Sunday, December 22, 2013

Thoughts on the Whole Duck Dynasty Uproar

  I have seen the flooding of social media where many have jumped on the band wagon of "I support Phil" over the past week since the indefinite suspension of Phil Robertson from A&E. Now let me first say that I like Phil Robertson and the rest of the crew. In fact I was a fan way back when they were putting out the old Duck Commander videos years ago and I own and use a few DC-100 duck calls myself. I have also had the opportunity to sit and visit with Phil and Mrs. Kay on a few occasions with Christian Hunters and Anglers Association but I have to say I am a bit concerned over the hype that has come about in the past week or so. Allow me to attempt to explain.

  Almost over night many changed profile pictures, posted and reposted, made angry comments, defended Phil and threatened boycott of A&E and Cracker Barrel. It is as if this was a huge surprise that someone or some organization would do such a thing so they boldly stand behind their facebook profile in anger. Here are a couple of issues I have noticed that kinda trouble me.

  First, who or what should you support? It has bothered me that so many say "I support Phil". Now I completely agree with Phil but here is the thing. The attack was not against Phil. It was against the Word of God. It was  direct assault on the Gospel. Phil Robertson, like many others, are simply heralds of the Gospel message. He is simply a man who like all other men can save no one but is obedient in sharing truth. The words he spoke are not our words but the words of God Himself which we as believers believe in and are sustained by.  Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. I pray that we not confuse the Duck Dynasty bandwagon with the Great Commission to share the Gospel.

  Secondly, Many act as though this came out of left field somewhere, completely unexpected. So many are appalled that something like this would happen.  The thing is it is supposed to happen. The Bible clearly teaches that persecution will come. In Matthew 10 Jesus tells us that He sends us out as sheep among wolves and we will be persecuted. Matthew 10:22 says "You will be hated by all for my name's sake". In the same chapter Jesus describes some of the persecution, such as flogging and being dragged before courts and even death. What has happened to the Robertsons is nothing like this. In fact I would bet to say that their stock has just gone through the roof, and Phil now has more time to hunt and fish without a camera in his face. This really is not much persecution at all but it upsets so many. What about Pastor Saeed who is being persecuted for real in Iran, or so many others that just recently lost their lives because of their faith in Christ? Where is the outrage and uproar for them? Often there is more outrage over a cancelled TV star than the hindering of the greatest news ever told. 

  So how should we respond to this? Here is what I suggest. We must realize that this is nothing new. The Bible teaches that things will get worse until Christ returns but we are to remain vigilant and obedient in sharing the truth just as Phil did.

 The passage that Phil spoke of is 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

This passage addresses more that just homosexuality but also greed, idolatry, and revilers but look at what he says at the end. As such were some of you, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of Jesus. Sin is sin and we all are in desperate need of a savior and Jesus is that savior. So I believe a correct response is pray and love. First pray for those this passage speaks of that are not washed. pray that God would save them. Pray for the homosexuals, swindlers, the greedy, the adulterers and the like. But also love them. Because we were there once too and someone saw sin in our lives and instead of pointing the shameful finger they pointed us the Jesus who washed us clean.

Also pray for those at A&E and Cracker Barrel and others. Now that's revolutionary right? That is the best battle tool we have against such persecution. Have you truly hit your knees and prayed for them? Prayed that God would open their eyes to saving truth and reveal His heart to theirs? 

As a pastor I welcome the homosexuals, drunkards, revilers and idolaters in our church. I pray that they come and see the truth of the Gospel and Jesus save them and equip them to battle the sin in their lives and live lives honoring to God. And from what I know of Phil Robertson and his family I bet they feel the same way.





















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