What’s the Big &%#*! Deal about Profanity?

Recently, when I asked a friend for recommendations of a good movie to rent, he responded enthusiastically, “Have you seen The Hangover? It may be the funniest movie I’ve ever seen!” Excited about a potentially great comedy, I asked a couple of my staff members about the movie. They too had seen it and said it was a riot and must see.

Since I wasn’t sure what The Hangover was rated, my last check point involved doing a little research to see if this was a movie for the whole family or one just for me and my wife to watch together. What I discovered floored me.

According to www.screenit.com, this comedy has more than its fair share of non-family-friendly scenes, intense language, and sexual situations. The rough spots include 91 different variations of the f-bomb (apparently it can function as noun, verb, adjective — maybe even a conjunction for all I know), 41 excretory words, 14 references to a person’s behind, 13 “hells,” and nine slang terms for male anatomy. To top it all off, this hilarious movie has 31 different versions of taking God’s name in vain.

When I told my friends and staff members that the movie had 91 f-bombs, which averages out to approximately one version of the “f” word per minute, they were all shocked. “Really? I didn’t even notice” was the most common response.

Really… you didn’t notice one “f” word each minute?

Please understand that I’ve seen my share of The Hangover-ish movies. As a child of the ’80’s, I grew up on a diet of movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Risky Business, and Porky’s. It’s not that I’m particularly proud of this cultural education, but I’m no tee-totaling separatist who only watches Veggie Tales.

You might be like a lot of people who say, “Profanity, violence, and sex in the movies don’t really bother me. If it doesn’t bother me, it must not be that big of a deal.” Remember — I used to think this way, too. If you’re a Christian, though, wouldn’t you agree that there has to be a boundary somewhere? A way to discern what pleases God and moves us closer to him instead of farther away? And can we trust our own sensibilities to know what’s truly best for us? Can you really endure an onslaught of “f-bombs” in a movie and not get wounded?

Consider, for example, if I dropped 91 “f-bombs” in my sermon this Sunday, do you think that no one in my church would care? Chances are good that I’d stir up a bit of controversy to say the least. So if you agree that 91 is too many f-words for a Sunday sermon, then how about 50? Or 23?

What’s the magic number? Most people in my church would say that even one f-bomb would be too many — much less taking God’s name in vain. Yet the majority of them paid good money to be entertained by some form of media containing the same language or much worse within the past thirty days.

So let’s wrestle with this subject. If it’s not okay for me or you to say certain words or make particular jokes or references in church, then why would it be right for Christians to pay their hard-earned money to be entertained by something similar?

I agree that context makes a difference. You attend church (I hope) to worship God, hear his Word preached, and fellowship with others — not to be entertained. Similarly, you go to the movies or download Netflix to escape and enjoy yourself, not to meet God and get spiritually nourished.

There’s only one problem with this line of reasoning. Our lives are not so neatly compartmentalized just because we’re in a different setting for a different purpose. We aren’t machines with software programs that can sort and file things away, separate from all the other parts of the system. It’s tempting to think that what we watch on TV, see at the movies, listen to on our iPod, play on our gaming systems, and read before bedtime doesn’t affect us.

But they do. Each image and message we ingest may be a germ that will make us gravely ill, especially when combined with the many other sensory germs we’re taking in. If we’re serious about our spiritual house cleaning, then there must be no exceptions. We must take the images, language, and stories we allow into our minds and hearts very seriously.

If you don’t think there’s a problem with all the cultural influences that invade your life daily, chances are that you’re interpreting right and wrong through a distorted lens. Our church shoots videos every week to use in different areas of ministry. Every time one of our team members videos me, we hold up a white piece of paper in front of the camera before starting. This shot is called a “white balance.”

We do this each time because the camera can’t interpret all the colors until it sees true white. Without a white balance, a blue shirt could look grey or a red flag could appear orange. Once the camera sees true white, then it knows how to discern all the other colors.

Our approach to movies, TV shows, and the culture around us should follow the same pattern. Once you see pure white — or truth — suddenly you can see clearly that so much of what we take in is hurtful to us and displeasing to God. Instead of blindly absorbing whatever media you encounter, allow God’s Word and the guidance of his Holy Spirit to reset your white balance, to re-adjust your standard of right and wrong, and to live in a manner that brings glory and honor to God.

Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of Lifechurch.tv, the second largest church in the United States and the creator of the YouVersion Bible App. He and his wife Amy reside in Oklahoma with their six children. A bestselling author, this essay is an adaptation from Craig’s new book, Soul Detox: Clean Living in a Contaminated World, launching May 7th.

Doug teaches that CHURCH is where people gather together, worship God, seek His direction and rely on one another. That is the church.  Where multi-generations come together and make up the CHURCH BODY.

1 Corinthians 12 says to those that are followers of Christ, YOU are the body of Christ & each one of YOU has a part to play!

At our E Sunshine Campus we just finished up week 6 of what we call “Growth Groups.” Growth Groups are 6 week classes around a relevant topic where people really become a small group of 6-8 within the class.

My wife Lacey and I taught a class on “Developing Life-Changing Habits.” Our theme throughout the class was “who we are is made up of the commitments that we make and the habits we develop.”

3 HABITS essential in YOU becoming the CHURCH.

1. Commit to God’s plan for the Church.

His plan is that you would be connected. It’s one of the things we talk about all the time at NPC. Connect! Be connected with one another. That’s God’s plan for the church.

A few passages that emphasis the importance of connection.

John 15, Jesus speaking, “I am the vine and you are the branches Remain in Me and you’ll produce fruit.  Apart from Me you can do nothing.” 

John 10 “Jesus says, ‘I’m the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.’” 

Romans 8 “Don’t be like cowering, fearful slaves.  Instead be like God’s very own children. You’re adopted into His family calling Him ‘Father.’

Look at the relationship Father – child, shepherd – sheep, vine – branch.  That’s God’s plan for the church, that we would be connected.

First of all, you’ve got to commit to that.  You’re not just committing to attend.  You’re committing to connect.  That’s what the church is – life on life.

2. Refuse to confuse attendance for spiritual growth.

Some people have perfect church attendance, but are not growing spiritually. Attendance can be kind of a lie. “I come all the time.” That doesn’t matter. Attending doesn’t mean necessarily that you’re growing spiritually. If you are going to grow spiritually as a result of “church” then you will grow because you are going to gather, you are going to worship, where you’re going to seek, and where you’re going to rely.  We should be careful not to confuse our attendance with spiritual growth.  Spiritual growth is what happens in your heart, not with your feet – that you walk and sit in a chair and say, “I went to church.”

3. Find your ROLE in the Church Body.

If you’re involved in this church, you have a role.  The church is where God’s people gather and you and I are a part of that picture.

Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4: 15-16

If you don’t have a role in the church, you’re kind of like that missing piece of the puzzle. When you’re missing a piece and you put the puzzle together the next time, what do you do?  You don’t go, “What a pretty puzzle!”  You say, “Where’s that piece? That missing piece.”

If you are a follower of Christ and you are not involved in the church body, you are like that missing puzzle piece because God has a role for you in the church.

There tends to be a lot of misconceptions about what “church” really is. I’ve identified many of my own miss conceptions along the way. I’ve actually heard some of the following statements. If it’s not a Baptist church it’s not really church. If it’s not a country church it’s not really church. If it doesn’t have a choir or a cross it’s not really church.

So what is church?

A great place to go for this answer would be to look at the historical account of the very 1^st church, found in the bible in the book of Acts. I encourage you to read it for yourselves to make sure I’m not full of it. The events that take place in the 1^st two chapters are inspiring, supernatural, hilarious, strange, beautiful and sad…all at the same time. (See Acts 1 and Acts 2)

As this story unfolds an interesting observation is the response of those watching these followers of Jesus.

Acts 212: “They stood there amazed and perplexed.  ‘What can this mean?’ they asked each other.  But others in the crowd were mocking.  ‘Ah, they’re drunk!  That’s all!’ they said.” 

Some people watching were saying these idiots are babbling because they’re still drunk this morning. A guy named Peter later on in the story gets up to address the crowd and says hey it’s 9am in the morning. Don’t mistake God doing something supernatural for us being drunk.

Personally, I just find this part of the story funny! Maybe because I’ve been to some “churches” and watched some “followers of Jesus” and wondered, “Are they drunk?” Or maybe it’s funny because there was a long season of my life where I was drunk at 9am and other people were watching me make an idiot of myself…I don’t know, but either way I believe all people need to use their brains and ask a very important question, is what I’m observing God or is it man? And if it is God, what does it mean for my life? What is my response?

The response of the people who saw the early church was some stood there amazed, and there were some mocking.  Is it any different today?  Is life any different today?  Where God’s people are, some people come and they’re amazed, and some people mock.

Every week I talk to people who come to North Point Church and are in AWE! A young man last week said, “I can’t explain it but I feel something different. It’s like I sense something has been missing from my life and I think I can find it here.”

Not as many mock to my face, some do and I appreciate (not always) their candor, but I’ve noticed most of the mocking I hear about comes from those who have a prior conception of what “church” should be. Those conversations tend to be more about the style of church and less about the purpose of church. (Stay tuned for Part 2 as we’ll talk about the purpose of church)

Obviously, the church is far from being a perfect place, because the church is made up of people. Not buildings, institutions or denominations. In fact, according to the story in Acts…the church is people! People who gather together, seek God’s direction together, worship God together and rely on one another.

My rhetorical question to you is, what’s your response?  Are you in awe of what the church is doing and can be?  Or do you mock it? Are you drawn to God because of it? Or do you walk in a different direction because of it?

7 Spiritual Practices that will Change Your Heart

1. Bible Reading

This helps to get God’s word in my head so it can change my heart.

2. Reflecting on Scripture

This helps to move from reading to living God’s word.

3. Prayer to Confess Sins

This helps to cancel debt in my relationship with God.

4. Prayer to Seek Guidance

This helps to get God’s direction.

5. Tithing

This helps me to trust God.

6. Journaling

This helps to process my relationship with God.

7. Solitude

This helps me to become more like Jesus.

That one thing is a GROUP of people who are on the same journey you’re on! We’ve got three types of groups you’ll want to see!

• Connect Groups – Groups that meet in homes, coffee shops, restaurants, and everywhere in between.
• Growth Groups – Groups that meet at NPC and go over distinct topics (spiritual growth, relationships, finances, etc.)
• Serve Groups – Groups that serve in different ministry environments at NPC and in our community.

And THIS WEDNESDAY, you have an opportunity to get connected to a fantastic group of people who will encourage you, inspire you, and MOVE you on your spiritual journey!

If you haven’t signed up yet, I want to personally invite you to The Point!

Here’s a list of 6 things The Point will provide for you:

1. Easy-going, non threatening atmosphere
2. FREE made from scratch dessert!
3. FREE childcare! (12 & under)
4. Opportunities to find the right fit for you and your schedule
5. Opportunities to start growing in awesome larger groups meeting ON the East Sunshine Campus!
6. Oh, and there’s free dessert!

If you’re at all curious as to your next step at North Point, sign up TODAY! Sign up here!

There’s just 2 days to sign up!

Look forward to seeing you there!

I can’t believe that this Sunday (Jan 15^th, 2012) marks the 1 year anniversary of our East Sunshine Campus. I have met so many incredible people and have heard story after story of how God has used East Sunshine to change people’s lives.

I truly believe our church is taking on a DNA of LOVE & GENEROSITY! The closer we follow the model of Jesus, in attitude & action, the more we become like Jesus.

What a model to follow…No one has ever been more loving…more generous than Jesus! 2 Corinthians 8:9 – “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor so that you, through his poverty, might become rich.”

Over the past year I have watched people follow this model of Jesus. I have watched people give up things that they love for things that they have grown to love more. I’ve seen people believe, sacrifice and give!

I’m confident that there is nothing more inspiring on this planet than to watch a church “get it right”! To watch a group of people live in response of God’s goodness and give up things for the sake of others.

Bottom line – when a group of people (church) do this together the results are eternal. The results are the lives of children, adults, teenagers, individuals & families forever changed.

Some things to be celebrated at East Sunshine over the past year…

• 800 adults, teenagers & children have made a commitment to be a Christ follower.
• 120 people have been baptized.
• 500+ people have volunteered 2,000+ man hours (as well as financially contributed) to over 12 different community organizations as a part of ImpACT

As I look back over the year I’m blown away at all God has done! But at the very same time, I look ahead at what will be and know the days of East Sunshine making a difference have just begun.