Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS (don't write about the song) (05/14/15)
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TITLE: A Call to Arms | Previous Challenge Entry
By D. Michael Newell
05/21/15 -
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“Men, I have called this meeting tonight because of the crisis we, as a church and as a nation, are facing. Thank you for clearing your calendars and being here tonight.
“Let’s start with a season of prayer. Brother Ed, as our deacon’s chairman, would you start? We’ll take all the time we need since this is an important step. When we are finished, I’ll close our prayer time and we’ll proceed,” with a smile Reverend Peterson nodded to Brother Ed before sitting down.
About forty-five minutes later Reverend Peterson closed in prayer, and began the discussion. “Brothers, we must be aware of Satan attacking individuals, businesses, and churches. So many things are happening in today’s world, and it might be tempting to think it doesn’t concern us, but it does. We must fight against these attacks. I am proposing that we, as a church, be bold in our witness, as relentless in our evangelism as the First-Century Church. Jesus Christ has not changed; the mission He gave the church has not changed. It is our culture that has changed. I want the Church to present a united front for the Gospel and oppose all efforts to undermine our freedoms of religion and speech. I want us to present the Gospel at every opportunity we can find. I want us to live our lives in such a way that our critics will be seen for what they are, ungodly people for whom Christ died. I want us to be so well known for our love that it will bring people to us so we can share the Gospel.
“We have a great discipleship program. As a church, we know what we believe and why we believe it, but we are weak in mobilization. We need that holy boldness that the disciples prayed for in Acts 5:24. Like them we need to obey God rather than man.”
For the next hour and a half, they discussed what this would mean and what they were to do. They made a commitment to pray as never before for the pastor and Sunday’s service. They also committed to reach out to everyone from the community, church members, friends, or anyone connected to the church to encourage them to pray and attend Sunday’s service. This could be the most important service in the church’s history.
“Pastor,” said Brother Ed, “you have expressed many of the thoughts of this Board. Some of us have been wondering what could be done. Now we see. Thank you.”
“Thank you, gentlemen.”
Before closing the meeting, they had another round of prayer and commitment.
The unity Rev. Peterson felt that night inspired him as he went about the rest of the week. He invited everyone he encountered that week to Sunday’s service for a special announcement.
Sunday morning arrived and Reverend Peterson could sense that each deacon had taken Monday’s meeting very seriously as the church parking lot filled up. This was the largest meeting since the Revival Service ten years ago.
As the congregation sang the hymns Reverend Peterson could see the expectation on each face. The choir reflected the joy of the congregation. Then it was time for Reverend Peterson to give the sermon.
As Reverend Peterson stood up to preach, every eye was on him. After reading his text he told of Monday night’s deacons meeting and of all that was shared with them. As with the deacons he shared how the Church has come under fire and our Freedom of Worship is under attack from every side. He reminded them of now navy chaplains are told they cannot use the Bible in counseling the sailors. Now bakers, florist and photographers are being put out of business and there is increasing pressure for churches to perform homosexual weddings, all in the guise of “freedom.”
“It is time for us as Christians to take a stand for what we believe. It is time for us stand firm on God’s Word. It is time for us to be ‘salt and light.’ As Christian soldiers, it is time to answer A CALL TO ARMS.”
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That's a little thing though and doesn't impact the oomph in your message. You did a fine job of establishing a conflict right away and your ending brought the story full circle.