Join us sundays at 8:00 & 10:30 AM

Friday, August 28 Devotional - Pastor John Hartman

August 28, 2020 by Rev. John Hartman

“To Tell The Truth”

A few months ago, I watched the movie, “Richard Jewell.” Richard Jewell was the security guard who discovered a bomb in Atlanta’s Centennial Park during the 1996 Summer Olympics. The bomb exploded killing a woman and injuring over 100 people, but not before Jewell had alerted authorities and personally directed scores of visitors away from the bomb site, -- saving countless lives! Richard Jewell was hailed as a hero for his quick thinking and his willingness to put himself in harm’s way to save other people.

Then the rumors started flying and everything changed. The FBI very publicly (and inappropriately) began wondering whether Richard Jewell had planted the bomb himself with the intent of coming to the rescue and pretending to be a hero. They said he fit the profile. He was a wannabe cop. He had authority issues at the college where he previously worked. He was socially awkward, and a “mama’s boy.” And so, inaccurate information was leaked to the press. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution plastered rumors about Jewell all over the headlines. Within days, Richard Jewell’s life was turned upside down and would never be the same again. The FBI interrogated Jewell and put him on round-the-clock surveillance. They searched his apartment and even his mother’s home. They questioned his associates. TV news trucks camped out in front of his yard. And, the cameras never stopped rolling. Richard Jewell was mocked by late-night talk show hosts. He was called all sorts of unflattering names. And, months later when an embarrassed Justice Department finally cleared him and determined that he had nothing to do with the bombing, there was never any official announcement. A letter was simply delivered to one of Richard Jewell’s lawyers at an out-of-the-way coffee shop, – far away from the TV cameras. By then the damage had already been done. Eventually the FBI identified and convicted the man responsible. But, they never apologized to Richard Jewell. And no one thanked him either! He spent the rest of his life trying to salvage his reputation. Sadly, he died in 2007 at the age of only 44.

Bad things can happen to people when we are careless with our words. People get hurt when we play fast and loose with the truth. People’s lives can be dramatically affected, -- and even ruined. Did you know Jesus says we’re going to be accountable for every careless word we speak? He said in Matthew 12:36, “I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter.” Every lie, every rumor, every bit of gossip, and even the stuff we spread in church, for these words, we will be held accountable.

Please join us for worship this Sunday at either 8:00 am or 10:00 am, as we look at the commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Let’s be people whose words mean something. Let’s be people whose words are weighty. Let’s be people who live and speak the truth. Why? Because God is Truth. And, because Jesus Christ is the Way and the Truth and the Life! If we are going to call ourselves His disciples, then the goal for our lives is to be just like Him.

Pastor John Hartman

Quote of the Week

“If you want the truth to go round the world you must hire an express train to pull it; but if you want a lie to go round the world it will fly; it is as light as a feather, and a breath will carry it.” Charles Spurgeon

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the Church in agreement with the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith understanding, and opposing the liberal and pragmatic theological tendencies in the Church of his day.