SOUL WINNING: Hellfire - The Pocket Version!

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

I’ve been told by friends there once was an evangelist in Texas called “Angel” Martinez. Evidently, he drew large tent crowds as a result of his many sportcoats; one for every color in Crayola’s big box of crayons. People would come from all around just to see what color of coat he’d be wearing that night.

Martinez was well-know to at least one deacon chair for something other than his wardrobe. The man had invited the soul-winner to dinner for one of his wife’s special Mexican dinners. Once the food had been served, “Angel” brought a bag of dried jalapeño chili peppers from his jacket pocket and crushed them on his food.

The deacon, mindful of appearances, asked if he could have some for his own plate. He sprinkled them as generously as seemed reasonable, and then dug in. As the story goes, he was soon in the kitchen drinking directly from the faucet.

Walking back to the dining room, red-faced and sweating profusely, he said, “Brother Martinez, I know you preach hell-fire and brimstone but I did not know you carried it in your pocket.”

We’d all do well to carry a little hell-fire and brimstone in our pockets; perhaps a little in our hearts wouldn’t hurt either.

Our societies are becoming increasingly permissive and rebellious; I personally think it is due to the incomprehensible biblical ignorance among our laity. There appears to be no hunger for the word because their faces are not red and foreheads not sweating … the problem? Same as in Paul's day: there’s no fear of the Lord!

Christianity, Evangelism,
Illustrations, Preaching, Religion