ARTICLE FROM ESCANABA NEWSLETTER 8/8/04

We had a stimulating discussion during our Wednesday Bible class in Escanaba this week. The thrust of the lesson was about the unique character of the church--the body of Christ. The discussion pointed to the truth revealed in the Bible that there is only one church. This truth exposes denominationalism as a promotion of error. The lesson outline we were using for the class was quite harsh in its approach of telling others about the oneness of the body of Christ. Although harsh, the scriptures revealed were not misrepresented or out of context.

One of the passages referenced in the study was the message the Lord had given to Ezekiel. I felt strongly about this message because it had an impact on my decision to become a minister of the Gospel. As many of you are aware, I was a late bloomer. I had no desire to become a preacher. I wanted to be a successful businessman. All of my efforts until 1991 were focused in this goal.

My Dad had been the minister for the Escanaba church since 1972. He faced several health struggles in the early 90’s and needed some help with the work. I came back to assist him with the TV and prison ministries. During the first year of part-time work with the church, I became convinced that God had given me a message through the prophet Ezekiel. Whether you use a harsh or gentle approach, there is direction from the Lord about our responsibility to share the Lord’s message.

7 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself. Ezekiel 33:7-9 (NIV)

Do you recognize responsibility to share the message to your family, friends and co-workers? I am not suggesting that you will feel “called” to full-time ministry. However, I hope you understand the calling we have all received to share the good news of salvation to those who do not follow the ways of the Lord. Let’s remember the instructions given by the Lord in Matthew 28:18-20: “…go and make disciples…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”

Your co-worker in Christ, Dave