Jesus Can Be Your Butler
Let’s leave RW alone for awhile and take a look at an Easter sermon preached by Pastor Dave Anderson (DA), who maintains the MoviePastor blog. After listening to the Easter sermon, it appears that DA has the same shortcomings as RW in his sermons. Although the beliefs posted by his church, CrossPoint Community Church, seem decidedly Christian (inerrancy of Scripture, belief in the Trinity and salvation by grace), the sermon delivered by DA was similar to RW’s sermons reviewed by BT in the past. The main similarity seems to be that the biblical gospel was not preached by DA (although the term “gospel” is used several times in the message).
The Easter sermon was based upon the Monster energy drink and was entitled, Energize Your Life. DA definitely began the sermon with gusto, see this intro:
After opening the message talking about the Monster drinks, DA moves to telling everyone that they are exhausted in their lives. He gives scenarios about the exhausting pace of everyone’s life. He paints a bleak picture of a daily routine that sounds very exhausting and without meaning. He says that “we are a culture that is tired and exhausted from just living life”. He continues by saying, “there is not a person in this room that is not looking for something to fuel their life” and “there is not a person in this room that is not looking for something to power you up and get you through the next turn in life.” Anderson tells us that we are looking for things that take us away from the ordinary and mundane or exhausting aspects of life and give us something that is exhilarating.
(In the interest of saving y’all some time, I’ll skip the summary of the middle part of the message)
The sermon descends into humanistic, pop psychology toward the end. Not to mention a dose of the Word of Faith or health and wealth gospel. To quote DA, “Do you want the power of God in your life? Do you want something that this (likely holding up a can of Monster) can’t do for you? Do you want something that 112 octane fuel and 358 cubic inches can’t do for you to get you across the finish line? You need the power of God in your life and the power of God comes from the cross of Jesus in His death. Here’s my question today…Do you want energy in your life? Do you want to live the kind of life that Jesus came to give?
I relate the sermon to pop psychology, because DA does not mention how Jesus was crucified to redeem sinners, but instead gives a list of problems that Jesus will solve by asking these questions:
- “Is your bank account hemorrhaging? You can’t seem to get on track financially, there is never enough money left over at the end of the month. Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead and he can energize your finances today.”
- “Is your marriage running out of fuel? Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead and he can energize your marriage today and put it back on track.”
- “Are your kids driving you insane? Jesus Christ was crucified and rose from the dead and He can give you energy to have patience and be the parent that you need to be and raise your children so that they can grow up and have that same energy and power in their lives.”
- “Do you feel lonely, discouraged, depressed? Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead the third day and He will be the best friend you ever had.”
- “Maybe somebody abused you and you feel this pain and you feel this shame; if you will but touch Jesus for one second; He died and He rose from the grave and the same power that raised Him from the grave is available to you right now and can heal that wound.”
- “Are you sick and the doctors are offering you no hope? The same power that healed that woman (referring to the woman that touched the hem of Jesus’ garment in Mark 5), I believe with all my heart, flows from Jesus Christ today and there is power in Jesus and if he chooses, when you touch him, to heal you, you will know it, but if not, know this, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead will raise you from the dead too.”
- “Does your job suck? Jesus Christ was crucified and rose from the dead and He will give you energy to go to work on Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and when they cut your pay and increase your hours and yank your benefits and you think this is absolutely the worst thing that’s happened, Jesus Christ will give you power and energy to get through that.”
- “Do you feel beat up and worn down by life? Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead and it doesn’t matter what you are going through, Jesus can make it happen for you.”
- “Maybe some of you have contemplated the worst and are saying, ‘I just want to get off the planet, I’m done, I’m checking out.’ Guess what, Jesus Christ was crucified and He rose from the dead and He has enough power and energy to sustain you, because He came for you. Your life matters. Your life counts and He wants the best for you.”
- “Maybe you’re just tired and you can’t do it anymore. Listen, Jesus never quit, He never said, ‘this is too hard’, He never said, ‘I can’t do this’, He went to the cross and He died for you and He rose the third day, so that you and I could go on and we could minister the gospel. Whatever your issue is today, there is power in the gospel. It is good news that Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave.”
I am saddened that the same Purpose Drivel which is being preached in Lake Forest, California, is also being preached in Decatur, Alabama. DA did not discuss or explain the reason why Jesus Christ was crucified in the first place (Romans 3:23). He did not explain the full gospel. The gospel according to DA is that Jesus Christ was crucified and He rose from the dead. Where’s the part about the holiness of God; or the sinfulness of man; or the need for a sacrifice that satisfies the wrath of God against us as sinners; or the need for men to turn toward God in repentance and faith?
In Philippians 3:7ff, Scripture clearly refutes DA’s laundry list of problems that he claims Jesus came to solve. We are to consider a healthy bank account or a good job as rubbish compared to gaining Christ. What good would it profit a man to have the laundry list of problems solved, if that same man loses his soul? (Matthew 16:26).
DA mentioned in his message that the gospel is the power of God. Unfortunately, his message danced around the biblical gospel and never explained the full gospel. Therefore, if DA was attempting to change lives by the proclamation of the Word, then he has wasted his time. Instead, he preached a feel-good message to a group of people that wanted to get life improvement tips on how to be “energized”.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:34ff that we may have broken relationships when we become a Christian. I wonder what DA would tell the new Christian that is ridiculed by his family members and experiences broken relationships with his family members for the simple reason that he is a Christian. DA claimed throughout his message that the negative aspects in life will be solved because, “Jesus Christ was crucified and He rose from the dead”. Does he ever think about all of the disciples that were tortured because of their faith in the Messiah?
11 Comments, Comment or Ping
Mario
Again, just the useless garbage fed to the masses. It is ridiculous how these so-called pastors prostitute the word of God. What is the point to all this? May God awaken this fool to understand he will give an account one day for the trash he talks about. I think he is more concerned about his movies than anything else!
Apr 1st, 2008
E. Speedy Camez
This is why I believe the maases mock the name of The LORD without fear of the dire consequenses to come. The world doesn’t realize that scripture is clear, there is a JUDGEMENT.
Listening to “pastor dave” the world would think, “Well since I have money and a good job, and my wife and me are happy……… I must not need Jesus. This so-called Pastor is just another in a long line of men who confirm God’s word that a time would come………..
2Tim 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
My heart goes out to those sheep without a shepard.
I pray God would raise up men who are called by HIS name and By HIS Spirit begin a new reformation!!!!!
Apr 2nd, 2008
Denise
Rom 3:18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
2Pe 2:17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.
Apr 2nd, 2008
Denise
Speedy I second your comments.
Drew, it appears that more and more Evangelicals have no clue what the Gospel is. Often times the wrath of God is omitted, as is repentance from sin, dying to self, the Resurrection of Christ Jesus, the deity of Jesus Christ, and the Lordship of the Lord. This is true of RW as well as DA.
Seems DA wants to be his own lord, but alas, this leaves him headed for hell, because clearly the Narrow Road demands that those who want to be saved MUST confess Christ Jesus’ Rulership as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10). It seems that most (not all) professing Christians, never mind the wolves in sheep’s clothing, will NOT have HIM as their Master/Dictator/Ruler/King.
I am astounded at how many “Christian leaders” deny the necessity of believing that Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures (Rom. 10:9) as well as His Lordship. In one “gospel” dvd presentation called “Just Stop and Think”, the pastor (ladened with his uber cool surf board) presented one of the most man-centered gospels I’ve ever heard: “God is CRAZY about you!” and he goes on to say:
“Its like God’s begging you, its like he’s on a knee handing you this ring, saying ‘man, will you take me, will you enter into a relationship with me, almighty God, and all you have to say is ‘ I do’ and that’s it. Just saying ‘Yes god I do’. Man, if you hear anything I’m saying, don’t go running to some minister or this or that. Just get on your knees or just go get alone with God and just say to your creator, ‘I love you’. I know that I’ve messed up but now I know that your son paid for that, that blows my mind, I want to spend eternity with you. I want to begin this relationship, I want to follow you….”
Another “Christian leader”, this time, an apologist, relegates Jesus as the Only way to salvation, Jesus’ virgin birth, and the doctrine of the Trinity to “secondary essentials”. How can the fact that Jesus is the ONLY WAY of salvation be merely “secondary” when Jesus Himself says its of eternal consequence?! This astounds me.
Apr 2nd, 2008
Reformed Mama
“I loathe to hear our true Lord praised by false lips. They deny the doctrines which He taught, and yet prate about believing Him. It is a shallow trick, but yet it deceives shallow souls.”-CH Spurgeon
Apr 2nd, 2008
Hebba
“The only thing that’s going to save the Church in America–there’s only two possibilities: One is total reformation in our preaching, in our study of the word of God. Or the other is fierce horrifying persecution. That’s the only thing that’s going to save the Church in America.”
- Paul Washer
Apr 2nd, 2008
Derek
That’s pretty tame compared to the Easter message at the church my wife and I attend. He gave his traditional Easter message: Believe in Jesus, and your dreams will be resurrected!
Apr 2nd, 2008
Denise
Reformed M…I really like the Spurg. Where did you find that quote?
Hebba, I like Paul Washer too.
Derek, your killin’ me. Your church really proclaimed that on Easter? Are you guys leaving it? We recently had to escape our church b/c of ecumenicism and compromise and really horrid “shepherding”. How I long for a simple, biblical church.
Apr 3rd, 2008
Stephen Macasil
And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” - John 6:65
Apr 3rd, 2008
Reformed Mama
Hey Denise…
I am loving reading Spurgeon’s sermons right now- a 10 vol set put out by Baker books! I found the above quote at: spurgeon.us/quotes.
God’s Grace…
Apr 3rd, 2008
Travis
John 6:65
Today or Yesterday, when ever America Idol was on last, was a shining moment for Satan, an angel of Light, and lots of light. All “in the name of good” according to Seacrest. The show earned its name Americas Idol, the Idol of a false promise.
American Idol hosted a fund raising event that had Emergent written all over it, or they wish it did. After a lot of time and effort American Idol collected millions of dollars for a good cause, a cause that Christ tells us to remember (Remember the Poor), my heart goes out to all those who do not know Christ and whether they are living in complete poverty or filthy riches, this wasn’t the issue, I’m glad for this, and want to give and preach the gospel.
BUT
Here is the issue, at the end of the night, all the celebs and Idols, some of whom are atheists, agnostics, new agers, catholics, mormons etc. sang a song that a lot of evangelicals sing in their churches, a song that declares who our Lord is, “nothing compares to the promise I have in you” and “my Jesus, my savior” and “shout to the Lord, all the earth” To see our Lords name being blasphemed among the heathen was heart crushing to me, and that UN believers think they have a promise in Christ unto salvation. Nothing compares to the promise they have in Him, that is so true, nothing compares to eternity in Hell.
Because of this song, I can say at least Christ, the son of God is being proclaimed and BILLIONS of people can never say they havent heard of Jesus Christ, the king, and that he is powerful. This song may have been about Jesus the son of God, but I have a hunch they were singing it to their Christ, Satan. If you change the word Jesus to Satan the song fits perfectly. May truth become known to people, who the true God is, the true Savior.
here is what the world heard:
My Jesus, my Saviour
Lord there is none like You
All of my days I want to praise
The wonders of Your mighty love
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath, all that I am
Never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord
All the Earth, let us sing
Power and majesty
Praise to the King
Mountains bow down
And the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work
Of Your hand
Forever I’ll love You
Forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares
To the promise I have
In You
Apr 12th, 2008
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