Words like Competition

Luke 9:49-50

These two verses put into the hearts of all who follow Jesus could change the world.  Just two verses, and in them is wisdom and power, in them is unity and peace and blessing to a lost and dying world.  We have often heard that words mean something, and there are words that have no place in the kingdom of God, and His Church.  Words like competition, one group of followers we call them a denomination, you know religious groups that claim to put their trust, hope, and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, competing with one another.  And each of these groups does worship a little different, and most believe they have the inside tract on Jesus, it kind of reminds us of the question the disciples were asking: “Who is the Greatest?” 

Maybe it is time to apply this teaching to your denomination, and make sure you include self, for Jesus said: “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”  (Luke 9:48 ESV)  Are you and your group open to receiving those God has sent, or has your group moved to a new location in order not to have those new neighbors who are of a different color and social status coming into your group.  Folks, it is not a church at this point it’s a club rename it, for it brings shame on the name of Christ.  If that is where you are repent, be broken for you have missed the message of the gospel.  John the apostle states it so clearly:  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

So Jesus answers the question then and now and before He can take a breath John states, “Master we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.”  I always revert back to my childhood, the big park down the street, not really a park, it did have swings and a few trees, but it was where we played ball, and down in our cul-de-sac, no one referred to it in that manner, it was the little circle, it was restricted for those who lived around the circle, a place of safety, mom was always close.  You see the Holy Grail was there, the big Mesquite where Tommy Black and I fought the Yankees and the Indians.  That is the attitude of John, you have to be part of our group our circle to do good, but that is not the attitude of Jesus.  For Jesus said: “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

So that I am not misunderstood, we do have the responsibility to all followers of Christ to do as Priscilla and Aquila did for a Jew named Apollos at Ephesus.  You will find the account in Acts 18:24-28.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice