Articles by Dave Cook at Heartlight

Passion Fears

scripturerelease@sunflower.com (Dave Cook) — Tue, 24 Feb 2004 00:00:00 -0600

Mel Gibson's, The Passion of the Christ is only a day away. Anyone out there experiencing any uneasiness related to it?

My fears are not the obvious ones, like ... can any good thing come out of Hollywood, or ... will the message ever be heard over the anti-Semitic charges. No, the reviews that I've read are positive. Keith Fournier, constitutional lawyer and graduate of Franciscan University, claims a low tolerance for anti-Semitic bigotry. His review emphasizes, "There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in this 'powerful film.' "David Limbaugh climbs on board when he quotes Mel Gibson, "The Holy Ghost was working through me (Gibson) on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize." Danae Dobson (James Dobson's daughter) closed a recent e-mail with a request. "I hope you all will support Mel Gibson's bold and courageous effort to portray the sacrifice that our Lord made for us."

From all I've read, Gibson has crafted a God-honoring film with pure intentions. "The Passion" promises to be a powerful, spiritually charged spectacle! So, why fear?

It's another comment in the Fournier article that stops me. He describes his feelings having just seen the film. "This was not simply a movie; it was an encounter unlike anything I have ever experienced." His words mirror most reports. They foreshadow an event we will all experience, whether we see the movie or not.

Clearly, this February millions of movie-goers are going to share in the most accurately intimate portrayal ever made of the sorrows, beating, suffering, crucifying, dying, burying and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. And here, at last(!), is my concern. Do believers in America have the vision to utilize this movie for the kingdom's sake?! Do we recognize a great opportunity (Colossians 4:5) when we see one? Will we show up!?

Oh yes, we are ready to attend; to view the relentless scourging, to identify the poignancy of each cinematic detail, to recoil from the nails being driven. But, having experienced it "up close and personal," what kind of responsibility do we assume, especially after claiming that we believe every blow and stripe down to the last gasping breath.

If you have not already been challenged by someone else, allow me to call you out to the real war with Satan over this movie. The Passion of The Christ is a large door for the gospel lying directly in our paths. Like preparing for a tactical battle, we will be wise to organize our time and resources. Here is an outline toward action:

1. Plan and Pray

Do not attend "The Passion" without a plan. You may want to see it the first time alone. Start praying now for friends and acquaintances who will see the movie. If attending with younger children, they will need support and comfort ahead of time. As one reviewer warned, " 'The Passion' is extremely violent because the cross was violent." Those with teens may have multiplied opportunities. Every adolescent in the country will want to see this movie. The movie will almost certainly be "R" rated so adults will have to go along. (Do you hear the sound of doors opening for youth ministry?!) Ask a non-Christian Mom/Dad to join you. Pray for them!

2. Ask God for someone close to you

We Americans love big numbers, instant results and quick turnarounds. Its easy to get caught up in a dream where millions somehow find Christ and, as a result, America turns to God. In most cases those kind of miracles are not based in reality. On the other hand, another scenario has each of us focusing on just one or two people ... friends we already have. A warning, though. Remember that most people will choose in the end to take the broad road.(Matthew 7:13) No message, method or movie will change their minds. Salvation is a heart issue with the Holy Spirit acting in tandem with repentance. We may be awestruck and weeping as the credits roll, but most around us will just get up and go home. When we see that happen we must not be discouraged. Instead, may God allow us to be aware of the one or two individuals nearby. Those who heard His voice. It may be their questions or tears ... or their silence. They may open up on the spot or a week later. Gravitate to them. Listen to them! Take time to answer their questions. Pray for insight and guidance!!

3. Be prepared to share

Have you ever led someone to Christ? If not, find out what is involved!
a. Familiarize yourself with a gospel sharing tool like, the First Followers of Jesus website (Heartlight.org's recommendation) or The Four Spiritual Laws and The Bridge to Life (Author's recommendation).
b. Know your own story. How did you come to Christ? Can you convey it to another person in a clear, concise manner? Write it out then practice telling your story to a friend or family member. You'll find helpful online guidelines at this testimony resource page.
c. Memorize key verses! Read the article, "Why Johnny Can't Share His Faith?" from www.heartlight.org. It contains several links to Bible memorization tools. There are helps available that make this powerful discipline easy!

4. Have follow-up plans

a. Have a personal plan.
After the movie: Are you going out for pizza or having everyone over for cookies in your home? Later, are you going to invite them to church,... a home Bible study,... or a youth group outing? How about inviting your new friend in Christ to join you in a one-on-one Bible study for new believers?
b. Mobilize believers in your church.
If this were a Billy Graham film many churches would already be a flurry of evangelistic planning. Allow me a prediction. "The Passion" is going to be seen by tens of millions who would never consider darkening the door of a theater for a "Christian" flick. Think about it! What about a study on Old Testament prophecy concerning the suffering Messiah? Go ahead! Give me a good reason why a church would NOT have a "Passion" series in place for the month of March?!

Scheduled for release on February 25, 2004, The Passion of the Christ opens an extremely rare door for national evangelism. Mel Gibson sums up his thoughts when he says, "I hope the film has the power to evangelize." Amen! Will we be ready!?

Dave Cook, 55, is a lay-leader at Christ Community Church in Lawrence, KS. He has been a church planter, an elder, worship leader and Bible teacher. He has written songs to scripture texts for over 30 years. His life long desire to put the Topical Memory System to music is being fulfilled with the release of the Nashville produced CD, Scripture Release. He and his wife, Becky, are planning a long-term mission to American churches to teach scripture songs and impart vision for scripture music.

Website: Scripture Release

Why Johnny Can't Share His Faith

scripturerelease@sunflower.com (Dave Cook) — Wed, 05 Nov 2003 00:00:00 -0600

Johnny can't share his faith. He has faith -- faith in God -- but he cannot tell his story. His problem first showed up big time in college! It continues to this day.

John and his roommate, Ben, decided to attend their college's Christmas Concert. Beautiful staging, great music and a vivid depiction of the Nativity made the annual program a student favorite. They ran across campus and arrived just as Joy To The World began. Portions of Handel's Messiah followed. Following the festive finale, the boys returned to their dorm and settled down to study. About 1 a.m., following their second pizza break, Ben spoke up. "So, John, what does, 'Even so, in Christ, shall all be made alive,' mean?" He had heard the words sung earlier. John knew Ben pretty well and this was definitely not a standard question. It wasn't about basketball or girls. John had made no secret of his being saved, and now Ben was asking about the Savior.

So, what happened next? A long conversation about the significance of Christ's birth? An opportunity for sharing God's promises? No. They only talked a few minutes. John, to his own surprise, didn't have much to say. Ben heard something about "God is love" and some other Bible sounding phrases and a quick history of his friend's Sunday School attendance. The Bible sitting on John's shelf remained closed. Both boys soon returned to their studies. Ben kept thinking of questions he'd like to ask. John decided to call his parents later to ask them for help. Unfortunately, they couldn't help either. His Dad kept saying that John 3:16 was a "real good verse" and to call Minister Dan -- a call that was never made.

Finals passed. Everyone went home. Ben had an apartment that Spring, so he and John split up. One year later, they were in different schools. Eight years later, they had a chance meeting at O'Hare. John was single, an attorney in Chicago, and in a big hurry. Ben was job-hunting in Cleveland, had just filed for divorce, and downed 3 martinis in 30 minutes. He was lost ... lost big time! John encouraged his friend as best he knew how to help. He reminded Ben that God loved him ... that "God is love." Then, running out of things to say, he excused himself. He never saw Ben again.

This fictional account would be only a troubling anecdote but for the fact that stories like this are common. American Christianity is blessed with great teachers, powerful music, and well-designed programs. But, on a personal level ... we are not adequate in our handling of the Scriptures.

Recently, there was a get-together of publishing industry reps who met in Nashville. They were discussing marketing for a new Bible translation. The group veered off at one point and noted, with deep concern, a topic not on the agenda -- Bible memorization. Their concern? Bible memorization among believers has virtually disappeared as a Christian discipline.

Why is scripture memorization so important? Here are some reminders.

We will not grow without the Word: Like newborn babies ,crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2,3. Also, 1 Peter 1:23)

The Word is intended to be our "primary home": Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:16. Also, Colossians 4:5,6)

We are commanded to be on the "Spirit offensive"! In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:16, 17)

We are to be prepared with life-giving answers. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (1 Peter 3:15. Also, 2 Timothy 2:15)

The "Johnny" in our story had memorized scripture in Sunday School. Later, he was even a Bible quizzer. But by high school he lost interest. There was no model to continue ... not his parents ... not his friends ... not the youth minister.

What can be done? Here are six steps toward change.

Get kids in a long-term, practical memorization program. In addition, create an adult memorization class or small group. Find a committed "memorizor" and have them lead. Support them.

Encourage use of the Navigator Topical Memory System. The TMS contains 60 foundational verses on small, easy-to-carry verse cards. Thousands have benefited from this tool for many years. Find it in bookstores or online at: http://www.navpress.com

Use the power of music. Music makes memorizing easy. Check out products like the Scripture Release CD. It features the TMS and is a powerful tool to aid in memorization. Find it at: http://www.scripturerelease.com

Use the Internet. There are many memorization websites. A Google search will yield a host of possibilities. Search using "Bible memorization" .

Music again. Encourage the songwriters in your church to compose using scripture texts. By far the most focused church I've known was one that continually sang scripture songs from a pool of writers. Also, there are already many scripture songs out there. Sing them!

Get to know King David. Spend 22 days in Psalm 119. He was "a man after God's own heart". Discover his heart and make it your own! Take 8 verses a day. Read, meditate and memorize one.

When Why Can't Johnny Read first appeared, it caused an outcry among educators and parents. They knew that reading was foundational to the future of a nation. As Christians, we face the prospect of increasing irrelevance in our world. This will not be because we don't know the Truth. It will be because we are not able to share the Truth when called upon to do so.

Website: Scripture Release