This is more of a short testimony than a sermon. I just want you to be aware that the more determined you are to do the work of The Master, the more determined Satan will be to knock you off course — if you aren’t doing The Lord’s work, you are no threat to the cause of the evil one.

So, expect more drama… in fact, if your troubles don’t increase, you might want to take a step back and re-evaluate: Are the goals that you’re working towards based on your plan or on God’s plan for you? Realize that even those who walked most closely with Jesus did not understand His purpose or plan at first… and when they did catch on, their lives became more difficult — to the point of imprisonment and even execution!

Don’t ever just take my word for it. Listen to Jesus, He said:

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

…the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you…

and

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 15:18-20, 16:33

Are you God’s “servant”* or are you of the world? Dig into your Bible, there is much more said about this issue. I only quoted enough to show that my words of warning are from God.

Friends, I’m explaining this because The 30 Second Sermon Blog is a new project that I’m working on and as I was preparing my first 30 Second Sermon, I was robbed, half-stripped, and reviled by three armed young men — the devil’s soldiers. They stole my gym bag and happened to catch me when I was carrying my two camcorders in that bag (a rare occurrence). I also had many important handwritten notes on a legal pad in that bag. And, they stole my phone that contained my contacts list (which I should have had a backup of, but didn’t).

My testimony is that the good news for me (for which I praise God!) is that, like Job, my possessions were taken but no serious harm was done to me physically! (Since I brought up Job, I must point out that if I continue to be tested like Job then I must expect loved ones to die sudden deaths and, eventually, Satan to attack my body.)

Since then, “life” has just become more and more challenging, keeping me away from The 30 Second Sermon Blog.

Now, all these months later, I am going to press “RESET” and we’ll see if this ministry can get up and running.

God bless you all, each and every one,
IHS,
Brother Tony O

* The Greek word, δουλος, translated “servant” is more properly translated “slave”. I expect to be getting into that altered terminology as this site develops.

The first 30 Second Sermon should be online this week.

IHS,
Brother Tony O

This blog is my answer to long, boring sermons that are too common in Christian churches.

It is also in response to a great educational program that I purchased a while back and that all presenters should study. The course centers around one idea: it doesn’t take more than 30 seconds to get your point across — if you know how to focus your message.

Starting this week, I’ll be posting at least one 30 Second Sermon per week. The comments section will allow for deeper study as we interact with the subject matter.

IHS,
Brother Tony O

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