The Michael's Sermon series tells the story of a teenage hoodlum that as an adult becomes a national sensation by preaching a one word sermon. Book 1 - 'Receiving the Word' deals with Michael being raised on a small southeast Texas farm. At the age of 12, his father ran off with the family's money, Michael becomes bitter, and this begins his downfall. The summer before his senior year, Michael forces his girlfriend to have an abortion. Later that summer Michael and his friends steal a case of beer and go swimming. Michael goes under the water and does not come up. While he is drowning, his life is played out before him. Seconds later he finds himself in hell. Jesus spoke one word to him, and Michael promised to obey the word. Because of his mother's prayers, Jesus allows Michael a second chance. When he comes up out of the water, two voices call out to him, his old friends, and the song from a local church that beckons him to come. He chooses the latter, and this is the start of Michael's journey to become the preacher of a one word sermon. Like King David who was also chosen at a young age for a special purpose, Michael too will face many challenges prior to seeing that purpose fulfilled. Michael must learn how to trust in God and how to be led by the Holy Spirit. Even as a growing teen, he spoke the word four times. In three of those times, miracles occurred.