An Audience of One
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
Worthy of Praise – Tim Tebow is generally excoriated by the media. It’s not just because his throwing mechanics and footwork aren’t up to NFL standards. After all, a man who wins a national championship and a Heisman trophy must be able to play. As recent publications have confirmed, the press doesn’t like Tim Tebow because of his faith. Plain and simple. He’s just too “religious” for sports media and too conservative for the liberal press. He stands for anti-abortion, faith transformation and biblical defining values. And he won’t shut up! He reminds us that professional sports is not the highest achievement in life and a stadium is not a house of worship. And this culture hates him for that. But Tim Tebow doesn’t play for us. He plays for the audience of One. And that’s all that matters.
The media will scour every source to find some way to bring this man down. They can’t stand someone who boldly exhibits faith. They want conformity to mediocrity in religion so that hero worship of Babylon’s ideals will not be tarnished. And who knows. If they push hard enough and strain long enough, they might even find something to diminish Tebow’s witness. But ultimately that won’t matter. The only thing that matters is the audience of One.
When Paul uses the Greek word epainos, he does so from the perspective of the LXX. In classical Greek, epainos was about praise and approval, highly sought in the ancient world. But the LXX employs the word to emphasize God’s approval, not the accolades of the public or the recognition of the king. In fact, epainos is used in the New Testament to describe vindication. It is about feeling God’s validation even when the world disapproves. It is especially about hearing God say, “Well done,” when the world cries, “Crucify him!”
We read these words, “worthy of praise,” and think about all those things that earn us recognition and acclaim. We need a cultural eraser. There are lots of things that the world finds praiseworthy that will never make God smile. Those need to be removed from our thinking. “Worthy of praise” pushes us to see that only One must give the nod of approval. Only One needs to show acceptance. Only One matters. And if the only One doesn’t find our actions epainos, then they don’t count at all, no matter how loudly the crowd cheers.
Topical Index: Tim Tebow, epainos, worthy of praise, Philippians 4:8
The Book of Hebrews
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us RUN WITH PATIENCE the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith; who for the JOY that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.
You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
12: 1-4
“if the only One doesn’t find our actions epainos, then they don’t count at all, no matter how loudly the crowd cheers.”
AMEN!
Daria, that thought is similar to these bridging both the Old and New Testaments.
For the LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered.
And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he says, I cannot; for it is sealed:
And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he says, I am not learned.
Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees us? and who knows us?
Isaiah 29
&
You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
This people draws nigh unto me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Matthew 15
Hmmm
I admire this man’s faith “high-character train,” but unfortunately he is no Joe Montana or Ken Stabler or Joe Namath
From the newspaper:
The NFL has seen plenty of great college players fail in the NFL—but they have never been confronted by the unstoppable high-character train of Tim Tebow before.
Despite a horrendous throwing motion, an inability to make the most elementary of reads (including the option), overrated athleticism and nightmarish footwork, Tebow earned the esteemed title of “former first-round pick” when all was said and done.
And that’s because of nothing more than his off-the-charts intangibles
You are correct. Tebow is no “snake” and I don’t think he wears panty hose. However, simply put, he is a winner because of those intangibles. His come from behind wins in the previous season were a joy to watch.
“They can’t stand someone who boldly exhibits faith.”
Reminds me of a scripture the Sweet and Holy Spirit, the Comforter led me to.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ~Jeremiah 1:5
Of course, you will want to read before and after.
You will never guess what else the Holy Spirit revealed to me! How many people do you know that are on meds and can’t drink grapefruit juice? Have a gander at this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grapefruit
Thanks for praying for me.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ~Jeremiah 1:5
“Of course, you will want to read before and after.”
Hi Jeanette,
Here is some “before and after”
The Call of Jeremiah
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying
7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young’
You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you
8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord
17 Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you
Do not be terrified by them
Or I will terrify you before them
Hi Mikie!
Thanks for sharing the entire passage. Wanna know the only thing I can remember ever being terrified of? Worms. Almost cut my own leg off once when shucking corn and one got on me. I just don’t like them. Don’t think anything will ever make me. 🙂
And for that I say, To God be the glory.
Amen.
I know, I know, I know that the point of this was not Tim Tebow, but I can’t help but be frustrated that here he is again, being brought up, in a spot that I’m not sure warrants it. I appreciate the effort at connecting pop-culture to what is being discussed here, but the article from the link I felt was very fair to Tim, and not condemning of anything, besides his football abilities. In fact, I felt the author put a positive spin on this part of Tim (the mention of his passing the ball with the man in the wheel chair, and the closing comments regarding how proud Tim should be of his accomplishments). But to claim that he is “generally excoriated”, and then refer to recent media that does not actually condemn him for his religious beliefs at all, is frustrating.
A look at any blog for Timmy will also reveal that Tim has become a rallying cry for the Christian victim and for the religious right. He is just more evidence that we are mistreated for our beliefs. I just don’t see it. I am proud that Tim can be a man who tells it how he sees it. I am so glad that God can use him the way he has. Tim is not perfect, and Tim is not an NFL starter, and Tim is not, to me, a good example of someone who has been mistreated because of his faith.
Look to Paul for that, or missionaries, or countless other examples. Timmy is doing just fine with his big contracts and multiple speaking engagements, and movie star girl friends. If anything, I pray for his ability to be grounded and focused in the midst of so much distraction.