Hi Jill and T Bones,
I could not help noticing that you really like the music ministry of Keith Green, and I really like the message that that is posted up on the Keith Green web sight.
http://www.lastdaysministries....een/Keith_Green.aspx
I beg you, please read this sermon of Keith Green, and see if you can see the dilemma that confronts each of us. Sister T, you are well aware that I have privately mentioned these very things, and the sin of idolatry as the biggest challenge facing every born and spiritually gifted Christian. Personally, I know that you are a person that absorbs, comprehends and relates to the written word over the spoken word. Someday we will be able to chat, and talk, and see each other over the internet, and I know that we will be able to comprehend even more greatly what are each trying to convey.
These words of Keith Green are daily resounded by many of us, but they fall on, or seem to fall on, deaf ears. I guess that is the short answer to Keith's question. Keith is right! We are not to idolize others, but if people aren't moved by the status of the people they don't idolize the message never gets through. This is truly a human tragedy, but all is not lost. If we, those not being idolize, are persistent, and strive through repetition of our efforts, we will ultimately break through to some. Just like in the parable of the talents.
Keith Green was an exceptional person, by that I mean that while he had rock star status, in the eyes of his fans, he preached and lived a life and message that, for its day, shook the very foundations of the main stream churches, every one of his concerts was loaded with end time ministry connotations that stirred the souls of the listeners.
He preached repentance. He preached end time and judgment besides salvation in Christ. While other ministers raised money for homeless shelters, Keith made and lived in his own house as a homeless shelter. Yes, this guy was a totally sold out for Jesus Christian, with the message that was not about filling stadium seats in a church, but about pushing a message that was not concerned about tickling ears pushing Christians to push the limits of their comfort zones. How would he fair in the stress center forum with out the name and notoriety? My guess is, he would not be liked to well.
This morning I was fascinated with the Luke account of the healing of the 10 lepers, found in Luke 17:11-19. What the account doesn't reveal is:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI>This was during the early part of Jesus' ministry
<LI>He is being careful not to cross into Samaria as he walks in the border country between
<span class="ev_code_red">Samaria and Galilee</span>
<LI>Jesus encounters lepers pleading for mercy and Jesus speaks a word of healing upon them
<LI>Of the 10 lepers only one returns to give Jesus thanks and he was a
<span class="ev_code_red">Samaritan</span>
<LI>We don't know where the others are from save the one that return to give God the glory as Jesus indicates
<LI>Jesus tells the one who did return to give thanks and glorify God and tells him: "...Arise go thy way: thy faith has made thee whole..." </UL>
In case you didn't know, the people of Samaria were looked upon with dismay and disgust, because they were part of the 10 northern tribes that were led captive by the Assyrians, whose women were raped and the vast majority were sold off into slavery and disbursed throughout the known world. Their blood line to the covenant God originally made with Abraham, was broken by them for their harlotry of idol worship. They were looked down upon because they were thought of, by the Judeans, Herodians, Pharisees, and Sadducees, as sub humans lower than gentiles or bastards.
It was not until Jesus ministry was in full attention of thousands upon thousands and had every ones attention that Jesus talked about or entered into the Samaria territory. The Gentile Christians of today, you and me, are just like and no different than those lepers. We are all healed by our faith in Jesus, but not all recognize the healing and cleansing, nor do we seem very grateful enough to give Jesus the thanks and praise. The doors to the wedding feast are nearing a close, but fear not. If you are not saved; get saved and let us all give thanks and praise to our Savior He has overcome the world! God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind! He has taken the the little things that seem insignificant to those with their eyes firmly fixed on the wisdom, riches and pleasures of the world, and confounded the wisdom of men!
Jill, thanks for your persist-ency and love of Keith Green's music that sent me on, what seems to be a this ramble to some folks, but I see a treasure of hope to sell all and buy that field with hidden treasure.
Have a blessed day!
This song reminds me all over again
