It happens for me all the time. I am not talking about mixing the truth of God with what is of the world. What it is about is seeing pictures and the story of Jesus in some of the strangest of places. The Bible tells us that " the heavens declare His glory" (Psalms 19) and that His truth is evident even to those who have not met Him (Romans 1:19).
Recently my wife and I went to see the movie Ghost Rider, and I was struck with a picture of the high price Jesus paid for our salvation by watcing some one else's story. It was there. I remember watching the movie Titanic and noticing the story of one who gave His life for another. The movie Facing the Giants does the same thing.
Then I move into the world of music. First of all, there is a lot of junk out there. Then you come across bands like U2 and others who seem to crossover with the stories. Nickelback has some songs that have caught my attention. Here are the lyrics of "Savin' Me":
Prison gates won't open up for me
On these hands and knees I'm crawlin'
All, I reach for you
Well I'm terrified of these four walls
These iron bars can't hold my soul and
All I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And all I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth savin' me
Heaven's gates won't open up for me
With these broken wings I'm fallin'
And all I see is you
These city walls ain't got no love for me
I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth story
And oh I scream for you
Come please I'm callin'
And all I need from you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
Show me what it's like...
And all I need is you
Come please I'm callin'
And all I scream for you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin', I'm fallin'
Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
And say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me
Hurry I'm fallin'
No, the lyrics don't scream Jesus. But He is there.
Here is my point. It is time to find whatever method when we can and get the world's attention. And while we have their attention, tell them about Jesus. That doesn't compromise the message. Honestly, it will clarify the message to people we get to share with who have no influence or very little background of church.
Remember, it is the point:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (The Message) --- Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
No, the lyrics don't scream Jesus. But He is there.
Here is my point. It is time to find whatever method when we can and get the world's attention. And while we have their attention, tell them about Jesus. That doesn't compromise the message. Honestly, it will clarify the message to people we get to share with who have no influence or very little background of church.
Remember, it is the point:
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (The Message) --- Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
Last night in our Community Bible Study we heard a message by Erwin McManus of Mosaic in Los Angelos, California. Here are a couple quotes that hit me hard:
We perceive that people are not open to God. It is not that they are not open. It is that they don't get us.
Maybe the problem is we are not speaking a language that others understand!
If our story isn't connecting to people without God, it is probably not connecting to people with God.
That is eye open and heart wrenching ESPECIALLY when we see that we have missed what life is all about. It is time that we begin seeing HIM in the world, and we help others see Him and come to know Him.
Lets get out of our space and get into other people's space so that God can get them into His space.
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