Why I don't support this billboard

Today in New York City's Time Square, Answers in Genesis will be broadcasting an advertisement on a billboard.



I disagree with the message of this board.

Answers in Genesis provides this explanation of why they are sponsoring the billboard.

Beginning today and spanning the next few weeks, Answers in Genesis is engaging the culture with a very high profile 15-second digital billboard in Times Square. About one million people will be gathering in that famous square in downtown New York City on New Year’s Eve, and they will have an opportunity to see the new board (which went up this morning). This special digital billboard will challenge the secularists who are increasingly intolerant of the Christian message. It is AiG’s way of bringing the greatest symbol of the gospel message—the Cross—to millions of people in Times Square as well as to millions more watching the famous ball drop on TV at 11:59 PM on Wednesday evening. It’s also our way of saying AiG is tired of the increasing intolerance of the Christian message in this culture, and it’s time we stood up boldly and very publicly and engaged the minority of people who are successfully infiltrating this generation with the religion of atheism.

I think it is wrong for two reasons, abusing freedom and not sharing the gospel. 

One, they twist the freedom given by God in the gospel message to fit their argument. Their blog cites verses in the Bible about the freedom of the gospel, but doesn't provide freedom in the context of the gospel.

This is the freedom that the gospel gives, freedom from sin. 

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" 
Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."

John 8:31-38 

Paul also warns against this type of activity of getting into needless fights.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 5:13-15 


Two, I think that the ad does not convey the gospel message. Sure the cross is in the ad, but it does not articulate the gospel message that Christ died for sinners. 

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to youunless you believed in vain. 

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 

Which is better, getting into needless fights attacking those with different political beliefs and embarrassing the message of the cross, or spreading God's love and providing true freedom with the message of the gospel?

Joy

What brings you joy?


During the Christmas season, joy is a common theme. In commercials, churches, Christmas cards, and song, joy is a popular word.


When the angel appeared to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem 2000 years ago, he said “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”


The angel told the shepherds that the joy that all people should have is joy that the Messiah, our Lord and Savior, has been born.


Do we have joy? What should we be taking joy in?


Jesus further explains this joy that we should have.


In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus explains the joy that is found in heaven. He tells the story of a shepherd who leaves behind 99 sheep to look for 1 missing sheep. The shepherd then throws a party to celebrate the lost sheep being found. Jesus tells us the moral of the story, "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."


So heaven takes joy at our salvation.


Jesus also tells us what our joy should be. In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 of his disciples to go to various towns he is about to visit to prepare the way. They are given authority over demons and the power to heal. They return to Christ telling him the awesomeness of being able to do things in his name. He tells them that while that is cool, there is something greater that they should take joy in. He says "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”


So Jesus tells us that our joy should be in our salvation.


In this season of Christmas joy, is our joy in our salvation? Heaven is rejoicing at it, are we?