06/12/18 SILENCE IS OFTEN A THOUGHTFUL RESPONSE
A follow-up to a previous follow-up (if you follow what I am saying).
LET ME EXPLAIN
Sometimes I say things in such a way that it may not register right away (whether intentional or not).
Sometimes I say things that cause folks to focus more intently (that is good).
Sometimes I say things that are kind of shocking (if they do not walk out at that time, I figure I still have a chance to make my point. hehehe).
Sometimes I say things that might not make any sense (I will not comment on this, since it is probably my own fault. hehehe).
Sometimes I say things that could light a powder keg and no one wants to be the "firebug" who sets it off at that time. (hehehe, again).
Sometimes I say something that goes into "new" territory and it needs to be processed.
ALSO NOTE... I really do not ask anyone to accept what I say, just because I preach or teach it. I endeavor to actually proclaim the truth of God. I want folks to be convinced that what I am saying is consistent with the revelation of God. I ask folks to chew on my message, then swallow, when they realize it is truth.
ON MY FB POSTINGS, I often say things that are somewhat disturbing, controversial, sensitive, and some folks step back a little, waiting for the other shoe to fall or the hammer to fall. Some friends have actually told me through the years that they expected me to face real backlash because of my message.
IN FACT, back in the 80s I had a weekly Radio and Cable TV program in Morehead called, THE LAST WORD. I played contemporary and traditional Christian music (mostly on the radio program) and addressed contemporary issues on both the radio and TV programs (social, political, ethical, doctrinal and local). I did not get a lot of response, but there is a viewer's response that stood out and caught my attention. That person contacted me (I believe more than once) and said, "I am going to kill you." On another occasion, I think he said something like, "I am going to blow your head off."
Of course I was concerned, but he was not the first person to threaten me because of my message. I continued to tell the truth, openly, clearly and loudly. Thankfully, that person did not do what he had said.
SO, I like people to respond to my preaching. It may be vocal, visual, it may be "amen" or "oh me." It may be agreement or disagreement. It may be a threat or shouts of glory. But most of all I want people to respond with love and submission to Jesus.
It is good, it is special and it is welcomed when the people of God are caught up into heavenly places, resulting in BLESSED QUIETNESS, or SHOUTS OF GLORY, or TEARS OF JOY, or THE SHEKINAH of GOD bathing our countenance or the HOLY SPIRIT BEING POURED OUT ON HIS PEOPLE. But that is not why we preach. We preach to win the lost and perfect the saved (see passage below). Remember, it is not how loud we shout or how high we jump, but how straight we walk when we come back down, that counts.
Colossians 1:25-29
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
