The Making of a Preacher -Prep

What if...?

1. What if Matthew Marks remains committed to The Truth no matter how much he doubts his own ability to believe The Truth?

2. What if Matthew Marks learns that friendship goes deeper than agreement?

3. What if Matthew Marks learns that The Lord has more faith in him than he has in himself?

4. What if Matthew Marks learns that the way to the deepest faith in through the darkest valley of Doubt?

5. What if Matthew Marks finally realizes expressions of hatred are really cries for love?

6. What if Matthew Marks finds out that his previous attempts to live the Christian as perfectly as possible have merely been attempts to earn salvation?

7. What if Matthew Marks' honest doubts are The Lord wooing him to true salvation, the real relationship with his Lord?

8. What if Matthew Marks tries to shake off his faith, only to come to understand that faith has taken hold of him?

9. What if Matthew Marks attempts to shred Scripture, only to realize that The Lord has used his attempts to mend his heart?

10. What if Matthew Marks tries every possible career, only to come to the conclusion that Gospel preaching is the only thing that fills his heart with Joy?

11. What if Matthew Marks tells God what he really thinks about him. "God, I'm 5' 10", 50 years old, 175 pounds of a fairly athletic build. I think I can still turn the heads of ladies 20 years my junior if I really wanted to, and Life might be fun if I really could...for a while, but what assurance do I have the Eternity will be fun or enjoyable or nourishing to the core forever? Why don't I have that assurance, God? I came to You when I was six years old for You to save me! You have failed to give me the lasting assurance of Salvation that I crave with all my being! Even telling You off to Your Face scares the Hell out of me because I'm scared as Hell that that's the actual place that I'll land forever because I'm pretty sure You don't like anybody disputing You Word or disrespecting You in any way! What am I supposed to think? What am I supposed to feel? What am I supposed to do? Will these damned doubts and confusions ever cease? Or will I have to wait, until I die to find out where I will finally land? Will it be like 'SOL, Dude! It's everlasting Hell for you!'?"

12. What if Matthew Marks finds out ultimately that God is Somebody He never expected God to be? What is he finds out that God prefers Grace over Justice, even though His Truth is still Absolute? What if he finds out that God can save someone forever when that person turns a hopeful eye in the direction of the empty cross & the empty Garden Tomb?

13. What if Matthew Marks discovers that God doesn't give easy answers at times and that He often doesn't answer at all because He is The Loving Father playing "Peek-a-Boo" with his small child until that small child learns the lesson that "Daddy's still here, even when He's not in sight"? What if Matt learns that trusting the Character of God is more important than being given concrete assurance (or a deed) that Hell is no longer his/her consequence?

14. What if Matthew Marks finally realizes that his thrashing about in the "lake" of the Spirit is the reason that his assurance keeps sinking? What if assurance of Salvation is learning to float and to rest, not actively doing something?