The Parable of the Fireworks | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Parable of the Fireworks | Previous Challenge Entry
By Keith Henry III
06/16/16
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“I have one last surprise for you all before we head home in the morning” announced Pastor Greg. The group of inner city teens had spent the week at the camp on the crystal clear lake, many for the first time. “First I want to thank you all for being here this last week,” Greg and his assistants applauded the teens, “It is my prayer that each of you will be able to take a memory of this week home with you and cherish it always. It is also my prayer that you will take what you learned about Jesus this week and keep it in your heart for the rest of your lives. On that note, I have one more sermon for you.”

A collective “Ahhh” came from the kids who were expecting some other surprise.

“Oh c’mon now guys! I promise this is very important. I know that many of you have come to know Jesus as your personal Savior this week and I congratulate you on the decision that you have made. Part of the problem with those of us who share the Gospel is that we have a tendency to pat you on the back for the decision you made, but we never tell you what to do next. So tonight I want to tell you the Parable of the Fireworks.”

“There was once a kingdom who wanted to show their love for their king who was kind and loving. A search of the kingdom for fireworks makers began. The first pyrotechnician offered Snappers.”

Pastor Greg walked around the campfire and handed each of the teenagers a box of Snappers. Opening the box he took a couple of the small, paper wrapped explosives and threw them to the ground, “pop” the sound startled a couple of the girls.

“These little gems make a little pop so not to offend the king or others.” The next offered an M-80, “The king will love these babies, they make a loud “BOOM” worthy of a king.”

Pastor Greg knelt down and lit the fuse of the round firework and threw it down the beach away from the group, “BOOM” the loud noise concussed through the silence of the forest.

“Still another pyrotechnician offered sparklers, “These delights make a beautiful light without all the annoying noise.”

Pastor Greg passed out Sparklers to each of the kids and motioned for them to light the sticks in the fire and motioned for the kids to light them in the glowing campfire.

“Finally, the last brought Peonys, Girandolas, and Chrysanthemums, “These fireworks offer both beautiful, bright lights and loud noises fit for our most wonderful king.”

On cue a magnificent fireworks display started over the moonlit lake. The kids watched in amazement; most of them had never seen a fireworks display. Greg waited for the show to end before he explained the parable.

“As Christians, both new and old, we want to thank and praise our Lord Jesus Christ for all that He has done for us. The Apostle Paul says, “I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” We are supposed to make noise for the Lord. Jesus explained that we are to be “a light unto the world.” The question is how are you going to honor Christ when you leave here? Are you going to be a “Snapper Christian” who makes a little noise so not to offend the Lord or other people? A snapper is a novelty firework that usually comes out around the 4th of July. “Snapper Christians” tend to come out around the holidays and make a little noise and then fizzle out until the holiday. Are you going to be an M-80 Christian who makes a loud noise? The M-80 has a fuse that needs to be lit before it makes its noise. “M-80 Christians” also need to constantly be ignited before they make their noise. Sparklers make a bright, beautiful light, but they don’t make a noise and the light eventually fizzles out. “Sparkler Christians” live right, do good, they give off a beautiful light, but never make a noise; often their lights burn out and it needs to be relit. Finally, and my hope is that you become like the professional fireworks. “Firework Christians” give off a bright, beautiful light and make a loud noise for the Lord. They live a righteous life and constantly praise the Lord with a loud noise. So what kind of Christian are you going to be?”

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