Tim Tebow Redux: Yes, We've Been Exposed

Let's be real. This isn't about Tim Tebow. It's about Christianity. It's about God. It's about the one, true God. It's about the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In addition, it isn't about 'Tebowing' either. It's about prayer. Tim Tebow is merely a lightning rod and the recipient of people's aversion and hatred toward God Himself.

On November 24th, I wrote a commentary titled 'Is God Using Tim Tebow To Expose Us?' at the start of his unlikely (but not entirely surprising) meteoric rise to fame.

At the time, I noted a couple of observations about the Tebow supporters and the Tebow haters that still holds true some 4 weeks later...

ON THE SUPPORTERS:

Those who love him generally cite that it's because of the fact that he's a self-professing Christian who wears his beliefs on his sleeve unashamedly.

If I may, however, I think that far too many of those same people are kidding themselves. What do I mean? Well, I think they just like the fact that they have found someone who's 'cool' by the world's standards (by virtue of the simple fact that he's a celebrity who plays a key position in one of the world's most popular sports), and they desperately want to prove to the lost, non-believing world that Christians can be 'cool' too.

Why do we do that? Be honest. Who among us (myself included) hasn't at one time or another made it a point to let lost family members and friends know that "So-And-So is a Christian!" as if that somehow validates our cherished faith more than a changed life does let's say?

It's ridiculous, isn't it? You bet it is. Yet, this is what a majority of Christians in America do because a majority of Christians in America today are 'Christians-In-Name-Only' I'm afraid, and theirs is a shallow faith, or a faith that knows how to act, look, and sound 'Christian' without having to really get your hands dirty with the day-to-day, moment-by-moment expectations of a genuine Christian life.

Look, we should be examining ourselves on a daily basis already, but even if we are doing what we're supposed to, even if we're already doing that, can we honestly say that our support for Tim Tebow is solely because he's a fellow brother in Christ who's being persecuted for his faith?


ON THE HATERS:

Then there are those who hate him, and they generally cite that it's because of the fact that he's not even close to being an 'average' NFL Quarterback based on his mechanics, his skills set, and his statistics.

If I may, however, I think that far too many of those same people are kidding themselves also. What do I mean? Well, I think that's just a cover for the fact that they hate that he's too public in proclaiming to the world that he's a Christian. In other words, they dislike the fact that he wears his beliefs on his sleeve unashamedly.


ON BOTH GROUPS OF PEOPLE:

I personally believe that God is using Tim Tebow to expose us. In this late and urgent hour of humanity, we find ourselves on the cusp of the prophesied Tribulation and Great Tribulation, and so it's important for us to be mindful of our spiritual condition. I believe things like this Tim Tebow business only help to force us to think about the things (or the One) that we have been ignoring for so long.

I mean, my gosh, have you ever seen so many people get so upset over a professional athlete's celebration? I think there might be another angle to look at here too. Seeing a sports players kneel down to pray, or point to the heavens, or perform the sign of the cross after a big play is nothing knew. We even hear them thank God publicly on Live National TV in some cases.

So what gives then? Why does there appear to be more vitriol in response to Tim Tebow doing those types of things that players from previous generations have always done? Again, I think it goes back to the fact that God is using Tim Tebow to expose us. I think we'd all agree that there should be a marked difference between Christians and non-Christians, right? For the Biblical support of such a concept please read Matthew 7:16, Matthew 7:20 , James 2:17-18, James 2:20 , and James 2:23 to name a few.

With that in mind, I think the response to Tebow is different because we can sense when a person is a genuine Christian, or a Christian-In-Name-Only, or a hypocrite. It's the genuine ones who are a threat to everyone else, right? Satan doesn't have to work hard to get the Christians-In-Name-Only to wave his banner in the world (John 8:44). No, he wants to destroy the ones who aren't already his. That's why I think this case is different from all the rest.

Despite the fact that we are quickly approaching the end times (and it's time to finally make a decision and get off the fence so to speak), Tim Tebow is the real deal and God is using him as His instrument to expose us for who we really are and nor who we think we are.

The point I'm trying to make today is that it's not enough to simply say you believe in Jesus Christ. Ok, well, what does that mean to you? Is there any evidence at all of you being a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15). I know that we are saved by faith through grace alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), but then how do we reconcile and apply all the passages of the Holy Bible that deal with what we read in James 2:17, James 2:20, James 2:23? How do we How do we reconcile salvation with sanctification?

Well, I can tell you one way that we DON'T go about doing that.

The answer is to remember that we are "ambassadors" (2 Corinthians 5:20), to "examine yourselves regularly" (2 Corinthians 13:5), to repent of our sins and ask God for His forgiveness, to walk as obediently as we can in the Spirit by His power, to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15), and always live with a Galatians 1:10 mindset.

That's the answer of how we reconcile salvation with sanctification in response to this whole Tim Tebow business and what he brings to the surface in our lives.

What is NOT the answer is to choose to join the chorus of sinners who think it's 'funny' and 'light-hearted' to assume they know what Jesus Christ Himself would say about things.

Case in point, here's the latest bit of blasphemy courtesy Saturday Night Live (with my responses to each lie)...

After yet another amazing last-minute victory for the Denver Broncos, Jesus stopped by the team locker room on Saturday Night Live to tell quarterback Tim Tebow he needs to start playing better earlier in the games.

His other request? That Tebow, famous for getting on one knee and kneeling in prayer during a game, “take it down a notch” with regard to his outward displays of faith.


[LUF NOTE: Umm, no, I don't think Jesus Christ would ever tell anyone to "take it down a notch" when it comes to preaching the Gospel. How do I know this?

Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Colossians 4:2-6 (ESV) Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Revelation 3:15-16 (ESV) “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."]


“Here’s the thing, if we’re going to keep doing this, you guys gotta meet me out halfway out there. I mean, let’s face it. It’s not a good week if every week I, the son of God, have to come in, drop everything and bail out the Denver Broncos in the fourth quarter, OK? I’m a busy guy,” Jesus, played by Jason Sudeikis, implored.


[LUF NOTE: Classic un-Biblical lie that the Sovereign God, Creator of the Universe, is somehow impotent in some respects, and that only by us 'meeting Him halfway' can we ever achieve true Christianity, and a true relationship with Christ. Furthermore, this disgusting notion that 'God is too busy with more important things than He is to worry about me' is just plain false! How do I know this?

Romans 8: 29-31 (ESV) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV) The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Acts 4:24-26 (ESV) And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

John 3:16 (ESV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

I would like to just interject once again and say how ironic -- and heartbreaking it is -- that the ONE SINGLE VERSE that shows up so often at football games with someone holding a John 3:16 Sign behind the Endzone/Field Goal Posts is the one verse that is completely lost on these people who continue to criticize Tim Tebow.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

John 16:23 (ESV) In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.]


Tebow, played by Taran Killam, excitedly told Jesus he prays to him before every game, but Jesus wasn’t having it.

“Here’s something else you should do before every game: Stretch. Get the arm all warm, you know? Read the playbook, do you read the playbook?” he asked.

“The Holy Bible is my playbook,” Tebow said.


[LUF NOTE: Mocking God's Word. Boy, they left no stone unturned, didn't they? Well, that's a bad idea too. How do I know this?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.]


“OK, that’s great, that’s great but you need to read the regular playbook,” Jesus said. “You know who you should be thanking? Your kicker, OK? You don’t win unless this guy gets a 59 yarder. I’m serious man, Matt Prater, I pray to you brother.”

“Wow, you pray to me? I didn’t know that,” Prater said from the locker room bench.

“That‘s because I’m not in everyone’s face about it,” Jesus said, with a knowing look at Tebow.


[LUF NOTE: Where do I even begin? Jesus Christ engaging in idol worship Himself by praying to a mere man!?! And then having the Jesus character in the skit turn to the Tebow character and insinuate that He would never be "in everyone's face about it" too!?! What nerve. These too are both very bad things. How do I know this?

Exodus 15:11 (ESV) Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Exodus 20:3 (ESV) You shall have no other gods before me.

Romans 8:33-34 (ESV) Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

I'd say dying on our behalf under such brutally sadistic conditions so that He could free us from death and sin and become the Intercessor for us is being 'in your face' about things, isn't it?]


As he wrapped up his visit, Jesus said the team’s on their own next week — he has a “big birthday,” after all — and winced when he heard they’d be playing the New England Patriots.


[LUF NOTE: We all know by now that Jesus Christ's actual birthday was not in late December as it's celebrated. Not as bad as the previous lies, but still a lie nonetheless.]


“If I’m the son of God, Tim Brady‘s gotta be the guy’s nephew,” he said.


[LUF NOTE: 'If'!?! There's no if's, and's, or but's about it! How do I know?

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

John 3:16 (ESV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:18 (ESV) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 6:29 (ESV) Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

1 John 2:23 (ESV) No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.

1 John 3:23 (ESV) And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.

1 John 4:15-16 (ESV) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

1 John 5:20 (ESV) And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.]


As he left, he added, “Mormonism? All true. Every single word. All right, peace."


[LUF NOTE: Jesus promoting another gospel, a false religion, huh? Yep, that's wrong too. How do I know this?

2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (ESV) And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

2 Corinthians 11:4 (ESV) For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.]

Hey SNL...Start doing similar skits concerning Islam and see what kind of a response you get. Better yet, on the same night you decide to do that skit, invite U2 on to play their classic 'Bloody Sunday' because that's likely to be the result the following day from the 'peace-loving' Muslim community.

How sad and unfortunate, isn't it? Like one reader commented...

"Remember that time Tim Tebow held a Powderpuff Football Tournament in college to raise $340,000 for an orphanage, and was a missionary in the Phillipines? Man the nerve of that guy! Or that time he took a 20 year-old fan with a brain tumor who suffered from hearing loss, and continual tremors, to the Heisman ceremony? Sheesh! Can you believe the audacity of some? This guy is unreal."

Then I remembered this comment from LUF reader 'court' from may 2010...

"My own story in a nutshell - I found myself at a gator game a couple of years ago, screaming out my vigorous love and support for my team!! and then like a gentle nudge to my soul, I felt the Lord showing me that I could yell and scream with love and appreciation for my football team, but then sit in church and wonder what i needed to get at the store afterwards... That was a radical turning point in my walk with Christ - I didn't want to be lukewarm, I didn't want to make Jesus Christ nauseated with my 'sunday christianity', i didn't want to fit Him in... part of that was due to Tebow's fervent faith, putting it out there for all to see his love for Christ, unashamed of it. WOW!! the Lord used that to wake me up, and I've been walking in sweet fellowship with Him since :-) I pray that God would continue to use Tebow to reach the unreached, and maybe in some cases reach even the saved who have let the weeds and thorns choke out their relationship with Christ. God is soooooo good!!! Maranatha my brothers and sisters!"

Like I said several weeks ago, he appears to be the 'real deal', and that's precisely what bothers so many 'Christians' and non-believers alike who respond snidely whenever his name comes up.

Can you imagine how awful it will be the first time the guy succumbs to the temptation to sin? Because, make no mistake, yes, Tebow is strong in his faith, but his spirit is still at war with his flesh (such is the case with each and every one of us), and there will be times when he stumbles.

I guarantee you that even when that day comes, as others smell blood and pounce on him by going in for the kill just like their father does (John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8), he will still exemplify true Christianity and love for our Lord and Savior (Acts 3:19).

Yes, SNL a comedy show where no subject is 'off limits', but Saturday Night Live is more appropriately called 'Saturday Night Dead' -- as in 'Saturday Night Dead In Their Sins' -- in my book.

I mean, my goodness, if we just take the lines spoken by the actor who portrayed Jesus, then we find an entire laundry list of dirty half-truths and flat out lies demonstrative of the apostasy that's infecting Christianity right now.

The irony of ironies is that the writers for SNL don't have to guess about what Jesus would say to Tim Tebow. The script has already been written for them -- in blood, I might add -- roughly 2,000 years ago. And yet, they fail to refer to the Source, or the Original Manuscript, when all they'd have to do is compare Tim Tebow's actions and words to what God's Word says should be the conduct of a true Christian.

Truth is, if God's been using Tim Tebow to expose us, then guess what? We've been exposed. In just a few short weeks since this saga first began, the Lord kept Tebow front-and-center in the news headlines. During that entire time, I've seen the true believers become much more vocal about their faith and I've seen the lost sinners become much more vocal about their unbelief.

In fact, it was just last week when students from were suspended for 'Tebowing' (or what the rest of us would call 'praying') in school...

Students Suspended For 'Tebowing'

To reiterate, this isn't about Tim Tebow. It's about Christianity. It's about God. It's about the one, true God. It's about the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Tim Tebow is merely a lightning rod and the recipient of people's aversion and hatred toward God Himself.

To be fair, however, I should point out how absolutely disheartening it is to hear at least one of those students say that he did it "just to be funny", which means his act of praying in the halls of a public school was nothing more than an act of worship for Tim Tebow -- not God Himself.

No, it was an act designed to call attention to himself, an act designed to obtain praise, not from the One who gave him life on this planet, but praise from those who are his peers. I guess we know which side of Galatians 1:10 that young man is leaning toward, huh?

Furthermore, how sad is it that this past weekend's skit from Saturday Night Live proves that even during a time of year when the birth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ permeates every facet of our culture, there are still millions of people who are uncomfortable with the thought of Him, who He really is, our relationship to Him, and what He expects from us? We need to be praying for those people.

Better yet, we need to be sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. So, that being said, here it is for all that the Holy Spirit has brought here today who need to read and receive it...

"You must understand that there is only one door to salvation, and that is Christ; there is one way, and that is Christ; one truth, and that is Christ; one life, and that is Christ. Salvation lies in Jesus only; it does not lie in you, in your doings, or your feelings, or your knowings, or your resolutions. In Him all life and light for the sons of men are stored up by the mercy of God the Father. This may be one reason why you have not found the light; because you have sought it in the wrong place. Though the Lord has placed it on record in His Word, in the plainest language, that ‘it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy’ (Rom. 9:16) yet most men in their hearts imagine that everlasting life is tied to duties and earned by service. You must abandon such vainglorious notions; you must come before God as a humble petitioner, pleading the promises of mercy, abhorring all idea of merit, confessing that if the Lord condemns you He has a right to do it, and if He saves you, it will be an act of pure gratuitous mercy, a deed of sovereign grace. Oh, too many of you hold your heads too high; to enter the lowly gate of light you must stoop. On the bended knee is the penitent’s true place. ‘God be merciful to me, a sinner’, is the penitent’s true place. If God should condemn you, you could never complain of injustice, for you could not accuse the Lord, for you have no right to be heard. He could righteously withhold an answer of peace if He so willed. Confess that you are an undeserving, ill-deserving, hell-deserving sinner and begin to pray as you have never prayed before. Cry out of the depth of self-abasement if you want to be heard. Come as a beggar, not as a creditor. Come to crave, not to demand. Use only this argument, ‘Lord, hear me, for you are gracious, and Jesus died; I cry to you as a condemned criminal who seeks pardon. Deliver me from going down into the pit, that I may praise your name.’ This harboring of a proud spirit, I fear, has been a great source of mischief with many, and if it has been so with you, amend it and go now with humble and contrite hearts, in lowliness and brokenness of spirit, to your Father whom you have offended, for he will surely accept you as his children. Your salvation does not depend upon what you do, but upon what Christ did when he offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin. All your salvation takes root in the death throes of Calvary; the great Substitute bore your sin and suffered its penalty. Your sin shall never destroy you if upon that bloody tree the Lord’s chosen High Priest made a full expiation for your sins; they shall not be laid against you any more forever. What you have to do is simply accept what Jesus has finished. I know your idea is that you are to bring something to him; but that vainglorious idea has ruined many, and will ruin many more. When you are brought empty-handed, made willing to accept a free and full salvation from the hand of the Crucified, then, and then only, will you will be saved."

What could I, or anyone else for that matter, say to add to such a beautiful presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ except a bold and loud "AMEN!"?

Has God used Tim Tebow to expose you for who you really are? He's certainly used him to reveal some hard truths about me.

Whatever the case may be, I pray that you are beginning to understand the 'big picture' here and how what's really going on regarding all this Tebow stuff is really just another sign of the times let alone more proof that God's Word can be trusted because it's being fulfilled all around us.

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Posted in: America In Prophecy,Apostasy,Blasphemy,Hollywood's Role,How Close Are We?,Media,Moral Decline,Religious Persecution,Spiritual Deception,Symbolism,Synchro-Pop,Tim Tebow