Jeff Billingsly Comes to Marshall County on September 7, 2013

Citizens and Emergency Services Welcome Jeff

Kick the Bum Out!

 ^{13 "}But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. ¹⁴And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." Luke 13: 13-14

He came into the large convention hall of committed Christian people and sat down looking dirty and poorly clothed, a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. People made sure not to sit next to him as he tried to strike up conversations, some even notified convention hall security as to have him removed. Security came into remove this man, whose only crime was not fitting the conventional mode of those gathered in the room. As security was beginning to throw the man out of the building, the crowd was startled as the man was escorted to the stage and introduced as the keynote speaker on relationship building.

Yes, the entire assembly felt embarrassed as they were found guilty of being the farthest from what Christ desires for his followers. How many times have we tried to gain distance from someone or something that didn't fit into what we considered our friendship and relationship mold? Today's scripture from the Gospel of Luke has Jesus teaching us that we need to invite those that are not like us, those that are also children of God. 

Who is worthy to be seated next to us in the presence of the Lord? Do clothes really make the person? Does appearance and status relinquish others from sharing or receiving the good news of Jesus Christ? My prayer for all of us this day is that when we encounter someone that we feel is beneath us in status or experience, we will understand today's text in the fact that all are welcome to banquet.  The resurrection of righteousness does not come with a monetary number or club membership, it only comes through the good news of Jesus Christ that is given for all.

This Is The Day That The Lord Has Made!
Pastor Tim