Category: Culture - Daniel Ausbun

The Transformation of Kanye West? (from Sherri)

1/20/2020

Kanye West and the Sunday Service Choir

SO I did a thing. I attended my 1st rap concert. Granted it was a converted Christ follower, but it was AMAZING! Misconceptions are easy to make based on your spouse, your clothes, your history and your prior actions or words. To experience a concert by Kanye West at the Strength to Stand Conference in Pigeon Forge, TN this past Sunday was to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

This world renown multi-million dollar rapper/singer/song writer stood up on the stage surrounded by a gospel choir, almost eliminating his stage presence. From the moment he spoke, words of scripture emanated from his mouth. To say he has been criticized is an understatement, from Christians that doubt his sincerity to previous music followers who denounce his current beliefs.

I have heard many doubt his conversion as a public ploy. Today I can tell you that I felt the Holy Spirit come down upon the LeConte Convention Center. God was with over 12,000 students present, making it one of the largest gatherings of Christian teenagers in America to date. I cried with his sincerity, with his desperate pleas that God will strengthen his legs to stand. The conference emphasized that the messages given were meant to be taken, not just for a moment, but for eternity.

There was once another conversion who turned people’s heads, Saul, a renowned Jewish leader that actively killed, jailed and persecuted Christians. Acts 9:1-2 states, “Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.” One experience with Christ on the Damascus Road turned his life in a 180-degree path in Acts 9:3-9. I would venture to say that God transforms lives with astounding circumstances today, just as He did in Paul’s time. Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday, today and forever” Hebrews 13:8. God often uses the most unlikely suspects to spread the gospel. Zacchaeus was a thief, Moses for a murder, and Kanye West is a rapper - but it is not about us, but God.

The world will mock, doubt and discourage, but I pray that God will strengthen Kanye West, his family (Kim Kardashian West) and his ministry. His humility, God-given talent, and immersion of the Word was surreal. Matthew 7:1 states, “Do not judge, least you be judged.” I praise God that He allowed Christ to cover my sins with His blood so that I will not be judged as I should by this sinful life. I pray that God will strengthen His chosen ones and bring the gospel to the world, despite our sin and unworthiness. After all, it is about God’s glory, not ours.

Why Christians Should be Proud to be Americans

7/4/2018

Elizabeth Ausbun on July 3rd in the rain!

Today's July 4th - the day in 1776 the U.S. Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen British colonies in North America were declaring independence from Great Britain - creating a United States. 242 years later our nation remains.

If you're a born-again believer in our country, you're a citizen of America and a citizen of heaven. Philippians 3:20 says, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."

In a politically polarized America, how should Christians live as citizens of two places?

First, American Christians must vote. You need to know what's going on in your community, state and in Washington, D.C. If you don't vote, you're saying, "I'm happy with the direction and decisions being made for me." How do you know whom to vote for? You want to vote biblical values - which candidates align their policies with Scripture - midterm elections are coming up in four months - election day is Tuesday November 6.

Second, American Christians shouldn't complain. Griping about legislation, politicians, and "the other side" is futile. If you want change, you must participate in the political process (i.e. vote) and/or run for office yourself. Negativity doesn't bring positive change. The Kingdom of God will not advance with social media shares and a critical attitude. Christians must always have self-awareness - asking, "What message am I sending?" I've actually spoken with fellow believers about their supercritical attitude on Facebook. Criticizing the democrats doesn't win arguments.

Third, American Christians must remember they're citizens of heaven first, America second. If the U.S. pass laws creating homosexual marriage and allowing abortion - these laws conflict with Scripture - born-again believers must follow God's law first.

I'm proud to be American, but that doesn't mean everything in America is right. Our country was founded because the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts escaping Great Britain over religious liberty. America has a Christian heritage - it's a heritage that's more important than being an American - it's a heritage that allows Christians to believe in and worship God. When we get to heaven, we'll lose our American citizenship. Finding your identity in Christ should always come before your country.

Christmas at Broadway

11/30/2017

The Broadway Ornament Tree

One of Broadway Baptist's Christmas traditions is the Church Family Christmas Tree in the Welcome Center. Every December, church members are encouraged to bring a Christmas ornament from home and place it on the tree. The goal of this is to make the Christmas season personal for each family.

I remember several years ago, someone came up to me after church and said they don't think churches should be putting up Christmas trees. They said Nativity sets are acceptable, but not Christmas trees.

This is a question worth answering. Should believers and churches put up Christmas trees? Those who object to Christmas trees claim they have pagan origins. The scripture quoted opposing trees is Jeremiah 10:2-5.

If you study the history of the evergreen tree, it was considered a symbol of life in the Roman world. Europeans would cut down evergreen trees and plant them in their living rooms for a winter festival.

It is true about the possible pagan origins of evergreen trees - being an object of worship and life 2,000 years ago - but that's not the case today.

Christmas trees aren't idols. No one (at least I've never heard of one) worships Christmas trees. Folks don't walk into church on Sundays in December and believe we're worshipping trees. The Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4-6) does forbid us from idols, but Christmas trees aren't idols.

Christmas trees and December 25 aren't mentioned in Scripture, but this doesn't mean believers and churches can't celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25, while using a tree.

Christmas trees and the presents under the tree, represent new life and the gift of Jesus we received on the first Christmas in Bethlehem.

This December we celebrate the birth of Christ - displaying a tree hopefully reminds people about new life in Christ and the importance of giving - God gave us the greatest gift of all!

Has a Passion for Politics Replaced a Passion for Jesus?

2/29/2016

Tomorrow is "Super Tuesday" aka the "SEC Primary." My state, Georgia, along with my hometown state, Alabama, will be going to the polls to vote for the party's presidential candidate.

I turn on the TV and it's on every show, every commercial, all over the radio, emails, Facebook posts, telephone calls, mass mailings, tweets, newspaper stories - millions of dollars are being spent to influence my vote.

Everyone is talking about the race. At church, at work, at school, at home - there's a passion for politics all around.

Here are three things Christians should remember about politics and Jesus:

1). Politics is divisive - people become passionate for their candidates and take it personal if they lose. Insulting other candidates will hurt your Gospel witness.

2). It's tempting for Christians to replace their conversation and passion for Christ with a political agenda. All a Christian can do is vote - talking endlessly about the election becomes pointless. The Devil likely is using politics to replace our interest in Christ.

3). Politics will not solve man's ultimate problem. We need a Savior who saves souls. As much as you might love and believe in your candidate, he or she will let you down. Christ still remains the only hope for America.

Apple's Latest Announcement (it's not what you think)

10/30/2014

Tonight I was watching ABC World News Tonight and one of their top news stories was about Apple's latest announcement. I always pay attention to Apple's announcements, but this one turned out different.

I like Apple. I have an iPhone, iPad and own a few shares of Apple stock. Their products are excellent and innovative. Tim Cook is Apple's CEO. He succeeded Steve Jobs, who was possibly the greatest CEO in business history. Jobs led Apple from near bankruptcy to becoming the world's most valuable publicly traded company - Apple's turnaround is considered the greatest in business history.

Like myself, Tim Cook is from Alabama. He attended Auburn University and was mentored by Steve Jobs. Tim Cook's announcement on TV news tonight was he's a homosexual. Cook even claimed being gay is, "among the greatest gifts God has given me." He's the first Fortune 500 CEO in America to publicly declare he's gay. As I was watching this, I thought, "Is this news?"

What do Bible-believing Christians make of this? How do you respond to "news" that the most influential CEO is gay?

First, evangelical Christians must realize the battle isn't against our culture. We must become influencers of culture. We must boldly proclaim what God has said about homosexuality - every time it's mentioned or referenced in Scripture, it's condemned.

Second, Christians must be cautious of their approach towards homosexuals. The homosexual community has been somewhat successful in deceiving people in thinking that evangelical Christians are all like members of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas - angry protesters screaming, "God hates fags!" The Gospel is attractive and allows repentance and restoration for everyone who believes, including gays. This is exciting news for anyone struggling with same-sex attraction. No one is beyond change and redemption.

Third, always remember that the real sin in a homosexual's life is unbelief. If a homosexual is transformed by the Gospel - their sexual orientation will change. They will change from living to please themselves to living to please God.

Our duty as Christians is to show the homosexual community that a passionate devotion to Christ saves them from their sin and will save them from future temptation.

The Five Subtle Ways Christians Become Worldly Without Knowing

7/6/2014

In the above video Brad Lomenick, author of The Catalyst Leader, shares Peter's problem. Peter's problem was his identity with fishing - it's who he was and what he did. Jesus was offering something better - giving up what he's always done, giving up what he's comfortable with.

In Colossians 2:6 Paul reminds us that if you've received Jesus, you should be walking in Him. This implies change. One of a believer's problems is they haven't changed - they're still finding their identity in something they're not, such as fishing. When Peter became a follower of Christ, he gave up being a fisherman. Yes, he still fished, yes he had to earn an income, yes he had to provide for his family - but all of these were secondary to his new commitment - Christ follower.

Worldly actions and worldly thinking prevents us from walking with Jesus. Here's are five subtle ways worldliness has hindered believers:

1). Money is the root of all evil.
2). Self-glory is idolatry.
3). Worldliness among the church promotes legalism.
4). We are conformed to what we admire.
5). Worldliness creates a fragmented focus of God.

"More people leave Christ, more people leave church, and more people leave ministry out of love for the world than anything else." -John Piper

"For Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world." 2 Timothy 4:10

What Happened to Ties at Church?

6/15/2014

Today's Father's Day. I received a tie. I wore my new orange tie to church this morning. In Daniel, Jr. & Elizabeth's Sunday School class, they made and colored me a tie as well. But most men weren't like me. Between both our services, I counted four other men wearing ties. This leads me to believe either most men didn't receive a tie for Father's Day or men aren't wearing ties anymore to church.

I remember learning about your "Sunday Best." Your "Sunday Best" were the best clothes you wore to church on Sundays. The closest Bible verse I've found to support wearing your "Sunday Best" is 1 Timothy 2:9a, "Also the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense."

Jeans and t-shirts could be considered, "modest clothing." Here are three trends I've noticed with how people dress at church.

1). People don't frown upon casual clothes anymore at church. Back in the good ol' days if a man wore jeans to church, he might have received a second look or sarcastic comment. Today, people are just glad you came.

2). Our culture has become more casual. My favorite clothing label is Brooks Brothers (the oldest men's clothier in the U.S. while outfitting 39 of the 44 U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama), but I don't know how they stay in business. They were founded in 1818, and their clothes reflect it (see picture above). Now, you only hear about, "Dress for Success" for a job interview. Comfortable clothes is the new norm.

3). Many men don't own a suit. They might have bought one for a formal or wedding years ago - but can't seem justifying spending the money for a suit they'll only wear once or twice. Many men have told me the reason they don't wear a suit and tie to church is because they don't have one (at least one that fits).

The attitude today about dressing up for church is nonchalant - if you want to dress up, then wear your Father's Day tie. If you don't want to dress up, then come as you are.

Afraid, Fearful, Scared & Worried - The Culture We Minister To

8/23/2013

Last Sunday Wayne Jenkins, the associational missionary of the Western Baptist Association in Newnan, preached First Baptist Church of Moreland's Homecoming. Wayne talked about the people we minister to today. In 2008, our country experienced a recession - income, jobs and real estate vanished. Wayne talked about how the recession changed everyone. Job security, stocks, and hope for a bright financial future dried up. All of a sudden there's a pessimistic attitude about future success. Teenagers and college students don't plan to become millionaires.

How do Christians minister to an afraid, fearful, scared and worried generation? Believers are able to distinguish themselves during fearful times. Our strength and hope in the Lord sets us apart. Praying with and for people whom are struggling - helping the man who received a pink slip last week, he now needs a reference this week - and encouraging the college grad with a mountain of debt and no job prospects. We offer Christ to everyone down and out from the recession.

The afraid wife for her husband's job - Christ gives peace.

The fearful teen with crushed dreams - Christ restores hope.

The scared banker who studies interest rates - Christ provides a future.

The worried worker who watching the company cut back - Christ is victorious.

Should Christians Get Tattoos?

1/8/2013

Do you watch Ink Master? You get to judge which Tattoo artist will win the competition. In 2005, Miami Ink launched as a new reality TV show popularizing tattoos. Tattoos are common and accepted.

What does God say about tattoos?

The word, "tattoo" is used once in the Bible:

"You are not to make gashes on your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves; I am Yahweh." Leviticus 19:28

Israel had just come out of slavery from the Egyptians - the Egyptians would tattoo pagan gods on themselves - God told the Israelites to avoid this.

Leviticus 19:27 says not to cut your beard - how can you follow verse 28 (no tattoos) and shave every morning?

The false prophet in Revelation 13:16 will require everyone to receive a mark on your right hand or your forehead. This isn't a tattoo, but will be some sort of marking - promising your allegiance to the anti-christ.

Advantages of Tattoos:

Christians who have tattoos of crosses or Christian symbols say tattoos create a good Christian witness or conversation starter.

Christians with tattoos also say if you're going to say tattoos are wrong, then piercings are wrong as well. Leviticus 19:28 says not to cut yourself.

Disadvantages of Tattoos:

Many people view tattoos as rebellious.They could hurt you in a job interview - especially a job working with the public. People will judge you based on your tattoos.

You could make a decision you later regret. I'm glad when I was 21, I didn't get a tattoo saying, "I love Nicole" but married someone named Sherri 4 years later. Whoops...wrong girl.

What looks good at 22 will be saggy when 62. I don't know many 60 or 70 year olds coming up to me saying, "Look at my ink!"

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