… Do we really want commercialized HHH?
In light of some of the recent events in the world, I had to ask myself this
question. So before we start this journey and attempt to answer this perplexing
enigma, I think that it’s important that know what some terms (that we
use all the time) actually mean. So let’s set a backdrop:
Commercialize
1.
To apply methods of business for profit
2.
To do, exploit, or make something chiefly for financial gain
3.
To sacrifice quality for profit
4.
Exploit and /or mimic trends at the expense of substance
5.
Having profit as a chief aim
Mainstream
1.
The prevailing way of thinking, way of doing something activity
2. Representing the prevalent attitudes, values, and practices of a society or
group
3. To integrate or incorporate into a prevailing group
4. Status Quo
 Industry
1. The people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
Wow, huh? So when we say ‘When is HHH gonna blow up?’ etc
we better make sure we know what we are saying, and that we truly want
what we are saying. Now looking at the meaning of these words do we
really want “commercialized holy hip hop” or “mainstream holy
hip hop”? Almost sounds like an oxymoron now that you see the meanings
of the words doesn’t it?
If you take a quick look at some church history you will see that the Christian
church suffered one of the worst persecutions ever recorded at the hands of Roman
emperor Diocletian in the year 303. Soon thereafter, the church is then given ‘recognition’ by
Constantine, and in the year 380 Theodosius makes Christianity the state religion
of the Roman Empire. As the church grew in ‘power and prestige’ (blew
up) it lost what it once had, authenticity (Rom 2:24).
I believe the first thing that we must ask ourselves is why do we want what
we want? Well the reason we want what we want is that unfortunately
we, like the church in general, view success the way unbelievers view it: we
equates success with numbers, $$$, or recognition by of all people, namely ‘the
world’. We watch the Christian TV, & listen to Christian
radio and we see the multi-zillion dollar ministries and what we say…”Man
they are blessed!” Do you think that God is saying the same? Not
necessarily. Why we want what we want?
We think to ourselves if HHH had money like DefJam, Warner Brothers, or even
G-Unit …then Jesus could really get out there!
 Even worse we believe if a secular dude says…”Yeah I go that
church” or “Yeah I listen to that gospel CD” all of a sudden
that church/ministry, or that artist is really doing something because
they got recognition from an unbeliever.
NEWS FLASH – We are not here to get accolades from
unbelievers, or get “props” from unbelievers… WE ARE HERE
TO BE USED TO SAVE UNBELIEVERS!!!!
Ok sorry about that…
Anyway we need to lose this carnal view of success. Now you may say…’who
is he calling carnal?’
Ok, ok…let’s see what the scripture says:
“…Preaching the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but
to us which are saved it is the power of GOD.” - I Corinthians 1:18 “Also we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block,
and to Greeks foolishness, and to those called -- both Jews and Greeks -- Christ
the power of God, and the wisdom of God, because the foolishness of God is wiser
than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men; for see your calling,
brethren, that not many [are] wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble; but the foolish things of the world did God choose, that the wise
He may put to shame; and the weak things of the world did God choose that He
may put to shame the strong; and the base things of the world, and the things
despised did God choose, and the things that are not, that the things that are
He may make useless -- that no flesh may glory before Him” - I Corinthians
1:23-28
Whew! Ok now I know that said a lot right there, well let’s just
pull out a couple of key points.
First, Paul says that the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. Well
who is perishing (you can answer that one)? Next he says that Jesus Christ is
a stumbling block. Well you want to know why He’s a stumbling block,
well it’s this simple…to Jews (or the religious folks of His day)
HE alone was the problem. Do you think they had a problem with GOD (speaking
foundationally) no the problem was Jesus claiming to be GOD. Now fast forward
to 2005, do you think the secular establishment has a problem with ‘positive’ music?
Or music about love, (in a general sense not 1 Corinthians 13). Or maybe
spiritual music that acknowledges a ‘being’ up above. I can
guarantee you that is not the problem. The problem is what it’s always
been…Jesus!
Then it states that the cross is foolishness to the Greeks (or the intelligent,
affluent of his day). Something that doesn’t “measure up” to
the world’s ‘standards’ of greatness is always looked upon
as foolish. We have no money, they have money…we have no advertising,
publicity, recognition, etc, they have all that. Now that seems like
foolishness to me…if I was looking through their eyes. Those are
the only standards that the ‘world’ has to measure something by. We
go by a different set of standards so why we get surprised when they don’t
give up props is beyond me.
God wants us to understand something, and it’s plain as day. In
order for Him to get all the glory, accolades, props, etc He had to use something
that seemed foolish to men. And preaching, of Jesus, can sometimes seem
foolish. If HHH got all the $$$ from the industry, and all the acknowledgement
from the secular establishment, who do you think is going to be looking for the
glory…that’s right you got it. And there won’t be any
left for GOD. If HHH ever started to become widely accepted, I mean WIDELY
accepted…you better get suspicious because something is amiss. This is
still the same world that rejected Christ.
See we shouldn’t get excited when the secular establishment gives us
recognition. Now you may say why not D? Ok let’s look at this:
“…Do you not see that the friends of this world are not God's
friends? Every man desiring to be a friend of this world makes himself a hater
of God.” - James 4:4
“And you will be hated by all men because of My name….” -
Matthew 10:22
What? You mean to tell me that secular dudes aren’t gonna be feeling
me because I’m a Christian? Because I preach Jesus?
Yep. That’s exactly what I’m saying. We need to stop
looking for $$$, and the praise of men…Especially men who aren’t
in relationship with the Most High.
 So
you want to blow up huh?
Let’s take a look at this particular instance in Scripture: Acts
25
Festus takes oversight of Jerusalem after Felix dies. King Agrippa & Bernice
come to visit him. He explains in this particular case in which he is ruling
(The Apostle Paul & The Pharisees). He speaks to Agrippa as if he didn’t
even know who Jesus was, of whom Paul was speaking…maybe you didn’t
hear me; he didn’t know who JESUS was! He may have never even
heard of the man, but we want to blow up. What am I saying? Jesus came
here to handle His biz; He didn’t care who knew about His ministry or who
didn’t. So whether or not a lot of people have heard of you shouldn’t
matter. Listen; when our Lord ascended into heaven, there were only
120 Christians on the earth. Do you understand that? And of the
120 there were the 11 men that He discipled (Acts 1:15). (Psst…that
means quality not quantity)
So what are you saying D, I shouldn’t be caught up in
numbers?
YEP
But what if I don’t get on BET, MTV, or even TBN?
Don’t matter
What if I don’t get a Stellar, Grammy or a Dove award?
Don’t matter
I thought GOD wanted me to prosper?
He does, but prosperity doesn’t always equal $$ or
size
We need to be more concerned with what God has in mind for us to do, specifically…and
be less concerned with what ‘the world’ thinks of what we are doing.
“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For
if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” - Galatians
1:10
Oh and if you think this is just a message for HHHers it’s not, this
is for all. We have to watch our motives whenever we are doing anything. I
want to see HHH affect as many people as possible (just like Christian rock,
TV, radio, even movies - shout out to Clay Films J) just like many of you. I
hope that it is endorsed by the body of Christ universal. However, I’m
not willing to compromise anything for the sake of it. The Lord is searching
the hearts and the intents of men:
“…God [who is], the searcher of hearts…” -
Acts 15:8
“…He who is the searcher of hearts has knowledge…” -
Romans 8:27
“…For the Spirit [searches] into all things…” -
I Corinthians 2:10
“…I am He who [searches] into the secret thoughts and hearts
of men: and I will give to every one of you the reward of your works…” - Revelation
2:23
Don’t worry this will be continued…
Jesus Reigns,
Divenomous
Still Yuinon local 202! |
