February 2, 2010

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped," Philippians 2:6

Something significant is happening in this portion of Scripture. The great Apostle is appealing to unity in the Philippian church by focusing on the unity of the Godhead. In so doing he gives us a revealing insight into the nature of the Incarnation.

In my last post we learned that Jesus had "morphed" into a man. That signifies that He was in the flesh and form of a man but was in nature fully God.

Today's discussion builds on that fact. This same verse reminds us that Jesus was "equal" with God since He was God in His very nature. That truth strengthens both claims.

The word used to explain Christ's relationship to God is the word "isos". This word means "exactly the same, in size, quality, quantity, character and number". We use the word in English, for example, an "isosceles" triangle is a triangle with two equal sides. An "isomer" is a chemical molecule having a slightly different structure from another molecule but having identical elements and weight. In other words, it means that something is EXACTLY THE SAME - COMPLETELY THE SAME in every way. Jesus was exactly equal to God even though He had "morphed" into a man!

Jesus was equal to God because He WAS God in every way except He had "morphed" from a spirit into flesh.

That is good news! That means that every promise or claim made by or about Jesus is true! Everything we know to be true about God is also true about Jesus!

What does that say to us about unity?

It shows us that to be united with one another we need to be united with Christ like Christ is united with God! I proves that if we will - He can!

Will you?

February 1, 2010

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11

This Sunday I will conclude my series on attitudes by focusing on the ultimate attitude, that of Jesus.

So far I have talked about three attitudes that the Apostle Paul urges upon this struggling Philippian church. Those three attitudes are unity and humility and community.

I guess this could beg the question, "Does developing these three attitudes lead to achieving the Christ-like attitude or does having the Christ-like attitude result in these?"

I think the answer would have to be, "Yes!"

This week in my posts I will do a detailed examination of the attitude of Christ. Not only is this crucial for the development of Christians and churches and His Kingdom, but it gives us the clearest look at understanding the mystery of the incarnation.

As we investigate the attitude of Christ we discover not just how to live but how to think.

Verse 5 lays out the mandate to choose the Christlike attitude. Obviously, if you don't desire it and pursue it and repent of lesser attitudes - you will never attain it. Surely you know that you won't just wake up one morning to discover that you think and act like Christ.

Here's how Jesus' thought and how He wants us to think. Verse 6 states, "being in very nature God".....

This is the first peek we get into the nature of the incarnation. Paul chose the word "morphe" to express this thought. Nowadays you might hear someone talk about "morphing" from one thing into another. Actually, that is an accurate portrayal. You are also familiar with the word "metamorphosis" in reference to a caterpillar spinning a cocoon and emerging as a butterfly. It has changed outward form but is essentially the same inward being.

Jesus was God "morphed" into human form. Outwardly He was a man - first a baby, then an infant, a toddler, a child, an adolescent and then an adult man. But in each stage of human development He was God wrapped up in human form! Wow!

Why would God do that? Why would an Infinite, Almighty, Spiritual Being put on the limitations of flesh? What sort of attitude would inspire that "metamorphosis"?

LOVE! COMPASSION! MERCY! KINDNESS! All of these are part of an incredible redemptive plan that wants to transform us into His likeness but first required Him to become conformed to ours!

And you think you can't change your attitude.....???

January 31, 2010

"MAKING GOD'S 'A' TEAM"


Week Three – “Pass The Ball”

“Each of you should not look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2BlOTeoZVE

The Michael Jordan led Bulls won six consecutive NBA championships. He was the "go to" guy in every clutch situation. Perhaps no one has hit as many game-winning baskets as he did. But in the 1997 Championship final he won the game - with a pass!

Luke Walton of the Los Angeles Lakers is a solid NBA player, but nobody would consider him a superstar by any stretch of the imagination. After all, the fifth-year small forward has never averaged more than the 11.4 points he scored per game last season.

Yet Walton may do more to help his team win than any other single player in the NBA, if you are to believe recent statistical analysis done by Brigham Young University statisticians. BYU statistics professors Gil Fellingham and Shane Reese and master's student Garritt Page compared the value of 13 box score statistics from an entire NBA season across the five player positions to see how much each contributed to winning games.

Their findings? Small forwards who assist teammates and don't turn the ball over are golden. Of all the combinations of stats and positions, the study found that assists by small forwards contribute the most to a team's likelihood of winning. Meanwhile, turnovers by small forwards do more harm than turnovers by players at other positions.

That's where Walton comes in. His combination of averaging more than six assists with fewer than three turnovers per 48 minutes played last season at the small forward position makes him incredibly valuable, according to the BYU statistics.

The statisticians actually used the 1997-98 season for their study, which was recently published in a scientific journal. That season was the second year the Chicago Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in the NBA Finals. A follow up with a later season or season, which has yet to be done, could show how things have changed in the NBA in the past decade, but Reese suspects assists would still be the biggest indicator at each position of a player's success toward helping his team win.That's because they found passing the basketball to set up a score is more important than actually making a field goal when it comes to winning, according to the analysis.

Every kid wants to be Carmelo Anthony or LaBron James or Kobe Bryant or Dewayne Wade - no kid wants to be Luke Walton. Carmelo, LaBron, Kobe or D-Wade, are winning commercials and big contracts – but Luke is winning games.

I guess it comes down to this. Are you looking to be a super star or are you looking to be on a winning team?

What makes a winning team is players who are willing to pass the ball to team mates.

So, why am I sharing this? What does this have to do with us this morning?

EVERYTHING!

This month I have been leading us in a study of Philippians 2:1-11 and we have been talking about attitudes that honor God and are consistent with Christ. I have been using the analogy of an athletic team, so I entitled the series, “MAKING GOD’S A TEAM”.

The two attitudes we have talked about thus far are UNITY and HUMILITY.

Unity comes from a commitment to "being like-minded", joining with those in your fellowship to think like Jesus. It results from aiming your thoughts at God's Word and your emotions at God's will.

Humility means that you focus your thoughts and emotions at serving God by serving others.

In this message I want us to focus on verse four of chapter two:

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

THE ATTITUDE WE ARE CONSIDERING TODAY IS “COMMUNITY”.

What Is “Community”?

COMMUNITY is living “with unity” or “in unity”.

Community is God’s design for the CHURCH. It is best illustrated in the early days of the church demonstrated in ACTS 2.

THE KEY IN “UNITY” AND “HUMILITY” AND “COMMUNITY” IS “U" - how will you relate to God and relate to others? Will you think and behave in a way that honors God and builds others in their faith?

Community will create a church that is:

A SAFE PLACE

Community is a place where I know everyone has my back and they know I have theirs because they are totally committed to God and totally committed to your best interest. You will feel safe with your secrets, your scars, and your dreams.

A SPIRITUAL PLACE

“The difference between spiritual and unspiritual community is not whether conflict exists, but is rather in our attitude toward it and our approach to handling it. When conflict is seen as an opportunity to draw more fully on spiritual resources, we have the makings of spiritual community.” - LARRY CRABB – “The Safest Place On Earth”

A SOUL-WINNING PLACE

Bill Hybels, the pastor of Willow Creek Community Church just outside of Chicago makes this statement. “If you create a loving community, first time seekers will sniff it and say “I want in.”

A SENDING PLACE

One of the sure signs that community has developed in a church is that the young people who come up in that community, when they leave it have a passion to go and reproduce it wherever they go.

SO, HOW DO WE CREATE SUCH A COMMUNITY?

We do what all championship teams do – we focus on assists not on scoring. We learn to pass the ball and commit to making our teammates the best players they can be!

The fact is, if there were no assist leaders there would be no scoring leaders because you can’t score if you don’t have the ball! And if the ball isn’t passed to you, you won’t have it.

WHAT IS “THE BALL”?

The ball is everything you desire for yourself – the attention, the praise, the control, the affirmation, the prestige, the power, the ambition, the ego boost – basically- self-centeredness.

HOW HARD CAN IT BE TO PASS THE BALL?

I guess I’ll let you decide!

You Have To Be Willing To Give Up The Ball– CONQUER SELFISHNESS

When I played basketball – whether it was junior high, high school, or the one year I played in college – my position was point guard. That meant it was my job to pass the ball and set up the offense.

I have to admit that I didn’t always FEEL like passing the ball. I would have been happy to shoot the ball every time I had it. I would have loved to put on a Curly Neal Globetrotter dribbling exhibition. That is human nature. BUT – if I wanted to be on the team and if I wanted to get playing time and if I wanted to help the team win, I needed to get beyond my selfish desires and pass the ball.

When I passed the ball 20 times a game we would usually win. If I would have shot the ball 20 times a game we would not have won. And when I pass the ball I want to help them get the best shot they can get.

Paul says in verse 4 – “Each of you should not look only to your own interest….”

In other words – the game is not about you! It is about Him and His Church. That means you must do what helps the Church win. That means you can’t shoot the ball every time you feel like it. You must be willing to give up the ball to help others be successful. It means that you can’t be guided by your human FEELINGS, you must be guided by His FAITH.

SIGNS OF SELFISHNESS:

HOGGING THE BALL - I am going to take the shot, I am going to make the play, I am the best player so why should I pass the ball?

DROPPING THE BALL - I missed the pass but it was your fault, you threw a bad pass! If you'd have thrown it better I wouldn't have dropped it!

TAKING MY BALL AND GOING HOME - I don't like the way the game is being played. I don't like the coaching. I don't like the officiating. I am not getting enough playing time or enough shots so I am going to take the ball and go home!

SELFISHNESS or SELF-CENTEREDNESS KILLS A CHURCH – GIVING UP THE BALL HELPS CONQUER SELFISHNESS.

Look For The Open Man – CONCENTRATE ON OTHERS

Again, that is what Paul is saying to the Philippians – “concentrate on others…..”

HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD OF MICHAEL JORDAN? HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD OF JOHN PAXSON OR STEVE KERR? THEY WERE THE GUYS WHO GOT JORDAN THE BALL.

In game 7 of the NBA Championship in 1993, with 14 seconds left and the Phoenix Suns with a 2 point lead, here’s what happened:

Jordan, double-teamed in the backcourt, fed the ball to Scottie Pippen, who drove the lane. Suns center Mark West moved over to block his path, so Pippen dished the ball to Grant in the low post. Grant, who had scored just one point in each of the previous two games but more than made up for it with tireless defense and hustle under the boards, eschewed a forced shot and instead passed the ball back out to Paxson, who was lurking in three-point land. Phoenix's Danny Ainge, who had dropped back to harass Grant, could do nothing but watch as Paxson nailed the three for the win!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnAr4I3-Z48

IF THE GREATEST PLAYER OF ALL TIME LOOKED FOR THE OPEN MAN HOW ABOUT YOU?

WHO CAN I HELP TO LOOK GOOD? WHAT CAN I DO TO MAKE THEM LOOK GOOD?CAN I HELP SOMEONE ELSE GET A WIN? CAN I SHARE THAT GOOD IDEA AND GIVE SOMEONE ELSE THE CREDIT? CAN IT SET UP A SITUATION THAT ENABLES SOMEONE ELSE TO LOOK GOOD? WILL I DO IT?

Celebrate When He Scores – COMPLETE DON’T COMPETE

Perhaps this is the ultimate test of community – can you be as excited when your brother or sister gets the score as you would if you had gotten it?

I got to tell you, it is a thrill to take a shot and watch it SWISH through the net and to hear the crowd yell! That is fun! That feels good!

It doesn’t feel quite as good when I pass up the shot, pass the ball to the open man and he gets the score. He gets the thrill and he gets the cheers and I have to feel equally good about that!

Yes, that’s right! That’s unity! That’s humility! That is what creates community.

We need to be committed to completing each other and completing the mission – not on competing with each other. That’s what makes a team a team. They agree to complete each other so they can compete against the opponent.

We also need to be committed to completing each other because sometimes we give up the ball and the teammate fumbles the ball, or misses the easy shot, or the ball gets stolen – you give up and they goof it up……….You need to stay committed to that person and the next time their open - pass it again!

Here’s what can happen in a community where there is unity and humility and people pass the ball:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg

That's what COMMUNITY looks like! That is what COMMUNITY can feel like. It's what God desires for His Church - for our church!

WHEN YOU PASS ARE UNITED AND HUMBLE AND WILLING TO PASS THE BALL EVERYONE GETS THEIR CHANGE TO SHINE, EVERYONE CHEERS, AND THE TEAM WINS!

What are you doing to contribute to the community of FredWes?

Have You Conquered Selfishness By Passing The Ball To Teammates?

Do you hog the ball? Do you crave all the attention and demand all the praise?

Do you drop the ball? Do you want the attention but not the responsibilities that go with it?

Do you take your ball and go home? Do you quit the game or disrupt the game when it doesn't go your way?

Are You Concentrating On Others By Looking For The Open Man?

Do you consciously look for ways to help others succeed?

Are you making as much effort to assist others as you do to make yourself look good?

Are You Celebrating When Others Score?

Do you find as much joy when others succeed as you do in your own success?

These are the keys to creating community - a winning team that creates an environment for every player to get better and make non-players want to join the team. This is what God has in mind for Fredericksburg Wesleyan Church? Is this what you have in mind?

January 30, 2010

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

Shortly after I posted my article yesterday, the news came over the TV regarding the verdict in the Scott Roeder trial out in Kansas City.

Scott Roeder was the admitted killer of abortion doctor, George Tiller. Roeder admitted killing Tiller and he did it in fulll view of the congregation at Tiller's church while the Dr. was serving as an usher. Roeder stood up, stuck a gun to Tiller's forehead and killed him on the spot.

Here is an excerpt from the news release:

Roeder took the stand Thursday as the only witness called by the defense after Wilbert refused to allow former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline testify about why he filed charges against Tiller in 2006. The charges were dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.

Roeder testified Thursday that he killed Tiller, one of a handful of doctors in the country who performed late-term abortions, on May 31.

Roeder told jurors that he bought a .22-caliber handgun on May 18, went target shooting with it on May 30, and used it to shoot Tiller in the forehead while Tiller was serving as an usher in his church.

Roeder testified that over the years, he’d considered other ways to stop Tiller from performing abortions, including cutting Tiller’s hands off with a sword, ramming Tiller’s car with his own, and taking a sniper shot at Tiller outside his clinic. But he said he ended up choosing to kill Tiller in his church because “it was the only window of opportunity that I saw where he could be stopped.”

No one can argue that George Tiller was a despicable person who killed thousands of innocent unborn children. Many of those he killed were full-term babies that he destroyed using the barbaric "partial birth" methods. While the world is better off without an evil person like him, no reasonable Christian can endorse his murder. There is no way to justify what George Tiller did. But there is also no way to condone what Scott Roeder did to Dr. Tiller - although he tried to justify his actions by his testimony in court.

Paul told the Roman believers to counter Roman barbarism with loving-kindness. Christians do not respond in kind. Romans crucified them, beheaded them, fed them to lions, put them up against gladiators, and after all the innocent blood was shed the Empire fell and the Faith flourished. We are to love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us. I have got to guess that Scott Roeder had not been praying for George Tiller. If he had he surely would have chosen a different course of action.

Roeder chose to overcome evil with evil and everyone lost. Nothing good came of his hatred. Nothing ever does. This is the antithesis of Romans 12:21. This illustrates why Paul advises us as he does.

If we are going to overcome evil with good we must have a clear understand of what is good and what is evil. Everytime that line gets blurred trouble results. Each of us has a "Scott Roeder" piece in us that can easily lead us astray. That is the challenge behind this challenge. "Overcoming evil with good" assumes that you are walking in spiritual fellowship with the Spirit of God so you have a clear knowledge of His will. That is what this entire 12th Chapter of Romans is about.

Read the chapter. Make sure you understand the "good and perfect will of God" and then believe in its power to transform your world just as it transforms you!

Too bad Scott Roeder didn't.

January 29, 2010

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:9-21

Have you ever thought how blessed we are to be alive in this amazing period of history? These are exciting days! Troubled days, for sure. Dangerous days, no doubt. But these are days of great opportunity. These are times that challenge you to clearly know and understand what we believe, to discipline our thoughts according to those beliefs, and most importantly - live what we believe.

We have just seen how quickly trends can turn with the results of just one state election. It seemed that our nation was headed full speed toward some ill-advised decisions that could threaten individual liberties. That should encourage you to know the power of one individual life who boldly stands for traditional conservative principles.

Romans 12:9-21 affirms the power of a life lived well.

This is one portion of Scripture that makes as much sense read backwards and it does read in order. Paul concludes this hopeful and encouraging admonition with this strong statement, "Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." Start there and read backward to know how to do it!

Do you hear that? Can you get your heart and mind around that? YOU CAN OVERCOME EVIL! Not only CAN you - you MUST! If you do not overcome evil you will be overcome by it. There is no moral neutral ground or DMZ. I am afraid we lose sight of that. I am afraid we drift into a shadow land of "I'm not that bad" rather than standing boldly in the bright light of "this is right"!

In this powerful 12th chapter, Paul is prescribing a powerful revolutionary plan of action for Christians who were living in one of the most corrupt cultures in history. On a good day, the Roman Empire was amoral, mostly it was grossly immoral. These Roman Christians were considered enemies of the empire and were unmercifully persecuted by the Romans in addition to being relentlessly pursued by the Jewish leaders. In that context, Paul says, "Live out what you believe and you will defeat evil." He didn't promise them comfort. He didn't promise them prosperity. He didn't promise them deliverance from suffering. He just promised them victory.

By the way, the Roman Empire crumbled and Christianity is alive and well!

Just when they must have felt like they were losing, Paul writes to remind them how to win. This might be timely advice for you and me.

Righteousness is restored one person at a time, one decision at a time and one courageous action at a time. Every time you do the right thing because you believe the right thing and think the right way - YOU OVERCOME EVIL!

It's not up to the Republicans or the Democrats or the TEA Party or the Independents or the Libertarians or any "ism". It is not the job of President Obama or Ted Cruz or Governor McAuliffe. It is not up to Glenn Beck, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Joel Osteen, or James Dobson. Not even Dr. Phil can solve this one!

But you can! So can I! And it can begin today - right now!

You have to know what you believe. You have to believe what you believe. You have to think consistent with your beliefs and make decisions based on your convictions not your emotions. And then courageously behave according to your beliefs. If you do that and if I do that we will overcome evil today!

Have a GOOD day - world-changer!

January 28, 2010

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

I had a couple of medical emergencies this week that could have been anxiety producing. No, not me personally, but one was a family member and one was church family. They were two very different medical issues. One was life-threatening and the other wasn't but involved a toddler, so that is emotionally loaded.

We are rejoicing for happy endings in both situations. With the toddler emergency - saying it ended well has particular significance because she passed a metal hair clip she had swallowed. There was concern that with the size of her and the size of it there might be a serious injury develop. But, this too passed!

But looking back on both emergencies I can say that even under the pressure and uncertainty of the moment, there was a spirit of hope and trust. In the back of ambulances, waiting in emergency rooms, or lying in intensive care units, there was a strong sense that God is in control and our concerns don't need to degenerate to anxiety. Unsure of the outcomes, there was certainy about Who was in control of the outcomes. Faith and hope trumped fear and panic in both instances.

I think that is what Paul is talking about in this admonition. While no one in either situation declared, "Thank you God for this medical emergency! I praise you that I get to ride in an ambulance and that my loved one's life is at risk!" That would be a little creepy! But there certainly was a strong sense of peace and assurance that God had allowed these events to transpire and He was firmly in control of each.

It is during these moments while you are doing the responsible, appropriate and necessary things in response to an emergency that you realize how much your faith means. Those moments when you start to feel like you're alone, you realize you aren't! While people around you are panicking, you become aware of a peace. At precisely the time you feel weak, you find a strength that is not your own!

We experienced all those things this week. Two unexpected emergencies brought us back in touch with the value of our faith and the reality of our God. True, we weren't rejoicing in the midst of those crises, but there was a joy! And now that both have been resolved we do rejoice in a God who is faithful, present, powerful and full of compassion!

And one more note of rejoicing is that in addition to all these aforementioned blessings of our faith we experience ourselves, we are surrounded by a community of believers who know the same things!

So, don't give way to anxiety today. Regardless of what you face today - whether planned or totally unexpected, God has it covered, He has you covered and He has you surrounded by dozens just like you! Rejoice! And I say, rejoice!

January 27, 2010

"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," I Peter 3:14-15

I have been a Christian for 53 years. For 53 years I have been taught to be prepared to share my personal testimony. What that means is that I should be ready to simply tell how I became a believer in Jesus Christ. And in my experience, personal testimonies are fairly effective. Unbelievers can argue with you over Scriptures and interpretations of them, but they can't dispute your life story. Afterall, IT'S YOUR STORY!

Tim Tebow might beg to differ with that statement.

The handsome, humble, Heisman Trophy winning, All-American quarterback who led his Florida Gator football team to two BCS Championships and several SEC titles, is in trouble.

What did he do that put him in the center of a scathing controversy? He shared his personal testimony on a video clip that has been produced into a Super Bowl commercial. Say what? That's it?

Here's the story:

CBS responded to complaints over a conservative group's planned Super Bowl ad featuring football star Tim Tebow by saying that it had eased restrictions on advocacy ads and would consider “responsibly produced” ones for open spots in its Feb. 7 broadcast.

CBS Corp. said Tuesday it had received numerous e-mails — both critical and supportive — since a coalition of women's groups began a protest campaign Monday against the ad, which critics say will use Tebow and his mother to convey an anti-abortion message.

Funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, the 30-second ad recounts the story of Pam Tebow's pregnancy in 1987. After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored doctors' recommendations to abort her fifth child. She later gave birth to Tim, who won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and helped his Florida team win two BCS championships.

CBS said airing the Tebow ad reflected a change in its policies toward advocacy ads that has evolved for several years.

“We have for some time moderated our approach,” said spokesman Dana McClintock. “Most media outlets have accepted advocacy ads for some time.”

Tim Tebow has never been shy about sharing his faith. He regularly inscribes Scripture references on the eye black patches he wore each game. He goes on mission trips every time he gets a break from college and he gives glory to God every time he is interviewed.

But what brought the wrath of............not God.........down upon him? He SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABORTED BUT HE WASN'T. How dare he! Hasn't he heard of political correctness?

Dare I speculate that none of this criticism or scorn came from the lips of Gator fans?

Pray for Tim Tebow. Find his Facebook page and shoot him an encouragement. Commend CBS for their stand. Send off a quick email of support. And don't back off of your testimony! It is your story of God's grace in your life and it needs to be told. Don't be intimidated by the PC police. God's love is stronger than their hatred!