An Olympic Failure

Happy Sunday! Today I'm going to interrupt our series on heaven to talk about a current event. You've likely seen or heard about the tasteless, irreverent, even Blasphemous parody of the Last Supper that was in the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris. The images are disturbing, and the intention is unfathomable. Why does the world love to mock Christianity?

If you've been in this world long, you realize that this is not the first time the holy has been trampled upon. God's name is taken in vain regularly on just about everything you might watch. You also must realize this will continue. Jesus warned us about this 2,000 years ago in John 15.

Jesus said this in verses 18 to 21: "If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: a servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they'll keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for my name's sake, because they do not know him who sent me."

Today it's obvious that there's a genu human hatred of Jesus by many in this world. I guess my question is, how are we, the followers of Christ, how are we to respond? Some have have suggested that we boycott watching the Olympics, and others have responded that a boycott is wrong, that we shouldn't punish the athletes that work so hard to get there. Some have suggested we boycott France.

Emotions are high with this topic, and many have rightfully said that Christians are an easy target. We'll not Riot. We won't cause violence. Jesus taught us better. There are indeed other religions that would have caused Havoc with violence had they been mocked, but it's obvious that Satan won't attack his own house, so Christianity is a target. It always has been; it always will be.

So back to the question: how do we respond? First, we remember that scripture truly is a refuge to find answers. Earlier I read from John 15. Jesus warned us, but remember these words of Jesus from John 16. He said, "In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome this world."

I suppose what I'm saying is that God can take care of all of this. Galatians 67 teaches this: "Do not be deceived: God is Not mocked; for whatever a man SWS, that he will also reap." Sadly, those involved in this mockery will reap what they sow. Yes, that is sad to me. Some are ready to call fire down from heaven and zap all these evildoers. I'm thankful I don't have that ability.

What we really need to do is pray. We need to pray for the Salvation of the Lost. We need to pray for those who are confused. We need to pray for those who are far away from Jesus. We need to pray for those people involved in the Fiasco.

As I've thought about this, I've thought about that first Lord's Supper. Jesus welcomed the flawed that day and every time we partake. I'm thankful that God allows me at his table. It's my prayer that when all of this is said and done, that some of those who participated, all of those hopefully that participated, are convicted of their sin by the holy spirit of God and that they become Believers.

If God's People Prayed more and complained less, that could happen. What a world this would be! Prayer can change this world better than anything I know. We should pray more about it then we talk about it.

Pray with me. Lord, I suppose all of us have gotten upset for one reason or another at people who have mocked you and been just wrong and evil. But father, after that initial anger, we pray that we have compassion and Love and Hope, and that we'll pray for salvation, not for the Judgment that's going to come. But father, you want all of us to know you. You've told us that in your word, that you want none to perish but all to have everlasting life.

So God, let that be our goal too. Let us reach out. Let us win gold medals in prayer, for that will change this world. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

God bless. Thanks for joining me today. Have a great week. Okay.