TEACHING
God Rocks and His Word Rolls
On
By Craig von Buseck
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com - "Erie Rocks!"
It sounds similar to the Drew Carey theme song about that city just
down the lakefront from my hometown -- but it wasn't exactly the
big time. "Erie Rocks" was a local cable access music show that
didn't even reach the suburbs.
But that was all right. Appearing on this TV show allowed the
members of our Christian rock band to go into the world with
the Gospel. The groups that normally appeared on "Erie Rocks"
played heavy metal, punk rock, rap, or techno-pop. We were the
first Christian band ever invited.
The host of the program was a man named Al who wore his signature
KISS tee shirt on every show. He sported a black baseball cap
that he covered with buttons from local bands. Nice guy, but
somewhat of a pagan.
We had recently recorded a new album and the producers invited
us to videotape several of the tunes for the show. One of the
songs was called "Live For Jesus," and my sister Dawn did an
excellent job with the lead vocals. The words to the chorus
were:
I want to live for Jesus
All my life for you
I want to share the love of God
I want the world to feel it too
Not exactly Dickens, though it was a catchy tune. In fact,
it was infectious -- but I can't take credit for that.
You see, that day at the local cable studios, we pointed people
to Jesus Christ when Al interviewed us between performances
of our songs. We talked about how we had experienced God's love
through a relationship with Jesus Christ -- and not through
dead, dry religion.
The next day, Al was walking the streets of Erie, humming a
little ditty. He couldn't quite put his finger on the words.
He walked into the bank and waited in line. The song went around
and around in his head. "What is this tune?" he wondered. Al
finished his business and walked back outside. He strolled down
State Street, dressed in his KISS tee shirt and black, button-covered
hat. Finally the words came to him, and without realizing it,
he began to sing out loud:
I want to live for Jesus
All my life for you
I want to share the love of God
I want the world to feel it too
Suddenly he stopped cold. When he heard the words coming out
of his own mouth he was overwhelmed. "What am I singing?" he
said out loud. People passing by cast strange glances his way.
With an uncomfortable chuckle he forced the song from his head,
replacing it with the latest Van Halen hit.
Al went back to the cable station that day and worked to drive
the song from his mind. He got on the phone and began lining
up bands from local bars for future shows. But he never forgot
our group -- or the song.
A few months later, he decided to run a local battle of the
bands competition. Guess which video he played from our group?
When the cable company asked for material to send to the former
Soviet Union as a part of a cultural exchange, guess which videos
he chose? He told us later that our Christian rock videos were
aired on Soviet television for months.
A year went by and I ran into Al at the mall. Yes, he was wearing
the same KISS tee shirt and button-covered cap. But I noticed
several Christian bands were now represented -- including a
pin that we gave him on that fateful day. And Al's demeanor
had changed from the last time I talked to him.
"I'm still doing 'Erie Rocks,'" he told me. "And I've been
going to church for a couple of months now."
"God rocks," I thought to myself.
Throughout my life, the Lord has demonstrated in tangible ways
that His word is powerful. "For the word of God is living and
active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as
far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow,
and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart"
(Hebrews 4:12).
We have a wonderful promise from God about sharing the Gospel
in Isaiah 55:11: "So will My word be which goes forth from My
mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing
what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which
I sent it."
Our job is not to argue with people or to try to prove that
we're right and they're wrong. We are merely messengers, delivering
Good News to people trapped in their sinful condition. It is
the Holy Spirit who energizes His word, drawing people to Jesus.
Just as a farmer can only scatter his seed in the soil, we
can only share what has been shared with us. God causes the
rain to fall, the sun to shine, and the nutrients in the soil
to be drawn into the seed, bringing forth new life.
Have you taken advantage of the opportunities that God has
given you to sow the seed of His word? Are you using your talents
to see the Kingdom of God established in the earth?
Are you living for Jesus?
Last I heard, Al and his family were still attending that church
in Erie. More than likely there is an Al in your life, waiting
to hear a joyful song. Will you be obedient to sing it -- or
share it -- with him? Who knows, he may send the message along
for the world to hear it as well?
Would you like to know this same peace that Al found? Find it here.
Watch this classic video of Insight from Erie Rocks: The Stirring
Order Craig's books on Shop CBN
 Craig
von Buseck is Director of Ministries for CBN.com. Send
him your comments on this article.
Other
articles and interviews by Craig von Buseck on CBN.com.
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