Emphasis Preaching Journal

Clarence Jordan, the founder of the world renowned KOINONIA, a community in Georgia, is said to have come to faith through an experience with the hymn "Love Lifted Me." He was deeply moved as a man a few rows ahead of him in church one Sunday sang that hymn with exuberant feeling. That night he couldn't sleep. He wanted faith like the man had singing that hymn. As he lay awake, he heard an awful sound coming from the small jail down the street in the town. He went outside to see what it was. The same man who had sung with vigor and depth was beating a prisoner in the jail. The singer was white; the prisoner was black. Jordan's life changed that day: he joined with Isaiah and Jeremiah and the many prophets who believed that you lived your faith out daily, not just making a show of it on the Sabbath. When scripture speaks of all things becoming new, it isn't talking about all things having a new appearance. It's not talking about a better look for our home or our image. It's talking about justice, truth, love, peace, and hope. These are the things that win out in the end.

The Jordans were removed from membership in their congregation for speaking out about the beating going on in the local jail. A meeting was held to vote on the issue. Mrs. Jordan was ready, already knowing how the vote would come out. She seconded the motion. She told her former friends and betrayers that she didn't want to be a part of a church that only looked like a church. The repentance offered in the wilderness is the real thing: it leads to real salvation. The Messiah comes to really change things.

Hagar and Ishmael are not the only ones who have ever been sent away.