For Your Entertainment
By Dennis Huebshman
Modernization can be a good thing in order to keep up with the changing times. However, this is not the case with our relationship with the Holy Trinity. (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) Consider Hebrews 13:8-9, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (9) Do not be led away by diverse (various) and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.” When Jesus is spoken of, we must remember He and God are one. (John 10:30) (any emphasis is mine)
When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6 & 7), He provided the “Beatitudes” for all time. He did not put on an awesome light show with pumped in fog; nor did He use “finger-snapping” songs with catchy instrumental music. He did not have flashy dancers with flowing scarves to keep everyone’s attention. He did not give “inspiring” messages that were not from the Word of God.
Jesus told the do’s and do not’s about being a true Christian follower, and didn’t try to impress anyone with ear-tickling messages. He spoke straight to the point, and then left it for each listener to accept or reject. He gave a real message that is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. In today’s evangelical community, more and more pastors are turning away from giving the true word, in order to keep the seats and collection plates filled. “Comfortable” unbiblical messages do not save souls.
An example is Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” This does not mean we do works to impress others, or try to impress God. However, if we are living for Jesus, we will have an “attitude” about our life here that would be a positive influence for others. As an old saying goes, “When people see me, I want there to be no question that I belong to Jesus.” We don’t carry around a large Bible and try to “force” our will on them; but if they ask how we can have such a good attitude during these trying times, we can tell them we have Hope in a Savior that loves us. Peter said to be ready to give an answer for the Hope that is in us. (1 Peter 3:15)
Jesus covered topics such as anger, lust, divorce, swearing false oaths, retaliation, loving those who hate us, being generous to the needy, how to pray, and laying up treasures in Heaven because of our actions here. He spoke of how anxiety can pull us down, and also to be very careful how we judge others.
The way Jesus presented His message should be the standard that all pastors should follow today. He was straightforward and to the point. There was no question about His meaning as He spoke in plain, simple to understand, language so that everyone listening to Him would understand His meaning. He didn’t try to impress anyone with big words.
In today’s society, the call is for everything to be “politically correct” so as not to offend anyone. Jesus would not be happy with the changes taking place in many so-called religious organized churches. I firmly believe He would call them out the same as He did the religious leaders of His day.
We are warned of false prophets by Jesus and all the writers of the New Testament. John, in his epistles, tells about antichrists that were already there in his time, and that they would increase toward the end of this age. Daniel and John tell about the ultimate antichrist, that will turn this world into an atmosphere of hate for anything that relates to the Savior. He will be under the full control of satan himself, and he will have a false prophet to assist him for a period of 7 years. If you look closely at today’s world, the setting is ripe for a one-world government and one-world religion, ruled by one leader.
Satanic activity is increasing daily. It started to appear more and more out in the open just within the past decade. The “prince of this world” (satan) knows how to appeal to our sin nature to cause us to want what he offers. It seems to be right for many because so many people are accepting him, and we’ve always been taught there is safety in numbers. Anyone who speaks out against the “abominations” taking place is labeled as a “hater”. Satan’s followers do not want to be told that what they are doing is wrong, and will do everything possible to shut us down. Satan is getting very anxious because he knows his time is getting very short.
Our Heavenly Father is not surprised about anything that is taking place. Sometimes, it’s difficult for us to understand why He is allowing all the evil that we are witnessing, and wonder why He doesn’t take all believers out of this world (Rapture) right now.
Then, we read 2 Peter 3:9, and we can see that He wants to give every chance possible before allowing the tribulation to take place. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you; not wishing that any should perish; but that all should reach repentance.” It’s completely up to us to accept or reject.
He is patient, but as given in numerous examples throughout the Bible, He will one day say, “Enough”, and all true believers will rise up to meet Jesus in the air, to be with Him and be kept from the wrath that will take place. Please notice, it doesn’t say all “Baptists”, “Methodists”, or any other organized evangelical religion as a whole. It will be an individual action for all who have truly called on the name of the Lord to be their Savior. (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-13)
It’s sad to consider this, but after Jesus takes His true church off this planet, some organized churches won’t see a drop in attendance the next Sunday, or whenever the next designated meeting takes place. They’re so much into the “fellowship” and “feel-good” messages that don’t lead to real salvation. Even pagans get a good feeling by singing and dancing and praying to their “gods” of wood, metal and whatever, but the Savior is nowhere in their worship.
When all is taken into account, there’s only one way to have eternal life in Heaven. “Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) Also, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name given among men under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Trying to have some wholesome entertainment in our lives is not a problem at all. However, when the emphasis in any church is all about the “seven-eleven” songs (same seven words repeated eleven times), catchy phrases and continuous humorous anecdotes; the true purpose of worship is lost. The true word of the Bible must be first and foremost in every worship.
Jesus didn’t die on a cruel rugged cross for our entertainment. He came for the sole purpose of making a way that we can be forgiven of our sins, and be able to spend eternity with Him. Our Heavenly Father is absolutely justified to not allow anyone into Heaven that will not take His Son’s sacrifice seriously.
The sacrifice Jesus made was for the Jews, but also for everyone else in the world. (John 10:16) Even though the Jews have been God’s chosen people, they do not get a free pass. They must accept Jesus as their Messiah, or face the White Throne Judgment with all the other lost souls as given in Revelation 20:11-15.
Sadly, only about 1% to 2% of the total world Jewish population are messianic – believers in Jesus. For the rest of the world, and that includes America, the average is about 8%-10%. Jesus knew this would be the case, and spoke of the wide and narrow paths in Matthew 7:13-14.
There’s only one “hard” part about calling out to Jesus to be saved. That’s believing His gift is real, and having faith that God’s word is pure and accurate. Some would rather be influenced by satan, and base their whole existence on the short life we have on earth. He blinds all that he can reach to the fact that everyone has an eternal soul. His statement, which started in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), still turns the heads of people today – “Did God Really Say?”. We will end up forever in one place or the other. For all believers, it will be Heaven; and for all others, it will be Hell. As I’ve stated many times in the past, there’s no third option.
It’s up to you. Please choose wisely and ask Jesus to save you. Eternity is an awfully long time.
Amen – B’shem Yeshua – (Amen, in the name of Jesus)