but they carried true riches with them – the riches of the Kingdom of Heaven that do not feed the body, but feed the soul unto eternal life. In Acts 3:6, Peter stated to a lame man: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The lame man was healed, “and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:8
Limited resource persons are image bearers of God, and God tells us to care for them as He cares for us. In Matthew 25, Jesus, spoke to His disciples about the hungry, the thirsty, the strangers, and those in prison: “‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:31-40
So how we relate to the poor is a serious matter. In Part II we will discuss ways we can respond to them. In the meantime, reach out to them as you can, for time is short and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
I see her only once a week, and then for only about one to two hours. Sometimes during that time she might say something to me, but usually it is something she says every week, something memorized.
For the most part, she doesn’t even know I’m there. The rest of the week she doesn’t speak to me at all. She leads a very busy life and there always seems to be other things more important to her than visiting with me. I miss her terribly. What hurts most is she is my bride to be.
We seem to be drifting further and further apart. When we first met, our hearts were filled with love and we would talk for hours on end.
But something happened along the way – her interest in me began to fade. She says she still loves me but her visits have become farther apart. Sometimes, she doesn’t come visit me except for a few days a year, usually Christmas and Easter. I miss her so!
If you see her, will you tell her how much I miss her and my love for her will never end. Thank you.
What? Oh, how will you recognize her? It’s easy, she looks just like…………..YOU!
Eternally, Jesus
THIS IS A LOVE LETTER FROM JESUS TO THE BODY OF CHRIST, HIS BRIDE. HE INVITES US TO WALK WITH HIM EVERY DAY, TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM, AND TO ENJOY HIS PRESENCE – FROM NOW INTO ETERNITY!
Source: Jerry Sundberg, Portrait of a Relationship To God be the glory
The compelling messages from Jesus Christ to the seven churches in the book of Revelation are below. To take the quiz, review the description of the seven churches below, then choose two of them that best describe your church. Better yet, share this quiz with the leaders of your church, then ask them what does this mean for their church and its future?
Finally, take the quiz or your own spiritual life, and ask if you are comfortable with the results? ___1) The Loveless Church (Ephesus) – “I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” Revelation 2:4-5
___2) The Persecuted Church (Symyrna) – “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:9-10
___3) The Compromising Church (Pergamos) – “But I have a few things against you, because you have those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Repent, or I will come to you and fight against them with the sword of My mouth.” Revelation 2:14-16
___4) The Corrupt Church (Thyatira) – “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Revelation 2:20-22
___5) The Dead Church (Sardis) – “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.” Revelation 3:1-3
___6) The Faithful Church (Philadelphia) – “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” Revelation 3:10-11
___7) The Lukewarm Church (Laodicea) – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich…” Revelation 3:14-18
To God be the glory LifeintheSpirit.net Source of image: Pexels
A healthy church is not just a building, leadership structure, or weekly service. A healthy church is a vibrant community where God is present and members grow in their faith and service. Here are 25 signs of a healthy church: ___1. There is a divine sense of mission and purpose to carry out The Great Commission. ___2. The presence of God is evident in worship services and the assembly of the saints. ___3. The Word of God is presented with authority and anointing. ___4. There are functional prayer gatherings. ___5. There is a real expectation for answered prayers. ___6. People are getting saved and baptized. ___7. The leadership of the church – elders, deacons, teachers, and pastors, seek to serve the Lord and the congregation with humility and integrity. ___8. The church is more in love with the future (with a compelling vision) than the past. ___9. Fellowship and relationships are warm, and people do not jockey for position and titles. ___10. Many people volunteer to serve. ___11. Many people support the church with tithes and offerings. ___12. The community gets impacted in real ways. ___13. Your leaders have great passion. ___14. There is more attention, resources, and enthusiasm devoted to the work of the Lord than to maintaining the church organization and facilities. ___15. There is an established pattern of disciple making, equipping members to be ambassadors for Christ. ___16. Homeless and street people are seen as a mission field and are treated with compassion. ___17. There is greater emphasis on what unites us in Christ than how we are different from other Christians. ___18. There is an increase of members and finances over time. ___19. Openness to change and support of innovation is evident. ___20. Sermons engage both the mind and the heart. ___21. You are seeing many first-time visitors. ___22. Your church is welcoming and diverse; everyone in your church does not look and think just like you. ___23. You’re focused on reaching new people as well as keeping church members. ___24. Communication is clear and conflicts are resolved when they arise. ___25. There is a sense of urgency and passion to reach lost souls.
How many of these describe your church: _ out of 25?
Action steps you can take: • share this list with other members and leaders of your church, • hold this up to the Lord, seeking His guidance, • develop action steps to build on your strengths and address problem areas, and • take action, giving glory to God for the results.
To God be the glory LifeintheSpirit.net Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay
Source of image: JosephMaterra.org “The word of God teaches us that there are times God’s presence can leave the corporate expression of His people. We see this in I Samuel 4:21-22 when the name Ichabod was given to the grandson of Eli, the high priest, after the ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines. Also, in the book of Revelation 3:1 Jesus told the church of Sardis that they had a reputation of being alive but was dead. Hence, it is possible for communities of faith to be dead or dying.
Furthermore, in Revelation 2:5, Jesus warned the church of Ephesus that if they did not repent He would remove their lampstand. Since the lampstand represents the true church (according to Rev.1: 20) then Jesus was either threatening to shut down the church and or remove Himself from it (which would mean it was dead spiritually).
Since Jesus said that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church (Matthew 16) then, it is impossible for Satan to close down a church; hence, whenever a church ceases to exist it is the Lord Himself who shut it down. This is the reason many denominations will cease to exist in the next few decades as well as why many congregations close their doors every year. (To blame Satan for this is not biblical since Jesus said He is the One who removes them).
Having established the biblical precedent for dead or dying churches, the following are signs of a dead (or dying) church. Check the ones that fit your church:
___1. There are no functional prayer gatherings.
Within dying churches, few people show up to pray and seek God together since they have no sense of His Presence or that He is present in the midst of them (E.G. You would not be motivated to speak to your friend if you didn’t think they were listening).
___2. There is no expectation for answered prayers.
Few, if any, pray together since there is no anticipation that God will actually answer prayers. When you are in a church without faith to believe God, it is either dead or dying.
___3. The presence of God is missing in the assembly of the Saints.
Metaphorically, the heavens are like brass over the skies of dead or dying churches (Deut.28: 23). There is no sense of God’s presence during worship even though Jesus promised that where two or three gather in His name there He is in the midst of them (Matt.18: 20).
___4. The Word of God is presented without authority or anointing.
The religious leaders (who practiced a dead faith during Jesus’s time) were shocked when they heard Jesus speak because He taught with authority (Mark 1:22). In dead or dying churches the preacher has no unction to instill faith, motivate action or convict of sin.
___5. Few if any people are saved, or get baptized.
In the early church, the Lord regularly added people to the church. (Acts 2:47). When there are no people being saved or baptized, it is a sign the Lord is no longer working in their midst.
___6. Every church service is predictable by the minute.
Whether it be high church services or a non-denominational charismatic church, when every aspect of the worship, liturgy, and preaching is predictable as if choreographed to the minute, then it may reveal there is no room for the Holy Spirit to operate. Like Samson of old, the Spirit may have departed without the people knowing it (Judges 16:20). Truly, any aspect of our church that can function without dependence on the Holy Spirit shows that it is a machination of men and not God.
___7. There is no pattern of disciple making.
The bottom line in all churches is the making of committed Christ followers, better known as disciples. It doesn’t matter how large a church is, what matters is how many mature sons [and daughters] are being developed that will positively affect the created order (Read Romans 8:19-21).
___8. The people jockey for position and titles.
When people are not seeking the glory of God they depend even more upon getting affirmation from men. Hence, a church without the Presence of God will most likely have a hierarchical culture with people posturing for positions and titles. The less you know God intimately, the more your identity will be connected to credentials and titles.
___9. There is no divine sense of mission and purpose.
When there is no vision the people are perishing (Proverbs 29:18), when a congregation is dead or dying they have no compelling transcendent purpose that motivates them to fulfill their biblical calling.
___10. Few people volunteer to serve.
Psalm 110:3 say that the people will volunteer or offer themselves willingly in the day of His power. Consequently, in dead or dying churches very few people volunteer to serve in the ministry.
___11. Few people support the church with tithes and offerings.
Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be” (Matthew 6:21). When a church is dying or dead, few people will be motivated to invest their finances into it. Conversely, when people see God moving within the church, they will have more faith and be more motivated to give of their finances knowing that it is being sown on good soil.
___12. The community doesn’t get impacted.
God called believers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). When our lamp goes out, the surrounding community is no longer changed by the power of the gospel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you see any or all of these signs of a dying church in your congregation, ask the Lord what He wants you to do to help resuscitate it. Humbly present your concerns to the leaders of the church before making any decisions. Perhaps God is doing a lot behind the scenes that you do not know about.
Also, at times in American history, the turn of the 19th century in particular, the church in general was in a very low spiritual state; God raised up men like Charles Finney to usher in the Second Great Awakening which revived thousands of congregations and awakened lost sinners. Like the prophet Habakkuk of old, let us seek the Lord to revive His work in the midst of the years and beseech Him that in wrath He would remember mercy (Hab. 3:2).
The greatest challenge we have in this nation is not our political leaders but a lack of power and conviction in the pulpit and the pews that can produce world- changing Christ followers.” Source: 13 Signs of a Dying Church
Thirteen More Signs ___13. Your leaders are losing their passion.
Leaders of growing churches have a white-hot passion for their mission. You can hear it in their voice and can see it in their eyes. By contrast, leaders of stuck or declining churches or organizations generally do NOT burn with drive, desire or passion.
Passionate leaders are obsessed with the mission and get more excited about possibilities than get weighed down by problems. They also bring the love and hope of Jesus in some way into every aspect of their lives. Most leaders who make a significant difference don’t live balanced lives; they live passionate lives and see ministry as something they GET to do. For them, ministry is a privilege, not a burden.
___14. There is more attention and resources dedicated to maintaining the church organization and facilities than enthusiasm for the work of the Lord.
While internal organizations and maintaining church facilities is important, the true work of the church – the called-out ones, is to go forth to reach the lost with the truth and love of Christ. This also reflects an emphasis on management – managing the affairs of the church, rather than leadership – inspiring members to go out and reach the lost. When maintenance begins to trump mission, the end is near.
___15. Keeping traditions is more important than a compelling vision for the future.
If the past is the guideline for action rather than “what would the Lord have us do in this situation”, the church is ill-equipped to respond to changes impacting the church. The past also does not generate enthusiasm or excitement. That comes from a sense of purpose and direction, and plans and actions to realize a compelling vision for the future.
“Vision is prayed down, not borrowed or thought up. It is a picture of what could be and what should be, and results in passion. A leader with vision motivates people to move into action toward a greater good for the church and community. Vision is directly attached to calling.”
___16. Homeless and street people are seen more as a nuisance and threat to church property than a mission field.
Even though homeless and street people are not easy to minister to, they are fellow image-bears of God, and Jesus commands us to not be respecter of persons but to minister to all. In Matthew 25:45, He states: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
___17. There is greater emphasis on how we are different from other Christians than what unites us in Christ.
In Ephesians 4:4-6, the apostle Paul declared there is (only) one body and one Spirit. So while it is important to hold to the core beliefs of one’s church, what different Bible-believing Christian churches hold in common – belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior – is more important than our differences.
___18. There is a slow loss of members and finances over time.
Unless there is a crisis or major division, dying churches typically don’t lose members and finances all at once. More common is a gradual attrition, as a few members leave for a variety of reasons, some move away, and older members pass on. This is often accompanied by a lack of influx from the younger generation, who find other churches more appealing, or quit going to church completely. The result is a gradual loss of momentum, members, and finances, like the story of the frog in the boiling water.
___19. Strong resistance to change and innovation is evident.
Change is uncomfortable but necessary. One sign of a dying church is resistance to change and innovation. However, if your church is dying, change needs to be made quickly. Is your church is resisting change because they’re stuck in the past, or for valid and Biblical reasons?
Resist change, and innovators will eventually leave your church. Down the road, even when you want to innovate – you can’t because all the idea people have abandoned ship. When was the last time you did something truly new? If you can’t answer that question, beware. Dying churches typically fiercely reject change.
___20. Sermons engage the mind but not the heart.
We are bombarded by messages from many sources all throughout the week. Sermons that are not personal, compelling, and engaging, that point members to a transformed life, but sound like theological lectures are not very effective. Even worse are sermons that embrace our pagan culture and espouse non-Biblical perspectives.
___21. You are seeing very few first-time visitors.
If a church doesn’t continually attract and connect with first-time visitors, then it will eventually die because of attrition. To attract more first-time guests, the church will need an online strategy and an invite strategy. Your website, social media ads, and online church service are vital to people finding the church. An invite strategy uses invite cards on the 3 big days of the year which are Fall, Christmas and Easter, as well as throughout the year.
The key is to get first-time guests to the Sunday worship experience and then connect them to the life of the church as quickly as possible. That is one of the major differences between dying churches and growing churches.
___22. Everyone in your church looks and thinks just like you.
Does your congregation truly represent a cross-section of your community? Or do they all fit neatly within the same racial, economic, age, cultural, and political boxes? Churches that lack diversity in terms of age, race, and socio-economic status often struggle to connect with their communities and reach new people.
Furthermore, if members of your congregation don’t feel comfortable expressing doubts, asking questions, voicing concerns, or engaging in respectful dialogue on sensitive issues and topics, then your church is probably attractive to one type of person: People just like you. And that’s a well that’ll run dry fast.
___23. You’re focused more on keeping church members than reaching new people.
A subtle sign of a dying church is that it has completely given up on evangelism and is directing all of its resources to keep its members from leaving. In these situations, the goal simply becomes making the congregation as happy and comfortable as possible to prevent any more exits.
The long-term consequences – not investing in young families or community outreach – will inevitably signal a death blow down the road.
___24. Unresolved conflict
Study after study correlates unresolved conflict with church decline. And if there’s one thing dying churches are good at, it’s ignoring problems or making excuses. Even worse, conflict ignored is conflict multiplied, so if the conflict has been going on for a while, chances are your church is a toxic family system, even as it shrinks in size.
That raises the question: If leaders know there is a problem, why isn’t anyone being an adult and doing something about it?
___25. There is no sense of urgency and passion to reach lost souls.
In Matthew 28:16, Jesus calls us to carry out the Great Commission, to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded. Dying churches do not have this as a high priority.
How many of these describe your church: __ out of 25?
Hopefully this can spur you and the leadership of your church to consider your current state, what you would like to become in the near future, and how you can get there, starting with the Lord!
One of the greatest challenges for Christians is how can we take “nice” conversations to a deeper level that touches the other person’s soul. We can do this by asking great questions.
I. How Are You?
How are you?
What is happening in your life?
What brings joy into your life?
What is the cry in your soul at this time?
II. Who Are You?
Who are you and how did you end up here?
What is your story? You can then tell them your story, and HIS
(Jesus’s) story.
Is there a song, book, or movie that describes your life?
What really makes you come alive?
III. What Were the Defining Moments in Your Life?
Have there been DEFINING MOMENTS – turning points in your lifewhen you gained some new insight or experienced a radical change that changed the direction of your life? What were they?
IV. What Do You Think About God?
When you die and pass into eternity, what do you think you willexperience? How does that make you feel?
What do you think about God? Is He your friend?
What do you want from Him?
What do you think He wants from you?
How do you see Jesus?
Do you spend time with the Lord in His Word and prayer every day?
V. How is the Lord Working in Your Life?
Have you ever seen the hand of the Lord in your life or sensed His
presence? What was it like?
How is the Lord working in your life? What is He teaching you?
Do you realize that, as a Christian, the Holy Spirit dwells within you,
and seeks a personal relationship with you?
How does that make you feel?
Do you believe we can discern the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit
and be nurtured, taught, and guided by Him each day?
Do you look for the divine appointments God has for you each day?
VI. What is Your Life Purpose and Calling?
Do you know the Lord’s calling on your life – the unique and special
purpose for which you were created?
Are you fulfilling His calling upon your life? If not, what is holding you
One of the greatest tragedies of all time is the many people who believe they are going to heaven when they die, but end up in the Lake of Fire:
“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15
Here are four warning signs that we all should watch for, described as questions the Lord may ask us when we stand before Him after we pass from this earth:
Warning Sign #1: UNIVERSALISM – EVERYONE IS GOING TO
HEAVEN
“You believe everyone is going to heaven, even those who refuse to repent of their many sins and also reject Me – God the Father, My Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You do not know Me, and have no place in the Kingdom of Heaven:”
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6
Warning Sign #2: UNFORGIVENESS
“You refused to forgive (this person) in your life, so why should I forgive you? My Son Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 6:14-15”:
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Warning Sign #3: UNREPENTANCE
“You worship other gods, such as wealth, status, pleasure, lust, and power, and are unrepentant. Why should I let you bring your sin and idolatry into heaven which is holy and without sin?”
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8
Warning Sign #4: LUKEWARMNESS
“You belong to the Church of Laodicea, a church known for comfort, prosperity, wealth, and leisure; a lukewarm, spiritually stagnant, church in the midst of people with great physical and spiritual needs. Why should I let you in while your soul is polluted with the world and worldly desires?
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth (reject you with disgust).” Revelation 3:14-16 MSG
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12
The warnings are particularly relevant when we reflect on this sober warning that few there are that find the narrow gate and path which leads to heaven:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
So let us reach out to those who come across our path with the love and truth of Christ, for life is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.
The day started out like every other day, but little did I know that a tragic event would transpire that would change my life forever. I just had breakfast and was about to head out to work, when there was a knock on the door.
I opened it and a sharply-dressed, tall, dark gentleman asked me my name. After I responded, he replied: “This is a subpoena for you to appear in court. The date and place are in the document. See you in court.” He then departed and closed the door. I was surprised and more than a little nervous. Uncertainty and fear gripped my heart as I wondered – what is this all about? Am I in trouble? What have I done? After gathering my thoughts, I opened the door to ask him a few questions, but he was not there, and I did not see him even after I looked up and down the street.
As I was on my way out the door to head for work, I glanced at the summons, and noticed that it was for TOMORROW, at some location I was not familiar with. But as I was late for work, I decided to check out the location later.
It was a very busy day at work, and I even had to work late. A strong thunderstorm came up, and as I was driving home, a drunk driver swerved and hit my car head-on at high speed, causing a HUGE CRASH. In an instant, my life flashed before me, and I lost consciousness.
THE GREAT COURTROOM OF HEAVEN
When I woke up, I realized something had profoundly changed. I was standing in a huge, majestic courtroom, and it felt like I had somehow passed into another dimension. It then dawned on me that I had passed through the veil of death and into eternity, and was now standing in THE GREAT COURTROOM OF HEAVEN!
When I looked toward the rear of the courtroom, behind a rail were visitors. I saw my parents! And my Uncle Bob and Aunt Mary, my neighbor David, a co-worker who died from cancer, and three high school classmates who had died from a car accident many years ago. They were all excited to see me, and were there to support me and cheer me on.
When I returned my gaze to the front of the courtroom, it dawned on me that I was the one who was on trial!
I then recognized the tall dark gentleman who gave me the summons, standing to the right of the judge’s bench and wearing a white flowing robe. I realized he was an angel and he declared: “All rise in reverence for the Judge, the sovereign, living God of the universe.”
When God the Father came in, His holy presence filled the courtroom, and everyone present bowed to the floor, the only thing a person could do in the presence of absolute holiness.
The angel then told everyone to be seated, but for me (the accused) to remain standing. He then asked the Accuser (Satan) to read the charges against me. Satan had a very long list, as I had committed many sins throughout my life. My heart was broken and grieved as he read them, realizing all the harm I had done to so many people.
Then God the Judge asked “Before I pass sentence, what do you have to say for yourself?” I was so overcome with grief, I had nothing to say.
GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY
God then asked me: “How do you plead – guilty or not guilty? “Guilty” I sobbed, and I knew my fate was sealed if justice was to prevail.
He asked one final question before pronouncing my sentence: “Is there anyone present who would like to speak on behalf of the accused?”
At this point, Jesus stepped forward from the back of the courtroom where He was watching the proceedings. He told the judge and all in the courtroom that He paid the price for my sins with his death on the cross, and thus took the penalty that was rightfully mine. My heart leaped with great anticipation at the possibility of a reprieve for my many sins.
The Judge, God the Father, then slammed the gavel down, announced that all charges against me were dropped, and welcomed me into the Kingdom of Heaven. Immediately I heard a loud chorus of angels rejoicing that another soul had been snatched from eternity in the Lake of Fire.
While Satan stomped out of the courtroom, furious at losing another soul to Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven, my friends and family in the visitors’ section cheered loudly, for my life had just been saved by the blood of Christ. I then experienced a joy and bliss that is beyond my ability to describe – a feeling of peace and of finally coming home to be with the Lord for eternity.
Well guess what – this is going to happen to you as well as to me. Each of us has a particular day in the future when we will pass through the veil of death and into eternity. We will then stand before the sovereign, living God of the universe in the Great Court of Heaven, where ultimate justice is dispensed for each of us.
Satan, the accuser, will describe all the sins we have committed in our life, and then we will be asked to respond to his accusations. Finally, God the Father will ask if there is anyone who would like to speak on our behalf. Although we may have friends and family watching the trial, their testimony will not be allowed, as they have no standing regarding matters of eternal justice (and God already knows what they would say on our behalf anyway).
Only Christ can advocate for individual persons, and then only for those of us who have received Him as our Savior BEFORE WE DIED. Once we pass through the veil of death into eternity, our course is set.
So let us reach out to those who come across our path with the love and truth of Christ, for life is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Source of image: shutterstock.com
Wouldn’t you like to hear what the homeless guy said to the recovering Christian? Stay with me and I will tell you, for it is a compelling story.
Actually, it was on an afternoon, not in a bar, and on the steps of a house owned by the recovering Christian, a young man in his 40s. When asked what his religious background was, he said he was raised in the church, but he is now “a recovering Christian” (like a recovering alcoholic).
He cited two experiences that impacted him in particular. The first was when he was enrolled as a student at a Christian university and playing baseball. When the coach caught him and several other players smoking pot, he confessed and even said he had a joint in his dorm room. The next day, security officers searched his room, where they found the marijuana joint.
The other players were reprimanded, but stayed on the team and in school, while he was expelled. He pleaded for mercy from the college administrators, but they refused and expelled him.
Secondly, he mentioned seeing homeless people sleeping in the alcoves or on porches of churches who kept their buildings locked. He then referred to Jesus who said inasmuch as you did not give food, water, or shelter to the least of these, you did not give to Me. So he is a recovering Christian because of the traumatic ending of his college and baseball career, and the gap between what Jesus said and what he has seen in churches.
It is at this juncture that a homeless man chimed in. He told the homeowner that there is a big difference between true Christians who are members of the Body of Christ, and church organizations that place a higher priority on holding events for their members and maintaining their buildings than going out to win souls for Christ. He declared that the true church is not an organization with buildings and a sign that says church, but an organism with members from all countries who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. His final admonition was to not confuse the two, but focus on Christ who alone can set us free from sin and the fear of death.
The True Church in Communist Romania
This conversation brings to mind insights from Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, author of “Tortured for Christ”. Wurmbrand experienced months of solitary confinement, years of periodic physical torture, and the anguish of brainwashing by Romanian communist officials, all for the crime of public witnessing about Jesus Christ.
Wurmbrand described how believers would not build houses, because officials would then arrest them and take their properties. They could not gather in public or they would be arrested, so they would gather in basements or out in the forest at night – anyplace where they would not be detected.
So what if (or when) Christianity is outlawed in America, and we had to meet under a tree in the forest at night? There would be no buildings to maintain, lock, or worry about vandalism. If someone was sleeping under our tree, fine – we might sleep there as well. If someone came to worship with us, terrific, for they too are seeking the love and truth of Jesus, the only truth that can set us free. If we are sharing food and someone comes, fine, we share food with them JUST LIKE JESUS DID.
Everyone has a story – a story of their life, with successes, failures, hopes and fears. Everyone we see or meet is going through some struggle unknown to us, even if they say everything is “fine”. So let us reach out to them with the love and truth of Christ, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Source of image: Shutterstock.com
Is education important? Of course. While we may expect a better educated public to address complex and serious issues more effectively than an uneducated public, in my many years as an educator, I concluded that it is not THE ANSWER to the many critical challenges facing our nation, such as drugs, poverty, homelessness, corruption, and crime. Ironically, it may even provide greater capability to promulgate evil. Here are two incredible stories that shed light on this matter:
Story #1: The Einsatzgruppen in Nazi Germany – Educated Murderers
Prior to the invasion of Poland in 1939, Heinrich Himmler, Chief of the German Police, created the Einsatzgruppen to identify, combat, and eliminate suspected enemies of the German Nazi government in areas taken over by the Nazi army. They were paramilitary death squads that engaged in mass murder, primarily by shooting many of the cultural, religious, and intellectual elite of Poland, including Catholic priests, Freemasons, Jews, local political leaders, communists, partisans, and Romani people.
These units, supported by SS units, killed over 50,000 Poles, including 7,000 Polish Jews by the end of 1939. Himmler recruited highly educated Germans to lead the Einsatzgruppen, with OVER HALF OF THE EINSATZGRUPPEN LEADERS HAVING PH.D.S. Their advanced education did not provide them with a moral compass to forbid mass murder.
Story #2: Craig Marlatt – From Prison to Street Ministry
Craig Marlatt’s life started out rough, then took a radical turn for the Lord. Sent to prison THREE TIMES for drug offenses, the third time he was in prison, Marlatt volunteered to assist with a prison ministry as the chaplain’s clerk because it was easier than working out in the hot cotton fields. There he met a homely preacher who preached the Word of God. The Holy Spirit convicted Craig, and he came to the Lord. When he left prison, he started a coffee house in the toughest part of downtown Orlando. Here is an ex-con with a high school education, ministering to drug addicts, prostitutes, and street people, as well as writing books and recording Christian songs that inspire people to live lives of honesty, virtue, and service.
These stories demonstrate that education, while important, can be used for good or evil, and that our Lord can and does use ANYONE who is yielded to His Holy Spirit and is willing to carry out the work of the Lord. God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.
Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 The word “life” in Greek is “zoe” which means a life expressing the highest and best, a life of service to God and to mankind. As just one example, the early Christians were known for rescuing unwanted babies off the trash heaps of the Roman empire. In contrast, communist regimes that explicitly rejected God have killed over 100 million of their own people. Christ brings life; communism – rejecting God – brings death.
So let us seek the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, that we may discover God’s calling upon our lives and experience the abundant life – the life of joy that He promises to all who follow Him.
