Prof. Amos N. Jones , who is a lawyer and a professor, delivered an address to Christ Gospel Church on Palm Sunday 2016. He warned today’s Christians not to be like the crowds during Jesus’ day: they blessed Jesus as the savior on Palm Sunday but later wanted to crucify him. Jones explains that this is because Christians allow seeds of doubt to grow inside them; Christians then doubt the miracles they witnessed with their own eyes, and so they then miss experiencing Christ’s resurrection. Jones noted that far too often, Christians counsel with the wicked rather than turning to the Word of God. Christians can also become too transactional when it comes to expecting things that God will provide. This causes them to lose faith, just as many people did when Christ was arrested and crucified. He discusses Judas’ betrayal of Jesus at great length, noting that Christians often have transactional goals and ambitions. They expect God to give them things, and then turn to doubt when the Lord reveals his path differently. That doubt can become shame; it can also cause people to become angry. Jones revealed that “They tried to fire Christ,” because he wasn’t doing it the way the people wanted things to go. As the son of a Baptist preacher, Jones warned the Christ Gospel congregation to be careful of church splits that he had experienced over the years. He joked that “Baptists multiply by dividing.” All too often, church-goers get annoyed over little things and then cause massive arguments and split the church. But Jones notes that Christ Gospel Church’s framework and leadership structures are established and strong. He also noted that it’s extraordinary in these times for a church to have one preacher, Sister Hicks, who has lasted for decades, because that simply does not happen in other denominations. He lauded Hicks’ strong principles and convictions. He also complimented Hicks’ many gifts, both natural and spiritual. He said that her life and tenure were an excellent testimony. Prof. Jones concludes his sermon by stating that he believes people of Christ Gospel Church would have kept the faith and would have stuck around for the Crucifixion and would be there ready to enjoy Christ’s resurrection. Prof. Jones teaches law at Campbell University, School of Law. He practices in the fields of religious freedom, constitutional law, and civil rights law. He is a skilled litigator. He’s argued numerous legal claims, including federal cases.
