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Monday, September 22, 2008

IN MY PREACHER'S MIND


In my preacher's mind I see a meeting going on. Only problem is, I can't tell you when this meeting took place. (Somewhere on the other side of the purple curtains of eternity) Why? Because it took place before "when" ever was. I can't tell you where this meeting was being held. Why? Because this meeting took place before "where" was given a place to be. This meeting took place before "when" was ever given time to keep, or before "where" was ever assigned an identifiable location from which to exist. I don't know when the meeting took place, and I can't even tell you where this meeting happened. Oh, but I do know Who was at the meeting. God was there. He was there in His tri-unity. What you talking about preacher? He was there in the person of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God was having a meeting with Himself. If you don't believe me you ought to turn your Bible to Genesis 1:26 where He said, "Let us make man I our image, after our likeness."

In my preacher's mind this is how I hear the meeting going. God the Father, Who is the supreme architect and creator of the universe says, "Let us make man." God the Holy Spirit, Who knows all and sees all says, "If you make man, he's gonna sin." But Jesus, Who is the Savoir of us, all steps forward and says, "If man sins, I will go down and redeem man from his sins."

And so it was agreed that as a part of bringing man into the world he would need to be redeemed and saved from his sins. So as the Son prepared to go down through 40 and 2 generations in order to redeem sinful man the Holy Spirit told Him when you get there you better show man some signs if you expect him to believe on your wonderful and holy name. The Holy Spirit said: "When you get there you better perform some signs, so they can know just Who you are.

When you turn water into wine, show them your mastery over quality and that salvation is by your Word.

When you heal the nobleman's son, show them your mastery over time and distance and that salvation is by grace.

When you heal the paralytic, show them your mastery over long- term infirmity and that salvation is available to all.

When you feed the 5000, show them your mastery over quantity and that salvation brings satisfaction.

When you still the raging storm, show them your power over nature and that salvation brings peace.

When you heal the blind man, show them your power over darkness and that salvation brings light.

When you raise Lazarus from the grave, show them your power over death and that salvation brings life.

Use all of these signs to reveal your deity, that you truly are the Son of God. Use these signs so that they might believe and have eternal life through your name."

My brothers and my sisters, the Good News of Miracles is that they have significance for us even today.

You don't have talk about the miracles that Jesus performed 2000 years ago; tell unbelievers about the miracles that the Lord has performed in your life. Tell unbelievers, “Jesus________”. (You Fill In The Blank!)

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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.