Here is my sermon from February 21, 2010…

 

 Why Outsiders Matter [55:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

My Superbowl Expectations

On Sunday night, I like many Americans, tuned in to the 2010 Superbowl.  With anticipation I watched the commercial spots to see how offensive they would be this year.  I wasn’t let down, I was pretty offended after the first 90 second, back to back underwear commercials.

I watched with special interest for the controversial Tim Tebow Focus on the Family ad spot. 

See, I went into the evening knowing that most of the ads would be sleazy GoDaddy-ish marketing ploys.  I knew that most would portray men as morons (which they did) and women as somewhat more intellectual, but still ever-present sources of sin.

The commercials were designed to be just a tad controversial, because as any good marketer will tell you – controversy and offense will typically yield the highest emotional response.  Emotional responses drive memory recall.  Offensiveness yields conversations that outlast the 30 second ad spot.

Tim Tebow – Ad Spot

Iniquitous or Powerful?

Admittedly upon watching the Tim Tebow spot, we had to rewind it twice and play it again.  We had a few couples from church there as well and most said “Is that what 2.5 million will get you?  I hope that’s the start to a series…  What was the message?”

I had to think it though, but I though it was very clever – from a marketing standpoint. 

I think too many Christians wanted a “Yeah!  In your face!” kind of moment and didn’t get one.  What we got was far more effective.  The point of the commercial was seemingly not the 30 second spot but the larger message.   A message that was delivered weeks before the ad and will be discussed afterwards. 

Focus on the Family used this as an opportunity to say “Let’s celebrate Life” and “I can’t imagine not having the happiness that I enjoy because of my child.”  Those are powerful messages and are often lost by the sign carrying, name calling, seemingly angry Christians that are normally portrayed by the general media.  I think there is a place for showing the world and legislators that there is a strong stance against infant-murder.  But, for those who are not in the heat of battle – for those who are on the fence about this issue – they would most likely not be offended about this commercial. 

Trying to reach someone’s heart is most often not done through offense. 

I think anyone who was not on the extreme of this issue one way or the other would say “What was the Pro-Choice people so afraid of?  Is this it?”   It shows a special type of shallowness and fear of the truth to have such an exaggerated response to such a pure message.  I think that’s a brilliant way to get to get the real message across that life is precious. 

The Desire to Offend

Christians are far too eager to offend non-believers. It feeds our self righteousness, it gets a response, it makes us feel accomplished.  However, we fail to remember how we feel when the ACLU takes away our rights or attacks our way of believing.  Has anyone ever been converted away from God because non-Christian organizations offended us or attacked us?  No.

Why then do we feel the need to attack other people in the interest of changing their hearts?  Conversion are done by God and we are vessels.  Let’s not strive together to work against Christ in this process.  I think the simple message of “Life is Precious” is exactly what would have appeared in red letters on a Superbowl Sunday.

Tags: 2010, abortion, ad, christian, family, focus, offend, offensive, superbowl, tebow, tim

Here is Pastor Cash’s sermon for January 17, 2010.

 

 Sermon: Don't Look Back [59:40m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Luke 1:7-14

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.8 And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.9 And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people:11 for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this is the sign unto you: Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,14 Glory to God in the highest,

~Merry Christmas!

‘Nuff Said

Tags: 2009, christmas

This is not a political statement.  It’s one of values.  It shouldn’t be debated in courts, it shouldn’t be reliant on one horrible courts decision from 38 years ago.  It should be an issue that is left to the individual…  It’s a matter of killing innocent children before they even get to enjoy their first laugh, first ray of sunshine on their face and the love of a family. 

I don’t understand how anyone could think this was ok.  I don’t understand how we can sit in a room and talk about abortion as if it were an option.  I don’t understand how it’s wrong to cut down trees and drive an SUV, but people think it’s ok to murder an infant. 

God, how far we’ve fallen.  How we repent for the sins of our “leaders” as they drive us down this path. 

John Piper gave this response to President Obama’s backing of Roe v Wade.  It’s short – it’s powerful.

This guy is pretty funny… It’s amazing what we don’t think about when it’s “traditional”.

The Practicality of Psalms

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west,  So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

The funny thing is that even though God forgives, people don’t.  There are always those who will hold your mistakes against you.  Oddly enough those who will readily accept forgiveness will not extend it.  The church seems to the highest level of self-righteousness.  It’s as if the miracle of Christ’s death was reserved solely for them and any other failure is left for them to exploit or judge. 

It makes it difficult for those who are trying to move on with their lives to do so.  Recently, I received a series of emails from a friend on-line who then called me.  He did so because he was having an affair, which he terminated and wanted to go to his wife and Pastor to ask for forgiveness and face the consequences.  However, the fear of judgment from his church was what was keeping him from confessing. Think about that for a minute.  This guy’s biggest fear was how his church would treat him.  If this isn’t the most backwards thing I’ve heard, I don’t know what is.  Honestly – I completely understand his fear.

Now, he’s left with not wanting to tell either his wife (who would share with her Pastor) or the Pastor.  Of course I’ve encouraged him to tell his wife and Pastor anyway.  We prayed and I wish that I had more to offer him.  Yes, you must face the results of sinful decisions but that’s for God to order – not man. 

I want to close this post with this – If the God of Creation and most Holy of Holy can disburse sin as far as the east is from the west, than who are we mere mortals to “punish”, gossip, harass or re-introduce a failing? 

Tags: forgiveness, judgement, sin

Today I shared on obeying God as both a recipient of his word and delivering his word.

 

 SermonCast: Obey Anyway: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Getting Up and Out the Door

It’s a challenge… every weekend.  Every weekend, we look at each other in the morning, count to three and start the motions that get our children out of bed and us in the shower.  Then we have to make sure they brush teeth, have breakfast, put on apparel that shows no belly and covers them up to their necks.  Then to jump in the car, get to church setup whatever task we have that morning and then…wait. Our service starts at 10:00, but we watch as the church body floats in around 10:30. 

On Time

Now, I’ve given up long ago judging people who come in “late” for church.  Ultimately it’s between them and God.  I’m responsible to get my own family up in enough time to get prepared and get to church on time, but what is “on time”?  I’ve taken on some responsibilities that create a need to be there about an hour before church is scheduled to start.  That was me… not everyone.

I feel bad that the worship team starts to play and only a quarter of the people are there at 10:00, but  that’s not the point of this post.   It’s almost expected that “church” people are going to be late.  It’s happened in every church that I’ve ever attended.  For someone who insists on being on time, it’s an enigma. 

Getting Ready for Church or Getting Prepared for Church

I’ve chatted with a number of families over the past two year who have expressed indifference for the Church altogether.  I have to admit that I struggle with the routine of meeting together, but then I remember, that contrary the Americanized Christianity, there are people who are literally dying all over the world, just to be able to meet together.  They have read the Bible and found the many verses like this one in Hebrews…

Hebrews 10: 24 and 25

²⁴and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

²⁵not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

There are men and women being killed in front of their children because of their love for Christ and willingness to make the sacrifice to meet with other believers to share and be supported.  This fact and these scriptures trivializes my lazy desire to stay in bed for an extra hour on Sunday.

It compels me to ask the question “Am I getting ready for church or am I preparing for Church?”  Notice that I capitalized the second occurrence of “Church” in the proceeding question.  I think there is no value going to a building with a bunch of other people on Sunday morning – but to go and meet with other believers to share and to support one another, to meet together and to advance the Kingdom; than  that I am willing to engage in.  The dissenters (also known as heretics) who disregard most of the New Testament in order to indulge in their disregard for the church body are missing the value of a Christ ordained gathering and the magnificent work that has resulted in believers joining together over the years.  Say what you will about the failings of today’s church, I just can’t imagine a world without it.

It’s for this reason that I am starting my Sunday mornings a little earlier, turning on some worship music, concentrating harder on making the preparation to go to church a little less militant in the house.  I want to start preparing my family for being the Church and not going to one.

Tags: attendance, church, preparation, time