A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (July 14, 2015)
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? (Luke 5:21)
What if the opportunity arose for you to have Jesus come speak at your Church or your business meeting. What would the invitation look like or sound like? Would there be any restrictions on what He would be allowed to say or do? How would you introduce Him?
I can just hear the discussions of the church elders or business leaders now. “Are you sure you want this guy to speak?’ “You know He says some things and does some things that are pretty radical.” “What if He wants to pray for the sick? We don’t do that in our church.” “What if He starts talking about eating His flesh and drinking His blood?” “We just can’t have that kind of talk.” “Okay, my suggestion is that we sit down with Him before He speaks to make sure He understands what this church believes and make some limits as to what He can and cannot do and say?” “Yes, we all agree!” “One more thing. I have heard that this man attracts all kind of degenerates, like prostitutes and thieves. What are we going to do to make sure we are not overrun by these degenerates?” “We need to have a meeting with all our ushers and parking personnel to make sure we control this situation.” “Yes, we all agree!”
Sound ludicrous or farfetched? Think about it! How would your church react if Jesus walked through the doors of your church or your business meeting? What if He walked in with long hair and dressed in His customary robe and sandals? What if people fell at His feet as dead? What if He started healing people as He walked down the aisle? What if He started ministering to people and telling them things that no one else would know but them? Would you be on your face or would you be looking for the ushers to get this mad man out of your church or your meeting?
The Bible is filled with examples of how the religious leaders of that day spurned and conspired against Jesus and we criticize them for it and preach against it. We think we have come so far and we think we are so much more educated than they were. Are we so sure?
If you were given the job to introduce Jesus from the pulpit, what would you say? Have you ever thought about that? There is a one person that has and the following is a link to that introduction on youtube:
Thank you Steve Harvey for that anointed introduction. It was one of your best ever!
Help us Lord recognize you when you come into our midst! Open our eyes and our heart to your presence. Help us not get so caught up in our religious doctrines and political correctness that we cannot recognize you when you show up.
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17-18)
