A guest preacher was coming to preach at the church. Everyone was excited and couldn’t wait for the day to arrive. They had heard many great things about this preacher. They couldn’t believe that this renowned evangelist was going to preach in their small country church. Oh, what a glorious time it was!
The day came and the preacher arrived and they soon realized that the tales were not entirely true: He was even better than they had dreamed! He preached the Word of God with such passion and enthusiasm that all the members of the congregation were enthralled and overjoyed. He was a true preacher of the Gospel and every word he said was biblically and theologically correct.
There are many guest preachers in our churches on any given Sunday. Some come to preach during Crusades, Revivals and Homecoming meetings, others relieve the pastors when they go on vacation, while others (like me) become a more permanent “guest” preacher covering the pulpit while the church calls a new pastor.
I was reminded of this fact as I examined a check I received for my services. On the Memo line it read: “Guest Preacher” (one time it had a totally different message!). This led me to think that I am only a guest in this church, which in turn also reminded me that I am a guest on this planet.
As a Christian, I am no longer a citizen of this world, but of heaven (Philippians 3:20). In Hebrews 13:14 we read that,
“For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.”
This world is not our home. Jesus said this repeatedly. In John 17:16 for example, He said, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” We are just guests here for awhile—guests with a mission: To go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).
As guests of Jesus in this planet, we must take good care and appreciate the created world (plants, mountains, rivers, etc.) and we must love the people of the world, but we must despise the world order with all its humanistic and satanic philosophies. John told us:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15)
Brother and sister do not get too comfortable in this world. Remember that it is not your home and that you are only a guest here. Enjoy your time in this side of heaven, keeping in mind that your real home is waiting for you.
A. G
