After Transmission led a rousing worship session, the morning's message centered around Matthew 23:12, "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Collins hit the audience hard, with a call to review our attitudes toward others, especially in the hierarchical system of The Salvation Army. He maintains that it is Jesus' command to obey the orders of our superiors. That obedience must transcend logic and feeling. And God will lift us up.
During the morning's sermon, Collins set the table for the evening's meeting and theme. He described a time when he was troubled with hidden sin in his life. Not able to exist with the shame any longer, he confessed his failings and struggles to his wife, friends and boss, expecting to be disowned or fired. What he found was generous grace from all he spoke with. Those he confessed to encouraged him to continue in his growth. As a result, he made a commitment always to be honest about his failings, relying on God's promise to lift him up.
As if the morning sermon continued without interruption, the evening's message used Revelation 5 as a launching pad. The paradox Collins underscored was the contrast between strength and weakness. From verse 4 to verse 5, the Apostle John hears an elder tell him, "See the Lion," and when he looks up, he sees "a Lamb, looking like it was slain." These two creatures symbolized the contrast between these two parts of God's nature.
Collins took a brief stop in Judges 6 to examine why God chose Gideon to defeat the Midianites. After all, Gideon was the least of his family in the weakest clan in Manasseh.
Suddenly, Collins seemed to sense a need to go in a different direction. He suddenly asked if there was anyone who wanted to confess weakness, especially in the area of pornography. He explained that many delegates had approached him individually through the afternoon, confessing and asking for direction.
Collins asked if anyone wanted to confess publicly. What followed was a series of confessions, indicating struggles with porn, sexual sin, doubt, anger and cutting. As the delegates stood and confessed, the congregation encouraged them, sometimes with applause and other times with supportive hands on shoulders and encouraging hugs.
Then, an appeal was made for people to come forward to pray. The invitation was for anyone who wanted to confess their weaknesses and find God's strength in His grace.
Delegates were then challenged to find someone at home with whom they could be accountable in order to leave the habits of the past behind them.
Collins' fresh and brusque approach, coupled with his unabashed transparency and confession, encouraged the delegates to open up. I believe they felt they had a kinship with the speaker, because he understood what they are going through.
Tomorrow will conclude with a 10:00 am meeting, featuring Collins' last message in the "Paradox" series.
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