Shut Up! 5/17/15

Matthew 23:13-15 (KJV)
13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.    

14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.    

15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Please note especially Verse 13-

Matthew 23:13 (KJV)
13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Thus my title-SHUT UP!!!

It was a beautiful afternoon last Friday as I drove home from dropping Amanda's nurse at her home.

I drive by a certain Church several times a day-so often I rarely even cast a glimpse in its direction.

I know the Pastor of the Church and I like, admire and respect him.

The Church is a beautiful, well kept building located on a four way stop in a well enough neighborhood.

But, on this particular afternoon my eyes caught on an unexpected sight.

The parking lot stood guarded by locked metal gates.

My mind went immediately to Verse 13 posted above-please read it again!!!!!

At the advice of a good friend, I tried to contact the Pastor before I wrote today's message but as of now received no reply.

He probably has a good reason to lock off his parking lot?

Perhaps the Church has been repeatedly robbed or vandalized?

Maybe the neighborhood children are destroying the beautiful plastic playground?

Or cars were being parked all day for whatever reason????

BUT, in my eye, I thought of the message locked gates speak to the community and cars that drive by daily.

YOU are NOT welcome here!!!!!

AGAIN, please understand I do not mean to be MEAN or critical-there MUST be a good reason to erect bars to keep people and cars out of the parking lot!!??

I well know how expensive musical instruments and PA systems, or Church furniture, glass windows, playground equipment costs.

I speak to the spiritual side today-did not Jesus demand:

Luke 14:23 (KJV)
23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.    

The IDEA is to get people INTO the Kingdom of God-right!!??

The mighty Apostle Paul used himself as an example:

1 Corinthians 9:22 (KJV)
22  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

My beloved friend and dentist takes his Saturdays and goes with a group of other men and women to a park in the worst part of the city of Atlanta.

They carry neither food nor Script nor sword, as Jesus said:

Luke 10:4 (KJV)
4  Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.    

They simply just go-IN JESUS NAME- to mingle among the down and out, the sick and the lame, seeking to be a FRIEND!

Luke 14:23 (KJV)
23  And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Did not our LOVING Lord command:

Luke 10:2 (KJV)
2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ylbbUkKL6c

In the harvest field now ripened
There's a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.

Refrain

Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There's a crown-and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus' Name.

In the mad rush of the broad way,
In the hurry and the strife,
Tell of Jesus' love and mercy,
Give to them the Word of Life.

Refrain

Does the place you're called to labor
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He'll not forget His own.

Refrain

Are you laid aside from service,
Body worn from toil and care?
You can still be in the battle,
In the sacred place of prayer.

Refrain

When the conflict here is ended
And our race on earth is run,
He will say, if we are faithful,
"Welcome home, My child-well done!"

Refrain

Remember TODAY these Words of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

Matthew 10:42 (KJV)
42  And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

I just covered Amanda up AGAIN, gave her a drink of cool Gator-Aid AGAIN, and put Car max? on her lips AGAIN-

10:30 PM, 1:30AM, 3:00AM, 5:00AM, 6:30AM, AND 7:00AM but who is counting??, and soon enough I will travel the 17 miles to visit my son and other inmates on death row, REMEMBERING:

"LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT!!!

GOD BLESS YOU TODAY!!

PASTOR DOUG

Please feel free to contact me ANYTIME at [email protected] , by phone

404-295-5644 or Church address:

GOSPEL OUTREACH CHURCH

70 STONE RD.

MCDONOUGH, GA. 30253

Any donations will be GREATLY appreciated and can be sent to the Church

address or by accessing PAYPAL on our web site

www.gospeloutreachchurch.com