IMAGINE THAT!

On Tuesday October 9^th, 1990 a great world event occurred. It was billed as the largest media event in history. A message was broadcast from the headquarters of the United Nations in New York to over 130 countries throughout the world. It was carried on more than one thousand radio stations and networks. It is said that the potential audience for this event was over one billion people. That's about one-fifth of the world's population! Observations of this great day were held every where from Los Angeles to Moscow. So what was this vitally important message that was worthy of all this attention? Well it seems the world was remembering what would have been John Lennon's Fiftieth birthday! Right now you are probably saying "Big Deal!" At least that's what I said when I heard about it.

So what was the message that was broadcast in honor of John Lennon's birthday? After his widow, Yoko Ono, spoke for a few moments they played a song Mr. Lennon recorded during his career. A song entitled "Imagine." Have you ever heard this song? No it does not contain vulgar language or sexually explicit lyrics or anything that most people would find offensive. In fact it's very soft and slow and generally pleasing to listen to. And even it's theme is very good. It strongly advocates world peace. But all of these "good" qualities are precisely why I think it's even more damnable than most of the garbage that's being listened to by our young people today. Why am I getting so worked up over a song that seems so innocent? Let me share with you the words of this song.

"Imagine there's no heaven, it's easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people, living for today. Imagine there's no country, it isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too. Imagine all the people, living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one. Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. Imagine all the people, sharing all the world. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one."

Mr. Lennon advocates world peace through atheism! Have you ever heard anything more absurd? The terrible condition of the world today is due primarily to the fact the world is already filled with hordes of godless, hedonistic people. The ONLY solution to the world's problems is for it to accept God, not to reject Him. This is but one example of how Satan preaches his doctrine through the agency of men. Satan and his ministers have done a very thorough job of turning the entire world against God.

Right here in our own beloved United States of America, we have rejected God. The schools teach the theory of evolution instead of the fact that God created everything. Prayer has been banned in our schools. I don't know about the rest of the country but here in Mobile they can't even have the traditional prayer before a high school football game any longer. And this is the same country that God so richly blessed with everything. A land which truly flows with milk and honey.

I have often sat and wondered how Israel could continually reject God despite all he had done for them. How could they be so foolish? But then I look about and see that we have followed in their footsteps. How could we be so foolish? America has stood up and proclaimed to the world that the pleasures of sin which can only be enjoyed for a season, are more valuable to us than anything God has to offer.

The world's influence on us today is great. And it will be even greater on our children. But how closely do we monitor what our children see and hear? What are our children being taught in school? What message are they receiving from radio and television? You can be certain it's not God's message; Satan has seen to that. But even more importantly, what are our children being taught at home? Do we study the Bible with our children daily? Do we pray with our children daily? Do we set a good example for our children daily? I'm afraid that far too many of us do not. We allow men like John Lennon to teach and set the example for our children.

Then we sit back years later and wonder why our children left the church after they grew up. But the answer is simple. Our positive influence was not strong enough to counter the negative influence of the world. Many chose to adopt Sunday school, and various types of church sponsored youth activity programs in an attempt to solve this problem. But this has not been the savior of our children. The reason God did not authorize classes or activity programs is that He knew that these would not change a child's life. Only the parents have enough influence to do that. This is why God gave the directorate to "bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" to the parents and not to the church or anyone else (Ephesians 6:4). We are failing God, as well as our children, when we fail to teach and train them in the ways of the Lord. And unless that trend changes, the course this country is on will not change.

Friends, we cannot escape this present world. We will be here until we die. But we can tune out the world's message of atheism and hedonism, and tune in Christ. The things which fill my imagination are far different that what Mr. Lennon wrote about. I try to imagine Christ returning in glory to receive those who love and obey Him. I can see Him welcoming us with open arms into a never ending day where we shall be happy for evermore. Here we will find the real peace. Can you imagine that?

As for Mr. Lennon and those of like mind. Those who have chosen to imagine there is no God. I wonder if they won't someday imagine how it must be to live in the presence of God. A place where there are no tears, no sorrow, and no pain. I see no way for Mr. Lennon to come any closer to heaven than in his imagination, since he chose to openly reject God.

In his song Mr. Lennon said "Imagine there's...no hell below us." But there is a hell! And I don't think he will have to worry about trying to imagine what it is like. He will certainly find out first hand. But what if you or I, or our children, fall short of God's expectations. Then we will join Mr. Lennon in everlasting torment and anguish. We will miss the glory of heaven. Imagine that....but please don't let it happen!