Turning A Battleship
I have heard that the aircraft carrier Enterprise is so large it must start docking twenty miles out to sea. If the ship came in at full speed and decreased power only to dock, the tidal waves would wash away shoreline and destroy small boats.
But with twenty miles and careful engineering the Enterprise can glide into dock without spilling coffee on a table. Time and control succeed in mastering the great battleship.
Turning people is more complicated than turning a battleship. Instead of 20 miles it can take 20 years. The most intelligent engineer cannot figure how to turn a man 180 degrees. Psychologists have not solved the problem. Self-help books are limited in their ability to help, and many times only lead men to the pool of narcissism.
In the 1940’s the federal government did a study of prisoners. Of every 100 persons released from prison 50 went back to prison. From 1950 to 1980 $30,000,000,000 of federal money was spent to reduce recidivism, i.e., decrease the number of people going back to prison.
Another study was done, instead of 50 of every 100 returning to prison the rate rose to 80 of every 100, i.e., four of every five persons released from prison returned. In the 1980’s criminologists estimated that Los Angeles had more than 15,000 gang members. Of this 15,000 ten to fifteen percent were believed to be incorrigible, i.e., no hope for their recovery from crime. Only death would end their evil.
Sound awful? It is. It is pure ugly and terrible, frightening, and discouraging. Unless you consider the variable of Jesus. Simon the Zealot was a sworn assassin. Peter was a crude fisherman, foul-mouthed, hot-headed, given to rash action. The Sons of Thunder had their issues. Matthew was a tax collector, and in the culture of that day tax collectors were not Sunday School teachers.
How did Jesus take Simon Peter and turn him around in such a short time? Peter preached after the Ascension of Jesus and 3,000 came to Jesus. Peter at the end of his life wrote Greek in a higher level than the scholar Paul. Go figure!
I knew of a physically large man who lived a life so hellish that policemen crossed to the other side of the street when they saw him coming. He affirmed that he had cut men’s throats and drunk their blood. God saved him. No if’s. No and’s. God saved him. Made him into a preacherman. Yes, Sir. Yes, Ma’am. Made him a preacherman.
Then God laughed and made him a prison minister. He was so powerfully full of the Holy Ghost that he shook a whole jail---spiritually speaking. The sheriff told me that cussing was reduced to minimal, fights almost did not exist, and prisoners got up on Sunday without call, did chores, scrubbed floors, and dressed for church, sat down behind bars and waited to have church with the preacherman.
Maybe it takes 20 miles to dock the Enterprise. But it only takes a few moments for God to wash persons in the blood of Jesus, cleanse them of their sins, dress them in robes of righteousness, and turn their feet 180 degrees from hell to heavenward.
If Covenant Church is about anything it is about telling people about Jesus. Buried with Christ. Risen with Christ. Dead to old habits. Dead to old sinful ways. Like the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well we run to tell others: “Come see “ (John 4:29).
This week we celebrate missional outreach. This is not a new venture. This is not a new program. This is not a gimmick. Missions is the very heartbeat of Jesus. To go and tell others the Story of the Savior was His commandment before returning to heaven.
We will welcome about 35 missionaries (including families) this weekend. Saturday 5 PM will be our celebration banquet with international cuisine and cultural dress. You will not want to miss this grand event. Please call 973-5536 to register. No charge.
We have given our hearts to fulfill the Great Commission. We have cared for the lost, poor, lonely, homeless, and prisoners of our community. We have welcomed to the Covenant Family people from many nations. We have missionary friends in many nations who stay in touch with us. We are Family.
We know God can turn people around. He turned us around. We have seen the power of God to change lives. We joy in telling the Story of Jesus to those who have not heard. Our hearts are full of victory!
We will share updates of what the Lord has helped us to do.
See you at the Mission Banquet this Saturday, March 20, 2010, 5 PM. And don’t miss the other special services on Wednesday---our own Captain Jim Perkins of the world-famous Fairfax Search and Rescue Team (Haiti) will speak at 6:30, and Sunday and Bible classes will have missionary speakers!
Pastor Bare