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By Greg Stier
12/5/2007
There is a growing tendency in youth groups to try to make the gospel message cool. Slick chokers, hot t-shirts, even "cutting-edge" movies are being produced in mass in the hopes that the gospel message will have an extreme makeover. The goal is to turn Christianity from geek to chic, to transform the nasally nerd into the pop jock
The goal is to turn Christianity from geek to chic, to transform the nasally nerd into the pop jock.Many believers think that the gospel needs a fashion consultant and fitness trainer to compete with other "sexier" theologies and philosophies that rule the schools of thought in America.
In this brave new postmodern world (a world where "whatever" you believe is fine as long as it doesn't impinge or infringe on anyone else) we don't dare just come out and share the gospel! Instead we connect with others, hoping that the gospel is mystically transferred by some kind of invisible osmosis to our friends. Because to bring it up and lay it out is to risk being ridiculed as irrelevant, closed minded and, well, stupid.
This is nothing new. Two thousand years ago the great Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians who were struggling with the same kinds of things. Corinth was like the average American town, a rich city full of progressive, permissive people. They too were tempted to do some plastic surgery on the gospel to make it more good looking to their picky, brainy, pretty unsaved friends. So Paul reminds them of something important:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world...For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom...." I Corinthians 1:18-25
The word "foolishness" in the Greek language (which the New Testament was written in) is "moria." It is where we get our English world "moronic." What is Paul saying? That the fundamental message of the Bible is Forrest Gumpish to those without Christ. Stupid is as stupid does.
In spite of the fact that this message may seem dumb to some, it still manages to invade and persuade the souls of millions of people every year. Although the gospel is built on the teachings of a singular man who claimed to be God, supposedly died on a cross and hypothetically rose from the dead, this "religion" has infiltrated the planet, transformed entire cultures and split history's calendar into two parts. This obscure Jewish carpenter turned Rabbi turned Savior turned this world upside down...without an army, without technology, without coercion. Go figure.
What does this mean for you as a teenager or youth leader? It means that you should actually enjoy the fact that your message is underestimated, discounted and ridiculed. As we share it with others we should expect questions, skepticism and persecution. It's part and parcel of preaching the gospel message. Always has been. The gospel message is timeless. It is timeless in its power to change lives and its power to elicit disdain.
The gospel may appear moronic to unbelievers at first but when God opens their hearts to believe, all of a sudden the gospel not only makes sense...but seems brilliant! At the moment of salvation this message illuminates the mind, awakens the heart and transforms the soul.
So when you share this message expect raised eyebrows and scornful faces. Some will think it's stupid. Others will dismiss it as irrelevant. But when the Spirit of God turns the heart switch on, this mighty message will enlighten the darkened soul. Wear your t-shirt, show your movie clips, build your relationships, paint your youth room, share your story, do your postmodern makeover or whatever, but don't forget, don't you dare forget the power of this "stupid" message.
Editor's note:
O.K. - Now that you've read this...what are you going to do about it? Many times people don't share this life changing message because they don't really know this life changing message. The real stupidity is that often we have an opportunity to take someone on the G.O.S.P.E.L. Journey, but only end up getting lost ourselves. Maybe it's time for a refresher on this refreshing message? Click here to go to the G.O.S.P.E.L. Journey.
I agree. I was hoping to get some new insight on the Trinity - as I'm teaching on that this week in Sunday School!
jchapman 12:12:08pm on 12/13/2007
OffensiveWhat does this article have to do with the trinity?
Dave 9:12:17pm on 12/12/2007
Offensive
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