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.”
Frank & Grammy Winner Andrae Crouch
Since the passing of Michael Jackson last week countless stories have broke and been broadcasted around the Globe. Some true, others speculation, most exaggeration but God only knows what is fact and reality. One story that has surfaced is that Grammy Winner Andrae Crouch met Michael weeks before his death in his rented mansion in California. It is true that they met, talked about Gospel songs and Michael was curious to learn of the Holy Spirit and anointing that comes from folks that have a personal relationship with the Lord. Recently, I read in several accounts that they prayed together but God only knows if Michael trusted Christ as his personal Savior before breathing his last.
From my last post, it is evident that my prayer along with multiplied millions of others hope that Michael Jackson accepted Jesus before departing Earth. It has been said: BIBLE is “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” May we all ponder with greater clarity and urgency that the world is watching our every move for those of us who are Christ followers (Christians). No one knows when those in our presence will die. The fact is we don’t even know when our time is up to stand before Almighty God. One thing that has haunted the beloved Evangelist Billy Graham for nearly five decades is when President John F. Kennedy phoned Dr Graham and asked him to come to the White House. The President (whom was Catholic) had some questions about the “Second Coming” for the Protestant Preacher and renown evangelist.
Dr Graham had been struggling with a bad cold and kindly asked the “Commander in Chief” if it would be possible to reschedule and they talk about spiritual matters at another time. Dr. Graham never dreamt that it would be his last chance to speak with the world’s most powerful person on the planet because shortly after JFK, was shot to death in downtown Dallas. As Christians, I agree that we need to “sow seeds” and be “salt and light” while walking out our Christian faith daily for a lost and dying world whom is watching our every move. However, it is imperative that we be cognizant of the fact that since the world needs Jesus, we must be mindful that we just may be the only Bible that some will ever “read,” the only Jesus some will ever “see” and like never before we must do our best to lead the lost to the Lord.
It was said by a wise farmer: “You will never see a Harvest until you water your crops.” Sadly, the reason countless churches and Christians have seen very little fruit in leading their friends to Christ is because they haven’t lost sleep over the souls of their friends en route to Hell without Jesus. Question: When was the last time you lost sleep, crying and petitioning God in Heaven for the salvation of your lost friends souls?
The legendary General Booth, founder of the SALVATION ARMY had a passion to see souls saved. In its conception, the Salvation Army lived up to its name. It provided food, shelter and clothing to the destitute and its officers were in the “Lord’s Army” leading the “lost” to the Lord. A friendly reminder is that one is “lost” who has never trusted Christ to be their Sacrifice for sin and their Lord and Savior. Christ alone is the only way to eternal life and it is because of His death on the cross and His bodily resurrection that we have access to know Him intimately and as our Substitute. Because He died we can live for those trusting in Him.
Some of the younger officers employed with the Salvation Army were doing their best to win souls for Christ but with very little results. They wrote to their general at the national headquarters and asked him how he effortlessly saw scores come to the Savior. They asked his secret hoping to apply it in their personal lives. The General wrote back two words: “TRY TEARS.” Again, until we weep for lost souls we will never see the Harvest or “revival” we all say we want and need.
Friends, may we take our faith in Christ seriously. May we be about our “Father’s Business.” God had but one Son and He was an evangelist. The Bible is clear: “He that winneth souls is wise.” In sports circles, many believe “defense wins championships.” But in larger matters, I am convinced that “Offense builds the Kingdom.” As kids of the King, children of God and disciples of our Lord; may we die trying and live crying for the lost to be found in Christ before its eternally too late. No, we cannot reach everyone but each one can reach one. Souls are won - one at a time and for those of us in ministry, I rather be a “used car salesman” than a preacher who closes a sermon without inviting folks to trust Christ as Savior. Why? At least the salesman cares enough to ask you for the sale before you walk off his lot. Keep in mind, I am don’t evangelize because I am an evangelist but because Christ commands and compels all born-again believers to get off the sidelines and into the game for God’s glory. Evangelism is not a spectator sport but required for those whom call themselves saints. Evangelism is everything in ministry. When the Lord comes or calls us Home; may we all be busy “leading the lost to the Lord.”
The passing of Michael Jackson reminds me more than ever why I am an evangelist. This will not be a post to illuminate his mistakes (because that is God’s job and one has to look very little to find mine). However, it will touch briefly on his success and remind all the importance of salvation. Since childhood, he was an amazing presence, a tornado of talent and a combination of charisma and charm that the world has rarely seen.
From his humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana to his massive mansions in California and around the Globe; this brother from another mother truly lived the “American Dream.” I have always said: “Those whom come the farthest tend to go the furthest.” Without question, his childhood was not normal, he had a parent that even in striving for perfection never brought the approval from his Father that he desperately desired. Michael’s life and death parallel the passing of Elvis Presley. Both died nearly broke, both died alone at home, both had personal doctors that did more to hurt them than help them. Both needed more of the Great Physician than a primary physician. Both became recluses due to their super stardom and what looked lovely initially became lonely eventually. Both despite world-wide acclaim, power and prestige and having the luxury of living near a local hospital; all human efforts were in vain when they needed saving the most. The irony is both gave so much joy and hope to multiplied millions but died alone.
Michael’s songs “ABC” and “Got To Be There” with the Jackson 5 endeared me to him and his brothers. Born in 1972, I was on the scene for almost of all his ride to super stardom. When his “Off the Wall” album came out he was really catapulted to another level but it was “Thriller” in 1982, that put him at number one for 37 consecutive weeks on the billboard charts and he was truly in a league of his own. My father, Frank Shelton, Sr in 1984, came home from work while employed with the United States Capitol Police and told me and my two siblings that he met Michael Jackson’s promoter during the day. He then had our attention. Dad then told us he gave Michael Jackson’s entourage a VIP tour of Congress and the U.S. Capitol Building. Our eyes were now as big as saucers. Michael’s agent asked my father if he wanted five tickets, dead center in the tenth row of their now lengendary “VICTORY” Tour at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. It was the first time that all the Jackson brothers were reuniting for a tour with Michael since disbanding. Dad, really had us in the palm of his hand now and then he said something that devastated us kids. He said: “My children would love to go to the concert but I have to honor a policy here with the police department that I cannot accept gifts while on the job. It was my honor to tour your distringuished group around the Capitol; but thanks for the gracious offer but we will not be able to attend this week’s concert.”
We almost died when Dad told us that. It was the talk of the town, that Michael Jackson was coming to town and we could have seen him but didn’t. So close, yet so far away. Looking back, Dad honored us by honoring his job and he taught me more by declining those golden tickets by honoring God and the Golden Rule. In 1990, I graduated from Thomas Stone High School and I had such a burden for Michael Jackson that I wrote a letter to NEVERLAND RANCH to his attention praying he would get it. In the letter, I congratulated him on his success and I shared with him that Jesus was the only way to Heaven. Despite my summer internships on Capitol Hill, that I loved and was so blessed to have; I wrote I was willing to forfeit that for the summer and work on his ranch as a hired helper. The Bible says: “The greatest among you are the servants” and I just knew that God would eventually enable me to cross paths with Michael and I daydreamed for months about sharing the love of Jesus with him praying he would accept Christ before it was eternally too late.
Early in life, God began to super-naturally and strategically place people in my life. The Lord gave me a hunger to see souls saved and I had a intense burden for all walks of life to know Christ as Savior. Celebrities always intrigued me but despite their amazing success I knew most resembled a hollow, chocolate Easter Bunny inside (they were empty). In 1991, I almost moved to Hollywood, CA with a desire to start a Bible study for celebrities. God showed me that the answers to life are not found in “Hollywood’s Stars” but “Heaven’s Son (Jesus)!”
This weeks funeral, no doubt will resemble his life - a media circus. One statement that has been repeated a zillion times in the first 24 hours of his passing is something that has haunted me and just doesn’t sit well in my stomach and soul. It has been said: “Michael is gone but his music will live on forever.” That cliche could be said at many funerals but the problem with that more than ever is the coming of the Lord Jesus is closer than ever before. Soon, Christ will split the Sky and “The King of ALL kings” will come in great power, majesty and splendor and retreive those that have followed and loved Him.
When CNN and FOX NEWS showed the helicopter taking the life-less body of the most dynamic entertainer of our generation; it reminded me immediately of OJ’s white surburban dodging cars on the Los Angeles Freeway like he did opponents as a running back in the NFL. It also reminded me of “Air Force One” carrying the remains of our former Commander in Chief, Ronald Reagan for his last flight to California. Much like when those white motorcade of Cadillac’s carried Elvis Presley down the Boulevard bearing his name en route to his final resting place. In case you forgot, death comes to us all. Michael despite his lavish customes, colorful clothes, captivating charisma and credentials, massive mansions and a name known around the Globe, when death called his number he was reduced to being hauled away in a plain, white ambulance. It has been said: “When God gets ready for you - you better be ready for Him.” Without question, Michael was a musical phenomenon and a marketing guru but the verse that danced through my head all day was the Scripture: “What would it profit a man to gain the WHOLE WORLD and LOSE HIS OWN SOUL.” God only knows the heart of Michael Jackson and I pray that the “King of Pop” had a relationship with the “King of Kings.” The world looks at the outside appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. Society craves “titles” but the Savior counts testimonies.
Respectfully, only what is done for Christ will last. The Bible says: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” When one slips into eternity the Bible is clear that purgatory is not an option. We are either “saved” or “lost.” Michael sang “You Are Not Alone” but tragically, one will be alone for those that die without faith in Jesus. All the gold albums, glittered glove and socks in the world cannot change things once our life is over. Today, my heart is heavy for the entire Jackson Family and they are one of the most gifted musical family’s of all time. Jermaine Jackson said on tv during his remarks: “May Allah always be with Michael.” Sadly, Allah will be no where to be found for those that put their trust in a false god. The answer is not in Allah but Almighty God. Not in Mohammed but the Mighty Messiah and Son of the Living God.
In closing, everyone talks about his “star” never fading. The Bible says in Daniel: “That those whom pointed people to a personal relationship with Jesus while shine forever and ever as the brightest stars.” That is the type of star I want to be. No longer, do I long for a “star” on a street but a shinning star that points people to the Son (who made the stars). No longer content with celebrating the creature but my Creator and Michael’s passing reminds me more than ever why evangelism is crucial, neccessary and needed like never before. For those that miss the Gates of Heaven, community with Christians and a eternal reservation with Jesus; trust me - NO ONE will remember the hit songs from today and yesterday. The Bible calls Hell a “place of torment, a bottom-less pit, a place of darkness, fire and wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Hell will be no joke and no party. We will be isolated, damned and can only concentrate on what “might have been” and could have been if one elected eternal salvation more than ephermal success. If we take one thing from the life of Michael Jackson is that we may take a long look at “The Man in the Mirror” and remember what really matters: Faith, Family, Friends and a Future because of Forgiveness found in God the Father.
This video was aired in mid 1990’s and I recall watching it “LIVE.” In front of 100,000 screaming fans he adorned a jet, power pack and literally “left the building” and flew out. Amazing! When he died this week, he was air lifted in a Los Angeles helicopter to the coroner’s office. The tragic truth is his soul had already been ushered into the Presence of Almighty God. The Bible notes: “To whom much is given, much is required.” God is not impressed with record sales but a relationship. Honestly, I am a fan of Michael’s music and he had a God given gift. Tragically, Michael never found acceptance from his earthly Father but my prayer is that he made peace with the Heavenly Father.
God bless Michael Jackson.