Are You Contagious?

Are You Contagious?

Contagiousness. That's a word, a thought that is very lonely. When the cold and flu season is upon us and you've got that cough you might as well shout, "Unclean, unclean!". Nobody wants to be around you then. Why? They don't want what you've got! You're contagious.

You've got to stay in a room by yourself and only those with protective masks and rubber gloves have the courage to come in to see you, and mothers of course. (mothers are impervious to everything!) No one wants to talk to you, touch you or breathe the same air you breath. You're contagious.

Now, what if you're contagious with something everyone else wants? Wouldn't that have the opposite effect? Suddenly, everyone wants to be around you! They can't stay away! They come looking for you! You can't find a quiet place unless it is the middle of the night while everyone else is sleeping. Everyone wants to touch you, talk to you, and invite you to their homes. They can't get enough of you, you're contagious!

Jesus was that kind of contagious person. Just read the gospels. He couldn't even move at times, the crowds were so great. They didn't necessarily know what it was that he had but they knew that when Jesus was around they loved it. Maybe it was a healing. Sometimes it was his words. The kids couldn't stay off of him. The only private time he got was when he escaped into the night while Israel slept. Jesus was contagious.

When Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the book of Acts, they became contagious too. Thousands wanted to be a part of this amazing thing they called the church. Even those who shied away secretly wanted to be with this bunch. This early church was contagious.

Sure, this kind of things brings its share of problems. Persecution did rise up from those in competition for the attention of the masses, but what a small price to pay for that kind of contagious life.

Are you contagious?
Are we, as a church, contagious?
Do people seek us out like they did Jesus and the Acts church?
If not, why not?

On Sunday March 25 and April 1, I am going to preach 2 messages on "Becoming a Contagious Christian." If you think about it, that title is redundant. "Contagious Christian" is saying the same thing twice. We are Christians therefore contagious.

Be ready to change! Be ready to be a carrier! Be ready to be all that God intended you to be! Be ready to be contagious!

You are loved!

In His grip,

Greg