Early in January I drove past three different churches within a five or six mile stretch that had marquee signs that caused me some consternation.
The first marquee said, “Make Jesus first this year.”
A mile or two down the road the next sign read, “Give God more time in 09”
The final over the hill declared, “Try God.”
Now I know what they meant, at least I think I do. Yet I still have trouble with each message.
“Make Jesus first this year” – we don’t make Jesus first. Jesus is first. We submit to Him as our only priority. By the way, since He is first, there is nothing else that matters. So try to avoid the order of priorities: Jesus first, spouse second, kids third and job fourth. If Jesus is first in your life, all other priorities fall in place as they should.
“Give God more time on in 09” – you don’t give God more time. We should be thankful God gave us time. Therefore we should submit to Him in order to “number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).
“Try God” – Trying God sounds like taking Him for a test drive. Trying God is like a “90 Days Same as Cash” offer. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, return it for a full refund, no questions asked. You do not try God. You serve God.
Is it just me, or does anyone see the irritable rub of these messages?
The messages are humanistic. The messages are man-centered. They sound like Oprah Winfrey sermons – syrupy, spiritual, human-oriented and insipid.
I am concerned that the church has become too pragmatic in her theology. The idea of “you doing this, so God will do that” permeates many of our churches. That is manipulation, and God will not be manipulated.
What was it that Jesus said in the wilderness?
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4
You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.
Matthew 4:7
You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.
Matthew 4:10
Now there are three marquee signs worth posting.
Oops! I better be careful. If I use too much Scripture I might become irrelevant.
I hear you – there are tons of marquee messages that probably do more to turn people off to God than to nudge them toward the kingdom.
I just thought it was curious that your marquee (if yours is the one pictured) has a message in Hebrew. Now, in New York City or Miami, that would be culturally relevant to a large portion of the population. But, being from Birmingham, I doubt that you have a major Jewish population in Argo.
So (and I promise I’m asking this respectfully, although it’s going to sound sarcastic) how is your marquee better than the ones you criticized?
I mean, if you’re going to “speak in tongues” don’t you at least need to show the interpretation?
Alan, it is a joke. We do not have a marquee at CrossPoint. By the way, that is the SHEMA, and it is our theme for 2009. Our blogmaster made that picture today because he has entirely too much time on his hands! Pray for him. Better yet, pray for me. Blessings and as we like to say at CrossPoint, “Shalom Aleichem” – peace be with you!
PRAISE GOD!!
You knew I could not lay off this one didn’t you Ryan?
You are so right, church has become not just pragmatic in it’s theology and humanistic in it’s methodology but now the church appears to be going in one of two opposing directions, either mean spirited and obsessed with the sins of others or they go politically correct and excuse so much wrong. Both of which to my understanding will grieve our Holy Father. And I also agree with Alan that there is more today in church behavior to turn people away that is making it to our communication sources that was not so prevalent a few years ago.
These marquees are such perfect examples of the potential irrelevance of church. Thank you, Ryan Whitley, for the guidance you offer your church, and those who follow this blog, to explore to new depths the character and truth of the God of the bible!
Soli Deo Gloria! To God alone be all glory!
Ryan, we at CrossPoint understand where you’re coming from in being bothered by the three signs that you mentioned. However, to unchurched Harry and Mary, who may very well be at the end of their rope in some area of their lives, these signs may be the catalyst that would spur them to turn to the Lord in their time of need. We can only pray that the Lord can use these signs to turn somebody’s life around.
Marie,
Not speaking for Ryan but merely offering another opinion, I think the point of this topic is that to genuinely help “unchurched Harry and Mary” to seek God in their troublesome times it would be more effective to post an appropriate scripture instead of these Wall Street/Madison Avenue type of catch phrases. God is not a gimmick or quick fix for the trials and tribulations of life. He created life and everything in existence. He is God whether people turn to him or not. I think the point here is that the church needs to live above the standards and examples of the world that has created the woes being faced by unchurched Harry and Mary and everyone of us who do attend church. Everything has a context and only work properly within that context. Churches has the entire bible to choose marquee postings from, it would be more helpful to the unchurched to see what God said instead of such temporal gimmicks. I feel your concern for the people who need God but we as Christians need to reflect God not the world as we try to share Him with that world.
May the Peace of God be yours today!
Marie, interesting thought. I have had others communicate that same thought with me in times past. And, to some degree there may be some merit to it. Yet I tend to think not.
My point is: what is the different between those marquee messages and what some self-guru teaches. I am concerned the church’s message today is not much different from the world’s. By the way, I plan to write about that in the future.
Additionally, I am reminded of something I learned years ago in ministy: You keep people the way you reach people. If you reach them with gimmicks, you typically have to keep them with gimmicks. If you reach them with fear, you keep them with fear. Yet if you reach them with the Gospel, you keep them with the Gospel.
The Gospel message is for both the lost and the saved. For the lost the Gospel message is about salvation. For the saved, the Gospel message is about sanctification.
HAHAHAHA….’too much scripture…become irrelevant’.
Great blogs yesterday and today. Sweet Stacy:) Bless you. Your precious voice blesses all of us in worship.
Good points all. I personally am grappling with what used to be passing the peace turning into spitting on our beloved neighbor with “echad” and ‘lickem:) I mean that in a most light hearted humor. I’m glad we pass the peace. Alan does have a point. We’re always being watched and heard by others and His love and sensitivity should permeate all we say and do. THAT is what draws people. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” It’s important to know who our friends are.
“Do not waste good things on people who will not appreciate them. This proverb is adapted from a saying of Jesus from the Gospels, “Cast not pearls before swine.” Jesus appears to be warning his disciples to preach only before receptive audiences.” (interesting point I found. always a good reminder to me as I’ve wasted much time in the past).
Blessings to all!
Also, Ryan, excellent point about keeping the way you reach…so true!