Some days afterward the mate was keeping the log. After he had given their logistics, etc., he made this entry: “Captain sober today.” The angry captain protested when he read the record, declaring that it would leave an altogether false impression in the mind of the owner. But the mate answered as the captain had answered him, “This is the fact, and into the log it goes.”

How often do we not give the whole picture or tell the whole truth?! The challenge for Christ-followers is to do just that – tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. But, of course that’s not always a popular thing to do, is it?! The famous singer/ songwriter Bob Dylan in his song, “Pressing On” says, Many try to stop me, shake me up in my mind. Say “Prove to me that He is Lord, show me a sign.” All people in their heart of hearts want to know about eternity – just give me a sign. Read the Bible – God has already placed eternity in our hearts. But unfortunately, few people pursue that final truth for their lives!!

I recently heard a poignant story about a professional singer, Ruthanna Metzgar, who was asked to sing for the wedding of a millionaire. She knew the wedding would be picture-perfect and was excited to be able to participate. The reception was held on the top two floors of Seattle’s Columbia Tower, the areas tallest skyscraper and when she arrived, it was even more wonderful than she had imagined.

Following the wedding ceremony, the bride & groom approached a beautiful glass & brass staircase that led to the top floor. A satin ribbon, which was draped across the bottom of the stairs, was cut and the announcement made that the wedding feast was about to begin. The bride & groom ascended the stairs and the guests followed.

A gentleman with a lovely bound book greeted Ruthanna and her husband as they reached the top of the stairs. “May I have your name please?” “I am Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband, Roy,” she replied. The gentleman searched and searched. “I’m not finding it. Would you spell it please?” Ruthanna spelled it slowly. But after searching throughout the book, he looked up and said “I’m sorry, but your name is not here. Without your name in this book you cannot attend this banquet.”

“Oh no, there must be some mistake,” she replied. “I’m the singer. I sang for this wedding!” The gentleman calmly answered, “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you did. Without your name in the book you cannot attend this banquet.” The gentleman with the book motioned to a waiter and said, “Show these people to the service elevator please.” They followed the waiter past beautifully decorated tables laden with shrimp, whole smoked salmon, even gracefully carved ice sculptures.

Adjacent to the banquet area was an orchestra, the members all dressed in dazzling white tuxedos preparing to fill the room with glorious music.

They were led to the service elevator, stepped in, and the waiter himself pushed “G” for garage. As Ruthanna’s husband drove them home, he gently put his hand on her arm, “Sweetheart, what happened?” Then she remembered. When the invitation arrived for the reception, she was very busy and never bothered to return the RSVP. After all – she was the singer, surely she could go to the reception without returning the RSVP!

The truth is – one day we will all stand before our Creator and if our name is not in the Lamb’s Book of Life, we won’t be spending eternity with Him. You could be the most wonderful, giving, incredible person ever – but without Jesus Christ as your Savior, you cannot gain entrance. As A.W. Tozer rightly noted: “Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way.”

Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet, CA. For more information, you may contact them at DPCitychurch.org

The post Press “G” For Oops appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.

How will your audience react to a “questions only” teaching?

Do you recall past messages you’ve heard at Christmas time? What were their main themes? Is it easier to remember a topic you agree with or one that challenges you? Is it a bad thing that so few come to mind? Can you recall any particular Christmas message that still lingers in your mind today?

But now you are giving it – so what will you say? What will you emphasize with your own message this Christmas? Will you focus on the mangy stable with no room? Will you call to mind how our Messiah had no cradle to rest his head? Will you tell the story of the holy family’s desperate escape to Egypt to save their lives from the murderous King Herod?

Did you even know that the population of Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth was around 300 people? And – have you ever heard that most scholars believe King Herod

– giving orders to kill all the male children two years or younger – killed between 10 and 20 children? Who would have thought that the very idea of another King would challenge Herod to this extent?

And what of the Prince of Peace? Can the remembrance of a Prince of Peace being born in a manger somehow bring peace to our world today? Is it just for some or for all? What would you say if you were giving a sermon at Christmas time?

Would you look to the wisemen? Were there really only three of them as the song implies or many as tradition relates? Were they actually kings or wisemen? Do they endorse astrology when the Bible seems so against it? Or are they a sign that whatever our mistakes and whatever the strange philosophies we experiment with, God can still find us? Do you read your sign? Would you admit it if you did? Which is more trustworthy — Leo & Libra or the Bible & prayer? Am I following a star or is God guiding me? How does God speak to me? Will He call you on a journey that lasts years like the wisemen? Or a short stroll down the hill like the shepherds?

Will a lesson from the shepherds that is relevant to a man at work in an office mean anything to a teenager at school? Do we talk about the shepherds as outcasts – people forced into a cold, smelly job nobody wants? And what do we make of a God who announces the greatest miracle in history – not to millionaires – but to poor shepherds?

How can these texts be applied to the lives of so wide and varied a group of people? How can they be applied to my own life? If it was just me — which Christmas text would I be looking at? Which would challenge me the most? What challenges others the most? Which narrative — wisemen? Shepherds? Prince of Peace? Baby in a manger? Word made flesh? How would you react to a message composed entirely of questions?

And what of Jesus Himself – the Word made flesh? What does it mean when we sing, “Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth?” Have you

been born again? What could you possibly say that would help people understand

their need of the word made flesh – their own need for a Savior?

Would you rather have the soft focus of a child’s nativity play or the in-you-face facts of the full Christmas story? Or — after all these questions, would you rather just skip the message and drink eggnog? Would you rather be confronted with the real facts and truth of a very real Christmas? Which sermon would you preach?

And was Corrie Ten Boom right when she wrote: “Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” What do you think?

The post Do You Question Christmas? appeared first on The Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle.