About 5 years ago, the Chicago Tribune published an article about a certain international coffee company, (one I have frequented many times at home and around the world). The headline announced that the CEO of the company cancelled a speaking engagement at a church, simply because 700 members of an alternative lifestyle signed a petition against him speaking. The reason was because a person (of like-minded affiliation) was fired in a New York City coffee shop. A group of 700 people, changed the mind of a CEO of one of the largest “Consumer Product” companies in the world. WOW! I was blown away by that. Fast forward to today. We have the same type of thing happening in our political system. Just take a look at the things that are happening in the retail world! A few people demanding “rights” (that don’t make sense in a logical, spiritual, family, or about any other way), and it seems like common sense is right out of the window, or should we say down the toilet.
But, I believe this is a sign of the times in which we live!
We cannot forget the message of the hour, “Jesus’ name is threatening and life-giving!” And the world doesn’t get it! Jesus came that the world might be saved, but the world doesn’t want a savior––it wants rights and the ability to say anything goes! Can I remind you this morning that we are in a battle; not a cultural battle, not a moral battle; but a battle in which the Gospel is being shot at, cursed at, and literally beaten up every day!
But can I remind you of this…
2 Cor. 4:8 – 15, 8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you. 13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
Next time you have a cup of coffee (potentially at a certain retail store in red), think to yourself… do you want that skinny or do I want a Double Portion for my mission of loving people of all walks of life! Let’s make sure that we don’t just raise our families in church––let’s raise them in Christ. We have to get this loving people down as close to the way Jesus loved as possible! And remember…He gave more than a double, He gave it ALL!
Why?
Because… “For God so loved the world, that He GAVE His son…”