Emphasis Preaching Journal

I was the pastor to a family involved only on the fringes of the church. The children were sent to Sunday school and the parents attended worship services sporadically, usually on Easter and Christmas. I became better acquainted with them and talked to the father about increasing his involvement. He confided in me that he had a very sordid past that many in the community knew about. The idea of becoming more active in the church was embarrassing to him. He didn't feel as if he were good enough. I told him that nothing in his past would be able to hinder him from becoming a part of God's kingdom. God has the ability to create new lives. When that happens the church celebrates, for it demonstrates God's power at work. Those words were good news to the repentant man. He took them to heart and subsequently became very active in the life of the church. It is never too late to receive the Lord into your life.