Minister’s Corner - 208 Don’t Throw The Whistle Away

Loved ones, there is a commercial on television where a man is trying to get his stubborn, lazy dog to obey him. He has tried everything. Someone gave him a high frequency whistle that only the dog can hear. So he takes a deep breath and blows until his face is red. The old dog does not budge. But just as he is about to throw the whistle in the garbage every dog in the neighborhood bursts through the door, knocking him down to answer the call. There is a message here for the church.

Don't throw the Gospel whistle away just because the spoiled, lazy, indifferent, preoccupied, and rebellious do not respond, as well as those who are so full and satisfied that they do not want to come to God's table. This happened when Jesus offered His great supper in Matthew 22. Those invited were preoccupied, but Jesus didn't throw the supper away. Rather He said, "Ask any and every one to come to the feast” (v. 9).

Don't throw the whistle away because you do not hear it or because you do not understand how it works. We can't understand everything about this marvelous whistle — the Gospel (Isaiah 55:8-11). How can we fully understand a God who gave His only Son to die for the wicked? Just blow it. Deliver it. Leave the rest to God. Jesus plainly told us, "few there be" that answer the call (Matthew 7:13-14).

Don't throw the whistle away, because many with good and honest hearts are responding – those who are spiritually empty and hungry are making their way to His table. Paul had no positive response at Athens, but he didn't throw the whistle away. Don't throw the whistle away. It is the only invitation we have from God. Look what it did in the first century.

Don't throw the whistle away. Some are saying, "Let's just tune it." We believe it was tuned by the Master, and we dare not touch it (Revelation 22:18-19). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God is so good. Love you. Samuel – 10 May 26