This morning I was sitting here in my quiet place mulling over the fact that I was called to a meeting with church leadership last night and evicted from our Sunday School class.
Only minutes after I sat down here, I got a text: “Just sitting here in the quick quietness of the morning listening to the Bible before the busyness begins (lol) reminiscing of all the wonderful times with You and Elaine, and I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you and to let you guys know how much You mean to Us….You have been such a blessing to (my wife) and Me and your encouragement has been priceless in Our lives…I truly believe that God created your investment in our lives and we are better for sure by knowing you both….Thank You Ken that You and Elaine selflessly made THAT difference in Our Lives…We love You Guys so much GOD BLESS YOU AND ELAINE!!!!” (unedited)
That, from a brother with a broken past whom I have been brutally direct with in his struggles, along with patient understanding. Can a truck driver, and his Filipino, internet bride, represent God’s voice?
Yes, I have been passionate and direct in saying things in class like I write here, reminding us of the narrow gate of Mt. 7:13-14; the frightening warning of Mt. 7:21-23; the truth of Mt. 13:14-15; the instruction of Mt. 24:42-44; the commandment of Mt. 28:18-20, the “Do not” of I John 2:15-17 – and the ease with which we dismiss them.
I have also said that if Jesus spoke in our church he would probably liken us to the Laodiceans of Rev. 3:14-22. Regardless of the cost to me, I am not ashamed of the cross of Luke 9:23-26 and do not fear to remind us of the life that Jesus calls His followers to.
Truth has its own voice, and when spoken into today’s slumbering institutional church it can be harsh – “unpleasantly rough or jarring to the senses.” (www.google.com) Did Jesus ever speak harshly? Or Paul?
Yes, I speak as an imperfect Christian who is being transformed daily (II Cor. 3:18), and I speak strongly sometimes, but nobody in class ever said I was harsh and judgmental. No Mt. 18:15-17 process (which I would welcome), no warning – but they went to those in power who are already upset at me because of my challenges to them; accused me; I was judged, characterized as that and evicted from class. And promised that if I do anything like this message, I will be banned from attending any worship services.
CHURCH, be alert to the reality of the “sorting out” that is coming, but know that God, the great Judge of all, gets the last word!
Now – I must get up and get going because there is work to do. The time is near. Rev. 22:11-13
Oh, and thank you MH for being God’s voice to us today. We needed that!
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
April 20, 2022
CLICK HERE for a printable pdf.