Alias, Robert Jordan, Harry Potter, and the Gospel Message

[Mark_S]

Its been an interesting month. I started it off having dinner at a friend's house, and we got into the discussion of television. I made the statement that its almost not worth watching any more. I've seen just about every history channel show twice, the Yankees were done for the season, and network TV has been aweful. His response to me was, "What about Alias and 24? Those shows are great" and I left that night with the first seasons of both on DVD, he sold me on them, I'm working through season 2 of Alias right now. A week or two later, I went out and picked up Robert Jordan's new book. The past 3 or 4 in the series have been so-so, but I shelled out twenty bucks and took a chance. I devoured it. The first thing I did when I finished it was call one of my old friends to get back into the series. The old RJ is back, and its well worth the read. Now the new Harry Potter has finally hit the big screen. I've received no less than 3 calls _telling_ me to go see it.

What does this have to do with Christianity 201? Its pretty simple. After the third phone call, it occured to me that we are so quick to share with our friends and family a new book, or a great movie. Its fresh, its new, its exciting to us. "Goblet of Fire... Have you seen it, Dude its awesome!" But when it comes to the Gospel message, the Good News of Jesus Christ, where is that excitement with us.. with me...? Why is it that its so easy to pick up the phone, or chat at work, or sit around a table and shower praise on some fictional story, yet we aren't out there sharing Jesus with the same fervor?

Well, if you made it through this post, thanks for listening to my rambling thoughts for the day. Maybe I'm alone in these thoughts, I hope I am, but I doubt it. This is something I definetely need to work on.

[kaine diatheke]

Its been an interesting month. I started it off having dinner at a friend's house, and we got into the discussion of television. I made the statement that its almost not worth watching any more. I've seen just about every history channel show twice, the Yankees were done for the season, and network TV has been aweful. His response to me was, "What about Alias and 24? Those shows are great" and I left that night with the first seasons of both on DVD, he sold me on them, I'm working through season 2 of Alias right now. A week or two later, I went out and picked up Robert Jordan's new book. The past 3 or 4 in the series have been so-so, but I shelled out twenty bucks and took a chance. I devoured it. The first thing I did when I finished it was call one of my old friends to get back into the series. The old RJ is back, and its well worth the read. Now the new <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=1&k=harry%20potter" onmouseover="window.status='Harry Potter'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">Harry Potter</a> has finally hit the <a href="http://www.serverlogic3.com/lm/rtl3.asp?si=1&k=big%20screen" onmouseover="window.status='big screen'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">big screen</a>. I've received no less than 3 calls _telling_ me to go see it.

What does this have to do with Christianity 201? Its pretty simple. After the third phone call, it occured to me that we are so quick to share with our friends and family a new book, or a great movie. Its fresh, its new, its exciting to us. "Goblet of Fire... Have you seen it, Dude its awesome!" But when it comes to the Gospel message, the Good News of Jesus Christ, where is that excitement with us.. with me...? Why is it that its so easy to pick up the phone, or chat at work, or sit around a table and shower praise on some fictional story, yet we aren't out there sharing Jesus with the same fervor?

Well, if you made it through this post, thanks for listening to my rambling thoughts for the day. Maybe I'm alone in these thoughts, I hope I am, but I doubt it. This is something I definetely need to work on.


I can definetely relate. One reason I think is that we know that extoling a movie, book, sports team, tv show, etc. is unlikely to get us rejected by the ones we share it with. The Gospel is another story. The world hates Jesus and His cross is foolishness to the unregenerate (1 Cor. 1:18).

Three things I have been thinking about in this regard hopefully might help you too. First, I know it's been said a million times before but, realize it's not about you. Pray that the Lord will show you how foolish it is to be worried about what others think about you and how glorious it is to be focused on the glory of God.

Second, like Paul, when around unbelievers, purpose to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2).

Finally, don't be ashamed of being rejected or even insulted for the name of Jesus. "If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you (1 Peter 4:14). Wear your reproach like a badge of honor.

Please don't think I've mastered these concepts. On the contrary, far from it. However, I just have to keep praying and trusting God to further sanctify me. I pray he does the same for you.

Kaine Diatheke
Colossians 2:6,7