All Things New: Not Everything New Is Good
know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power… always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 (NKJV)
Not everything new is good or helpful. Modern media brings that sore point home– in an unprecedented abundance.
By enthusiastic invitation, countless new gods reign in millions of homes. BAD shows and BAD ads sell BAD ideas and BAD thoughts by way of BAD examples... disguised to look good! We're too entertained to wade through the mess.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
In all this dangerous modernity, you’re called to rise and shine. Praise God and YOU!
What about the MODERN, glitzy churches… led by modern, glitzy, celeb-pastors? Not everything new is good or helpful.
Living just long enough to see the start of media-driven mega-churches… was a cut-the-hype, plain-talking preacher: A.W. Tozer:*
'If I see aright, the cross of popular evangelism is not the Cross of the New Testament. It is, rather, a new bright ornament upon the bosom of a self-assured and carnal Christianity. The old Cross slew men. The new cross entertains them. The old Cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old Cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it.'
'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me' (Isaiah 29:13).
Our designer crosses convict us.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
You’re called to rise in the transforming look of the ultimate Designer: JESUS! The cross you wear is worse than meaningless… without His cross of duty on your back: your Commission to go into the world, disarm it with love, and shine in His Light!
Your bright appearance serves an eviction notice to Earth’s ruling authority: 'The prince of the power of the air' (Ephesians 2:2).
Without his decidedly deceiving, disorienting, and deadly domain, heads clear and people can choose THE best Guide: God’s Holy Spirit.
How can this great mission be accomplished? Be encouraged! Jesus did the hard part. The ways you follow Him are limitless, but consider two:
1) The uprising of an uncommon church.
Its congregations aren’t rich, but righteous.
Its shepherds aren't moguls, but model Christ.**
2) The uprising of bright, new fishermen. Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19).
Your lines aren't phony, but founded in Truth.
Your roles aren't headlining, but supporting.
You don’t “feed on” fans. Instead, you feed them!
All Things New: Not Everything New Is Good (Part 2)
* A.W. Tozer: http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/A.W.-Tozer-Quotes
* 'What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men, men of prayer (E.M. Bounds), http://christian-quotes.ochristian.com/christian-quotes_ochristian.cgi?find=Christian-quotes-by-E.M.+Bounds-on-Holy+Spirit
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.