Today's Devotional

October 31,  2005

 

Subject:  Reaching And Teaching

Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit."

Our church was working the concession stand during the homecoming weekend festivities.  Out front we had our church sign exhorting people to "experience worship" and "experience Immanuel," which is the name of the church.  Late on Saturday, one gentleman walked up and asked for a beer bottle opener.  Wanting more details I asked, "is a beer bottle opener the same as a bottle opener," and he stated "yes."  As we looked for the opener he asked a second question.  "May I also have a cup of ice?"  Our return reply from the concession was that "the only ice we have left is the ice the sodas are in so it's not too clean."  He responded, "that's okay I'm just gonna poor beer over it."  That's when Melanie, the head of our education department at the church broke in.  She asked the young, now somewhat amazed gentleman, "how are you going to stop by a church concession stand asking them to support your drinking?"  He then looked around at the signs and said, "oh yea."  At that point the "outreach," which is the reason we set up the stand in the first place, began.  

Melanie went on to imply to the fellow that he must have a lot of nerve or a wrong view of the church if he thinks that we're gonna support his drinking habit.  As Melanie spoke, she was further exposing the light that we, as the church, are to be in the world.  This was truly reaching, but then something else happened.  The teaching began.  Melanie went on to state, "okay we're going to give you the ice because we know that you're not going to drink to excess."  With those words she was giving the formal message of the bible on the use of alcohol.  This was teaching from the word of God into the lost world.   

Today wherever you are as a believer, God is giving you opportunities to reach out to those who don't know the love of Christ and when we do, if we are studied in the word and prepared to be used, we will also teach them.  If God's word is a part of your daily diet, you will ultimately Reach and Teach.

Carlen