When a person becomes a Christian, they put their trust in Jesus. They have faith that He is the Son of God who died for their sins. They do their best to follow Jesus’ teaching. They love God and love one another. But, the world doesn’t want Christ or His teachings or His love. Therefore, for those who choose to follow Jesus, there will be a backlash when you commit to living a Christian life. You may lose friends, be shunned by your neighbors, get passed over for that promotion at work, and be ridiculed and hated by the world. It’s hard to believe that is true in America today, but it is becoming a reality Christians must endure when holding to our Christian beliefs. The past two Sundays, I have mentioned those Christians who have been imprisoned for simply praying and sing hymns at the entrances to abortion clinics. I read earlier this past week that one of them, a 62-year-old woman, had a stroke while being incarcerated—such were the pressures of her solitary confinement placed upon her for living out her faith.[1]
It is sometimes difficult for us when we hear of such things. It is especially hard when you experience them personally. What makes it even more difficult is to look around and see those who openly reject God having such “prosperous” and “easy” lives. Is there anything in the Bible that helps us when we have those troubling thoughts? Of course, there is! You see the amazing thing about the Bible is that what it had to say to people in ancient times remains just as relevant today. For example, take Psalm 73. This psalm was written by Asaph, who was one of King David’s three chief musicians.[2] David sat on the throne of Israel from about 1005 to 965 B.C. [3] That means this particular psalm is around 3,000 years old. And yet, it is just as fresh and relevant today as when Asaph first penned it for King David.
Listen now to what Asaph had to say in Psalm 73: 1 “Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2 As for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 ‘What does God know?’ they ask. ‘Does the Most High even know what’s happening?’ 12 Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. 15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 SO I TRIED TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE WICKED PROSPER. BUT WHAT A DIFFICULT TASK IT IS!” Psalm 73:1-16 (NLT2)
When we look around today, it’s not hard to feel like Asaph. For example, if you are at a store in the check-out line or even in the self-checkout area, you’ll likely see strategically placed tabloids and magazines that will inundate you with the headlines and photos of two people. Then, when you get home and turn on the TV, the commercials will regularly feature one of the two of these same people. If you are browsing online the same thing happens—these two “celebrities” are bound to pop up. Who are they?—none other than the singer, Taylor Swift, and her overgrown, football-playing boyfriend, Travis Kelce. For them, life appears to be a breeze. Taylor Swift has been gifted with good-looks (kinda) and a passable singing voice (maybe). At the age of 34, those traits have propelled her to billionaire status. That’s right, Forbes magazine recently included Swift in the 2024 World’s Billionaires List estimating her wealth to be approximately $1.1 billion. Exploding sales of her music and the increased value of her various real estate holdings helped her make the billionaire club.[4]
Her fans love to call her the “Anti-hero”, but it might be more accurate to simply regard her as “anti-Christian.” Why? Well, consider the lyrics of her most recent album entitled, “The Tortured Poets Department,” that was released a month ago today. Swift’s songs appear to go out of their way to subtly belittle the Christian faith and the morality it entails. An article by CrosswalkHeadlines.com reported earlier this month: “One of the nation’s leading evangelists is warning Christian parents that Taylor Swift’s newest album contains lyrics that seemingly oppose the faith. Shane Pruitt, the author of Calling Out the Called and an evangelist who tours with the annual Winter Jam concert, sparked an online debate. . . with comments on his Facebook page that led to more than 500 comments and 3,000 likes.” In this news article, Pruitt points out how the lyrics in Swift’s recent songs take numerous veiled slaps at Christians and Christian morality. In addition, her choice of words reveals something about the nature of her heart. Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34b (NIV) Jesus is telling us that our choice of words reveals the nature of our spiritual character. In applying this truth to Taylor Swift, we get a good indicator of the filth that apparently clutters her depraved heart. In this regard, 11 of the 31 songs on her new album are rated “E” for “explicit” language. Several of her songs are laced with some of the filthiest language imaginable. Believe me, she didn’t just say, “Oh, fudge”—if you know what I mean. Pruitt concluded by saying, “I fully realize unbelievers are going to act like unbelievers. HOWEVER, there is a difference between being secular and being ANTI-CHRISTIAN.”[5] He then asked Christian parents whether it is appropriate to be “entertained by, sing with, and expose our kids to lyrics that aren’t just different than what you believe, but are actually mocking what you believe.”[6]
In addition, the Irish singer, Shane Lynch, recently pointed out that Swift often mimics satanic rituals by using such things as hooded gowns and satanic symbols that are cleverly woven into her concerts. In a recent interview, Lynch said: “You watch one of her shows and she has two or three different demonic rituals to do with the pentagrams on the ground, to do with all sorts of stuff on her stage. . . But to a lot of people it’s just art and that’s how people are seeing it, unfortunately.”[7] So, when we consider Taylor Swift, what do we really find? We find an anti-Christian with a filthy mouth and heart who apparently dabbles in satanic rituals. You might think someone like that would be anything but blessed. However, in reality, she is a wealthy billionaire, blessed with secular beauty, a singing voice and millions of adoring fans. On top of all that, in the eyes of the media and entertainment industry, she can do no wrong.
And then, there’s her boyfriend, Travis Kelce—the 34-year-old, 6’ 5”, 250-pound tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. When I was a boy, I loved to watch the N.F.L. football games. I remember the TV cameras focusing on Vince Lombardy, the coach of the Green Bay Packers, as he paced the sidelines during the games. He’d get in the face of his players and scream something like: “You’d better get out on that field and start playing some football—or, you’re gonna be outa here!” But my, how things have changed. In this year’s Super Bowl, the T.V. cameras gave a close-up of Travis Kelce yelling in the face of his coach. I don’t know what he said, but perhaps it was something along the lines of: “You idiot! You better start calling plays that throw the ball to me—or, you’ll be out here!” (or, words to that affect). Not only that, he shoved his coach, almost causing him to topple over. I have never seen anything like it. Jesus said, “If you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” Matthew 5:22 (NLT2) Now, I don’t know what Kelce yelled at his coach. But, I don’t imagine it was very complimentary. And, it was obvious that he was beyond angry. In fact, the expression on his face was that of intense, violent rage. Later, when interviewed about his violent behavior, he pretty much laughed it off and made sure to include a string of expletives that only Taylor Swift could have matched.[8]
Now surely, a guy like that would not receive any blessings—right? Well, as it turns out, Kelce just signed a new contract making him the highest paid tight end in pro football. How much will he be paid?—over 17 million dollars a year! [9] He distinguishes himself as a coach-shoving, foul-mouth maniac, but the world loves him. Kelce has experienced no adverse consequences for his despicable behavior. Instead, with his new contract, he got a tremendous raise!
Within the past couple of weeks Harrison Butker, who is a teammate of Kelce’s on the Chiefs football team, gave a commencement address at Benedictine College, located northeast of Kansas City. Butker is a devote Catholic who is not afraid to stand up for the Christian faith. In his speech, Butker criticized President Biden for supporting abortion even though Biden professes to be a Catholic. Butker boldly called out the President, saying: “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally.” But, Biden was not the only target on which Butker took aim. He cited Gay Pride Month as one of the deadly sins. He warned of the “dangerous gender ideologies” that are being forced on young people today. And, he cautioned the audience to be vigilant in resisting the “tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion.” [10] Now, bear in mind that Butker was making this speech as a private citizen and not in his capacity as a professional football player. And yet, the National Football League’s front office immediately blasted him. Jonathan Beane, the league’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, issued a statement saying: “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”[11] Wow!—Travis Kelce physically and verbally assaulted his own coach during the Super Bowl on national TV, and we don’t hear a peep from the N.F.L. But, let a football player express Christian religious views on his own time, and the league becomes very vocal in its reprimands! If Asaph were alive today and could see all of this, he’d surely scratch his head in bewilderment.
So, how do we make sense of this? Well, Asaph helps us along these lines. He had more to say in Psalm 73. He continued: 17 “Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. 19 In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. 20 When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. 21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. 22 I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. 23 Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. 26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. 27 Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. 28 BUT AS FOR ME, HOW GOOD IT IS TO BE NEAR GOD! I HAVE MADE THE SOVEREIGN LORD MY SHELTER, AND I WILL TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU DO.” Psalm 73:17-28 (NLT2)
The first thing Asaph did to make sense of the prosperity of the wicked was to go to church. That’s the best place to go whenever you have something that is troubling you. Once there, Asaph remembered how many times God had faithfully guided him in the past. He realized that worldly prosperity is only a temporary thing. What is permanent is the strength that God gives to those who trust and rely upon Him. In addition, Asaph is telling us that the wicked, who seem to have it so good today, need to consider the fact that “today” is not all there is. They need to be mindful of another “day” that is coming soon. It’s called “Judgment Day.” Paul speaks of it in his second letter to the Church in Corinth: “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” 2nd Corinthians 5:10 (NLT2) Peter adds to this, saying: “For [God] has set a day for justly judging the world by the man he has appointed [i.e., His Son, Jesus Christ], and has pointed Him out by bringing Him back to life again.” Acts 17:31 (TLB) Finally, and most importantly, Jesus warns: “But all who reject Me and My message will be judged at the Day of Judgment by the truths I have spoken.” John 12:48 (TLB) A lot of people, and certainly Taylor and Travis, need to heed something else Jesus said when He proclaimed: “And I tell you this, that you must give account on Judgment Day for every idle word you speak.” Matthew 12:36 (TLB)
Don’t ever envy the wicked simply because they seem to “have it all” in this lifetime. That is the point: Their so-called “ease” is limited to their time here on earth. Father Henry Fehren put it this way: “The evil person is like the man who jumped from a 50-story building without a parachute. When he passed the 30th floor, someone shouted, ‘How's it going?’ And the jumper answered, ‘So far so good.’”[12] And, that’s the problem, those “jumpers” will soon find that the “landing” is a terrible thing! You can sing all the songs you want. You can catch every football thrown your way. Your adoring fans may applaud you no matter what you do. And, you can have a billion dollars in the bank. But, there’s one thing you cannot have. You cannot have eternal life if you don’t have faith in Jesus Christ. God is well aware of who loves Him, and who loves the world. Asaph put this in perspective using the Old Testament format of a psalm. Let me give you a parable that also helps us understand this. But, it’s not a parable that’s found in the Bible. Rather, it’s a modern-day parable adapted from the Christian writer, Dr. William E. Brown.
It goes like this: There was a very rich and successful farmer who hated anything to do with religion. On Sunday mornings, he purposefully worked on his fences along the highway just so he could shake his fist at people who were driving by on the way to church. He owned a hayfield next to one of the local churches. He paid his farmhands extra money to make sure they’d run his farming equipment as loudly as possible next to the church during worship services. There was a famine one year and it hardly rained at all. The Christian farmers watched their crops shrivel up. But, the rich farmer could afford a big irrigation system that allowed his crops to thrive. When harvest time came in October, this rich farmer had a bumper crop—far better than any of the farmers who “remembered the Sabbath Day and kept it holy.” [13] Just to make sure everyone knew about this, the rich, wicked farmer put an ad in the local newspaper that was so demeaning to Christians it would make Taylor Swift look like an amateur Christian-hater. The clincher came at the end of the ad when he wrote: “Faith in God must not mean much if someone like me can be so prosperous, while the crops of Christian farmers failed.” In response, the local churches decided to place their own ad in the next edition of the paper. In fact, it was a full-page ad that the rich farmer could not have missed. It simply read: “God doesn’t always settle His accounts in October.”[14] I think Asaph would have liked that parable very much.
Isn’t it amazing?—Taylor Swift jumped in her private jet and flew 5,700 miles from her concert in Tokyo just to be at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas so she could watch her beau play football. SHE DID IT ALL FOR HERSELF AND TRAVIS. Jesus left His glorious home in Heaven, just to be born in an animal trough in a dirty Bethlehem stable, and later died an excruciating death on the Cross as a sacrifice for sinners. HE DID IT ALL FOR YOU AND ME. Taylor Swift and Jesus Christ: The world loves the former and hates the latter. Unfortunately, the world will hate you too. Just ask Harrison Butker. That’s why Jesus said: 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated Me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” John 15:18-19 (NLT2) YES, JESUS “CHOSE YOU TO COME OUT OF THE WORLD.” There are two reasons for that. First and foremost, JESUS LOVES YOU! And, secondly, this world is coming to an end, but God’s Heavenly Kingdom is for all eternity. So, take on the mindset of Asaph when he said: “How good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things [He does].” Psalm 73:28 (NLT2) It was a great attitude 3,000 years ago, it’s an even better one today!
Let us pray.
Darvin Satterwhite, Pastor
Forest Hill Baptist Church
May 19, 2024
©2024 All Rights Reserved as follows:
Anyone is at liberty to use this sermon or any portions thereof for educational or religious purposes, with or without credit. The pastor believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God’s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia.
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[1] Jon Brown, “Pro-life activist suffered stroke in solitary confinement under FACE Act charges,” Christian Post, https://www.christianpost.com/news/pro-life-activist-suffered-stroke-in-solitary-confinement.html (May 13, 2024).
[2] Geoffrey W. Bromiley, ed., Volume One: A-D, (Chicago, IL: Howard-Severance Company, 1915; repr., Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1979), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 309.
[3] Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), s.v. “DAVID,” WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
[4] Johnny Oleksinski, “Taylor Swift is officially declared a billionaire: 2024 Forbes list,” New York Post, https://nypost.com/2024/04/02/entertainment/taylor-swift-officially-declared-a-billionaire-2024-forbes-list/ (April 2, 2024).
[5] Michael Foust, “Taylor Swift’s New Album ‘Mocks Christianity,’ Faith Leaders Say,” CrosswalkHeadlines.com, https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/taylor-swifts-new-album-mocks-christianity-faith-leaders-say.html (May 08, 2024).
[6] Billy Hallowell, “Evangelist Exposes ‘Darker Turn’ of Taylor Swift’s Music, Sounds Alarm for Parents: ‘Lyrics Matter,’” Christian Broadcasting Network, https://www2.cbn.com/news/entertainment/evangelist-exposes-darker-turn-taylor-swifts-music-sounds-alarm-parents-lyrics (May 4, 2024).
[7] Jon Brown, “Historic German church hosts worship service featuring Taylor Swift music
'Many had tears in their eyes,’” ChristianPost.com, https://www.christianpost.com/news/historic-german-church-hosts-service-featuring-taylor-swift-music.html (May 14, 2024).
[8] Drew Weisholtz, “Travis Kelce and Andy Reid explain what happened during their tense sideline confrontation,” Today, https://www.today.com/news/sports/travis-kelce-coach-reid-super-bowl-rcna138354 (Feb. 14, 2024).
[9] Kevin Dotson, “New contract makes Chiefs’ Travis Kelce highest paid tight end in the NFL, reps say,” CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/29/sport/travis-kelce-contract-spt-intl/index.html (April 30, 2024).
[10] Ryan Foley, “Kansas City Chiefs kicker slams Biden for supporting abortion in college commencement speech,” ChristianPost.com,https://www.christianpost.com/news/harrison-butker-slams-church-of-nice-in-commencement-speech.html (May 15, 2024).
11 Ron Dicker, “NFL Pushes Back on Harrison Butker's Bigoted Graduation Speech,” HuffPost,
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/nfl-pushes-back-on-harrison-butkers-bigoted-graduation-speech/ar-BB1muPTV?ocid=BingNewsSerp (May 16, 2024).
[12]Father Henry Fehren in U.S. Catholic (April 1985). Christianity Today, Vol. 30, no. 12, cited in PreachingToday.com.
[13] Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” (NIV)
[14] William E. Brown in Making Sense of Your Faith. Christianity Today, Vol. 33, no. 11, cited in PreachingToday.com.
