Here is Bob’s INTRO to the iFart Interview on 103.5 FM WMUZ


This is Chris’ response to Bob


Some positive responses from callers

So… it’s time to get a little discussion goin about this whole iFart thing.

In short, we entered the iFart video contest. Not because we want to win the $5000, though of course that would be nice, but because we want to effectively communicate truth.

We’re using the same strategy the Apostle Paul used when he arrived in Athens (Acts 17:16-34). He effectively engaged culture on their level first, by referring to their idols and famous poets, then he introduced the Athenians to Biblical truth.

We don’t expect to win this contest, because we are making a highly unpopular statement about Jesus’ divinity, but we do intend to inspire many.

By the way, YouTube isn’t tracking the views properly on many of our videos. We have waayyy more views on this one than it says we do.

What do you think about this attempt to reach culture?

Do you think we are reaching out effectively… without selling out?

Do you think we took it too far?

What are other people’s reactions to it? No gossip please

Jebus

One of my favorite Simpson’s episodes is called “Missionary Impossible.” Homer gets into a mess with PBS and runs to church to flee from hot pursuit. The pastor sneaks Homer away from the angry PBS mob, sticks him on a plane, and ships him off to be a missionary. Once Homer understands what is happening, he tries to get off the plane, but it’s too late. Out of desperation Homer runs to the cockpit and says, “Wait, I’m no missionary! I don’t even believe in Jebus! Let me out!” The captain says, “Sorry, no can do.” Homer screams “Ohhh save me Jebus!!!”

Of course you caught that… “Jebus.” Although Homer has attended church many times, he is so confused about the person of Jesus that he cannot even say His name right.

Once he arrives on the island in the South Pacific, he’s petrified, cause the people want him to teach them about God, but he doesn’t know how to be a missionary. However, it doesn’t take long before Homer comes up with a “brilliant” plan. He is going to give these people what he thinks is best for them. So, he has them build a casino, and he introduces them to beer. Soon after, the island begins to cave in on itself. The people start fighting, yelling, screaming, and trying to kill each other. Homer’s attempt to represent Jebus caused severe chaos.

Here’s the deal: there are lots of Jebus’ being proclaimed in America today, and they are causing serious havoc. In fact, one of the most misunderstood ideas in all of Christianity is “the meaning of Easter.”

Here’s the most commonly proclaimed Jebus presentation of the meaning of Easter:

“Do you want to go to heaven? Do you realize that you are a bad person? A sinner? Ok, well if you’ll believe these simple truths, you can guarantee you’ll go to heaven when you die? Are you ready? Good. Jesus is God. Jesus died on a cross for your sins. Jesus defeated your sins by rising from the dead. If you believe this, with faith, you’ll go to heaven.”

This my friends is Jebus. Now, some of you may be saying, “Whooaa, dude I totally don’t see anything wrong with this presentation.” This presentation of Jebus leaves out the importance of the teachings of Jesus, and makes them optional, as if they were the bonus questions on an exam. You can pass the test without them, but it sure would be nice to get some of them. You’ll get the cake without the teachings of Jesus, but the teachings are the icing. And who wouldn’t want the icing?

Jesus says, without becoming a disciple, which means passionately trying to follow ALL of His teachings, you don’t get no cake, and you sure don’t get no icing either (Matthew 7:21-29).

Look at Jesus’ final words in Matthew (Matthew 28:16-20). He makes it very clear what His death/resurrection was all about. In verse 18, He says that the death/resurrection gave Him all authority. In verse 19, He gives the meaning of that authority, the meaning of Easter.

In case you missed it, here it is: “Jesus died to make disciples.”

The cross is the power to be a disciple and make disciples, NOT get one of those “Get out of hell free cards if you just believe a few truths.” Jesus’ brother, James addresses this. He basically says, if you believe in the Trinity, that awesome, but Satan does too. If you believe Jesus died on a cross and rose for your sins, good… so do the demons. But faith without works is DEAD. (James 2:14-26)

Ephesians 2:8-10 makes it clear that following Jesus is possible only through grace, not works, AND real grace produces real discipleship.

Jesus died to make disciples… people who will be like Him in almost every way. Read Matthew 5-7. These teachings aren’t optional.

What do you say?

Growing up, I had this cat named “Ed.” Well, he was my sister’s cat. I was never a big cat-fan, until I met Ed… He was as large as a raccoon and had quite an entertaining personality, but like most cats, Ed was stubborn. Quite picky too!

We fed Ed tiny, crunchy cat-food pellet thingies. Usually he eat ‘em right up, but sometimes he’d go on strike. Especially when he decided he would only settle for “people food.” One day in particular, Ed rebelled against his master (me), and decided that he would not eat, unless he received the food from my plate. Usually I’d toss him a scrap or two, but this night was different. This meal was too delicious to depart with even the most minute morsel.

However, I devised a scandalous plot that would seduce Ed into believing he had achieved feline nirvana. For you animal rights freaks, I apologize for my appalling actions… No, not really. I enjoyed every minute of it, and I would do it again if given the opportunity!

So, here it is. I took some of Ed’s pellet-thingies in my hand, then sat down at the table. Next, I acted like I was taking food from my plate, but it was actually Ed’s food. Ed eagerly snatched the bait from my fingers. He then proceeded to rapidly eat one bite after another out of my hand. Each time I acted like I took the food from my dish. Ed was a cat with no shortage of expression, and let me say that you could tell Ed was experiencing extreme ecstasy!

At least for a few minutes anyway, until he discovered that he was setup. Once he ascertained the smell of this so-called “people food” he was quite upset, and immediately walked away. This food was not what Ed thought it was.

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. A day where we recall the events that transpired, whereby Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the crowds went ballistic. They were filled with radical emotion. Their adrenaline charts would be immeasurable. They were worshiping!
Who were they worshiping? “Jesus” you say? That’s usually the best “Sunday School” answer, but you’d be wrong in regards to my question. No, they weren’t worshiping Jesus. They worshiped their “idea” of Jesus.

Although many of the people in Jerusalem would’ve had the entire Old Testament memorized, they had their own ideas of “Messiah”, what he was going to accomplish and how he would do it. When the crowds saw Jesus standing before the powers that be, “weak”, and seemingly reaction-less, they thought, this is NOT Messiah!?!?! In short, they liked their own ideas of Messiah better than the real Messiah.

If we are real with ourselves, we are often guilty of this too. Whether we want to admit it or not, many times, we like our own ideas of Jesus better than the real Jesus.

We like the Jesus who will freely get us into heaven, but not the Jesus who says we must follow every single one of His teachings (Matthew 28:18-20 and John 8:31).
If you don’t think this concept of liking false ideas of Jesus applies to you, then you must think you are Jesus. Now, I’m probably not the first one to break the news to you, but you’re not… You’re totally human, just like me! You and I need to be ReJesus-ed. Daily. I hope you join us on this journey!