Agape Newsletter, February 27, 2009: New Series Sunday, Parents Meeting, and Snow Plans

and you shall call his name Jesus

‘And the angel said to her…you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great…and of his kingdom there will be no end’ – from Luke 1
 

The morning after the 2009 BCS National Championship game I was listening to a morning sports show here in Birmingham and one of the guys brought up the issue of Tim Tebow giving props to God during his victory interview on national TV. The broadcaster was adamant that football and ‘religion’ do not belong together and that Tim Tebow needed to leave his beliefs off the field. Now I could write an entire blog about that issue within itself. I would make the point that Tebow was just being who he is – a follower of Christ. When Christ lives in you, there is no leaving Him behind while you go to the work, school, the 7-11 or the BCS national championship game. But I have another point for today and it involves not what the radio guys said, but more of what they refused to say. Even though Tim Tebow’s exact words were something like ‘I want to give thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’, I noticed that this broadcaster would not say the name Jesus. And as time wore on and this issue continued to be discussed, it became glaringly obvious that they were going to say anything but Jesus. The rest of the radio team also gave their opinions on the subject, and they too apparently refused to say Jesus. I heard them say ‘God’ and ‘faith’ and ‘religion’ and ‘church’ and ‘your beliefs’ – but never did I hear the name Jesus. And then it was the callers turn. As they opened up the phone lines, I listened as one by one the participants on the phones did the same; they also avoided using the name of Jesus. Many of these men were people who identified themselves as people of faith or regular church attenders, but one by one they referred to all types of religious symbols or innuendo without mentioning Jesus. This discussion continued for several segments, until finally one of the broadcasters actually referred to Tebow’s direct quote that included the name ‘Jesus’, but even then  I noticed an obvious pause right before he said it. 

Now before I come under conviction for being hypocritical – let me point the finger toward myself for a moment. I was recently interviewing for a full time secular job and during the interview the discussion of my role as a pastor came up. I was attempting to discuss how I felt it was taught in the Bible for a worker to hold himself to a high degree of integrity and character and work as if he is working for the Lord. In the midst of this diatribe I found the perfect opportunity to say ‘Jesus teaches me’, but instead I paused….and then they came – the dreaded phrase ‘my faith teaches’. Now, I call it dreaded because whenever I say ‘my faith…’ it seems to conjure up thoughts of a private belief that may be different but equal in validity to another religion’s teaching. Yet, I found myself saying it. It reminded me of the movie A Christmas Story where Ralphie is sitting on Santa’s lap but instead of saying he wants a Red Ryder BB gun he cops out and agrees to a football, and as he is going down the big red slide, he is beside himself at what he had just done. I felt that way, almost immediately screaming at myself: ‘what are you doing – why didn’t you say Jesus, you wimp?’

So assuming I am not the only one who has experienced this, what is it about the name of Jesus that so polarizes people? People, even Christians, are comfortable mentioning God, Faith, or Church; and as one of my closer friends pointed out recently, we might even say ‘Christ’. But when it comes to the name Jesus it is as if we are hesitant – as if we stumble. Then again, isn’t that what the bible says would happen?: 

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense” – Romans 9:33

A rock of offense. Is it not true that so many are offended today by the name Jesus? So many religions claim a ‘faith’, a ‘God’, or even a ‘church’ – but there is only one Jesus. When we call out His name, in private or public, we leave no doubt as to where our allegiance lies. We speak a name of power, glory, holiness and love. We speak the name of our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Lord. We might comfortably say ‘God’ but we cannot come to know Him without Jesus. We might comfortably say ‘faith’ but Jesus is the author and finisher of that faith. We might comfortably mention church, but Jesus is the one who purifies the church and will present her to God as holy and blameless. Without the name of Jesus, we have nothing: no hope, no faith, no redemption, and no future. 

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2:11 

I speak to myself more than anyone else when I say that we must not be shy to embrace the name of Jesus. Whether in private or public conversation, we must not shrink back. It is because of His name we have authority and power to withstand the work of God’s enemy. It is because of His name that people can experience a transformed life. It is because of His name that shattered relationships can be brought to restoration, sinners brought to repentance, and the weary brought to a new found strength. It is because of His name that we can say “anything is possible” for those who will believe. It is because of His name that our past has no control over our future, that anxiety does not have to rule our life, and that peace can consume our minds no matter how deep the valley. It is because of His name that those who are hurting and sick can be healed. It is because of His name that those held captive by drugs, alcohol, pornography, lust or greed can be set free to a new life.  It is by His name that death and disease will never have the last word in the life of a believer. 

May we be strengthened to proclaim loudly to all we meet the name of Jesus.

Agape Baptist Newsletter - February 5, 2009: What about those who never hear the gospel?

Hello friends and family, and welcome in to another Agape newsletter. Here’s what’s going on in the near future: 

This Wednesday night we had a very interesting (to me at least) and deep discussion on what constitutes blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and why that particular sin would be listed by Jesus as the unforgivable, or unpardonable sin. In the midst of that discussion, yet another very interesting issue was raised: “what happens to those who are born and die, never having heard the gospel - do they go to hell?”This Sunday (instead of next Wednesday), we are going to return to talking about the vision of our fellowship for 2009, and we are going to use this very question as a springboard to discussing what it is that God is calling us to this year. This won’t be a merely theoretical discussion of an interesting Bible theory, but hopefully a vibrant look at the character of God, and the very real importance of evangelism. Come with your Bibles and your opinions, and let us consider together what God is calling us to, and what God’s word says about this important issue. Is God fair? 

If you missed last week’s message, (by my friend Sam Knowles) then you missed a fantastic one, as well as an extremely colorful illustration that you will remember for quite a while. In completing our three part series on holiness, Sam gave us some practical instruction on how to actually walk in holiness. Dealing with holiness in a practical way is kind of a rare thing - often the church preaches the why of holiness, but not the how - this message has the how. Check it out: CLICK HERE

Coming next Saturday (Valentine’s) night, Dennis, Cindy and the missions team are going to be hosting a Valentine’s night dinner and movie for adults and kids. The adults will get a free STEAK meal (can you resist that?!) as well as be able to watch the excellent movie Fireproof. The kids will be watching Horton Hears a Who (another very good movie), and having food of their own in another room. You better believe my family will be there (who can find a baby sitter on Valentine’s night?), and I hope yours will be too! 

Also note, Food pantry will be this next Wednesday the 11th (at 6:00pm). We need your help! Whether you want to help Dennis bring down food to get ready for Food pantry, or whether you want to help John Talley’s team evangelize, or whether you simply want to help people get food to their car - come join us Wednesday night to feed the hungry, and reach the people! Also, Angel Food orders are due Sunday, February 15th. 

And finally, I would like to say, that in my annual February listing of my personal favorite states in America, the state of Alabama still ranks as #1 - my favorite state for at least two years running. (What, you thought I might be talking about something else??)    ;) 

Here’s some interesting/edifying/fun links for you to check out: 

*****     Where is the worst place in the world to be a Christian?: (hint: N.K.) CLICK HERE 

*****     What is the most religious state in the union? Did you know that Alabama is the second most religious? CLICK HERE 

*****     Free messages from the 2009 Desiring God pastor’s conference: CLICK HERE 

*****     NOT FOR SALE: a free audio book describing the efforts of 21st century anti slavery abolitionists: CLICK HERE 

*****     Randy Alcorn: Are you willing to be hated? CLICK HERE