Pastor dresses as homeless man

[rockytopva]

There is a growing concern that this is an internet hoax... I don't know but it sure is a good story!



Pastor Jeremiah Steepek transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the 10,000 member church that he was to be introduced as the head pastor at that morning. He walked around his soon to be church for 30 minutes while it was filling with people for service, only 3 people out of the 7-10,000 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food – no one in the church gave him change.
He went into the sanctuary to sit down in the front of the church and was asked by the ushers if he would please sit in the back. He greeted people to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks, with people looking down on him and judging him. As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such.

When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new pastor of the church to the congregation. “We would like to introduce to you Pastor Jeremiah Steepek.” The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation. The homeless man sitting in the back stood up and started walking down the aisle. The clapping stopped with all eyes on him. He walked up the altar and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment then he recited, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

‘The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning. Many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.
He then said, “Today I see a gathering of people, not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples. When will YOU decide to become disciples?”

He then dismissed service until next week. Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ should be more than just talk. It ought to be a lifestyle that others around you can love about you and share in.

 

[HeRoseFromTheDead]

It's phony. Source of picture - http://bradgerrard.tumblr.com/post/11002307432/i-was-walking-down-the-street-in-richmond-saw

 

[afaithfulone4u]

Rather it is phoney or not.. it is a good lesson to show are true hearts condition and I am sure when one reads this they may get some conviction as even I did, but not because they needed some money, but because the poor need to hear the gospel and I do pass them up most times.

I am never a advocate for us to take actual food to the poor for food can not buy a heart for God and it only helps them for a moment, THEN WHAT?
We as a person should not turn a starving person away.. but what happens if this homeless person on the street gladly eats the sandwich you offer him but wants nothing to do with the spiritual meal of the gospel? Are you going to keep being this persons savior to bring the food when they reject true help? God is the one they need to look to, for He is the one who works within us to raise one up so they are GOOD PEOPLE, who work, who do not suffer loss and gain back some dignity to raise them from the dead to life.
Many scoff at a minister that would take a man's last dime... But what would Jesus do? I will show you:
Mark 12:41-44
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
KJV

Jesus, as did this poor widow knew that you can never out give God and that when you give it ALL TO GOD He is able to keep you for He looks for those who think more of His work and trust Him and their spiritual food for their soul than the carnal things they are saving their treasures for. Jesus said you will always have the poor... Jesus came to offer them a hand UP... not give hand OUTS.

Jesus NEVER provided the food for the unbelievers he ate with and never fed anyone without an offering of thanksgiving given up to God FIRST!
The greatest giver in the world can not compare to one who feeds the spiritual truth of God's Word that saves your soul in everyway possible and nobody is greater than his TEACHER who is God.