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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"I See Jesus In You"
August 19, 2009
I was very sad to see that Jimmy Carter recently decided to leave his
home church over some theological differences. He'd been a faithful
member for many years. As a matter of fact, the Maranatha Baptist Church
had become known as Jimmy Carter's church. He taught Sunday School
there for years and thousands of folks visited the church just to see him
when they are in the Atlanta area.
"We're a small church with a worldwide outreach," said Dan Ariail, his
former pastor. Carter somehow managed to teach Sunday school at the
small country church 35 to 40 weeks out of the year. He did it because he
loved the Lord and wanted others to know all about God.
Most people never even knew the name of the church. I didn't until I
looked it up. That's what happens when a congregation has a member who
is well known in the community. Do you know the name of the church
Rick Warren serves? Can you name the congregation served by Joyce
Meyers, T. D. Jakes, or Joel Osteen? Congratulations if you knew at least
one of them.
This doesn't just happen to big celebrities. It even happens to you and me.
I've been here for twenty four years and I often hear people call the
congregation I serve, "Cal's Church." It's really the First Baptist Church of
Norwich. Whenever I hear it, I try to correct them by saying, "He let's me
play there but it's really Jesus' church."
The truth is that if you do something faithfully for a period of time people
will notice and begin to identify you with what you do. It happens all the
time. Advertisers love it. Geiko has the cave man and the gecko. Aflac has
the duck. Verizon has that geeky guy with the crowd behind him. All you
need to do is see one of these icons and you think of the product they
represent.
I've got news for you. That is what it means to be a Christian. We are
called to walk so closely with Christ that people will see us and think of
him. The apostle Paul says that we are called to be ambassadors for Christ.
That means we are sent out to serve and honor him. We are sent to build
relationships and bring peace to his enemies. It means that when we love
people, forgive people, welcome people in his name, they will see Jesus in
us. I can't think of any better calling in the world.
So spend a little time with Jesus this morning and then let him shine
through you as you head out into your day.
God Bless. See you in church. Cal
August 19, 2009
I was very sad to see that Jimmy Carter recently decided to leave his
home church over some theological differences. He'd been a faithful
member for many years. As a matter of fact, the Maranatha Baptist Church
had become known as Jimmy Carter's church. He taught Sunday School
there for years and thousands of folks visited the church just to see him
when they are in the Atlanta area.
"We're a small church with a worldwide outreach," said Dan Ariail, his
former pastor. Carter somehow managed to teach Sunday school at the
small country church 35 to 40 weeks out of the year. He did it because he
loved the Lord and wanted others to know all about God.
Most people never even knew the name of the church. I didn't until I
looked it up. That's what happens when a congregation has a member who
is well known in the community. Do you know the name of the church
Rick Warren serves? Can you name the congregation served by Joyce
Meyers, T. D. Jakes, or Joel Osteen? Congratulations if you knew at least
one of them.
This doesn't just happen to big celebrities. It even happens to you and me.
I've been here for twenty four years and I often hear people call the
congregation I serve, "Cal's Church." It's really the First Baptist Church of
Norwich. Whenever I hear it, I try to correct them by saying, "He let's me
play there but it's really Jesus' church."
The truth is that if you do something faithfully for a period of time people
will notice and begin to identify you with what you do. It happens all the
time. Advertisers love it. Geiko has the cave man and the gecko. Aflac has
the duck. Verizon has that geeky guy with the crowd behind him. All you
need to do is see one of these icons and you think of the product they
represent.
I've got news for you. That is what it means to be a Christian. We are
called to walk so closely with Christ that people will see us and think of
him. The apostle Paul says that we are called to be ambassadors for Christ.
That means we are sent out to serve and honor him. We are sent to build
relationships and bring peace to his enemies. It means that when we love
people, forgive people, welcome people in his name, they will see Jesus in
us. I can't think of any better calling in the world.
So spend a little time with Jesus this morning and then let him shine
through you as you head out into your day.
God Bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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