Story-Teller
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- Joined
- Feb 22, 2009
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It Was A Good Sunday
It was a good Sunday. Pastor Prime looked out at the congregation. He did not like Sundays when the congregation came disguised as empty seats. He wanted them elbow-to-elbow. It was an elbow-to-elbow Sunday. It was a Sunday to make them squirm in their seats. That made it a good Sunday. Although it was not Easter, Pastor Prime chose to preach on the resurrection, the resurrection most people lived.
“And they took Jesus” body and laid it in the tomb and sealed it. The End,_ Pastor Prime said as he planted the hook.
He paused and looked up at the congregation. They knew it was coming. It was always coming. Maybe that was the reason they kept coming.
“You mean it wasn’t the end? You look like it was. You came in today just as if you arrived at the funeral home to see Jesus. I already called. Jesus isn’t at the funeral home. Jesus was never at the funeral home. Jesus is alive! How is it the song goes? “He’s alive! He’s alive! He’s alive and I’m forgiven! Heaven’s gates are open wide!” It’s almost enough to make you want to tell someone, isn’t it? Yeah, I know. Almost, but not quite,” Pastor Prime went on.
Pastor Prime paused hoping for an amen, but all he got was a small cough by one nervous parishioner.
“People, nowhere in the Bible does it say “Thou shalt not take God with you when you leave the church.” You don’t have to leave Jesus at the church when you leave each week. You can take him with you. You can share him with those you see each day.
“You think it’s okay to mention Jesus here after you see what everyone is wearing and talk about the ballgame. Why don’t you mention him to those you know who don’t come here to church? Are you afraid they don’t believe in God?”
“Mr. Potter, do you know your boss believes in God? He does! I heard him mention his name on Wednesday on the golf course. It was just as he hooked his ball and the lake received its latest baptism. If your boss already knows God, don’t you think it’s all right to talk to him and ask him what kind of relationship he has with His Son? You do believe that you must be born again to get to heaven, don’t you Mr. Potter?”
Pastor Prime was cooking. Mr. Potter gave a slight nod and fidgeted with his collar. He thought it was tight when he buttoned it, but it seemed tighter.
“And Mrs. Kirkland, your brother-in-law knows Jesus and he’ not afraid to shout it to the world. I heard him the other day when his hammer hit the nail on his thumb instead of the one he was trying to drive into the wood.
“ I hollered at him and said, “You’re right Mr. Kirkland. Jesus knows all about nails.” He must not have heard me, because he didn’t answer. Were you the one who told him about Jesus, Mrs. Kirkland?”
Old Mrs. Kirkland squirmed in her pew, dusting it a little. As the second of the congregation was singled out, others slid down in their pews. They hoped they would not be next. Few would be spared. Pastor Prime’s job was to save souls and he only got them once a week. Some of them he did not get that often. No one had ever slept through one of his sermons.
Pastor Prime paused for a moment and surveyed the crowd. Yes, it was a good Sunday.
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
[email protected]
Submitted by Richard
It was a good Sunday. Pastor Prime looked out at the congregation. He did not like Sundays when the congregation came disguised as empty seats. He wanted them elbow-to-elbow. It was an elbow-to-elbow Sunday. It was a Sunday to make them squirm in their seats. That made it a good Sunday. Although it was not Easter, Pastor Prime chose to preach on the resurrection, the resurrection most people lived.
“And they took Jesus” body and laid it in the tomb and sealed it. The End,_ Pastor Prime said as he planted the hook.
He paused and looked up at the congregation. They knew it was coming. It was always coming. Maybe that was the reason they kept coming.
“You mean it wasn’t the end? You look like it was. You came in today just as if you arrived at the funeral home to see Jesus. I already called. Jesus isn’t at the funeral home. Jesus was never at the funeral home. Jesus is alive! How is it the song goes? “He’s alive! He’s alive! He’s alive and I’m forgiven! Heaven’s gates are open wide!” It’s almost enough to make you want to tell someone, isn’t it? Yeah, I know. Almost, but not quite,” Pastor Prime went on.
Pastor Prime paused hoping for an amen, but all he got was a small cough by one nervous parishioner.
“People, nowhere in the Bible does it say “Thou shalt not take God with you when you leave the church.” You don’t have to leave Jesus at the church when you leave each week. You can take him with you. You can share him with those you see each day.
“You think it’s okay to mention Jesus here after you see what everyone is wearing and talk about the ballgame. Why don’t you mention him to those you know who don’t come here to church? Are you afraid they don’t believe in God?”
“Mr. Potter, do you know your boss believes in God? He does! I heard him mention his name on Wednesday on the golf course. It was just as he hooked his ball and the lake received its latest baptism. If your boss already knows God, don’t you think it’s all right to talk to him and ask him what kind of relationship he has with His Son? You do believe that you must be born again to get to heaven, don’t you Mr. Potter?”
Pastor Prime was cooking. Mr. Potter gave a slight nod and fidgeted with his collar. He thought it was tight when he buttoned it, but it seemed tighter.
“And Mrs. Kirkland, your brother-in-law knows Jesus and he’ not afraid to shout it to the world. I heard him the other day when his hammer hit the nail on his thumb instead of the one he was trying to drive into the wood.
“ I hollered at him and said, “You’re right Mr. Kirkland. Jesus knows all about nails.” He must not have heard me, because he didn’t answer. Were you the one who told him about Jesus, Mrs. Kirkland?”
Old Mrs. Kirkland squirmed in her pew, dusting it a little. As the second of the congregation was singled out, others slid down in their pews. They hoped they would not be next. Few would be spared. Pastor Prime’s job was to save souls and he only got them once a week. Some of them he did not get that often. No one had ever slept through one of his sermons.
Pastor Prime paused for a moment and surveyed the crowd. Yes, it was a good Sunday.
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
[email protected]
Submitted by Richard
