R e V o L u T i O n A r Y T e N d E n C i E s: functional Savior

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Functional Savior II

When I listen to popular music I love to listen to see who or what is the functional savior or to listen to the singer sing about searching for the functional savior.

For example, the song Piano Man by Billy Joel is an excellent example. See if you can find the functional savior of each person listed. Don't forget to see if you can see who is the functional savior of Billy Joel.

After you have read the lyrics to this song, read Acts 17. As you read, contemplate the lives of those who have gathered at the bar.

How do you think they are?

How do you feel to see such a gathering of people like this?

How can we be the church to people like this?

How can we best speak Truth to them?

PIANO MAN

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday

The Regular crowd shuffles in

There's an old man sitting next

to me Makin' love to his tonic

and gin He says, "Son, can you

play me a memory I'm not

really sure how it goes But it's

sad and it's sweet and I knew it

complete When I wore

younger man's clothes."

La la la, di da da La la, di da da da dum

Chorus: Sing us a song, you're the piano man

Sing us a song tonight

Well, we're all in the mood for a melody

And you've got us feelin' alright

Now John at the bar is a friend of mine

He gets me my drinks for free

And he's quick with a joke or to light up your smoke

But there's someplace that he'd rather be

He says, "Bill, I believe this is killing me."

As the smile ran away from his face

"Well I'm sure that I could be a movie star

If I could get out of this place"

Oh, la la la, di da da La la, di da da da dum

Now Paul is a real estate

novelist

Who never had time for a wife

And he's talkin' with Davy,

who's still in the Navy

And probably will be for life

And the waitress is practicing politics

As the businessmen slowly get stoned

Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness

But it's better than drinkin' alone

Chorus: Sing us a song you're the piano man

Sing us a song tonight

Well we're all in the mood for a melody

And you got us feeling alright

It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday

And the manager gives me a smile

'Cause he knows that it's me

they've been comin' to see

To forget about life for a while

And the piano, it sounds like a carnival

And the microphone smells like a beer

And they sit at the bar and put bread in my jar

And say, "Man, what are you doin' here?"

Oh, la la la, di da da La la, di da da da dum

Chorus: Sing us a song you're the piano man

Sing us a song tonight

Well we're all in the mood for a melody

And you got us feeling alright

______________________________________________

Now then, reread Acts 17.

How did Paul effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those at Mars Hill?

How did he build bridges to communicate Jesus?

How could you communicate Jesus if you were at this bar that Billy is singing about?

Functional Savior I

There are many“functional saviors” in which we often place our hope. Both Christians and Non-Christians have them. They are found throughout the world. The reality of functional saviors is that while they may bring relief for a time, they will ultimately disappoint us. Here is a list of questions to “help us uncover our functional saviors.”

Christians need to speak Truth to one another reminding each other of the Gospel. As well, Christ followers need to speak Truth to this dying world, telling of the hope that can be had in Jesus Christ.

Take a few minutes over the next few days and answer these questions. You’ll learn a lot about yourself and your “savior”:

What am I most afraid of?
What do I long for most passionately?
Where do I run for comfort?
What do I complain about the most?
What angers me most?
What makes me happiest?
How do I explain myself to other people?
What has caused me to be angry with God?
What do I brag about?
What do I want to have more than anything else?
What do I sacrifice the most for in my life?
If I could change one thing in my life what would that be?
Whose approval am I seeking?
What do I want to control/master?
What comfort do I treasure the most?

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What is a ReVoLuTiOn?

G. K. Chesterton said that every revolution is a restoration—the recapturing and re-introduction of something that once guided and inspired people in the past. The word revolution is from the Latin word re-volvere—to re-roll or re-turn. A revolution is that thing which going around, comes around—again. In a similar vein, C.S. Lewis says that when we have lost our way, the quickest way forward is usually to go home. So we are returning, we are revolving. To put it strongly, we are revolting, and we are doing it by going home.

What is Revolutionary Tendencies?

Revolutionary Tendencies is an on line collection of my discoveries, thoughts, convictions and my understanding of what it is to be an "m". At present it is a place where I will be storing various "m" ideas and resources. I'm sure that as time goes on it will come to include much more but for now that is what it encompasses. You are welcome to read whatever might be of interest to you. I prize your opinion, so please feel free to offer any input that you think might be of value. May His Name be known among the nations!

Proselytism vs. Evangelism

Proselytism and evangelism are not the same thing. To proselytize is to convert somebody else to our opinions and culture, and to squeeze him into our mould; to evangelize is to proclaim God’s good news about Jesus Christ to the end that people will believe in him, find life in him and ultimately be conformed to his image, not ours. The motive behind proselytism is concern for the spread of our own little empire; the motive behind evangelism is concern for the true welfare of men and thereby for the name, kingdom, will and glory of God - John Stott, Christ the Controversialist (173, 174)

What is a Rope Holder?

William Carey, the father of the modern mission movement, was visiting with Andrew Fuller in regards to being a missionary to India. Fuller said in reference to the lost souls in need of hearing the Gospel, “There is a gold mine in India; but it seems as deep as the centre of the earth; who will venture to explore it?” “I will GO down” responded Carey. He then stated “but remember that you must hold the rope”, meaning that he needed support if he were to go. Rope holders are the ones who send out and support missionaries. ROPE HOLDERS are essential to the missionary task. They are just as key to this task as the ones who GO because the ones who GO are not as easily enabled to do so without the necessary sacrificial giving of the His saints and more importantly without the integral adoration, pleas and thanksgivings offered up to The Redeemer. John Piper once said in one of his sermons that there are three types of Christian; those who GO, those who SEND and those who are DISOBEDIENT. If the first two types of Christians do not describe you, then you need to start praying about where you are to GO or start praying about HOW you are to HOLD THE ROPES.