Out on a Limb for the Lord
Initially, I considered naming this post GOING OUT ON A LIMB for the LORD or BRANCHING OUT in 2010. Either way, it reminds us all what happens when we reach out to Jesus. Desperate men must take drastic measures to get to God.
Yes, prayer is a whisper away but obedience outstretched to the Omnipotent is OUTSTANDING! Deity delights in deliberate and obnoxious faith. The Bible in Luke 19:1-10, talks about a man named Zacchaeus. Studying this passage I learned a couple points.
For starters, we “SEE the SINNER” - Zacchaeus was not only short in stature but sophisticated in sinning. This brother was considered the lowest of the low by oppressing folks who were already down. The only folks worse were warped grave robbers but at least their victims couldn’t feel anything. They were dead! He was short in stature. Not just socially or economically but physically. Worse, spiritually! He was a dead man walking. He had money in the bank but no Savior in his tank. David Koresh was known as the Wacko in Waco. Now, we meet Zaccheaus, the “Sicko in the Sycamore.”
The Bible notes he was not only a tax collector but a chief tax collector. When the Lord is not living in us we are tempted to hide behind “titles.” God is not impressed with titles. Why? For one, when you own the cattle on a thousand hills, tossed the stars in their existence and at your Name every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that “JESUS CHRIST IS LORD” I am convinced God is not impressed with our “titles” but what catches His attention is our testimony.
We are a sin-sick society in desperate need not of health insurance but Heaven assurance! Ironically, the Sycamore Tree resembled Zaccheaus. How? Both were considered “un-clean.” The Sycamore is never noted as being elegant (not that trees are invited to galas or fashion runways). Despite his errors, to his credit it is evident that Zachaeus had some questions and heard that “The Answer” was coming to town. No, we are not talking about Allen Iverson 
Secondly, we “SEE the WINNER”. Christ commanded a crowd wherever He went. This day was no exception, as the Almighty strolled through the street, He (like the Good Shepherd) willing to leave 99 to catch the one that was lost came to stop at this Sycamore tree. Picture this, The Treasure is now at the trunk of the tree and what does He see but a man desiring to encounter Eternity!
The beauty about this passage is that this man who was “short in stature” and soaked in sin scrambled up a Sycamore to see the Savior. Zacheaus did what no one else that day did or dared and ironically, the Lord did what no one thought imaginable. Zacchaeus in his search to see God and perhaps “find God” literally went “out on a limb” to look at the Lord, get a glimpse of God and see the Savior for himself. This is important because we cannot get to Heaven on anyone else’s coat-tails or shoulders but we must have a real relationship with the Redeemer. It has been said: “If you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got.” Sometimes we have to BRANCH OUT and like Star Trek, “boldly go where no man has gone before.” Sure, everyone has sin but very few went to such lengths (limbs) to grab God.
The Bible says that Zacchaeus couldn’t see Him because of the “press.” I always thought it fitting the word the King James Version used because it was referring to the crowd but reporters in media (press) don’t want us to see God either these days. It was a disadvantage his whole adult life being short but the blessing about Zacchaeus being “small” is that it forced him to get out of his comfort zone, create a plan and climbed a tree. Call him crazy or creative but he had a crisis and for the first time in his life considered that perhaps Christ not the crowd could satisfy.
Zacchaeus, his entire life felt demoted but with his faith and God’s grace he was about to be PROMOTED. It is true: “The darkest hour of the night is always the hour before dawn.” Sometimes we got to get to the end of self before we can see God. Our “advantages” can make us immune to going to the next level in life and with the Lord. Sometimes, our past successes are more dangerous than future failures. We must come to a point where we are “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Bless his heart, Zacchaeus, paraded by day as a winner but hit his pillow at night knowing he was a wannabee. He was a loser in need of a Leader and a lover for his soul. God’s favor is not fair but is forwarded to those with great faith.
Zacheaus, the sinner is now Face to face with “The Winner” and now invited to dinner! The Lord looked, laughed and listened. Thank God for a Savior Who listens. Then God did the un-thinkable. The man who went “out on a limb” was now going to have a meal with the Master. Dinner for two. A sinner seated for supper with the Savior. The crowd would remain outside and for the first time in his life he who only knew of being an outsider looking in would be “in” while everyone else out.
God going to his house showed He was humble. The crowd cried: “Look, He is a friend of sinners.” Jesus knew that sinners need a Savior. Plus, Jesus went to his house on Earth so Zacchaeus could one day go to His Heavenly Home. The crowd was shocked, Christ smiled and this crook is stuffed (not just satisfied in the stomach but the soul). The Master knew that most meals made by man are temporal but breaking bread with the Bread of Life are ETERNAL!
Now, we “SEE the DINNER”. I imagine Jesus delights in “left overs.” Not so much in food but folks who have been “by-passed” for far too long. Regardless, if it was a leper who needed a healing, a woman caught in adultery needing forgiving or a man in a tree that needed a taste of Glory; all of us need the Lord. Jesus loves second chances and He specializes in grace. Everyone knows Him as the Great Physician and Wonderful Counsellor but Christ is also the consummate Chef. The Prince of Peace prepared a meal that no man or woman could make. For starters, it not only satisfied his stomach but saved his sin sick soul. Jesus meets both our outer and inner most needs. He ministers physically, spirtually but also by building community. Lordship loves fellowship!
Just like that Sycamore who’s nature is “unclean” we resemble Zachaeus more than we would like to admit. Our works fall far short of the Kingdom of God. We were “second class” citizens since the fall of Adam and Eve. We sold out in sin before stretching out and standing UP to see God. Jonathan Edwards wrote: “We are sinners in the Hands of an angry God” but this day; once again, we were ALL sinners in the Hands of a Gracious God. Standing at the base of that tree, the Lord could have thrown the book at him, the woman living in sin or you and me but “The Book” gave great grace opposed to grumbling or grief. The answer that day and today, was not the tree but that Zacchaeus met the Trinity.
Christ was looking for Zacchaeus all along and perhaps the reason why He stopped so quickly is because He could relate. How? Perhaps Jesus saw Himself in that tree. Not long after this encounter, Jesus would exit and embrace an old rugged tree. Zacchaeus got down and I am certain Jesus in His mind got up. At this moment, Zacchaeus had supper but Jesus began to suffer.
Trees are important to God. For one, He made them. Two, He used them to redeem us. Adam and Eve failed by eating forbidden fruit on a tree and Jesus won our victory on a tree (cross) at Mount Calvary. The Bible notes: “He that knew no sin became sin.” The unblemished Lamb (Jesus) inherited our shame and sin and like that Sycamore Tree was deduced to become unclean. Today, as you drive home from work or walk to school tomorrow do this homework assignment. STOP and STARE at the trees. Look closely, and if you gaze long enough you will see a man perched in a tree. That is Zacchaeus. Now look closer, and you begin to see me sitting with him. Don’t blink now, I know your eyes may be straining as you squint or tears blurrying your vision but you are in that Sycamore tree too!
We are sinners and here comes The Winner daydreaming about dinner. Skipping down the street we see the Savior, right up the road is the Redeemer and coming over the Hill is Him! The One who would rather die than live without you and He invites you to Dinner (The Marriage Supper of the Lamb). Today, is the day of Salvation and when the Savior speaks we need to listen. Jesus not only cooks but cleans. One AMAZING attribute of God is that He makes the “un-clean” clean.
Millions have been touched by the Master and He could be a “professional Savior” but He elected to be a PERSONAL SAVIOR. Each person comes to Christ one at a time. Zacchaeus was won by One. Today, souls are still won - one at a time. Jesus sole mission was to redeem souls. The Bible is clear: “He that winneth souls is wise.” May we all be willing to “branch out” and dare to be different, risk reaching for the Redeemer, stretch out to the Savior and go out on a limb for the Lord because like that Elvis classic: “Reach Out to Jesus because Jesus is Reaching Out to You.”
It is hard to believe but it was eight years ago today that America was knocked to her knees. Ironically, I had just flown back to Capitol Hill, the day before the attacks from preaching in Florida. I was also on staff at the Republican National Committee and I was raising funds for the GOP and on the phone with a donor trying to promote President George W Bush’s message on September 11, 2001, when a senior citizen told me a plane had just hit one of the Twin Towers in New York.
Less than 20 minutes later, another donor on the phone told me another plane hit the tower and I thought that they may have got the story wrong and it was the same plane. Instantly, I knew then that we were at war. Our office was one block from the United States Capitol Building and we were evacuated. That is one day I will not soon forget because we literally thought planes were falling out of the sky (especially, now that the Pentagon was on fire).
One year later, I was flown to Sullivan, Indiana at the invite of a couple pastors and churches of various denominations and was given the privilege to preach to a packed crowd at the one year anniversary on 9-11. It was also aired on radio all over the state and when I finished they gave God a standing ovation. The roar from the crowd was almost defeaning and even on tape it sounds like thunder. God gets all the glory but one of the privileges I have enjoyed as a preacher of the Gospel and my background with politics is that when society is hurting. God has allowed me and many others to offer comfort and peace in the midst of confusion and pain.
My message was entitled: “ATTACK ON AMERICA: Fear vs Faith.” The terrorists when they hit the Twin Towers were sending a symbolic message that they were out to destroy us financially. When they considered hitting The White House or U.S. Capitol - they were trying to relay a message to destroy us politically. When the plane hit the Pentagon that was to embarrass our military. However, what they really wanted to do was run a plane at a local church or National Cathedral because what they despise most is our faith in Jesus Christ.
Evangelist Billy Graham eloquently shared with the world: “The terrorists may have torn down our walls but our foundation is in tact. Our faith in Christ allows us to build and re-build.” We were down but not out. That day we saw some in society act at their very worst. However, countless Christians and concerned citizens around the Globe also came together showing acts of kindness in the very best spirit of mankind. Only God can bring triumph out of tragedy.
The truth is our security as a Nation comes only from the salvation offered by Jesus. Our hope is in Him and not ourselves. Ironically, the numbers 911 are the same numbers we are taught as children to call in case of an emergency. That day our strength was not in ourselves because we were gasping for air. It was not in our communications because phone lines were shut down. It was not in our finances because the banking system came to a halt and the lives that died that day reminded us all that the soul of man is more valuable than stocks and bonds. Our own President was diverted at the instruction of the U.S. Secret Service to fly away from Washington, DC. Our hope was and still only found in the Person and Power of Christ. No one would have ever bet that the massive Twin Towers would ever have crumbled to the ground before our very eyes. However, what we can see is temporal but what we cannot see is eternal.
Today, I pause and pray for the victims family who suffered such loss then and today still learning to live without their loved one(s). My friend, Tammy Trent (who tours with WOMEN OF FAITH) also lost her husband that day on 9-11, but she was overseas on a missions trip when he died while snorkling. As America was crumbling back home, her world was also coming apart. In honor of her husband, Trent who also passed away eight years ago today, I would like to encourage you to click VIDEO on my left side bar and listen to my past interview with Tammy sharing her amazing story of God’s grace in the midst of life’s storms. Below is one of my all-time favorite songs: “God Bless America” by Lee Greenwood. It is great to listen any time of the year (especially today).
God spared America that day and He continues to bless us more than we deserve today. Regardless of your political background, race or gender I would encourage you to pray for our President, pray for our Congress, public servants, our soldiers fighting for freedom and celebrate with humility that we still live in the greatest Nation on Earth. God bless America and as Americans may we live a life that blesses God.
The Cross @ Jummonville
It was a five hour trip for me from Maryland up the mountains in Pennsylvania on Friday en route to speaking to a wonderful Singles Group with the United Methodist Church. They came as far as PA and NJ and we had a blast. While driving there, I had just spoke in four states the week before and was already getting flu symptoms. Two years ago my bronchitis turned into “walking pnemonia” and it is never fun when you are running on empty. Friday night, I had the pleasure to speak about 8 PM and I preached a message from Isaiah entitled: “Are you Waiting on the Lord or is the Lord Waiting on you?”
At 2 AM (Saturday morning) I woke up in a pool of water. I wet the bed - but not in the way you may be thinking. I was so sick, with the flu and fever that when the fever broke I was literally sleeping (or should say) SWIMMING in sweat. I had to take the towels assigned for me to dry off from the shower and wipe down my entire body. The sheets were soaked and the bed was so wet, I had to literally flip the mattress over just to sleep because the bed was as if someone threw five gallon buckets of water on my mattress.
At 9:30 AM, I had the privilege to preach on the lad who loaned his lunch to the Lord entitled: “Giving God ALL you Got.” It was an appropriate message for me knowing I was running low on energy. But as always - the Lord showed up. That night I preached again about “Singing God’s Praises in the midst of Life’s storms.” I was feeling better and you could feel God’s Presence in our midst. Sunday evening was the highlight for me and after travelling across half the Country to get there (I preached twice in Texas the weekend before) we were led to the mountain top.
Perched on top of the mountain is the cross in this picture. It is 60 feet tall and sits on the tallest part of the retreat overlooking the camp and city below. Breath taking doesnt describe it in detail. Only God could make that view. I was asked to preach at 7 PM last night on top of the mountain. It was a humbling feeling. This year, alone I have been blessed to preach over 200 times in nearly 20 states and share God’s Word. He has blessed me to preach in various venues, different denominations and shaken more hands than probably any non- candidate for public office. However, by God’s grace at this moment I was no longer in the valley but on the mountain top.
Chairs were set up in front of me forming a mini sancutary. To my right was the “million dollar” mountain view of the community below. To my left was a keyboard that the group erected as we sang praise and worship and behind me as I began to preach was the centerpiece of Christianity - The Cross. Hollywood couldn’t have picked a better setting and if they could probably wouldn’t because it wasn’t “politically correct.” My sickness on Friday was not as intense and now I was more energized than fatigued. God gave me a word with no notes. I preached on Hebrews 12:1-3 and my message consisted of three points: “The Cross, The Cost & The Christ.”
The reason, we are in a crisis today in Christianity is because many are preaching a Christ-less Christianity, a cross-less Christianity, a cost-less Christianity and we are failing to remind folks that Christ is coming again! “The Cost” I talked about His Sacrifice on our behalf and what it will cost us to live for the Lord in a fallen world. The Cross, I talked about our Substitute. Jesus taught us how to live but we taught Him how to die. In closing, I talked about Christ and how half the world knows Him as a stranger and the rest know Him as Savior.
What a JOY to preach and promote the Cross while on the mountain. The key is to preach and promote Christ and His cross even in our valleys. The world needs hope not hype and we need not be ashamed of Calvary’s cruel cross. My hiking friends have shared with me that the mountain top is exhiliarating and exciting and the view is second to none. However, all the growth is down in the valley. As we closed we sang that classic hymn: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” and I love that line: “The CROSS BEFORE ME - the world behind me.” How fitting that we were mindful that we must follow the Lord and not the world.
Pray for me this weekend, as I catch a plane this Saturday, September 12 (Lord willing) to fly to Greenville, SC and preach a three service, two day revival in Townville, South Carolina at Double Springs Baptist Church. It may not be on the mountain but you can bet I will be preaching Christ crucified, Christ’s Cross and Christ is coming again! Truly, it is because of the cross that we can come to Christ. Thank you Jesus and thank you Jumonville!
Jesus - The KING OF ALL KINGS
The truth about these iconic individuals is that they were and are mere men. Not Divinity nor Deity but mere mortals with as many problems privately as they achieved success professionally. Most dazzled “on stage” but most tragically fizzled off stage. Without question, I love to celebrate the success of others as much as possible but the fact is only Jesus Christ - “The King of ALL Kings” is truly deserving of the title “King.”
Jesus is King of the Ages, King of ALL and He was Divinity yet became humanity. He was Savior but became servant. He was accustomed to Royal Robes in Heaven but was willing to wear my ripped rags on Earth. He was from Beulah Land but came to Bethlehem to be the “bruised and battered Lamb that taketh away the sins of the world.” He wore a studded crown in Heaven but wore our splintered cross on Earth. He was born in a wooden crib but died on a wooden cross and the irony is He taught us how to live but we in our sin taught him to die. He left His throne in Glory to inherit a crown of thorns in His gory beating and because of His temporal death we could inherit eternal life for those trusting Him as our Sacrifice, Substitute and Savior.
God has convicted me to remember who the real “King” is and when Michael’s brothers escorted his gold plated casket adorning the white sequin gloves the music in the background was the church classic penned by Andrae Crouch: “Soon and Very Soon - We are Going to See the King.” That message had a double meaning for the 18,000 packed in the Staples Center. The crowd was getting ready to see their “king” but my prayer during that wonderful memorial was I prayed that Michael was ready and the 1 Billion watching via television that we are all ready to stand before King Jesus - The King of ALL Kings! This video below is one of the greatest clips of all time. Friends, if this doesn’t light your fire - your wood is wet! I love that quote: “No King but King Jesus.”
“American Idol” continues to dominate the television airwaves. Multiplied millions each week tune in and text away their vote for their favorite future star. Folks all across America are glued to the tube to witness the contestants shine and fall (like many shooting stars) and eventually one by one get eliminated. For most of the contestants many are dissapointed while only one gets appointed to be that season’s shinning star.
Yes, some of the winners deserved to go the distance and win the whole thing. However, I have also witnessed a trend that is worth repeating and maybe for some revealing. Often times, those that come in second on the show often succeed far greater during their career long after that show’s season. How many times have we seen Idol “runner ups” bounce back only to “run circles” in concert dates and CD sales later around the one who won.
It was over three decades ago that an unknown Sylvester Stallone captured millions of movie goer hearts with “ROCKY.” The ultimate underdog who was a million to one shot proved he was one in a million, chased his dream, went the distance and won by actually losing. Never before in Hollywood had someone won for losing, yet captured the audience and won his girl’s heart in the process. The movie went on to be nominated for TEN Academy Awards and won “Best Picture” and considered today the greatest sports movie in Hollywood History. Not bad for losing.
The Bible reminds us “The stone that the builders rejected was the Chief cornerstone.” The architects neglected the Almighty, the carpenters “cut out” the Carpenter from Galilee and the masons made the Master mundane when He is Messiah, Mighty and Magnificient. I love that classic quote: “The R.M.S. Titanic was built by professionals but Noah’s Ark was built by amateurs.” Sadly, many who try to be relevant are not even relevant. Today, we promote “wannabees” and fail to allow the Winner to shine, succeed and stand out.
Even in Christian circles, I have seen folks talk evangelism but not walk it out. Worse, they have countless conferences on the subject but bring everyone to the table but the expert who lives it out daily. It’s like Billy Graham in town with Bible in hand and yet the pastor tells him he can’t have him minister in his pulpit because he cannot afford to snap a 12 week sermon series. Hello? It’s like playing basketball with the whole world watching and before the game teammates have the audacity to tell Michael Jordan with six diamond championship rings on his fingers to sit on the bench with ball in hand only to watch others lack luster effort. It’s going to war and telling John J. Rambo that his resume is not needed and with machine gun in hand and survivor knife on his side only to be relegated to sit in the back of the bus. You get the point.
The only thing worse than mentioned above is going through life without embracing Christ as Savior. The Bible says: “What would it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul.” Success is not found in your ‘Crib’ but do you know Christ? It’s not driving a Lexus but living for the Lord. Someone handed me a card 18 years ago and it read: “If you meet me and forget me you have lost nothing. But if you meet my Lord and Savior, Jesus and forget Him - you have lost everything.” In life, don’t chase Earth’s goods but Heaven’s God. Jesus is the Answer to ALL life’s questions. Jesus was rejected so you could be accepted. He experienced grief so we could enjoy’s God’s great grace. He died - so we could LIVE.
Abraham Lincoln lost 13 times for public office then before occupying the office that happens to be Oval now. However, those loses led him to be arguably America’s greatest leader of all time. A valley is an upside down mountain and when God elects to flip your dilemma you will not only get “double for your trouble” but become a much better candidate and champion. Why? Because your character has been tested, tried and now found true. Don’t tolerate your loses but celebrate them!
Jesus knew what it was like to win but also lose. Sometimes, how we handle defeat is just as important as how we handle victory. Today, regardless of your profession ponder this point: your temporary setback today could be your eternal success story tomorrow! Plus, our dissapointments are often Divine appointments. Remember, if God be for you - WHO can be against you? Bishop T.D. Jakes said it best: “Be thankful for your “enemies” or those that try to hold you down because if they were on your team they would be broadcasting to the world that your success is all because of them!” If God is first place in your heart you are winner regardless what society or the score board says in life.
In closing, you may be down, discouraged, defeated, discredited, have debt, endured divorce, diseased and disliked but if you are not dead than God is not done with you. Get UP, go OUT and live for the Lord like never before. Learn to appreciate your adversities and always be mindful that sometimes we win even by losing.
“The difference between a Champ and a chump is U!”
Coach Larry Metcalf