Stopping Payment to Our gods -- Jason Brown

Stopping Payment to Our gods -- Jason Brown

I wanted to relate a conversation I had between the 9:00 and 10:30 sermon on Sunday.

A man, let’s call him Bob, who was at the 9:00 service came up to me and said, “Man, that was great.  Thanks for the word today.  I’m gettin’ rid of my Direct TV.”

Another man, let’s call him Jim, was sitting down for the 10:30 service and overheard what Bob said, then turned to us and said, “Jason, are you going to tell me to get rid of my satellite TV?!”  He said it with a smile on his face . . . but you could tell he was a bit nervous about hearing a sermon that would be that specific.

Bob then said, “No, he’s not going to tell you to get rid of your satellite TV.  It’s just something I feel like I need to do because it’s sort-of a god in my life . . . and I need to stop paying that god.”

I replied, “I don’t feel like my job is to get up there and get into all the details of your life and tell you to stop doing this or stop doing that.  I’d shoot myself in the foot and make everyone mad at me!  I don’t think everyone needs to get rid of their Direct TV.  I think I need to trust your desire to follow Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit to speak to you about the specifics.” 

I don’t know if I said the right thing, but it made sense to Bob and Jim.  They kept talking and I got ready for the next service.

So, I’m wondering a few things related to the sermon on Sunday.

1.       What did you hear on Sunday?  What stuck with you?  (Maybe nothing . . . and I understand that!)

2.       Have you made any specific decisions (like the one above) or heard of anyone who has decided to do something because of the sermon.  Just curious.
3.       Were you reminded of who you/we are in Christ on Sunday?  My number one goal was to help us remember who we are.

9 comments (Add your own)

1. Da Sciple wrote:
1. I heard a clear call to count the cost to be His disciples. There was a lot that stuck with me - the overall message was very thought provoking and convicting.

2. Too many to list - but in all honesty this message was simply the affrimation/confirmation for those decisions - Dave Ramsey kinda did that for me this summer when he put me on a zero based budget with suggested percentages...also didnt help when he shouted

THE BORROWER IS SLAVE TO THE LENDER!!!! 120971223746 times.

Tue, October 21, 2008 @ 3:09 PM

2. Jason wrote:
Just a quick comment on Da Sciple above . . . I think Dave Ramsey couldn't have come at a better time and I'm glad to hear that some of what was said on Sunday is an affirmation of what we learned this summer. If you haven't gone through Dave Ramsey, I personally recommend it.

Wed, October 22, 2008 @ 8:18 AM

3. Joyce wrote:
So often I think of 'loss' when giving something up. Sunday's sermon, however, reminded me there is much to 'gain' when we give up paying our gods to meet the longings of our hearts. The comments made by the couple, chosing to live more simple, showed they gained... a more grateful spirit, more awareness about taking so much for granted, more time for relationships, and more satisfaction in Jesus. Basically they are gaining more of the abundant life Jesus offers us. This positive offer causes me to want to consider costing the cost. Thank you so much for reminding me again of NOT what but WHO can meet all the longings of my heart.

Wed, October 22, 2008 @ 1:28 PM

4. wrote:
Something that I actually thought about a few weeks ago was confirmed for me on Sunday. For some reason I never really thought that when Jesus says "Do not worry about what you will eat or what you will wear..." it actually was talking to ME. As a female I have learned to care about my appearance and it has become a habit of mine to spend time thinking about what to wear-- sometimes a lot of time, sometimes causing me to get frustrated or upset. But Jesus said that is something I should not worry about. So I have tried to catch myself. Whenever I start thinking about outfits to wear, I stop. I don't pick out my clothes the night before anymore. They are just clothes, and a lot of people do not have the privilege to choose what they will wear in the morning like I do. Another aspect of this for me has been to stop buying new clothes. And it's amazing how, as time has gone by, this god in my life has less and less of a hold as I start to not worry about my appearance and trust Jesus with my value and worth.

Wed, October 22, 2008 @ 3:32 PM

5. Sean wrote:
I'm grateful for the exchange between Bob and Jim on Sunday. I sometimes find myself projecting my own struggle with "gods" onto others - which is wrong. I get tripped up and think, just because I struggle with "whatever" that everyone must also. I'm trying not to be so judgemental.

Thu, October 23, 2008 @ 7:39 AM

6. Jason Brown wrote:
Ditto on what Sean said. Also, thanks to #4 above for her honesty. Really great stuff.

Thu, October 23, 2008 @ 7:51 AM

7. Alecia Streelman wrote:
As I read through these comments one thing that strikes me is that our "gods" are perfectly happy to receive non-monetary sacrifices like time or energy. I often forget that those things rightly belong to God, too, and when I spend them foolishly I'm robbing him.

Thu, October 23, 2008 @ 11:53 AM

8. Elizabeth Price wrote:
As a mother of two young children (ages 2 and 5), I've had most of muy gods removed for me. I don't have time to worship anything that isn't related to the care of my children. And let's face it, at 37 I'm not going to worship Elmo or the Five Little Monkeys song. I do however worship the god of false peace. I stive to not rock the boat, if you will. This is especially true when it comes to talking to others about the Lord and his gift. When it comes to people at work who worship their god of alternative lifestyles I really clam up.

Sun, November 2, 2008 @ 3:59 AM

9. Sea Baits wrote:
After reading the above comment, I felt compelled to share the god that I am often tempted to get caught up worshiping...my wife. She has a hard time understanding this, but I think that may be due to her trying to avoid "blame" or "guilt" of some sort. However, when I begin acting as if she were my god, it has nothing to do with her. Rather, the root of this form of idolatry stems from something good: my desire to "love my wife as Christ loves the church", and care for her deeply.

We must not be deceived. Our spouses and children can very easily and subtly become the objects of our worship. I think this is the case because the line is very fine between loving them, and catering to their every beckoning "need" at the expense of neglecting the beckoning call of our Father to spend quality time and energy loving Him first.

Subtle Deception.

Wed, November 5, 2008 @ 5:41 PM

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