PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, BRINGING BACK GOD, BRISTOL & MARIETTA, did a sermon about personal change and church congregations judging others. In the sermon, PASTOR JOHN COLLINS read the lyrics from a song by Johnny Paycheck, posted below. It is called “The Outlaw’s Prayer”:
You know, I worked the Big Packet show in Fort Worth, Saturday night,
We had all day Sunday to rest and relax, before I caught another flight.
So I decided to walk down town an’ get myself a little fresh air.
Before long, I found myself in front of a big church on the corner of the square.
Boy, I could hear that singin’ way out in the street, sure was a beautiful sound.
So I just walked up the steps an’ opened the door an’ started to go inside an’ sit down.
But before I could, a young man walked over to me an said: “Excuse me, Sir,
“But I can’t let you in with that big black hat, those jeans, that beard an’ long hair.
So I just left, went back outside, sat down on that curbing, an I thought to myself:
That’s the house of the Lord. That guy’s got the hell of a nerve.
Tellin’ me I can’t worship anywhere I please.
So right there, in front of that Church, I just knelt down on my knees.
I said: “Lord, I know I don’t look like much, but I didn’t think you’d mind.
“I just wanted to be with your people, Lord: it’s been a long time.
“A while ago, a saw a wino over there in the alley, all bent over in tears,
“An’ I thought how one stained glass window, from this Church, would feed his family for years.”
“Then there’s those fine cars parked outside: too many for me to count.
“Made me think how people walked for days to hear your sermon on the mount.
“Then there’s those fine ladies in the choir, Lord, singin’ like they really love it.
“Hell, last night, they were dancin’ on the front row of my show: drinkin’ beer, screamin: ‘Sing Shove It.’
“You know, even John the Baptist wouldn’t be welcome in this place,
“With his coat made of Camel hair an’ sandals on his feet an’ a long beard on his face.
“You know, Lord, when you come back to get your children, an’ take ’em beyond the clouds,
“To live forever in Heaven with you: well, I’d sure hate to be in this crowd.
“You know, Lord, I’m not perfect; some even call me no count.
“But I’ll tell you: I believe a man is judged by what’s in his heart, not what’s in his bank account.
“So if this is what religion is: a big car, a suit an’ a tie,
“Then I might as well forget it Lord, ’cause I can’t qualify.
“Oh, by the way, Lord, right before they kicked me out, didn’t I see a picture of you?
“With sandals an’ a beard. Believe you had long hair too.”
“Well, this is Paycheck, signing off.
“I’ll be seein’ you Lord, I hope.”
You could have heard a pin drop as he read the lyrics. Particularly compelling was the line “I believe a man is judged by what is in his heart, not his bank account.” The lyrics that point out how much money was spent on a stained glass window-how many people who needed food could that have fed? How many families go hungry because there isn’t even enough money to buy Ramen noodles, yet church congregations ignore them. Pastors ignore them. Churches judge people by what they wear, how they look, how they talk. Just because someone, a man or a woman, has tattoos doesn’t make them scary to talk to or someone to be afraid of. Just because someone, man, woman, or child, has dirty shoes or holey clothes doesn’t make them less of a person. Just because they are different, doesn’t mean anything in the sight of God and Jesus. Don’t judge. Can you imagine a singer/songwriter like Garth Brooks or George Strait not being allowed into a church? So what if a guy has long hair? Makes no difference. He is still one of God’s children and has just as much right to be in a church as the bank president.
PASTOR JOHN COLLINS preaches that God wants the sinners in His church. He wants the people who have the most to lose to have an opportunity of hope. PASTOR JOHN spoke of changes. We as humans have the right to choose what changes need to happen in our lives. Making changes in our lives to include Jesus is difficult. The path to failure is very wide and easy to follow. The path to being a Christian is narrow and difficult. PASTOR JOHN speaks of Jesus as being the salvation for us on that narrow path through repentance. If we repent and ask forgiveness for our sins, we will find our way in heaven. The Bible says once we accept Jesus into our lives, we are born new. The Holy Bible also says judge not lest ye be judged. Don’t judge a person by what they look like, how they act, or what they wear. Don’t judge. Give them a chance, give them a hand up. Help them.
To hear more from PASTOR JOHN COLLINS,you can listen to him on www.blogtalkradio.com/pastorjohncollins. You can also follow him on facebook at www.bringingbackgod.com, or you can email him at bringingbackgod@outlook.com.
God bless you.
sylvania1007 