Sunday, August 10, 2008

Sunday In Review

Today, the preaching moment during both morning services was simply remarkable. I preached a message from James chapter 2 verses 1-13, entitled "The Danger of Playing Favorites" and the Lord had His way. For the second time in a row, I was able to overcome my recent preaching slump.

The thrust of the message was designed to discourage the sin of partiality that seems to make its way into the congregation of the righteous.

Drawing conclusions about people solely on the basis of superficial standards is strictly prohibited by God and can prove disastrous to the unity of any congregation. We should never determine a person's value or usefulness based on age, appearance or affluence, but rather by their walk before God and man.

I began the message making reference to an excerpt from an old issue of the popular devotional, Our Daily Bread, dated March 6, 1994. It reads:

In His autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi wrote that during His student days he read the Gospels seriously and considered becoming a Christian. He believed that in the teachings of Jesus he could find the solution to the caste system that was dividing the people of India. So one Sunday he decided to attend services at a nearby Church and talk to the minister about becoming a Christian. However, when he entered the sanctuary, the usher refused to give him a seat and suggested he go worship with his own people. Gandhi left the Church and never returned. He wrote, " If Christians have caste differences also, I might as well remain a Hindu."

I challenged the church to not allow the sin of respect of persons to defy our faith nor defame our fellowship so that it will not determine our future(judgment).

We ended our Sunday with an afternoon service featuring "The World Famous Barrett Sisters" along with a local singing group called "The Davis Trio." This concert is sponsored annually by our Student Aid Ministry of the church and proved to be a very rewarding encounter in praise to God.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pastor McGhee,

I enjoyed the message Sunday. You seem to preach and teach topics that are so real in our lives Today. Continue, so that we all will be encouuraged to follow the word of the LORD.

Keith D. Witherspoon said...

Great post, my brother!! I'm glad to see you out of the slump!! Praise God for your ministry!!

Pastor Lance A. Mann said...

Again Dr. McGhee, you have shown the world the gift that God has given you to help change the lives of humanity. Bless you brother.

Lance

Pastor Kraig L. Pullam said...

This is another powerful excerpt of your great preaching prowess. Keep them coming; the Lord is using you as you apparently have a gift for being a 'preacher's preacher'.

Avery Minor II said...

I truly enjoyed this post! Peace and Blessings!

Pastor Kevin Lanier Pullam said...

Excellent message. I appreciate brothers with such sound and solid preparation when it comes to sharing God's word with His people. You are a blessing to us all.

Kevin