Covenant Church

We lived on a small farm in the mountains of North Carolina. One horse was assisted by seven children and Mom and Dad. We did not know it was hard work. It was life—raising most of our vegetables, hogs, and cattle. Dad worked with his partnering brother in logging and sawmilling. Dad also was pastor of a church of about 60 people.

From time to time on a Saturday Mom and Dad would leave in the ’53 green 2-door Plymouth coupe to go to town about nine miles away. We children would watch that little Green Coupe leave knowing it would be several hours before we would see the front grill coming in the distance. For a little while our thoughts were rich with anticipation of cereal, brown sugar, and other items not available on the farm or at the community general store.

But seven children can think of lots of things. From the discipline of home with parents we too often gravitated into personal ventures individual desires. We all had the same mother and dad, ate at the same table, and went to the same church. But oh, we were different. When those differences were allowed to surface the air could be thick with words, maybe a punch or two with the brothers, a few hard thrown corn cobs meant to burn hide, and well…you get the idea.

The longer mom and dad were gone the more mischief evolved. Skirmishes might evolve with more than one taking sides against other siblings. Relax. Everyone lived. No one died. No one had to be rushed to the emergency room, though such might have resulted if mom and dad had discovered the truth of our mischief.

The day would pass as if in oblivion and the Green Coupe never would return. Then the alarm would sound with someone stretching their lungs. The Green Coupe could be seen in the distance. Oh the scrambling that could result in the minutes before the coupe would be parked in the garage. Siblings ran like crazy to apologize to each other: “I won’t tell, if you won’t tell,” echoed on three floors of the farmhouse and into the yard.

By the time Mom and Dad would come walking around the garage seven little angels were standing in UNITY with “Hi, Mom! Hi, Dad!” and smiling faces. In later years we would laugh about our childhood mischief, telling Mom and Dad of our escapades. Dad would often be embarrassed by our disclosures, insisting that what we confessed could not be true.

I believe Jesus will return. I believe Jesus will not return in a Green Coupe. I believe we will not have time to run up and down stairs and around the church to apologize and ask others to forgive us. I believe that Jesus is coming for a Church and His Children who are blood-bought, sanctified, and living holy.

I believe that we are to occupy until Jesus comes (Luke 19). I believe that we are to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28). I believe that sinners will not be raptured (Romans 8). I believe that we will be held accountable (Philippians 2:10).

This is no time to play church. This is not the time to think of our own desires, unless we have made our desires to conform to the nature of Christ (Romans 12:2).

The sluggard will be left. The lazy will be left. The hypocrite will be left. The self-centered spiritual egotist, who only wants feel-good religion will be left. Those who have used Christ for personal gain will be left. Those who have attempted to live in the flesh and carry their Bibles on Sunday will be left.

Think about it, My Friend. If you were an employer would you pay a salary to someone who only came to work to sit, eat, drink, and be entertained? Which employee would you promote, the person who loves you and is loyal, or the person who forever seeks his/her own fame and fortune?

Really. No, I mean, REALLY, are you watching for the Green Coupe? What I mean is: Are you living as if Jesus could come today? Are you ready? Are you laboring for Him and His Church?

Jesus commanded us to pray for workers in the harvest. Jesus does want not one lost. Not one. There is so much to be done.

One thing more. There is no joy like the joy of the Lord’s work!

His love compels us...until He comes…

Pastor Bare

I Corinthians 15:50-58

P.S. Think about your family, neighbors and friends. Share your heart in caring. Lend a helping hand. Then bring them to worship with you on Sunday.