Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Repeat (01/24/13)
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TITLE: Lather, Rinse, Repeat. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tim Pickl
01/26/13 -
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“Thank you all very much for the warm welcome—and thank God for giving me a message ahead of time, just for us, just for today. See, God knows. Yes, He really does! He sees everything and He knows what we need before we even ask Him.” Ron pulled out a reusable shopping bag. The bag sported a sketch of the church building along with the name of the church, address, phone number and website address.
“Do you like this bag?”
“Amen, brother Ron!”
“I knew you would like it. Let me tell you a quick story about this bag. See, I like these bags because they remind me of me. Usable and reusable for the kingdom of God, right? We are all called, chosen and choose to be faithful. We are called for such a time as this to be used and re-used by God for the furtherance of His kingdom, amen?”
The audience agreed.
“Amen. Today I am here to talk to you about the Word of God. I know some of you have probably heard this dozens or even hundreds of times, but it bears repeating. Let’s turn to Hebrews, Chapter 4…verse 11. Sure—let’s stand in honor and respect of the Word of God.
“11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
“12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (King James Version)
“See, right away God is instructing us how to find and keep the peace we all crave every day. The rest he speaks of—and you can study the rest of the chapter on your own—is the peace of God that passes all understanding. When we dedicate our entire lives to Him—body, soul, mind and strength—seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness….then all these things will be added unto us—including His peace.”
Ron reached into the reusable shopping bag. He pulled out a large bottle of shampoo and raised it for the congregation to see.
“Can you all see this?”
Some of the people in the backs rows craned their necks to see what he was showing them.
“It is a simple bottle of shampoo. I picked it up last night at a local grocery store. Have you ever wondered, what do we use shampoo for?”
Mary, one of Ron’s favorite people, who always sat in the front row, blurted out, “To wash our hair!”
“Right! Mary wins the prize. Have you ever stopped and read what it says on a typical shampoo bottle? Some of you are thinking, Okay Ron, you have WAY too much time on your hands But, seriously, if you read the directions, the shampoo bottle simple reads,
“Lather with wet hair. Rinse. Repeat.
“All shampoo bottles will come with these directions, or some variation. Teach with me for a minute: how can we apply these directions to our lives spiritually?
“Let’s take a look at the Word of God—turn to Ephesians chapter 5, verses 25 to 27:
“25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
“26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
“27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
“The scripture is telling us to lather, rinse and repeat! Do you see how important it is to read the Word of God every day?
“The more we know His Word, the more we know Him.
“Ultimately, this all comes down to love. Do you love God? Many, if not all of us would answer, a hearty “Yes!” If you love Him, then you love His Word. Jesus and His Word are inseparable—they are one and the same."
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The tiny bit of red ink I have is the em dash--is used to show an interruption or a sudden change of direction in a story or dialog. Instead of the dash commas would have been just fine here.
I think your transition from the shower and shampoo into God's Word was fantastic. I could see your point from a different perspective. It's always good when a story makes one think. The Bible passage is a great match for your message. Good job.