God's Emergency Room

Please find below this weeks article by Evangelist Phil Kidd

GOD'S EMERGENCY ROOM
Matthew 9: 10 - 13
Within our text once again we see religious people questioning and doubting The Lord Jesus. This consistent pressure and abuse will follow Jesus throughout His ministry here on earth. The reasoning and fault finding continued until He hung His head and yielded up the ghost while on the cross of Calvary. They criticized His motives and methods of reaching people. They were offended in more than one situation, because of the low life people He was reaching with His message. In several different settings, Jesus tried to illustrate and explain His salvation plan and how it was designed to reach everyone.
Our text reveals one of the times that Jesus illustrated how redemption works in the hearts and lives on men and women. He draws a mental picture using the office of a doctor. It is here that He describes that people that are whole have no need for a doctor, but only those that are sick. This was to point them to the fact that as long as they did not see the need for a Saviour they would never call upon Him for help. He makes that very clear by declaring that He came to call "sinners" not the "righteous" to repentance.
With that thought in mind, let me ask you a question. If Jesus would illustrate His divine work to that of a doctor, then what would be wrong with saying that the church could be a type of hospital. After all that is where Jesus does most of His work, in the church, even though He does make house calls! I looked up what it takes to be a high rated hospital and I believe this could apply to us, to help us have a high rated church. All of us should have the desire to help our local church be all it can be, to reach as many as we can, with The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Allow me to list seven steps to having a high rated unit.
1. WE WILL BE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US?
The availability of the hospital increases its worth and outreach. People may pass by the hospital for years and never use it, but in the back of their minds they know when the time comes it will be there for them. The community should know that it is a place where the hurting can get relief, those crippled by accidents can recover, and the one that has fallen can get back up and have another chance at life. Its known as a place of healing and a place to get restored.
There are people all around your church that may have never been yet, but they know that when the time comes and they need healing, restored, or converted, there is one place they can always turn too. Everyday your church sets on the road side, it is a reminder to the community that you are still there and you are ready and willing to help those in spiritual need.
2. TRANSPORTATION MUST BE OFFERED
All hospitals have some kind of ambulance services to offer to those that might not be able to transport themselves. What kind of hospital only offers help to those that are able to get there on their own? Some people are such shape that they count on others to pick them up and get them to the proper place of help. As long as the hospital doors are open then transportation is offered.
This is one area of our churches that has long bothered me as I travel and preach across this country; I see less and less chance for people without transportation to have an opportunity to get to church and get saved. Most church vans set in our parking lots for months without being moved, unless it is for a supper or a shopping spree for the women. Once in a while we will move it to attend an area meeting for church people. Many sinners have died lost, because the ambulance does not minister to the needs of the sick that can't drive themselves. Does your church have a bus or a van? When is the last time your church has picked up some sick sinner and seen them recovered by God's divine grace? Yea, your van is like everyone else's it sets in the parking lot with dry rotted tires waiting to be sold to someone else when the men finally decide it is falling apart beside the church. How about each member? Why don't you start picking up people in your own car and bring them to the place of help and healing? Our churches are not helping people because we offer no transportation.
3. EVERYONE MUST RECEIVE THE SAME TREATMENT
One survey that rated hospitals in high regard was the one that noticed that all people were treated the same. No matter the problem, the color, male or female, or income, they all received the same concern and treatment. What a great testimony for any hospital to have. Nothing makes people feel any smaller than to be treated different for any reason.
I have preached in churches that have been guilty of this very charge. I have watched the pastor and others in the church slight poor people and fall all over the rich. I have heard the pastor say that he wished the junk cars in the parking lot was parked behind the church so others could not see them or get oil on the concrete. I have seen the poor and dirty set down and that area clear out because of their clothes or problems in their lives. How would you like it if they treated you that way at the hospital? People have souls and they have a right to hear the Gospel of Christ no matter what they do or do not have in life.
We had a multimillionaire attend our church last week (I did not know it, and don't care), our building was packed and I set him down next to the poor old woman that attends our church every week. I pick her up myself and take her to church. I want everyone to know that souls are not judged according to worth in the eyes of the world. The millionaire left and is sending an offering back to the church, because he said he saw people loving people from all levels of life.
Jesus reached the rich, the poor, the sick, the lame, the blind, the hurting, the crooks, the demon possessed, the broken, those caught in sin and the religious. All received the same treatment when they came to Jesus.
4. KNOWN FOR FRIENDLY AND CONCERNED STAFF
High rated hospitals has staff that are willing to listen to the hurt of those in need. Some patients feel better just finding someone who cares enough to listen to their hurt. Some people go to the hospital just to get attention and feel worth about themselves.
I wonder if you attend a church where everyone meets in the church and gets with their own little groups and talks about everything under the sun while visitors set alone on the back pew and no one ever takes the time to introduce themselves or set next to them during church? Did you know that being friendly does not cost you anything? One small expression of concern could change someone's life forever. Everyone wants to feel wanted and thought of. Some people are easier to reach and touch than others, I understand, but we must keep trying and searching for ways to make people feel and know that they are wanted in our churches.
5. DOCTORS MUST BE WELL QUALIFIED AND AVAILABLE
Nothing is more nerve racking than to get to the hospital and the doctor can't be found. You set in the room for hours waiting for someone to at least tell you that help is on the way. When he finally arrives, he is tired, blood shot eyes, and not in a very good mood. You fear to take his time or express your real feelings. This is uncomfortable for everyone involved and it should never be this way. Good hospitals have staff doctors that are there, on call and ready to serve needs, any time day or night.
The church has a well qualified doctor that is always on call day or night. He never sleeps or slumbers. He has never lost a patient, and He knows your every need. This is why we need to reach as many people as we can, we have the truth and what people need for their souls and their lives.
6. OFFERS A CONSISTENT FOLLOW UP PROGRAM
First class hospitals will contact you after your visit to check on you and offer further services if needed. This follow up program is important to the patient as well as the family. It shows the family the desire of the hospital to help and heal. One phone call from a staff member makes the process of concern reach another level.
May I say that most church follow up programs stink! Most visitors leave without the church having any information about them, where they live, or how to reach them in the future for a visit. They leave and never hear from the preacher, or even get a letter of thanks for coming. It is a sad day when people visit our churches and they never hear from us at all. We need to try and contact them by phone, card, and visit. They visited the church so just return the favor! We have had families join our church just because of one visit. And all of them say the same thing; "We came back because your church was the only one that ever visited us after we attended a service there". Sad is the day when we are to busy to do follow up work on those that need our help.
7. ALWAYS EXPANDING AND GROWING
Top rated hospitals are always growing in size and number. The unit is always being added on to while the beds are being rearranged to meet the need for all the people coming in.
I would not go to a hospital that never has to add on or most of the beds are always empty! And that is why many people in our community never attend our churches. Most of our pews stay empty and we never have to add on, because there is no need.
I don't want to get into the numbers game or a race to see who is the greatest, but there is something wrong with empty churches and hollow buildings. There is a deadness there that should not be.
In closing, may God allow all of us to help our "hospital-church" be more affective this year than ever before. People need help and we have the answer, so lets get to work.