About The Author

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Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

My Faith is My Destiny

I never get tired of laughing at football fans who although their team has no hope of winning the coveted prize they still hold up their index finger to the camera and scream we’re number one.

They are persuaded that their team is the best. What are you persuaded of?

Our destiny in the Lord is only realized through faith and those around us on our journey are impacted by the things we are persuaded of. I want us to examine how human reason persuades us if we are not walking by faith in our relationship to Christ. Human reason can ruin not only our lives but the lives of others.

Acts 27:9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, "Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives." 11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 ¶ And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. 13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.

More Persuaded! A powerful expression because when someone is persuaded of something, that is what they act on.

Outlined for us are the reasons why the centurion was less persuaded by Paul than the other two men, and it reveals the process of human reasoning.

1. The sources from which the information comes. Vs. 11

Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.

Human reasoning naturally considers the source providing information. Paul is not a sailor he is a man of God. What could he possibly know about sailing?

But Paul’s comment isn’t based in any knowledge of sailing, it is based on His walk with God.

Human reasoning cannot go there.