January 3, 2010

My thoughts today was on something that was spoken by the apostle Paul. He said that are lives are like living epistles to be read by all men. What a awesome responsibility for those who profess to be Christians. Paul was not just talking about when were in the church but more importantly when we are outside the church when our neighbors are coworkers and our families and others are watching us. I thought about Saul's powerful conversion on the Damascus road. It was interesting that leading up to this life changing conversion in his life. He would stand in the shadows as Stephen would be stoned he would observe as this great man of God would not deny Christ but would stand strong. Saul would watch as Stephen would tilt his head toward heaven and his face shown with the glory of God. It was on this day that Saul saw Jesus in the life of Stephen. There was a seed planted that day in the heart of Saul that later would produce fruit in a life that would be completely changed by the power of God and give us with a name change the apostle Paul the wrighter of over half the new testament. I believe as Paul wrote that are lives are to be living epistles to be read by all men that his thoughts were on the day that Stephens coat would fall at his feet and maybe for the first time he saw what a real christian was. This happened not in a church,not a huge conference but it was in the life of a man that was living out his faith and his love and passion for Jesus.
My thoughts were on this very fact today when after church like many Christians in America we were on our way to the local restaurant many of them in the shadows of our churches where we worship and our taught a gospel of giving and sharing and demonstrating the love of Jesus and know the story of the good samartian backwards and forward. Only to arrive for lunch and afternoon fellowship in places where we carry a reputation and are known as some of the poorest tippers by those that serve and wait tables for a living. And then have the gall to leave a tract are a invitation to one of our Sunday mourning worship services. As Paul said we are to be living epistles to be read by all men but the question is what are they reading? I have been a generous tipper especially when I have received good service therefore I am known in my city by the waiters and waitresses not only as a pastor but some one that leaves a good tip which has protected my testimony as a christian and also provided me with good service with every visit. But today I wanted to make a stronger statement as I am on this journey of giving back and today would have it that I would have a waitress that had never served us in a restaurant that we have visited on many occasions. As we entered it was obvious that we were the church crowd. Was it the time that we arrived? Was it the dress to semi dress clothing that we were wearing? Was it that they they over heard our conversations about today's message as she took our drink order? The fact is that she knew we were a church crowd and we were a representation of Jesus for many the only Jesus that they will ever know. The dinner is almost over were boxing up what ever we couldn't finish off in this setting. It's coming down to the end will we leave this young lady with a good testimony of being a christian are will her thoughts be their just like all the rest of the Christians talk a good talk but they don't live it out. Like Stephen with Saul this was our opportunity for her not to just hear us talk about Jesus but to demonstrate and show the love of Christ. I left her with a tip that more then exceeded the expected 18 to 20 percent. It makes it so much easier to invite them to your church or if you choose,to leave a gospel tract. Jesus is glorified in this simple random act of kindness.