4.01.2009

Is This For Real? Is It This Easy?

Rick Warren, whom I respect, looks loony with this one.

Two thousand years ago - the Day of Pentecost was the first day of the Christian Church. Acts 2:41 tells us, "About 3,000 people were baptized and joined the church that day."  If you'll join us this weekend, history could be repeated at Saddleback!  Want to make history?

 

Which of these requirements do you need to complete this Saturday?

1.  Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Click here to learn more.

2.  Attend Class 101: Discovering Your Church Family. Sign up.

3.  Sign our membership covenant (explained in class).

4.  Be baptized the way Jesus commanded and modeled for us.

 

YOU CAN FINISH ALL 4 REQUIREMENTS IN ONE DAY - THIS SATURDAY! 

 

EIGHT REASONS TO JOIN THIS SATURDAY & NOT PROCRASTINATE:

 

1.  I'm personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years.

 

2.  I'm personally baptizing after Class and you'll receive a photo & baptism certificate.

 

3. You'll get a free one year subscription to Purpose Driven Connection magazine.  (Never offered before)

 

4. You'll get free copy of The Purpose Driven Church book.

 

5. Your name will be included in the historical list of Saddleback Pioneer Members who joined in our first 30 years.  (This Easter is our 30th Easter and I want you included in this list.)

         

6. The class is 1 hour shorter than normal. You can watch session 3 here online now.

 

7. You'll be a part of making Christian history!  The largest membership class ever!

 

8. We love you & want you in our family. There is no good reason to procrastinate.

Should conversions happen because people "want to make history" or because "Rick is teaching the class and baptizing and you can get a free photo and book"?  Can conversions happen like this?  Conversions to Jesus Christ, that is?

Where's the Gospel in this invitation?  We can hope it's in the class I suppose...

I can't help but think of 2 Corinthians 4.
But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God.And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
True conversion is (and this obviously is not the only way to say it) when the Holy Spirit of God regenerates the unbelieving heart so that, according to Biblical truth, that heart sees, turns towards, and trusts in the glory of Jesus and His cross and turns away from the wretchedness of sin.  That certainly could, by God's grace happen with Warren's efforts.  But it cannot be manufactured by them.  To me, Warren's invite seems to be missing gospel truth, gospel power, and gospel motivation.

3 comments:

Rachel said...

Ah, the downside of the mega-church. It's like being on a church camp high.

Ed said...

And you wonder why I am not a fan of America's Superstar Pastor. Reading this brought tears to my eyes.

Eight reasons not to procrastinate.

1. I'm personally teaching Class 101 for the first time in ten years.

2. I'm personally baptizing after Class and you'll receive a photo & baptism certificate.

Is this photo personally signed by Rick? Can we make funny faces as we come out of the water like we do on amusement park rides that take pictures of the riders?

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephus," or "I follow Rick," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. I COR 1:11-15


3. You'll get a free one year subscription to Purpose Driven Connection magazine. (Never offered before)

4. You'll get free copy of The Purpose Driven Church book.

A Bible would be handy to give out at this opportune time.


5. Your name will be included in the historical list of Saddleback Pioneer Members who joined in our first 30 years. (This Easter is our 30th Easter and I want you included in this list.)

Gee, what a reward. My name to be seen by men. Where are the Saddlebag deposit slips. I'd like to store this treasure in Heaven please.


6. The class is 1 hour shorter than normal. You can watch session 3 here online now.

Wouldn't want to take up too much of the heathen's time.


7. You'll be a part of making Christian history! The largest membership class ever!

I'm sure that is what was going through the minds of the 3000 at Pentecost. Why not offer them 100 bucks. These are trying economic times after all. How would that be different than bribing children to accept Jesus with LifeSavers?


8. We love you & want you in our family. There is no good reason to procrastinate.

Aside from the fact they are enemies of GOD and have not been prodded by the Holy Spirit? I can't think of a reason.

The first Pentecost needed no advertising other than the sound like a rushing wind and divided tongues as of fire. Maybe the Holy Spirit will fill this event and bless it. I guess we'll find out after the event. Hopefully, Rick will do what Peter did and preach Jesus and Him crucified to the glory of GOD.

ChristineTheBean said...

Amen, Matt and Ed. It's hard to believe that anyone could truly come to Christ with bribery.

I mean... hearts aren't changed by commemorative photos, are they? Souls are not saved with the help of "The Purpose Driven Church", are they?

If so, I need some of those for my friends and family!