Preach the Gospel


I have recently wondered what the effect and even motive is of secular artists/producers, who use/produce Christian works yet who's lives do not reflect the fruits of the Spirit. Is there any value or harm done? I think specifically of the show American Idol, where contestants sang the song "Shout to the Lord". This song is one of the most well known worship songs and was written in one of the most well known churches, Hillsong. I don't know whether their motives were real or not but one thing is for sure, if the Holy Spirit is in a person's life then the fruit of the Spirit will be there too, which are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Matt 7:16 "You shall know them by their fruit..".not talking specifically about the singers.. BUT no doubt that through them the Gospel is made known! It is this verse that I keep getting back to:

Phillipians 1:15-18
"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.[a] 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

So even though people's motives might be wrong and this might distort people's view of what fruits are to be present in a person's life who is to be considered a "Christian", The GOSPEL IS PREACHED! and so we rejoice! For there is a difference between "Christians" who try earn their salvation by following religion(or law, which Christ saved us from) and those who walk a road with Jesus and know His Holy Spirit and accepted what He did on the cross by faith as being enough. There's a reason why love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are all called the fruits of the Spirit. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what please Him"- Philippians 2:13. So the more time we spend with God, the more we desire to do what pleases Him.

And so here is the song which the American Idols sang, and I just LOVED it!!!! although I assume that American Idol does not desire to give glory to whom glory is due especially since in another performance of this song on the show by multiple contestants, the first line is changed from "My Jesus, My Saviour" to "My Shepherd, My Saviour". UH the Song is all about Jesus! who else came to save the world from sin?? There was no other perfect sacrifice other than the one "of God", Jesus, who could satisfy the wrath of God once and forever for the entire world sins.:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6G0U8Vg6nY

Quote by my brother or his wife or both from one of his videos: "Preach the Gospel, until hell is plundered and heaven is filled"
The Last Call: http://vimeo.com/14600747
This video is as an add for a play they are doing at our church in Dubai which is gonna be pretty awesome!

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