I started what I call my war series at The Plant. It is a sermon series based on 2 Timothy, the last letter Paul wrote before he died for his Savior. In it he talks about being a soldier for Christ. I showed a clip from the movie Gettysburg. In it Jeff Daniels as Colonel Chamberlain gives a moving speech on the call to be a soldier. He talks about how every man has value and that we are fighting to set men free.
If the church, or any Christian as far as that goes, could truly grasp this concept what a difference it would make in answering the question, why are we here? We are here by God's grace and His Spirit has given us the knowledge of Jesus as our Savior. And now our Commander has issued the order to go and bring others into His army and save them from hell. We truly are in a war to set people free from an eternity without Him.
Tonight I was in downtown Cleveland feeding the homeless and those living in temporary housing while trying to get their lives back on track again. I was asked to say a few words and then pray. I had no idea I would be asked. What do you say to a bunch of guys standing there wondering where their lives are going? What do you say to the guy you know has been looking for a job and can't find one? What do you say to the guy who has been recently divorced and left with nothing and trying to find his way again? Picture it. Their faces looking hungrier than their stomachs.
In a nutshell, I told them that they have value. That I too was once lost and that God loved us so much that Jesus died on a cross for all of us. I told them what a privilege it was to come and serve them and that we do it because Jesus served us with His life.
ALL MEN HAVE VALUE, WE ARE FIGHTING TO SET MEN FREE! A couple of guys talked to me afterward. A relationship is forming. Will you pray to God about these and so many others like them? Will you pray to God to have Him use you?
Tonight the streets were my pulpit and there's nothing like looking in the face of another human being and telling them that they have value.
If you ever personally need to hear it, e-mail me, its part of what Project 52 does because we are in a war to set people free from the junk this world throws at them.
In Christ,
Pastor John
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3 comments:
John:
Great message! I have been on those same streets serving many of the same people over the past five years. I considered it a privilege to talk with them about Jesus. It is so amazing to see their faces when you show them you care. As a Christian, I am called to reflect Christ in everything I do and caring for the people who others call worthless, ends up being priceless.
You hit the nail on the head with your "sermonette", and thank you for taking the time to minister to the men and women on the streets!
Dave
thanks Dave and others who have commented....all praise to God! It's amazing I don't even know who everyone is on here who comments but in Christ we are brothers and sisters!
John:
I am the Dave who was on the call committee for the Plant and lead PCL.
Dave
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