Many years ago, there was a TV commercial in which three older ladies sit at a table with a plate in front of them. On the plate rests a gigantic bun with a very small beef patty and other burger toppings. The middle of the three women is talking with someone on the phone. They have been calling and trying to speak to managers and supervisors at other fast food restaurants to find out, “Where’s the Beef?” The ladies finally get the “owner” on the phone. He turns out to be a large man, sitting on an opulent boat called “S.S. Big Bun” surrounded by dancing women in bikinis and smoking a cigar. When one of the women yells, “Where’s the Beef?” very loudly into the phone, he falls back on chair and, not knowing what has happened on the other end, one woman says she does not think he is really on the line. Wendy’s says its burgers have more beef than both the Burger King Whopper and the McDonald’s Quarter Pounder in this classic Super Bowl advertisement, which first aired during Super Bowl XVIII, when the Los Angeles Raiders played the Washington Redskins in Tampa, Florida.
If we were to advertise our Faith, how could we do it? Today, hundreds of different church groups, gospel doctrines and denominations are trying to sell their “fish” and show themselves to the world with almost no success. Most Christians aren’t being able to relay the real message. The Westminster assembly pastors found it right to have the first question of the catechism show us exactly where the beef is. Meaning the real deal, as far as the relationship to Christ being:” Question number 1:What is the chief end of man? Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. So how do we do it? In the Larger Catechism the same question is answered in a more complete way, adding the word “fully” to the imperative to enjoy God as we, Christians glorify him forever and ever.
First, stop trying so hard. When we place our effort on the growth, on our witts, on our excellence we really show that our intention is to glorify ourselves, when glorifying God, means to rely on his Spirit to bring our numbers and our hearts to grow. So to enjoy God forever, means that you need to stop glorifying yourselves and advertising yourselves over the real issue that is that the Grace of our lord Jesus Christ saves us. And not what we have to offer. If we need something to show a watching world let it be as it says in Ephesians 2:7-9: “in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
And so then, we become obedient to what Paul says in Romans 11:36: For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him is the glory forever! Amen.
Second, no matter what rejoice in the Lord. I learned one of the most valuable lessons in life while working part-time at a nursing home in Wyncote, PA. Once, I while cleaning one of the rooms for a new living-in guest, I witnessed one of the most effective scenarios to describe happiness. The 92 year old petite, well poised and proud lady, who was fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coiffed and make up perfectly applied, even though she was legally blind, was moving into the nursing home on Fernbrook Avenue. Her husband of 70 years had just passed away, making her move necessary. After many hours waiting patiently in the lobby, she smiled sweetly as I told her that I was almost done getting her room ready. As a nurse helped her to maneuver her walker to the elevator, I began to describe her little room, including the new sheets on the bed and curtains that I hung on the window. “I Love it!” she said, with the enthusiasm of an eight year old having just been presented with a new puppy.
“Mrs. Clarke, we haven’t gotten to the room yet!”
“Oh it’s just lovely!” she continued…
“But you haven’t seen it yet!” Said the nurse, butting in to the conversation.
“That doesn’t have anything to do with it,” she replied. “Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Weather I like my room or not doesn’t depend on how the furniture is arranged… It’s how I arrange my heart and my mind. I’ve decided to love it.”
So where’s the beef? What is the value of your faith? What difference does Jesus make in your life? How do you show if you are a follower of Jesus, and if your church is harvesting and sowing the right attitude? Paul teaches the lesson that Mrs. Clarke taught me. That In Christ we need to decide on our attitude ahead of times. He wrote to the Philippians:
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5).
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