Jesus Loves Meme 1 – Seems Legit

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Memes can be silly, but they can also communicate and impact culture. Memes that spread and “go viral” usually resonate with many people’s personal experience. For example, it’s easy to identify with the “Seems Legit” meme. We’ve all seen things that are obviously fake, misleading, or too good to be true. But what about Jesus? Jesus doesn’t “seem legit,” He is legit. And because of Him, you are too.

Sermon notes by Pastor Marshal Blessing

Redemption Church Plano Tx

For the next few weeks we’re going to be talking about memes So, what is a meme?

Meme /mēm/ noun - an element of a culture or system of behavior that may be considered to be passed from one individual to another by nongenetic means, especially imitation

Pronounced mEEm The word was coined in 1976 by well-known author and atheist Richard Dawkins. A fad, a trend, an idea that spreads and “goes viral” Mass communication enabled by smart phones and the internet has facilitated the spread of memes Memes are artifacts of our culture. Memes are influenced by culture: Fidget Spinners, Eclipse, Star Wars Memes influence culture: Politics, #MeToo, Tide Pods There are entire websites dedicated to documenting and cataloging memes Vision: to be a 1st Century Church that connects to a 21st Century World Meme’s are one way that our current culture communicates, and if we want to connect with them we need to speak their language Memes aren’t new around here. A few weeks ago Chris showed the “Forever Alone” meme But is it possible to come up with not just a sermon, but a whole sermon series based on memes that is both meaningful and spiritually impactful?!

The subject of “memes” can be complicated. Memes come in many different forms. One of the most popular is images. For this series, we will use this working definition to keep things simple:

Meme /mēm/ noun - an internet fad or joke (usually a funny picture)

Many well-known memes take the form of a funny picture with text

I often feel this way: at work, with my kids, and while preaching On the internet nobody knows you’re a dog But you could put other text over this image…

This is the first meme I wanted to look at in this series. For those unfamiliar with internet slang…

Legit /liˈjit/ adj. (short for legitimate) - authentic, real, not attempting to deceive

So on the internet the phase “seems legit” is generally used sarcastically to express that something isn’t real or isn’t what it claims to be. Even though it was wearing a tie, that dog wasn’t really using the computer.

Memes have a lifecycle. This meme has been around so long it has become a part of my everyday vocabulary. I found myself saying it in conversation: Impossible assignment at work - “seems legit” Unrefrigerated dairy product marked down to $0.29 - “seems legit” My son goes in his room for 5 min, then says “I took my nap.” - “seems legit” On the internet the phrase “seems legit” is usually applied to images like this: SEEMS LEGIT - CANDY VAN they keep the overhead low, so the candy can be free SEEMS LEGIT - HUGS CAVE who doesn’t need a hug now and then SEEMS LEGIT - STARS & BUCKS

ISAIAH 53:2 NIV He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

ISAIAH 53:3 NIV He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

This is the long awaited Messiah? Suffering Servant rather than Conquering King Jesus’ life story… manger, fishermen, hangs with outcasts, beaten and crucified

JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Too good to be true. What’s the catch? - There is no catch. Jesus doesn’t seem legit compared to the things of this world, because the things of this world aren’t “legit.” The prince of this world isn’t legit. And if we operate according to the rules of this world, then who Jesus was and what he did won’t makes sense to us.

1 CORINTHIANS 1:18 NIV For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

PROVERBS 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

There is a way that seems legit, but it is NOT legit. It leads to death! For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

JOHN 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

How do we know Jesus is legit? He didn’t just say it, He lived it. “No greater love hath any man than this: that he would give up his life for his friends.” Does that sound like legitimate love? Did Jesus do that? He did die. But in the words of MC Hammer, Jesus is “2 Legit 2 Quit.” He rose again and lives today. He is the ever living One.

REVELATION 1:8 NIV “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

REVELATION 19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

We get presented with a lot of things, we need to be able to determine what is legit

1 THESSALONIANS 5:21 NKJV Test all things; hold fast what is good.

LUKE 4:7 CALENDAR You can hire computers to pray for you so you can “pray without ceasing” - NOT LEGIT God doesn’t love everybody - NOT LEGIT All religions are equal, all lead to God/Heaven - NOT LEGIT You need Jesus to be saved + something else - NOT LEGIT Becoming a follower of Jesus doesn’t affect your everyday life - NOT LEGIT God’s Word is Legit But having 1 million Bibles around your house and never opening one - NOT LEGIT Prayer, Fasting, Fellowship - Legitimate We need fellowship with each other to make sure we are staying true to what is Legit Just as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another Pray. Consult the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ. PROVERBS 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Here’s some advice…

You are legitimately children of God and legitimate heirs

ROMANS 8:15b NIV The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

ROMANS 8:16 NIV The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

ROMANS 8:17 NIV Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

You are legitimate recipients of the promise of the Holy Spirit

ACTS 2:38 NIV Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

ACTS 2:39 NIV The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

You are legitimately called to spread the Gospel and bring people to faith in Christ Great Commission

MATTHEW 28:19-20 NIV Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

These verses are about YOU! If you believe in Jesus Christ and are following Him, if you have received the Holy Spirit, then YOU ARE LEGIT You are a legitimate representative of Christ. You are legitimately called to share Christ with the world. You legitimately have access to the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s not just for “missionaries” or “pastors,” the call is for you. You are legit too! You may not feel legit. On our own we are not legit. But if we have Jesus Christ with us, if His Holy Spirit is living in us, then he legitimizes us. And we can trust Him when he says: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” seems legit meme redemption-Church.com Redemption Church is a nondenominational Church in Plano Texas. Our mission is to declare the good news and see others become followers of Jesus Christ. Our vision is to be a 1st Century Church connecting to a 21st Century world. To bring the community, the power, passion & dedication of that 1st century church to the fast paced, technologically advanced, and complex world of the 21st century. We currently meet on Sunday afternoons at 3pm at the Corner of Parker Rd & Alma in Plano Tx. We would love to greet you in person. Our lead pastor is Chris Fluitt.