This will be the second sermon in the four part series about the gospel in everyday life found in 3 Doors Down. This week we’re working with the song Be Like That. My first question as I listen to the song is, “Be like what?” I wonder what we want to be like and how we find the best models. I sometimes still can see the dreams I had for my life now welling up inside, dreams that I think are no longer interesting to me. Yet I measure my life against those previous imaginings.
Sometimes I think we imagine that it would be better if only we were in somebody else’s shoes. So who are we supposed to be? Who makes that determination? Is there someone else besides ourselves? Are we already fully wired to be who God wants us to be?
In the end I think this is a question of identity. I am looking currently at John 15:5-17 as a clue to who we are and yet there are so many stories that also speak to us about who we are in the Bible. I’ll keep you up-to-date as to where I am seeing this take me. I welcome your thoughts and comments!
John 5:1-9. Using the Bible and the music video for 3 Doors Down song Loser, I talked about God’s interest in and thoughts on losers.
Click here to play the recording
This week I begin a series of messages based on songs by 3 Doors Down. My family really brought their music to my attention and I have come to hear strong themes throughout their work that speak to me about faith (okay honestly, I hear faith-related-themes in most songs- must be an occupational hazard).
“Loser” by 3 Doors Down was written with addiction in mind; it is about a friend of the writer, 3 Doors Down frontman Brad Arnold, who got into drugs in high school and how the friend viewed himself the haze of the drugs. As I reflect on addiction and the struggles that come with it, I am wondering about the Good News in response. I will be intrigued to hear from anyone who comments. Here is a link to the lyrics- Loser.
I am looking currently at two stories from the life of Jesus that capture his working with those who might have been deemed “losers.” One is the story of the man possessed by a demon in Luke 8:26-39. The other story is of the man waiting for healing by the pool of Bethesda (Bethsaida or Bethzatha depending on the manuscript) in John 5:1-9. I welcome any thoughts about these text.
Luke 24:13-32. Is it even possible for us to get a glimpse of Jesus in our everyday lives? Where? What would he look like?
Click here to play the recording
John 20:1-18. What is the big picture of Easter? What does it tell us about who God is?
Click here to play the recording
Philippians 2:5-11. We all want a solid role model. Where will we find the right one?
Click here to play the recording
