Duck Dynasty | The Recovering Legalist

I am not going to take a lot of time to address this story, especially when time is so short and the wife has a long list for me to accomplish before Christmas. However, I feel it is imperative that I at least say something.

Last night I spoke to my congregation about John the Baptist from Luke 1:17, which says:

“And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Before the well-known and beloved Luke 2 story that tells of the shepherds in the field and the birth of Jesus, Luke tells us of one who was to come before in the spirit of Elijah, preaching truth, not holding anything back, in order to prepare the people for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist was this man, the last of the Old Testament prophets, full of boldness and fire.

Therefore, it may only be a coincidence, but I find it completely ironic that just before Christmas, when our hearts should be prepared to celebrate the coming of God to earth in human flesh, we have a man (as John MacArthur described John the Baptist) “fearlessly and faithfully proclaim[ing] divine truth in the face of ruthless opposition.” And they’re wanting his head. His name is Phil Robertson.

Phil Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame, a committed Christian, is being blasted and hung out to dry by the media, vehemently attacked by the gay and lesbian groups, and treated like an ugly step-child by many in the church who wish to coddle the liberal left. But what I see in Phil Robertson is the rare spirit of Elijah that points its finger in the face of a degenerate culture and says, “thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the LORD” (1 Kings 21:20).

The gay and lesbian advocacy group (GLAAD) has come out and said, “Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe…” But it is obvious that GLAAD has no idea what “true Christians” believe, nor do they understand the type of people Jesus himself held in high esteem, for it was John the Baptist of whom Jesus commented: “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…” (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28).

So, if Jesus thought that much of John the Baptist, it would be safe to assume that Jesus, the loving Savior of the world, would have approved of John’s words. What then were some of the things John said?

“ In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 3:1-2

“For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother’s wife.” – Mark 6:17-18

John was bold enough, just like Elijah before him, to declare that there is such a thing as sexual sin, to say it to the face of power, and to do it even in the face of execution. What did Phil Robertson say?

(Paraphrasing 1 Corinthians 6:9-10) “Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers…they won’t inherit the kingdom of God.”

Sounds like old Phil is more in line with Elijah, John the Baptist, Paul the Apostle, and Jesus Christ than GLAAD would like to admit. And if Phil Robertson must suffer persecution because of his personal beliefs, he is better off in the long run, for sure.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” – Matthew 5:11-12 KJV

His reward will far exceed any paycheck Ahab&E is willing to pay.

Phil Robertson off “Duck Dynasty” indefinitely (cbsnews.com)
GLAAD slams ‘Duck Dynasty’ star Phil Robertson for ‘vile’ remarks (mrt.com)
Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson suspended by A&E for comments on homosexuality (conservativeread.com)

The day is about over, and here I sit at the computer. I am tired, my feet hurt, my throat is sore, and I am brain-drained. On top of that, I am emotionally and spiritually spent.

It’s Sunday night, and I’m a pastor.

Others go to church, sometimes for both morning and evening services, but usually just for an hour a week.

I worked all week in a regular job, worked a few odd jobs, visited sick people in hospitals, answered late-night calls, prayed with the hurting, studied for three sermons and a Sunday school lesson, when I could squeeze in the time, and then put in more study on Saturday. Did I get a day of rest? Did I play golf? No.

I’ve been up since 5:30 a.m., it’s Sunday night, I’m tired, and I’m a bi-vocational pastor.

I did watch some TV (Duck Dynasty) with my family and four visitors who came over after church, had a late snack, and turned on the clothes dryer for my wife. So, it’s not like I haven’t done anything fun.

I’m about ready to go to bed in order to get up at 5:30 a.m. (again) in order to drive a school bus. I’m not complaining, however – at least I still have a job.

It’s Sunday night, I’m tired, and I’m a pastor.

Tomorrow, I will start my work week all over again. I will face the morning with hope and a joy unspeakable and full of glory. I’ll do my best, with the Lord’s help, but it will be Monday…(I hate Mondays).

So, if you see me tomorrow morning and I don’t offer you a “hallelujah,” give me a break. If I don’t look like Joel Osteen after a visit to a spa, cut me some slack. At least let me drink a cup or two of coffee before you start judging.

I’m a pastor, but I’m only human.