In a passionate and unfiltered sermon, Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church called out religious elitism and hypocrisy while championing the life-changing power of the Gospel for the broken, marginalized and sinful. His message emphasized that the kingdom of God is not reserved for the clean-cut or the socially accepted—it’s for everyone.
“The kingdom is not about red and yellow, black and white, tall and short, fat and skinny, hairy-headed and bald,” Locke declared. “I don’t care where you were last night. You’re here today—and Jesus is in the house.”
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Locke explained that the reason sinners flocked to Jesus wasn’t because they were perfect, but because they weren’t welcome anywhere else. “They weren’t allowed in the public synagogue. They were too dirty. But Jesus didn’t turn them away—He welcomed them.”
Criticizing a culture of spiritual arrogance, Locke addressed those who accuse his church of catering to “those people.” His response: “I don’t know who ‘those people’ are, but such were some of you—and I would be them, too, if not for the grace of God.”
He warned against self-righteousness and the social media theology that promotes sinless perfection. “You think you don’t sin anymore? Let me talk to your wife and kids,” he said with a mix of humor and sharp conviction. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Locke reminded his congregation that Jesus died for sin—past, present and future. When challenged by a critic for saying that, he replied, “Jesus died 2,000 years ago. All your sin was future then.” He pointed back to the power of the Gospel and the empty tomb as proof of ongoing, transforming grace.
Locke also highlighted how many sinners followed Jesus—not for a glimpse, but for a transformation. “They were broken, hurt, discouraged and marginalized by religion—but they followed Him. That’s what we need today.”
With fire in his voice, Locke then called out lukewarm Christianity: “I am done with the lukewarm church. I will not compromise the truth of God’s Word to fill up this warehouse with comfortable people.”
He addressed the cost of standing for truth in a culture of spiritual compromise, sharing how his church was excluded from a local crusade due to their public deliverance ministry. “I don’t care. We’ll keep doing what the Bible says. Jesus was the most uncomfortable preacher in the Bible. He rebuked the religious and received the sinners.”
Locke closed this insightful message with a call for boldness in the face of whispers, gossip and online slander: “If you want to live a fruitful life, stop listening to whispers. Jesus was scrutinized, and we will be too.”
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In a world hungry for truth, Locke’s message was clear: Jesus still changes lives, and He’s still drawing the outcasts to Himself—not with judgment, but with transforming love through the Resurrection power of the Holy Spirit.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
