Those of us who are older, and who grew up in this part of the State may remember Jackson Training School in Concord, NC. It was a school for boys who were in trouble with the law and were declared delinquent. I assume some judge assigned boys to that school. May I share a couple of memories?

I never knew the real truth, but the rumor around my neighborhood was that those boys endured harsh treatment, with lots of beatings. The threat of being sent there was a warning that many adults held over our heads. A pointed finger and a declaration, “Boy, you keep doing that and I will have you sent to Jackson Training School” was a warning that kept most of us “walking the straight and narrow path”!!!!

A second memory involved Boy Scouts. My Troop, along with other Troops from around the region, often had weekend camping experiences. Usually, these were held at Morrow Mountain Stat Park. Jackson Training School also had a Scout Troop and they always came to those camping weekends. Every time their bus drove up, our Scoutmaster would tell us, “Boys, the boys on that bus are no different than you. Many of you have done the same things they did. You just haven’t been caught yet”!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Scoutmaster was telling us to treat these Jackson Training School boys with dignity, honor, and respect. We were not to “look down our noses at them and think we were somehow better than they were”. [These many years later, I often wonder, how many of those boys were horribly abused at home? How many stole because their parents were stoned, or drunk, there was no food in the house, and the boys and younger siblings were starving? How many of them had no church background to teach them right from wrong?]

In the New Testament we read that the Scribes and Pharisees thought that they were much superior to the common people, especially those they called “sinners'”.  Consequently, they hated Jesus because He spent so much time with people from the lower classes of society. Hear their complaint- [Luke 15:1,2]  “Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying ‘This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them'”. Praise the Lord. Jesus came to “save the lost” [Matthew 18:11] He came for “those who were sick, not those who felt no need for a doctor” [Matthew 9:12, 13]

Friends we are all the same. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. [Romans 3:23] Haughtiness and pride can cause us to miss the blessings of God, and may keep us out of Heaven. A humble spirit that comes to Jesus with this request, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” [Luke 18:13, 14] will experience forgiveness, peace, and eternal security in Heaven.

Many years ago, I was in conversation with a Pastor Search Committee. They mentioned a certain poorer section of their community. Then they said, “If you become our Pastor, we don’t want you to visit in that community and invite those folks to our church. They are not welcome”. I knew immediately that Pamela and I wanted no part of a church that was controlled by the devil and had not the love of Jesus. I assume all those committee members are dead, but their evil spirit lived in future generations. Last I heard, 8 or 9 very elderly Senior Adults were the only ones occupying their large church building. My friends, Jesus died for those in that poor section of town. He died for the boys at Jackson Training School. When we have the loving Spirit of Jesus living in us, we treat others with respect and offer the good news of salvation to all.

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School is at 9:00 am
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church are at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 on 99.1 FM and on the website after 12:30 pm
3. Prayer and Bible Study are Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall
4. $ 1560—Total for our NC Missions Offering
5. Tuesday, October 14—8:00 am to 5:00 pm-Golden Agers trip to the mountains for apples and fellowship
6. Boston Butt sale to raise money for missions, Begin to order now—$ 45—Pick up November 22

Jesus came to save all who will accept Him. Their status in life does not matter

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church