Lenten Lesson -- Believers asked to share the joy they have inside

Born-again believers choose the greeting that awaits them when they meet Jesus face-to-face warned the Rev. Eddie Wright, pastor at First Assembly of God Church, Friday afternoon.

"I don't want to hear 'wicked servant'," Wright admitted. "I want to hear 'well done.'"

Reading the parable of the talents recorded in Luke 19:11-27, Wright named specific talents that are indwelling in the hearts of believers, no matter how old they are and no matter how many or how few years they have faithfully served.

Believers are to be reaching out to others, giving out of the joy that is in them, showing mercy and love and pouring out the grace they have received, he told the 132 in attendance at the weekly Community Lenten service at Memorial United Methodist Church.

It's time to be bringing people into the kingdom of God, said Wright, "multiplying the joy, multiplying the love, multiplying the witness."

Every one of you has talent within, said Wright. "Each of us has a story, our own testimony of how Jesus has saved us, how he has turned this life around.

"You have a testimony," he said to a chorus of "amens."

"Be ready to give that gift, to tell that story, to give the greatest gift of all, the Savior Jesus."

Some may argue that they're old and have served for many years, admitted Wright. They're tired. But they're not done yet.

"Love up on the children," he encouraged. Children need to know that they're loved, that someone is glad to see them, to listen to them, to love up on them.

"Now is not the time to give up," cautioned Wright, "As long as there is breath in your body, you have something to give."

The parable details the harsh judgement the servant who hid his master's talent in a napkin received upon his master's return.

"I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away." (Luke 19:26)

The more you give, Wright said, the more you will receive, again multiplying joy, love and grace. But if you hold the joy inside, it will diminish day-by-day until it is gone. So it will be with all of the talents in the heart of a believer. "If you don't use it, you will surely lose it."

"There is head knowledge, and there is heart knowledge," Wright said as he concluded his remarks. "Do you know the transforming power of Jesus in your heart?

"If you don't, you don't have anything to share."

Wright offered then the opportunity to any in the audience of 132 who knew they lacked this transforming power in their lives to pray, "Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Cleanse me. Help me to be what you want me to be. In Jesus' name, Amen."

The Rev. Jason VanPelt, associate pastor at McCook Christian Church, served as worship leader. Organist Evie Caldwell selected a haunting rendition of "Near the Cross" for the introit and lent her considerable talent on the piano to Jim Jenkins' memorable performance of "The Holy City."

This was the final Community Lenten lesson. The annual service, presented by the Red Willow County Ministerial Association, will conclude Friday with the Cross Walk and the traditional Good Friday service. The Cross Walk will depart from First Congregational Church at 11 a.m., traversing several downtown blocks with stops along the way for readings and prayer, arriving at Memorial United Methodist Church at 12:05 p.m., for the reading of the Passion of the Lord according to the Gospel of John.

There is no luncheon served at the Good Friday service.