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“SELLING JESUS?“

Early morning prayers are always interesting. While lying in bed, in a sleepy fog, I start talking to the Holy Spirit about the first thing that pops into my mind. Usually, it’s a question generated by the previous day's discussion with my wife, Barbara, or something I found interesting while working in the backyard. My mind works a little quirkily, and I must admit that I do walk and talk with the Holy Spirit as I work. My neighbor knows me well, so I don’t think he thinks I'm nuts. Or maybe he does?

This morning was different. Different in that the questions I had 45 or so years prior came to mind in light of some experiences we had as young Christians. With that said, and with the subject matter popping into my heart, thus, “Selling Jesus” is the title of this talk.

Before writing, to make sure I am on the right track, I look for something to confirm that it was the Holy Spirit speaking to me, not my very active imagination. I do this over my morning coffee, and it is always interesting how He seems to honor my search. Today, it was on the first ad on Facebook Marketplace. There it was, somebody selling Christmas stocking stuffers in the form of Plastic Mini Jesus. Yup, that’s right, SELLING JESUS! That’s when my mind was filled with past experiences that disturbed me so many years before.

For a short season, I was in a church where the Pastor would say, “I have a message Jesus gave me for you today, hot off the plate.” After a few of those words, I started to question why, if Jesus gave him free words from the throne of God, why was he selling tapes with that same free message. I know the recording tapes were only $14.00 or $15.00 for a box of 25, so why was he selling them for $5.00 each —“selling Jesus”?

Another instance was when my wife and I attended a meeting in downtown San Diego with another friend who was already involved in ministry for several years. This meeting was being held by an evangelist who was, or is—I am not sure—known all over the world, especially in Africa. He spoke about healing and God's desire that we all experience good health. It was a good, uplifting word. At the end of the meeting, he encouraged us to give to the ministry so that he could reach the lost around the world. Since his message was about healing, he said they would offer prayer after the offering. He pointed to one side of the stage and said that for those who gave, there would be people there to pray for healing. He then pointed to the middle of the stage and said that the elders of his church would pray for those who gave a gift of $100.00 or more. Then he pointed to the other side of the stage and said that the associate pastor of the church would pray for those who gave $500.00 or more. THEN he said that there is a large, beautiful room reserved for those who gave $1000.00, and that’s where he will personally lay his hand on them. Needless to say, being who I am, I stood up and, with a voice loud enough to be heard clearly around the room, “YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING, COME ON, LET’S GET OUT OF THIS PLACE!” With that said, my wife, our friend, and I hightailed out of that room before judgment fell. “Selling Jesus”

Read the entire 10th Chapter in Matthew

Matthew 10:8 reads Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. FREELY YOU HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE.

There is no question that many men in ministry today have not spiritually discerned this chapter in Matthew. This is one of the many reasons that the Word tells us that judgment starts in the house of God. Foolishness is everywhere in this world, but it has no place in the church. We as individuals must be stewards of our faith. Also, remembering that everything —material things, money, even our families —are given to us by God. Everything comes from Him, and everything should be lifted as a living sacrifice, giving up everything and placing it back in the hands of God our savior. That ensures we are walking in accordance with His instructions and that we hold nothing close that should cause sin. We are to be in the world but not part of it. Being separated in God and prepared for every good work that He appoints us to do.