Chapter – 39 ‘The youth Pastor is Questioned’
There were about ten of the men sitting at the half dozen tables when Valentine and grandpa arrived. The back section in the restaurant was always left vacant on Tuesday’s by the morning maître-d, who normally seated the crowd coming in for breakfast. They took a separate table like always and took seats that would face the youth pastors reserved table so he could be easily seen by the men as they visited and ate.
A man they did not recognize walked in and took a seat, all alone, and started looking at a menu. A couple more men arrived and then the youth pastor took his seat. Just as the pastor was about to speak, two more arrived and took seats next to the man sitting alone. Valentine watched his expression as Curly and Moe nodded toward the visiting man. He looked a little surprised but he did nod back toward them.
“Thanks for coming out this morning for the bible study; the rain may have kept some away but I have a good topic for you.” Valentine looked at the visitor once again and his mouth was open about an inch, Valentine thought, “This is going to be interesting.”
The youth pastor spoke again, “Do the children of Christian parents ride their coat tails into heaven?” As Valentine observed the visitor his mouth twitched and without moving his head his eyes looked both directions to see how the other men were handling the words that had just been spoken. He was surprised when one of the men responded, “I don’t think so pastor; scripture tells us that ALL have to repent using their own words.” Pastor replied back, “Do any of you remember what chapter and verse that scripture uses those words?” Grandpa responded, “One place that describes what all people must do is at Matthew, chapter 10, verse 32; grandpa then quoted the verse.” One of the other men told the group that Romans, chapter 10 also spoke of speaking the words with your own mouth.
Once again Valentine looked at the face of the visitor; his eyebrows were raised slightly and his eyes were showing large; about the size of a silver nickel; at least it looked like it from the view Valentine had from his seat.
The youth pastor told the men that he had a couple of the older boys who seemed to think some of his messages were to scare the younger boys in the class. He continued, “Are there any suggestions on how I respond in a nice way; I don’t want to show disrespect to these older boys.” One of grandpa’s older friends asked, “Is one of those boys my grandson, pastor?” Just a short nod was all the man received.
The youth pastor asked, “I need some help from one of you men who lives on a farm with a barn. I want to plan an activity where the youth group can invite one friend each and then have a bonfire where we can roast marshmallows and hot dogs, then have a devotional.” Grandpa raised his arm and then told the pastor that Jaye would host it, “His wife and he would love to help out.”
The visitor raised his arm, then commented, “I am new in town; I have a sixteen year old daughter who needs to meet a few new friends.” The pastor told him to write her name and a phone number; he would get the message to the girls youth counselor.
Grandpa patted Valentine on the shoulder and commented, “Why don’t you go invite the new fellow to church, then have them out to the farm for lunch; the young girl could meet Rebekah and get to know her.” Valentine told his grandpa that it sounded like a good idea.
Question – Would you invite a stranger for lunch?
Scripture reference
Matthew 10:32, “Therefore everyone who confesses Me [Jesus speaking] before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. [This is a black or white area, no gray; a no commitment defaults negative. If a person wants to go to heaven they must acknowledge Jesus as their Lord.]
Hebrews 13:1-2, Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.
Romans 12:10-13, Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
1 Peter 4:8-9, Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. [If you do something nice for someone but whine or complain about it later; is it out of love?]
Romans 10:9-10, if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. [How many people are there who hear the Gospel proclaimed but never confess Jesus as Lord?]
DG