A Convincing Presentation

Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. -- Acts 9:22

· Have you ever had a point to make and wanted to do the best job of presenting the facts?

· Maybe you were innocent and those that considered you already guilty really needed to hear you out?

· What are the key elements needed to make a presentation convincing?

Have you ever known someone that always seemed to make a great impact on others no matter where they went? Following his conversion, Saul of Tarsus made his way into the city of Jerusalem. Saul was always an influential figure. While in Damascus, just prior to this visit to the Jewish Metropolis, Saul was recorded as a fearless preacher (Acts 9:27b) proclaiming the name of Jesus. By the time one reaches the thirteenth chapter of the Book of Acts, Saul is addressed by the writer as Paul. From this point on, that is the title by which the great statesman is known. He is all over the pages of Scripture in the New Testament impressing his mark upon the world. Truthfully, many (including myself) are convinced that this certain Paul would have had a great influence on this world no matter what. It is clearly better to be serving the Lord as one leaves this imprint on humanity, of course.

Peering into the account of Acts, while observing the movements of Paul, I see a great display of more than just charisma or intellect. The Scriptures tell us that Saul grew in power, that he confounded these Jews in Damascus, proving to them that Jesus is the Messiah.

· How did Paul plow through this messianic confusion to bring clarity?

· Was it merely his massive intellect?

· Maybe by nature he was a good salesperson?

While looking closely at this text (Acts 9:22), we see that Saul was empowered more and more as he knitted together already-present information to present with conviction this truth about Jesus the Messiah. Paul was not superhuman; he served a supernatural God. At so many turns, empowered followers of Christ throughout history have been used to bring forward convincing presentations of God's truths. Leaving a mark on this world requires only two things: God's call on one's life and a love for Jesus in fulfilling that call (Rom. 8:28).

Take a chance with Jesus; seek to leave a mark on this world by answering His call on your life. When we follow-through with His call while carrying out that mission with our love for Him as our motive, we will succeed.

Remember, come to Him empty and ready and you will impact this world as you are empowered and guided along the way

The Levi Principle

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." --- Luke 5:31 NIV

Jesus found Levi and then invited Levi to follow Him. Leaving everything behind, Levi immediately walked with Christ. The new convert actually organized a worship service (a gathering to honor his Lord) soon after and then invited all of his lost friends, not just his new "Jesus" friends. The religious disapproved and questioned the disciples about their Master's reasoning for hanging out around at the sinner's supper. Jesus made sure that the Pharisees understood as the disciples and the rest of us also "got the point".

Repentance is the first step to God, a step that most will never take. But, for those that will repent and receive God by faith, there is a great healing. The sickness of sin is remedied through the saving work of Christ on the cross. In order to receive this new life, one must repent and turn away from admitted sin. Those that acknowledge sin, come to God for healing, and then follow Him as Lord and Master; they will see true spiritual health. This term "healthy" to which Jesus referred is not a commendable label. To be healthy in one's own eyes over what Jesus truly does see is anything but healthy.

The truth is that prideful, arrogant, and religious individuals are just as in need of God's forgiveness as are the sinner's and tax collectors. This how Levi became Matthew, we take on a new identity when we choose Christ. But, it is only when one comes to ask for help acknowledging their sickness, will the Great Physician bring forward His healing.

A new heart can only be given to the one who opens up to receive.

Kidney Stones and How They Can Move!

Just recently, I had several friends that oddly were experiencing the same health issue. These individuals (as far as I am aware) were not acquainted with one another. They all live in different towns and outside of my respective separated friendships with them, they know not one another.

Each one faced the obstacle of Kidney Stones, an issue that can be a truly formidable foe at times, especially when they are hard to reach and there is more than one. Typically, a doctor can use a simple procedure to crush these stones. Not these cases, no, they all required hospital stays and invasive surgery. Apparently, if a kidney stone(s) is deeply hidden, a surgeon must go deeply into the infected area and remove the obstruction. I am thankful to say that each of these problems were remedied and are now becoming a memory.

I began to think...

· Sin can be festering deep within me, where Christ needs to reign.

· I wonder if there is a pet practice or thought process hiding in me that God wants to blast away.

· Am I facing a possible diagnosis-unfavorable in my walk with Christ?

· These problems could be just below the surface or deep, dangerously deep within my soul.

On both sides of the cross, before and after the death of Jesus, Peter answered a call. Jesus invited Him (Mk. 1:16-18; Jn. 21:19) both times saying "follow me". The Scriptures tell us that Peter betrayed (Mk. 14:71) Jesus the night prior to the crucifixion. In these passages I see a man that truly would have rendered himself disqualified if he served among the religious of 2009. To walk with Christ, God incarnate and then deny Him? After seeing the waves beneath his own feet? The healings, the visions, the transfiguration, and so on…?

If a man has a failed marriage in his past today (no matter the circumstances), the religious majority say that he is unfit to oversee the spiritual lives of others. Maybe he has a tattoo from his days in Vietnam (while defending your freedom and mine at age 18), ten years prior to receiving Christ as Lord and Savior? One particular man was branded... "Out Of God's Will" due to his excessive consumption of h2o while in the pulpit. I find it equally astounding that this same man was asked to vacate his role as overseer due to the fact that he removed his blazer (while preaching) one time too many for the comfort of the tithers.

Peter had sin in His life the first time he answered Jesus' call, as well as the second. What's amazing is that Jesus is still calling ragamuffins today. God is still using the least of these to do His great Kingdom work in 2009. We all need to repent; we need to ask God to surgically remove the sin that only He can locate at times. The Holy Ghost will always assist us and intercede for us as we pray for cleansing. Just as kidney stones are a painful problem, sin is also an infectious disease. You and I have failed God and we will certainly fail Him again as we go. However, through repentance before God and faith in the cleansing and powerful blood of Jesus Christ, we all have a bridge by way of the cross.

Ask God to reveal the sin, whether it is just at the surface or it is years of painful cover-up. He can remove this bondage and He is waiting on you to reach out in repentance and take His forgiving hand.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

A Matter of Viewpoint

In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.

-- Isaiah 29:18 NIV

Nearly every time an evangelical preacher/pastor is invited to a secular interview among the cultural media of our day, he seems to be grilled with a recurring question.

"Reverend ______________, is Jesus the only way that one can get to heaven?"

When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden, they were told to enjoy virtually every tree (Gen. 2:16) in that garden while avoiding (Gen. 2:17) just one. Looking with an objective eye, this seems to be an extremely favorable situation. While observing my two-year old, I notice that he often eats his "Cool Ranch" Doritos chips best when he knows that his six-year old brother is interested in them. If I am to say... "Porter, you better not eat those chips!", I usually can get him to clean his plate. Does reverse-psychology only work well with toddlers and adolescents? Eve was lured to the tree from which God specifically ordered her not to eat. She noticed that the tree's fruit was pleasing to the eye (Gen. 3:6).

 Why did she not focus on the other 99+% of the garden approved by God?
 Would the serpent have lured her and Adam to a tree of which God approved?
 It seems like I could have done a better job, how about you?
 Why did God put this one particular tree in the garden to begin with?

According to Acts 26:18, Paul tells us that we are set apart from sin to righteousness by way of faith in Christ and what He did by dying on the cross. As a sacrifice, Jesus laid down His life to secure our chance to receive forgiveness. With our way of doing things - as a result of a wicked and compulsive nature - it is easy to see how one forbidden tree among many allowed trees would always secure our attention. From the dark power of evil we must seek God and the light of His righteousness.

The world looks at Jesus and sees His way as exclusive and narrow-minded. At the cross, humanity in its entirety was given a bridge to reach God. As a matter of viewpoint, one can look at Jesus claiming He is exclusive in His claims.


On the same subject of viewpoints, are you certain Jesus is not inclusive...?

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

Gen. 2:16-17; 3:6; Matt 4; Acts 26:18;

Children in the Age of the Spirit

In the times of the Old Testament, during the Age of the Father, the Spirit of God roamed and selectively chose in whom He would dwell. Throughout the times recorded in the gospels, amidst the Age of the Son, God walked about this earth housed in a container called Jesus. And at present, since the day of Pentecost, we have stepped into the Age of the Spirit. As followers of Christ, we live in an age where the Holy Ghost, the Person of the Holy Spirit of God chooses to immerse Himself into the hearts of the faithful.

No matter whether it is God roaming as Spirit, Christ walking as Savior, or the Person of the Holy Spirit dwelling within the faithful -- there has always been a confronting call.

1. What is Jesus calling me to do today?

2. What measure of faith will it require?

3. What trust is needed?

First Things First

"Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:1-4 (NIV)

At an early age, my dad taught me to perform menial maintenance on automobiles. He always liked to take a car that had a "problem" and ask me to help him locate the malfunction. I learned that this process is defined as "Troubleshooting". "Three things you need to troubleshoot son...” my dad would share, "...fire, fuel, and fluids." These elements need to be present first before the best of engines can operate effectively. We need spark from the plugs (as well as electrical component flow), fuel to create the combustion and fluids (oil, grease, water, radiator fluid, brake fluid, etc.) to keep everything mechanical lubricated and smoothly moving. Without fail, by the time we check all three of these element categories, we can manage to locate the problem.

Whether one believes in Jesus Christ or considers Him suspect, one thing is for sure, Jesus was a great Teacher. I have not found one person that would stand "flat-footed" and declare that Jesus bombed when it comes to helping others understand Biblical principles. He always approached the common and the complicated alike with a style of instruction that helped everyone get the point. I notice that the teachers, preachers, and instructors of my generation-at-present that really make an impact, follow this similar practice. Jesus referred to the Father as the One Gardener, Himself as the true Vine, and His disciples as branches.

· Where are the overwhelming accounts of this fruit in the lives of the average Christian these days?

· What does this fruit look like in practical, everyday examples?

· When it comes to my life, how do I keep this "fruit-bearing" culture alive and contagious?

I take the "Troubleshooting" approach when attempting to answer these questions:

· Am I truly connected to the Vine through faith in Christ, is the Fire of the Holy Spirit present within me?

· Do I go to God in prayer and consult the Scriptures each day for the Fuel that I need?

· Is the Love and Truth of God flowing as Fluid through my heart?

After taking a look at my thoughts, my words, and my actions, am I a "Fruit Bearing" follower of Christ?

Troubleshoot your relationship with Christ before you begin to fret.

Do you struggle in your walk with Him?

Ask yourself...

"...Am I putting first things first?"

Worship Management

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. -- Matt 3; Gen 6-7;12

In the rush of things, we must all consider the consequences of worship management.

· Have I compartmentalized my worship?

· Is it linear, point-by-point and stagnant?

· Is it vibrant and undeniable?

Noah and John the Baptist were two faithful men that worshipped God among a busy, pre-occupied, strangely religious, yet largely pagan culture. We seem to resemble this much in our area of the Southeastern United States today. In each respect, we see men that chose to do as God had requested and ordered among the "religious-retarded" and the "self-made".

If this world is going to come from within the busyness of the city to seek repentance in the wilderness, I must be preaching a message that I am living while I am living a message that is anointed, authentic, simple, and believable. Noah preached as they mocked, ridiculed, and ignored. John declared the message of repentance without shuddering. This is both saddening and reassuring to me.

1.Yes, the world is in need of restoration as it winds towards annihilation.

2.Our mission to carry out God's purposes is just as necessary.

3.There will only be a remnant to follow Christ, even at His return.

4.Our worship before man means everything.

Worship management is crucial, our stance as Abram, between the Promised Land and this world must be one on a sure footing. Our time before God and our mingling with this lost culture should never be separate. I am to welcome this world into my worship of God and never set aside the privilege to worship in order to blend in at the temptation to compromise.

Will the Person of the Holy Ghost lead you as your worship manages your life?

Will you deny great things by allowing this world to manage your worship?

Lessons From Geneology

While reading the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1, I notice several people and relationships that catch my attention. I see Solomon [v. 6], birthed by a woman with King David. Solomon was a man of great wisdom, gifted (1 Kings 3:5-15) by God. With this great discernment, the wise King's name is listed within this gospel chapter without hesitation.

1. Then why do we see the term "Uriah's wife" used to describe Bathsheba when signifying this certain mother?
   

2. Maybe her name was one that possessed a stigma?
   

3. Could it be that God was honoring Uriah in these particular opportunities?
   

I also see the name Rahab [v. 5]. Now that is odd. Rahab was a known prostitute, a harlot. But, here she is being listed in this Holy Writ in the lineage of Jesus.

1. How does this prostitute make the list?
   

2. Surely this name Rahab had an undesirable ring to it!
   

3. What made the difference?
   

We read that Rahab committed to a daring and faithful act in order to assist Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 2:8-15) in their escape following the survey as they spied on Jericho. At her request, along with her family, she was spared (Joshua 6:17-23) when God conquered this stronghold following the mighty crash of its surrounding walls.Even though Rahab gave a display with her life at one point that disgusted God, did she finish well?

"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.”Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

-- Matthew 21:28-32 NIV

Rahab found her name in this list because she turned to God from her sin. Bathsheba possibly remained anonymous due to the fact that we see her turning to sin from her God.

As Oswald Chambers wrote, "My determination is to be my Utmost for His Highest." No matter where you are on your faith journey, make Christ your Utmost, may we never be ashamed of Christ.

Repentance should not wait on a tomorrow that may never come.