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Featured What would the reaction be at the church you attend?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Crabtownboy, Jul 24, 2013.

  1. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    [​IMG]

    Pastor Jeremiah Steepek (pictured above) transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service....only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....NO ONE in the church gave him change. He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit n the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him.

    As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

    “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
    “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

    After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. I'ts something you live by and share with others.
     
  2. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    Well that's a first impression and an object lesson made.

    Do you have a link for more info? I'm interested. Thanks.
     
  3. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    This story has been making the round for a looooong time. Not saying it isn't true, but just that stuff that keeps getting passed along via the internet is sometimes as real as Madylyn Murray getting a judgment to stop religious broadcasters in spite of the fact that she's been dead for years.

    Here's what snopes says about it. Homeless pastor
     
  4. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Tom, I had never seen the story before. A friend in the Czech Republic posted it on Facebook. True or false, it is a good lesson, one we should think about whenever we see another person ... especially one that is not "like me".
     
  5. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    I wonder how many of the folks who refused to give him change actually do donate to food pantries, participate in food drives, and give in other ways. We won't know, because this is a one-sided story, dishonest, and created to call Christians cheap and uncaring.

    I saw his picture, and I wouldn't give him any change, either, but I would direct him to the Pavvorelo Center, where he could get cleaned up and fed.
     
  6. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    He's dirtier than most but not as dirty as some that come to our church.

    We've got a thriving recovery group in our church.

    We strongly support a church and recovery group down at the infamous K and A in Philly.

    Just another person needing Christ.

    Rob
     
  7. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Not only have people like him attended my church but some of them peed on the pew while they were here. But they get out of the cold, get some hot coffee, and get a chance to hear the gospel. I am glad to keep cleaning the pew and we will keep feeding them the gospel.
     
  8. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    If he isn't well-groomed and wearing a three-piece suit, a silk tie, and Florsheims then he shows a lack of respect for God and God's house.





    ^^^^ written entirely TIC in the mien of those who believe you must dress up for church to impress God.
     
  9. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    :sleep::sleep:
     
  10. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    My church would have accepted him with open arms. We might have bought his meal instead of giving him cash. After that, we would have gotten him help through our connections.

    Personally, I would not be a member of a church that shunned him, or any other superficial category.

    To me, a sign of a false teacher or other leader of the church is the person that this makes a difference to. In the long run, I believe this exercise in humility will make a much stronger local church.
     
  11. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    My church did something like this years ago with a woman who was a friend of the pastor. A couple women asked her to sit with them, but most ignored her like the story in the OP.
     
  12. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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    How is it that you know what the intent of the story is? Could your animosity toward CTB be clouding your judgement?
     
  13. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
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    The business of panhandling encompasses many freeway off ramps and beside fast food restaurants.

    We had a gentleman who was at an off ramp of I-5 in San Clemente. He would park his car, about a 5 year old Cadillac, about one block from the off ramp, then walk to his location, and would hoist a cardboard sign, "need money for food."

    After spending long hours, he would walk back to his Caddy and drive off to who knows where.

    So ponder the people he bilked. Were they helping him become self sustaining, or simply enabling him to leech? What does the bible say about people who will not work?

    The said fact is most, nearly all, the folks that ask for a handout, are con-men, and to give them stuff is to encourage sin.

    I am tired of "beat the sheep" sermons that teach bad theology. When people hit hard times who are part of our church family, we are generous, preparing meals, providing needed services and the like. But the aim to to restore self sufficiency, not enable dependence.
     
    #13 Van, Jul 24, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 24, 2013
  14. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    God did not say that we need to check and determine their motives before we assist them. He just said to do it.
     
  15. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    No. I'd say the same for any garbage like this.
     
  16. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    AMEN:applause:
     
  17. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Once I found out he was pretending, I would probably kick his butt for being an idiot.
     
  18. North Carolina Tentmaker

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    A lovely story, but is it true?

    The story smells of fiction to me. What is the name of the church? What city? 10,000 members, it must have a website.

    There is nothing but this story when I google Jeremiah Steepek.

    Snopes acknowledges that the picture is not of Jeremiah Steepek, but was taken of an actual homeless guy.

    It is a nice story, but I see no evidence it ever happened.

    Now that it has made the rounds of the internet it will probably appear as a touching example told from hundreds of pulpits. Of course it will still be untrue.
     
  19. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    CRabby would never post an untrue story.
     
  20. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
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    Who do you think you are?

    I don't know where you got this photo of me, but I didn't give anyone permission to use it! I am reporting this to the Mod's and I expect an full blown apology from Crabby!


































    :laugh:.......:smilewinkgrin:........:wavey:.........Gotcha!
     
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