So David Cook beat David Archeleta by 16 million votes, with 97 million cast. I don't know why, but the whole "Idol" thing was anti-clamatic for me this year. I won't be running out to buy recordings of either, since I have yet to buy any of the Idol music. If I did, it would be Carrie Underwood.
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I heard some tragic news this morning. Stephen Curtis Chapman's teenage son was backing out of the driveway and ran over and killed one of the children Chapman and his wife had adopted from China (a 5 year old daughter). My heart goes out to the Chapman family this morning.
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Tozer is on preaching this month. I wish today's words would convict all preachers everywhere. They have served as a reminder to me. I was especially convicted by the last sentence. Here they are:
For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. --Galatians 1:10
This is one of the marks of our modern time--that many are guilty of merely "nibbling" at the truth of the Christian gospel.
I wonder if you realize that in many ways the preaching of the Word of God is being pulled down to the level of the ignorant and spiritually obtuse; that we must tell stories and jokes and entertain and amuse in order to have a few people in the audience? We do these things that we may have some reputation and that there may be money in the treasury to meet the church bills....
In many churches Christianity has been watered down until the solution is so weak that if it were poison it would not hurt anyone, and if it were medicine it would not cure anyone! I Talk Back to the Devil, 30-31.
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5 comments:
I probably won't buy his album either, but I preferred Cook over Archeleta. The news about SCC's child is certainly heart rending.
I hear what Tozer is saying, and agree that relating God's message is a serious matter. However, the Lord told stories and Peter cracked a joke (drunk? It's only 9 am!). I see nothing wrong with using humor and stories, as long as they relate to the message.
I don't think Tozer is addressing these things. He must be talking about those who have forgotten the "weightier matters" of God's message and have resorted to entertainment.
John, I'm sure Rick will weigh in but I'm pretty sure he is referring to weightier matters. Rick starts off most sermons with a humorous story (which my 11 year old son usually retells to many of his friends for weeks so the stories are always a big hit at our house) and then dives in to some weighty matters. I have heard sermons from other preachers around here that are more along the lines of how I get through another tough day instead of how I live Christ to those around me. We are blessed with an excellent preacher who endeavors to please God first.
I agree with the observations that have been made. I am sure Tozer was not referring to the use of illustration, etc. I understand him to be criticizing when the jokes and stories drive the sermon rather than the text driving it.
"I understand him to be criticizing when the jokes and stories drive the sermon rather than the text driving it."
--Good words!!!
Hate to hear that about SCC's family.
I didn't see the series on communion as driven by entertainment. Traditional attitudes and interpretation were challenged in favor of a more biblical, first century practice. I was left with a desire to show more joy in the victory won by our Lord on the cross and a greater appreciation for my brothers and sisters in the body.
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