More Than Enthusiasm (Part 1)

Today I’m with about eight thousand people at the local sports arena. I’m sitting in a small suite watching the show. I’ve only had the chance to sit in a suite once before, at a professional baseball game. I received a call this morning asking if I could possibly take two young men to this exciting event. These two fine guys have been through a lot lately and they really wanted to come see their favorite athletes, so I agreed to bring them.

They knew the players by name; names like John Cena, Ryback, and Sheamus. Don’t recognize those names? Then you must not be into the WWE. That’s right; tonight I’m at the Friday Night Smack Down of Wrestle Mania! It’s a four-hour spectacle of huge men pretending to throw other huge men around the ring while a fake referee pretends to maintain order. I’ve never attended one of these events before, but looking around at the fans, their costumes, their signs, and their chants, this is big time entertainment. It was the craziest event I’ve ever been to. The boys I brought knew every participant and gleamed with excitement whenever the next match was introduced.

The theme of the evening was on the topic of Respect. One wrestler openly disrespected the CEO of WWE and the entire night was spent not only watching several matches, but watching how this disrespectful individual would be dealt with. By the end of the evening the villain had been put in his place and respect was restored to the WWE. Ironic isn’t it? The message was actually very clear: Respect others, especially those in authority.

As I sat there watching thousands of fans cheering, standing, and waving their banners I wondered if they really knew it was only a show. These fans were as passionate as any professional sporting event I’ve been to. The difference is that this one was all preplanned and rehearsed. Outcomes are predetermined and winners are declared back stage during practice time. I wondered if all these people knew it was an orchestrated event.

Then a thought hit me. I wonder if we Christians are perceived in a similar way as WWE fans are. Are we perceived as enthusiastic devotees following a set of fake beliefs? Many unbelievers and faith critics view our belief system as ‘phony’. ‘There is no proof of God existence’ they would say. ‘Following Jesus is simply a way to cope with life, but He himself was no greater than Socrates or Aristotle’ might be their view.

How do we demonstrate that our faith fervor is more than mere enthusiasm?

Jesus gave us some insight into the answer to this question. He shared that there are two actions that must be divinely motivated. These actions are so significant that the one performing them MUST have a real connection with God. Two undeniable exercises that are the proof in the pudding that Christianity is real and authentic.

I’m going to discuss these two Christian virtues in next month’s newsletter and blog entry. But between now and then I’d love to hear your opinion and thoughts. What two Christian actions are clear evidences of authentic faith? Which Christian activities prove that our faith is genuine and undeniably real?

What do you think?

Over the next few weeks I’d like to interact with your thoughts and opinions. It will a fun discussion.

I love being your Pastor. See you on Sunday.

Pastor Phil