Audience

Crowd of peopleI have had the privilege to speak to a fairly large audience. I get a little nervous prior to speaking, but then I usually relax and go forward with the content of the message I came to present. I still remember my first ever speech in front of a bunch of students at High School.  The Audience can be large or small and I still need to be on task with the content I came bringing. When I think of audience, I usually think of a crowd assembled in a public place. An audience can be individuals who watch the same TV show in the privacy of their homes respectively. It can be the readers who follow a column in the newspaper. Our audience changes and fluctuates depending often on the content of the message. Paul was charged with being a trouble maker by the Jews when He was teaching about Jesus – also referred to in Acts as “The Way”.  Paul was allowed to present his case to the governor, Felix in rebuttal to the case of “troublemaker” being presented against him. Check this out…

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. (Acts 24:22-26 NIV)

Paul was consistent in his message. He was passionate about his message. He had many opportunities to share his testimony/message with many different audiences. I love the fact that Felix came with his wife for a more private “audience” with Paul.  Paul would not, and probably could not stop talking about the Lord. He had such a powerful conversion experience and then saw the Power and the Presence of God in his life – He just couldn’t stop talking about the Lord.

I want to be aware of my audience. I want to be consistent in the message that is woven through the words I speak or write. I want to ALWAYS bring honor to the One who saved me. I want any audience I’m privileged to speak before to know Who speaks in me and through me. He is my Audience of One & He empowers me to speak to many different people in the audience of His Amazing, Saving Grace! I’m privileged to have an audience in the first place, so I’ll speak for Him and live for Him in front of my audience.

 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

    so that sinners will turn back to you. (Psalm 51:10-13 NIV)
 
Pressing On!
Dwayne

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