In Articles, Devotional, Teachings

Jacob had a get-rich-quick strategy.  He made a deal with Laban, his father-in-law that rather than being paid in cash for his shepherding services he would receive as payment all of the imperfect members of the flock; all the striped, speckled and spotted cattle, sheep and goats.  Laban preferred the beautiful ones anyways.  He was glad to be rid of the imperfect members of the flock and agreed to Jacob’s pathetic idea of remuneration.  But soon Jacob’s motley flock had exceeded Laban’s and the lowly farmhand had grown more rich and powerful than his master.

I visited a church not long ago where the pastor was very proud of the fact that his congregation was made up of some of the wealthiest, most successful and most famous people in town.  Everything from the building itself to the demeanor of the staff to the kind of people that were positioned on the platform, shouted that this was a church for the good-looking, the rich and the powerful.  Anyone who did not fit into that category might not feel very comfortable there, but for those that were members it was more than a church, it was a sort of elite club for classy Christians.  It reminded me of Laban’s perfect flock.

Rich people need Jesus too and I’m glad that they found a place of worship where they could feel comfortable, but somehow I think that if Jesus were pastoring in that city, his church would probably look a lot different. Jesus was known as a “friend of publicans and sinners.  He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor” (Luke 4:18).  And again, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick” (Matt 9:12).  And again, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32).  “The Son of man” He said of Himself, “is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

If Jesus pastored a church I think that it would be “on the wrong side of the tracks”.  It would be filled with hookers, drug addicts and bums.  It would be a church where the unlovely would feel welcomed and accepted.  It would be a church for the striped the speckled and spotted members of society.

In fact, Jesus identifies with the needy to such an extent that he takes our actions towards them personally saying, “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…to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (Mat 25) One of the two elements of “pure religion” according to James is to, “…visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need.” (James 1:27 AMP) The ones that, “…turn many to righteousness [shall give forth light] like the stars forever and ever.”

If any evangelist, pastor or church will follow the example of Jesus and Jacob they will soon make an amazing discovery.  A church that is after the lost, the unlovely, the poor, the outcasts and the sinners will soon surpass in every way, the wealth of its country-club counterparts.  An evangelist that is willing to leave the well-traveled circuit of itinerate preachers and venture into the dark, dangerous and remote areas of the world will discover rich and abundant harvests where no one would have ever expected to find them.

I am convinced that at the end of the day, the greatest reward will be for the ones who have gotten down in the dirt with Jesus and served “the least of these”.  The greatest honor will belong to those who have preached the Gospel to the poor and the first prize will go to the ones who have invested in the striped, the speckled and the spotted.

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Showing 13 comments
  • Jon Palmer
    Reply

    Thank you for coming to minister to us in Meridian, MS. It is great to see someone who still discusses the only thing that makes us righteous: the blood of Jesus, instead of following the usual religious fads. Your preaching is powerful, biblical, and full of love for the lost. We need more like you. God Bless You, Your Family, and all the ministry you do in the name of Jesus.

  • Anthony Brabazon
    Reply

    Daniel, Thrilled to hear you started out as a street preacher. My wife and I do street preaching in Ireland and we are desperate for a new pentecost here. Pray for Ireland, it has been too long since the fire of God swept over the island! Thank you brother.

  • cathy
    Reply

    thanx thts insiring.God bless

  • Ijiwade James
    Reply

    Dear Evangelist, thanks for your quick response to my question. May God continue to empower, protect and bless you in your ministry.

    I wish you schedule your next programme going to be held in Nigeria at Auchi, Edo State.

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    It’s great to see you here Marcus. I think if we are honest, we are/were all striped speckled and spotted. The only difference is that some managed to cover it up with more expensive suits than others.

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Peter, you are doing a great work for the Lord. Keep on reaching out to the striped, speckled and spotted and the Lord will give you abundant increase. Many blessings.

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Thank you Stanley. It is a great joy and priviledge to stand alongside evangelist Bonnke and minister to the people of Africa. God bless you as well.

  • Daniel Kolenda
    Reply

    Bro Ijiwade James, I started in evangelism as a street preacher. You can become an evangelist today. Start sharing the Gospel with everyone who will listen. God will see your faithfulness and will give you more and more.

  • Ijiwade James
    Reply

    I want to become an Evangelist. Can I volunteer? What steps should I take before I can start.

    Evangelist Daniel Please Help Me.

  • Stanley Diergaardt
    Reply

    Thank you so much for the good word of encouragement and the good job you’ve done in Nigeria with Reinhard Bonnke.God Bless.

  • Peter Vandever
    Reply

    Amen, Daniel!

    I am one of those “evangelists” that left the conference ministry to travel to the little hidden churches in Asia with a message of God’s power and His fire.

    One question: Will you ever be asked back? LOL

  • Marcus French
    Reply

    Speaking as a “striped, speckled, and spotted” one myself… you’re right on here. I was just talking with someone that had recently went over to a minister’s house, and felt like he was entering the “cool” club rather than a house of healing for all. These “classes” and “cliques” certainly have no place in the kingdom. Good word!

  • Thiago
    Reply

    Glory to God by is devocional … Cfan nodes in Brazil in very satisfied … that God continue using its life Daniel.

    God Bless you today and forever…

    Thiago

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