This is a reprint of an earlier column. It is one that has not been on Study Light. I hope that it brings back some fond memories for a certain person who was involved.
For some inexplicable reason I relate well to animals. Yeah, I hear the remarks. But, strangely, I do. I once had a chipmunk run up my leg and perch on my head to escape a cat. But that's another day. This past evening (July 17, 2003) my wife and I went to Blue Grass Camp to hear our oldest son's praise band in a worship time. We also got to hear my good friend Brian Gorman, a fellow preacher/golfer, share a timely message. After the worship time was completed we wlaked across the campus and I saw the Brandenburgs, camp ministers, standing outside their home.
I hurried over to say hello to some of my favorite people. Kelly and Karen and their daughter, Stephanie, are very special to me. When I got to their sidewalk and began talking with them their dachshund, Brandy (male...no really), ran off toward the camp office. Karen began calling him to no avail. "Karen," I said, "Brandy's a dachshund. He's German. You must call him in German and he'll come." I called out to Brandy. "Brandy, kommen sie. Kommen sie mach snell." Brandy scurried back up the slope in an instant and stood right at my feet. "See? German," I reiterated.
On the Day of Pentecost Peter and the rest of the apostles preached as empowered by the Holy Spirit. They preached in languages that left no doubt as to the truth of their statements and the holy direction of their message That is the way God chooses to do it. He calls man through the gift of language.
"For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those4 who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger that men." 1 Corinthians 1:21-25
Beautiful buildings never saved anyone. Snazzy promotions never ushered a soul into the kingdom. Only when the truth of Christ is preached do people respond. Only when God calls in language we understand do we answer in faith.