9 Feb, 2010
"They will hate you."
Tebow Criticized Heavily for Super Bowl Ad
"Speaking as a former fetus, I'm against abortion."
Is that controversial?
Last week, one of Google’s top 10 searched topics was Tim Tebow’s upcoming pro-life commercial set to air during Sunday’s Super Bowl. Meanwhile, double-digit advocacy groups are calling on CBS to pull the ad.
Controversy.
Welcome to the big leagues, Tim. You're not in Gainesville anymore, preaching from the pulpit that is Florida Gator football. The haters aren't other Southeastern Conference schools or in-state rivals. This is for real.
By now, we all know the Tim Tebow story. It's been retold and recounted ad nauseam. For those of you joining us in progress, here's a quick recap:
Bob and Pam Tebow were Philippine missionaries in the mid-80s when Pam became pregnant. She contracted amoebic dysentery via contaminated drinking water and fell into a coma. Doctors advised abortion after telling her that medications she received damaged the fetus. The Tebows refused. On Aug. 14, 1987, Tim Tebow was born. Healthy. A miracle birth the Tebows said, and continue to say.
To see the full article by Pete Kerasotis go to floridatoday.com.
Mark 13:13 [NIV]
"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Matthew 10:21-23 [The Message]
"When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived."
Matthew 5:10 [NIV]
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I Cor.4:12b-13a [NIV]
When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.
What does God's Story tell us about the results of taking a stand for Him?
- Okay... so this may not be the best news that Jesus had to share with us but at least He gave us fair warning. When we stand up for Him and the truth that He shared, He tells us that the world will hate us and even go so far as to persecute us.
- So what are we to do about that? Endure it and do so with love, patience, gentleness and kindness.
- And what will happen in the end? We will be blessed for sharing in His sufferings, which is a small price to pay when we know the glory that is yet ahead of us!
Connecting today's story, God's story and my story
Regardless of how you feel about Tim Tebow's controversial commercial, we can all agree that he has been under heavy criticism these past few weeks. As I write this before the Super Bowl, knowing that you will be reading this after the big event, I am curious to see how all of this plays out. Regardless of how it is received Sunday night, our brother in Christ, Tim, has been persecuted a great deal already. Why? Because he and his mom want to celebrate life... just as His Father in heaven has done from the beginning.
We too, when speaking truth found in God's Word, will be ridiculed more and more. The question is, "Are we willing to take that stand and all of the persecution that will come with it?" If we truly understand and are grateful for all that Jesus went through for us, the answer will be a firm "Yes!"
The other questions we have to ask ourselves are, Can I speak truth with love? Can I bless when cursed? Can I answer kindly when slandered? This will take the Holy Spirit in us for this to happen.
Connecting today's story, God's Story and my story with their story
- Remember, the world needs to hear loving truth...don't stop sharing it. And when you share it, don't do it for any other reason than that you truly care. If they know you care...they will listen.
- Remember also that Jesus guaranteed that we would be persecuted and hated. Don't retaliate when it happens. WE are the ones who have His love in us...they don't...of course this is how they will respond! Just keep showing them love.
- Pray that God will open their eyes to His truth. He is the only one who can help them see it.
- Pray also for Tim Tebow...that God will help him to endure and maintain a strong witness to the world.
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