Delta Lake 2012 Series ~ Part 3: Truth and Humor on the Pulpit

Oh my goodness, did you know it is possible to preach with the truth of the Bible at the base yet with such humor those listening hang on every word? It is. Rev. Richard Allen Farmer. Please don’t misunderstand me though. While there was humor, it wasn’t a comedy act on the altar. He lives out Ron Hutchcraft’s teaching to share the Bible and Jesus with others in terms they can relate to and understand.

The first thing written in my notebook, “We need to be Olympian Christians!” Amen to that brother Farmer. My sister was kidnapped on April 3, 1994 and remains missing today, without God in my life I would not be surviving this race and standing with other gold medalist.

My initial message heard reminded me not to worry or entertain anxiety with Biblical references. One of my favorite things was when he would motion us with his hands and point to his Bible while saying, “Come here, I’ll show you.” Then read from the Bible. It brought back memories of my Gram sharing “secrets” with us when no one was listening.

Have you ever made a list of your “priorities”? You know, the things you need to do or places you need to go? I know I have BUT after Rev. Farmer’s message, I no longer will make a list of my priorities. Rev. Farmer explained that when something is a “priority”, it is “first” so this can’t be plural. Only One can be your priority and the rest are posterities. Hmm…What is first on your list?

We were challenged to place God as our priority and then to allow the rest follow. He worded it this way, “Make the Kingdom your priority and the other things will go to bay.” With Matthew 6:33 as his supporting verse.

He ended his weeklong teaching with the following question ~ “Do you want to be made well?” and “Do you have a “treasured affliction” you roll out when the moment is right?” using the Scripture about the healing at the pool as the basis. Think about these two questions for a moment, there is a lot there.

Rev. Farmer also said, “Not everyone will celebrate your transformation and being made new in Jesus.” Check John 5:10 if you don’t believe him.

I will close with the following fill in the blank sentence. The same I returned home with on my heart.

“I am a different ________ because I have Jesus!”

What is in your blank? Wife, husband, mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, teacher, mechanic, truck driver, pastor, friend, clerk, and the list can go on and on.

How are you different because you have Jesus in your live?