THE HOMELESS PREACHER - A Classic!
-Author Unknown
Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a
homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be
introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon-to-be
church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3
people out of the 7 - 10,000 people said hello to him.
He asked people for change to buy food... NO ONE in the
church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of
the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He
greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people
looking down on him and judging him.
As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the
church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and
were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the
congregation...... "We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah
Steepek"... The congregation looked around clapping with joy and
anticipation... The homeless man sitting in the back stood up... and started
walking down the aisle... the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him... he
walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on
this) and paused for a moment... then he recited-
"Then the King will say to those on his right,
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom
prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave
me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me some- thing to drink, I was
a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was
sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and
feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a
stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit
you?' "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation
and told them all what he had experienced that morning... many began to cry and
many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....
Today I see a gathering of people.... not a church of
Jesus Christ.
The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...
when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next
week... Being a Christian is more than something you claim. I'ts something you
live by and share with others...