Freely Received

Jesus sent His’ disciples out into ministry saying, “AND AS YOU GO, PREACH, SAYING, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. HEAL THE SICK, CLEANSE THE LEPERS, RAISE THE DEAD, CAST OUT DEMONS, FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE. DON’T CARRY A PURSE WITH AN EXTRA COAT OR SANDALS OR EVEN A WALKING STICK. DON’T HESITATE TO ACCEPT HOSPITALITY, BECAUSE THOSE WHO WORK DESERVE TO BE FED. AND WHATEVER CITY OR VILLAGE YOU ENTER, INQUIRE WHO IS WORTHY IN IT, AND STAY AT HIS HOUSE UNTIL YOU LEAVE THAT CITY.” MATTHEW 10:6-11

I thought of this passage of Scripture as I read the ticket prices for a famous minister coming to our city. Seats start at $25.00 and range up to $150.00 a seat to hear this man preach. He has proclaimed that he doesn’t preach about sin, because it’s a negative word and he also believes that a person doesn’t necessarily need to believe in Jesus to get to Heaven – he thinks there are many ways, “as long as one is sincere”.

And yet Jesus said” I am the way, the truth and the life no man comes to the father except through me”; wonder what He meant?

I will not pass judgment for I know that God will touch some hearts as He always does when sincere hearts are seeking and some, perhaps in spite of this preacher will find Christ as savior and Lord.

My question is; how did the “Church” ever get so far away from what God intended? When did the souls of men become a business? When did God ever bless our preoccupation with buildings over people, schedules over problems, ministry over lives?

What has become of the command; “FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.”? When did Christ announce that it was ok to provide for ourselves, rather than be dependant upon God? When did He commission us to sell tickets or sell “Special Bibles” or prayers?

What has happened to the message, “Here is what Christ has done in my life; let’s ask what he’ll do in yours?”

I may never pastor more than 40 people, I may never preach to thousands, but I can say for certain; I will not, by the grace of God ever, offer more than one way to heaven or sell tickets to others to get there.
May God awaken our generation to the meaning of ministry. Amen