There is a story that...
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There is a story that still makes its rounds in my hometown. Almost a half century has passed since the days The Reverend Jones (not his real name) came faithfully to our local national guard armory and conducted revival services for up to two weeks, several times a year. One thing is certain; he generated a lot of interest. He was not sponsored by the local ministerial association or by a particular church. He claimed no denominational ties. His message was that the Body of Christ should come together to worship God. I was a teenager those years. I remember attending some of the services. People would ask: Who is he? Where does he come from? Why does he come here? What is his motive? Then suddenly it was told that Rev. Jones had succumbed. His ministry had ended -- but his story continues on to this day.
People tried to trap him. If he preached on love, they were used to hellfire sermons. If he preached on healing, they were not sure about faith healers. Some didn't like the altar calls. Others resented giving an offering that couldn't go into the local bank on Monday morning. Does the story sound familiar? It should.
Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man one day. He simply took some dirt, spat on it, and put it on the man's eyes. And Jesus told him, "Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam." The man went and washed and came home seeing. Did the people of the region rejoice with the man? Not according to the scriptures. They questioned the minister -- in this case, the Lord Jesus himself (not The Reverend Jones). The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus, the Light of the World. Is it any wonder that Lloyd Rediger has written a book called Clergy Killers? It is a game as old as our Lord.
-- Shearer
People tried to trap him. If he preached on love, they were used to hellfire sermons. If he preached on healing, they were not sure about faith healers. Some didn't like the altar calls. Others resented giving an offering that couldn't go into the local bank on Monday morning. Does the story sound familiar? It should.
Jesus opened the eyes of a blind man one day. He simply took some dirt, spat on it, and put it on the man's eyes. And Jesus told him, "Go and wash in the Pool of Siloam." The man went and washed and came home seeing. Did the people of the region rejoice with the man? Not according to the scriptures. They questioned the minister -- in this case, the Lord Jesus himself (not The Reverend Jones). The Pharisees tried to trap Jesus, the Light of the World. Is it any wonder that Lloyd Rediger has written a book called Clergy Killers? It is a game as old as our Lord.
-- Shearer
