Free Car Wash

As a local church family, we have the constant call and desire to serve the community and share the love of Christ in a practical way. Today we accomplished this through an "Absolutely FREE Car Wash"! We set out with the intent to wash as many cars as possible, to charge nothing for the car washes and to accept no money for our act of love and service. Several means of promotion were done weeks in advance and various signs were made up announcing that this car was was, in fact, "absolutely free".

What we were not expecting was how skeptical people are to anything that promises to be "free". Many cars drove right past because they felt like there must be a catch to this free car wash. Some pulled in with expectation that some donation would be asked for and they seemed to be amazed when we told them that this car wash was, in fact, absolutely free. Then there was the man that almost demanded that I take his money, reacted to my statement that we were not accepting money for this act of service, and peeled out of the parking lot without allowing us to wash his vehicle.

I was blessed through this event today but I was also confused by the reluctance of people to accept "free" and skepticism of people anytime the word "free" is mentioned. But, as I thought about everything this evening it struck me that perhaps this is how many unbelievers see the message of Jesus Christ, His love for them, and the grace and hope that He promises to anyone that places their trust in Him. He promises all of humankind these gifts and He offers them "absolutely free". And, the most amazing thing - the most awesome things - is that it is absolutely free - THERE ARE NO STRINGS ATTACHED!  

See, I have been a believer for more than 17 years now and I have been a pastor for more almost six years, and I don't understand all this. I don't understand why God loves me in the first place. I don't understand why He freely gives me the gifts of hope, forgiveness, and an eternal future with Him in glory. I don't understand it but I know that Jesus promises it. And because I know of Christ's promises, because He has assured me that it truly is "absolutely free" - that all I have to do is call on His offer, allow Him to wash me and make me clean, and accept His gifts - I place my faith and my trust in Him.

What are you going to do?

These past few weeks this question has been running through my mind. As we approach Resurrection Sunday, or as some call it, Easter, we have been hitting the subject of evangelism head on at our church. I think that all too often we make it far too difficult.
Jesus has left us with the mission of sharing His message with the lost and the hurting. We are obligated by our Master to tell those who do not know and those that need to know about the hope and grace that He, and He alone brings.

Jesus has left us with the promise that He has gone to prepare a place for us to come and be with Him for all of eternity. As believers, this is where we find our hope, our drive, and our passion, to keep on keeping on.

Jesus has blessed us with gifts which we are to use to share the message of love and restoration with everyone that we come in contact with. Further, He has made these blessings known to us through the power of His Spirit and revelation.

Jesus has blessed us with relationships; people that we love and people and have a deep desire to help and offer assistance to.

Jesus has left us with the promise of His ever present guidance, assistance, and support, also known as

So, given all of these things; the obligation by Christ, the opportunity through Christ, and the omnipresence of Christ.....

...what are you going to do?

Let me give you some reasons to get up, get out, and get moving...

Do it for your sake; But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20)

Do it for your loved one's sake; For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. (2 Corinthians 15:4)

Do it for Jesus' sake; eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body. (Philippians 1:20)

State Farm Commercial

I'm sure you're all familiar with these State Farm commercials with that super-smug guy walking around telling us to contact an agent, BUT NOT YET, first talk to someone that already has a State Farm policy.



State Farm obviously knows that "word of mouth" is the best method of advertising and they are confident that their policy holders are pleased with their service and will give a good recommendation if asked. As I watch these commercials the thought comes to me; how am I suppose to find a "State Farm driver"? Does State Farm actually want us to try and search out one of these 40 million drivers that "trust" them or are they just trying to point out we have 40 million policy holders and no one else does. Basically, "we must be good if so many people use us".

As a Pastor, this commercial also got me thinking about evangelism, that is, spreading the message of Christ. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus gave us the call to GO and SPREAD the message. If followers of Christ were to put together a commercial it could look much like that of State Farm's; leading off with all the misconceptions and sounding something like this:

"The big bang theory, a big kill-joy in the sky, followers like a bunch of crazy fanatics. Come on! Isn't it time someone gave it to you straight? That's why you should talk to Jesus Christ. But not yet, first, talk to any one of the 2.1 billion who already trust Jesus Christ. 2.1 billion, yeah, that's more than John Smith or Buddha have combined. By a lot. 2.1 billion followers, hope for tomorrow, and eternal security. Where else can you find that? Talk to Jesus in prayer right now or open a Bible to read about Him."  

Notice, Christians could put a commercial together much like this, not that we should. The biggest problem I see with State Farm's commercial, as I said before, is trying to find one of these 40 million drivers to ask, it is not like these drivers walk around with sandwich boards on talking about their insurance coverage and/or agent. Likewise, not too many Christians walk around with sandwich boards (or even t-shirts) on talking about Jesus Christ and/or sharing their testimony.

State Farm customers have been trusted to spread the word about their coverage and about their agents. State Farm customers have been trusted to do this by their agents and by their super-smug spokesman.
Christians have been trusted to spread the word about Jesus Christ and the hope, joy, love, and salvation that He brings to life. Christians have been trusted to do this by Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 28:19).

So let us do it! By the way, I am both a follower of Christ and a State Farm policy holder, I can tell you about my experience with both.