The Skit Guys Strike Out on "Idol Worship"

[Austin]

There are principles which govern the flesh and their are principles which govern the spirit. One must know what they are and how they work in our lives, and must take caution on what the repercussion are when they are deployed into our lives. All of us must take safeguards not to put anything or anyone one above Jesus and our obligation to him. However that does not mean we can't enjoys this natural side of life. I love to go fishing a lot. But I don't prioritize that above God, I share it with him and he is there with me all the time. Maybe that's why I catch the biggest fish. No just kidding.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Socialite

We celebrated and danced, acting like fools when our team won the big game just like everyone else. Had fun. It wasn't any deeper than that.

To frame idol worship carte blanche to sport isn't accurate IMO.

And that's okay; but for some [many?] people it does go beyond just having fun. For instance, if you're willing to injure other people over a game, you might have made your favorite sport, team or hero into an idol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WnTueH5pzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJLGMMBuzhQ

These types of incidents aren't all that uncommon.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by supertone

I think that the clip may have been about sport because it isn't as obvious as the idolatory of money and other things. The fact is that there are professing Christians out there that have prioritised sport higher than God. There are people sitting in the pews every Sunday morning looking at their wrist watches rather than listening to sermons because they are worried they might miss the beginning of the game.

I celebrate and cheer when my team wins as well, that isn't idolatory. Try thinking out of the box and try to see that the clip was made to try and help someone that has misplaced their priorities with regards to sport. It may well bring people closer to God which I'm sure is their intention.

I don't know of any Christians that have prioritized sports higher than God... not one.

As far as being in the pews looking at their wrist watch... that doesn't mean they are not listening that only means they can multitask. As far as them being worried they will miss the beginning of a big game while a preacher is being longwinded and repeating things they already know...well I can't blame them there. Maybe the preacher should learn not to be so boring or to get his point across a little faster.

[OnTheFritz]

Wait. I thought sports in any way shape or form was ok for both pastors and saints to drone on about ad nauseum at church and over the pulpit. Those athletes are all stand-up citizens. Not like that Hollywood crowd. They are all devils destined for hell. Did I miss the memo?

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by supertone

I think that the clip may have been about sport because it isn't as obvious as the idolatory of money and other things. The fact is that there are professing Christians out there that have prioritised sport higher than God. There are people sitting in the pews every Sunday morning looking at their wrist watches rather than listening to sermons because they are worried they might miss the beginning of the game.

I celebrate and cheer when my team wins as well, that isn't idolatory. Try thinking out of the box and try to see that the clip was made to try and help someone that has misplaced their priorities with regards to sport. It may well bring people closer to God which I'm sure is their intention.

Then there are Christians that have made an idol of the "worship service."

Sunday morning is not the extra holy check-in each week. If they are looking at their wrist watches, maybe we better check we are preaching something relevant to them enough to keep their attention? Otherwise, consider changing service times.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

And that's okay; but for some [many?] people it does go beyond just having fun. For instance, if you're willing to injure other people over a game, you might have made your favorite sport, team or hero into an idol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WnTueH5pzo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJLGMMBuzhQ

These types of incidents aren't all that uncommon.

Yeah, I've seen the same shenanigans in what we call a worship service. Ironically, an idol within itself. Matching what we think is worship, forcing it, manipulating to it, upset if "it" doesn't happen controls our attitude... it becomes more preeminent than God himself. The videos posted on here are proof to that.

I wouldn't say "many." Seriously. I don't even know a single believer that makes sports an idol. Can't think of a single one. I knew one that couldn't handle it -- he was extreme in everything he did. So sports was another of those outlets where he'd be extreme. He'd spend hours memorizing line stats, etc. But the same person did similar things with other activities he was involved with. His habit for excessiveness was not discriminatory.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I don't know of any Christians that have prioritized sports higher than God... not one.

As far as being in the pews looking at their wrist watch... that doesn't mean they are not listening that only means they can multitask. As far as them being worried they will miss the beginning of a big game while a preacher is being longwinded and repeating things they already know...well I can't blame them there. Maybe the preacher should learn not to be so boring or to get his point across a little faster.

Me neither.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Then there are Christians that have made an idol of the "worship service."

Sunday morning is not the extra holy check-in each week. If they are looking at their wrist watches, maybe we better check we are preaching something relevant to them enough to keep their attention? Otherwise, consider changing service times.

Pander to the flesh? Another gospel perhaps? Is Jesus not relevant? If preaching about Jesus doesn't keep their attention, just change service times for them? Why are they there, if not to hear about Jesus? Of course the preacher has to change something, not the people sitting in the pew, they must have more important things to do.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Pander to the flesh? Another gospel perhaps? Is Jesus not relevant? If preaching about Jesus doesn't keep their attention, just change service times for them? Why are they there, if not to hear about Jesus? Of course the preacher has to change something, not the people sitting in the pew, they must have more important things to do.

It's not that they aren't interested in Jesus. Let's not be presumptuous. How is Jesus presented? In the pastor's dull, ill-prepared, dry sermonizing? Or through spirit-influenced, creative and relevant (to their lives) teaching.

Of course Jesus is relevant. It's the pastor's job to connect those dots of HOW He is

I've sat through some boring sermons in my lifetime. I guess you can just say I was carnal *rolls eyes*

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by Socialite

It's not that they aren't interested in Jesus. Let's not be presumptuous. How is Jesus presented? In the pastor's dull, ill-prepared, dry sermonizing? Or through spirit-influenced, creative and relevant (to their lives) teaching.

Of course Jesus is relevant. It's the pastor's job to connect those dots of HOW He is

I've sat through some boring sermons in my lifetime. I guess you can just say I was carnal *rolls eyes*

I hope most people go to church with open hearts and minds. And not expecting a show, but where our minds and hearts are fed from the Word of God. And sometimes it's not the preacher's fault if we aren't. What you considered boring may not have been for others.