Preface: The song was a hit for the Kingston Trio back in 1963....O how America has changed....and Johnny Cash covered it in 1981...."The Reverend Mr. Black." It's only the message that I'm posting on here:
From the meanderings of my own mind....and observations over a half century....it is evident that we....maybe all of us at one time or another before the gospel was opened up to us....and mercy was extended upon us....as we were saved....by grace through faith in Christ....that we might use someone else....someone greatly respected....as an excuse for not humbling ourselves before God and repenting. It would usually go like this....we have a friend....or someone in authority over us.... a teacher or a professor possibly....a good person and well-respected by all....who had no need for religion! If that's good enough for him then it's certainly good enough for me. Or it might very well be a celebrity....handsome....popular....admired by multitudes....and he....(I'm just using the male gender here)....he has done very well for himself his whole life....of maybe eighty or ninety years....and has died or is dying with dignity! We psychologically cling to these other people....essentially trusting our eternal soul....(should we really have one we ponder)....in their decisions....in someone else's decisions....and there is absolutely no lack of candidates such as this to cling to!
It most likely will not transpire like this....I only use it for effect....but God could if He should so desire....when an unrepentant soul is judged....God could show that unrepentant soul an image of that good and well-respected friend....or that mega-celebrity....show an image of them suffering in hell! Think about it....pick that favorite movie star of yours from the past....or that favorite entertainer....or that friend who was nothing but success his whole life before he died! If they were profane and unrepentant their whole life....then they are in a place where those looks....and that talent....and all those riches....and that adoration from the masses....no longer means anything....and that friend or celebrity themselves would wish to have but one more day on this earth....to throw all of their gold and silver and celebrity away!
OK....maybe I didn't relate all of that too well....but I can add a YouTube here of someone who does present an evangelical message with power....and I will do that....a little differently than I usually do....for the sermon that I am adding here....is from a very young Charles Spurgeon. It was November of 1957....and he as only 23 years old while speaking in this great London venue. If you are still trying to understand my words....to figure out what I was trying to say....please listen to this gifted preacher....using his own examples.
Here is what I'm going to do that is different. Spurgeon was only 23 as he preached this sermon. I'm going to....in a few days....Lord willing of course....add a sermon here....of a 57 year old Charles Spurgeon....only months before he went to be with his Lord....the same message....only 34 years apart. See if you can discern a difference. I know that I can!
