Jaden Ivey Story a Wake-Up Call for Followers of Jesus? Truth Revealed on Frank Sontag ‘Unfiltered’ Podcast
I rarely watch or listen to podcasts from beginning to end. But a discussion (below) about the Jaden Ivey story, the story of a follower of Jesus dropped by the NBA Chicago Bulls for allegedly being a “hardship” for the team for his calling out the NBA via truth from the Gospel was a must-watch for me.
BY ALEX MURASHKO
Why?
Two reasons. One: I’ve been tracking with the Ivey story since early this week when it broke and eager to get updates. Two: My friend, broadcaster and men’s ministry leader Frank Sontag, texted me the podcast directly. I’ve listened to Frank over the decades, including before he became a follower of Christ. Does anyone remember KLOS Los Angeles radio’s Impact program? Frank was one of a few “deep thinkers” hosting on the show that just made you feel intelligent by listening. That was before I came to the Lord in 1998 and before Frank did.
Sontag has the same passion for the Ivey story as I do. It’s more than a sports story. It’s a huge window and pulse on the spiritual warfare of today. Jesus on earth was hated. Jesus from above is still hated. Whether the ones doing the hating see it or not.
I’m going to let Frank tell the story himself (below). What’s revealing is that Frank ends up telling his own story of deliverance, and in essence mine. We were pulled out of the pit, the muck and mire by Jesus Christ! As is with most followers of Jesus, they can tell you the same.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18)
Unfiltered #6 Count The Cost: The Persecution of Jaden Ivey
A summary found on Frank Sontag Show [Unfiltered]:
Jaden Ivey is a 24 year old, NBA player, who was released from the Chicago Bulls basketball team, merely for his faith. He is a devout Christian who lives his life in relation to the God he loves above all. For that, he has been called weird, sick, crazy, insane, and a troublemaker, whose “conduct was detrimental to the team.”
Professional Sports went the way of wokeness many years ago, with corporate virtue-signaling and the pushing of worldly values, irregardless of the degree of ethics or morality at the core of the issues. When one’s personal beliefs run contrary to that agenda and the creed of the employer, it usually does not end well.
But what happens when it’s a personal issue of faith? When one stands firm for what they believe to be right and true? Is there still not freedom of speech and religion in our country? Jesus said it best 2000 years ago, recorded in the Bible in the book of John, chapter 15 verse 18: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”
No doubt, a biblical, Christian worldview, runs antithetical and in opposition to a secular society which attempts to impose its beliefs by shaping public values and views. Much will be said in the coming weeks about this young man who is clearly standing by his love for Christ. How will the church respond, if at all? Will the “world” continue to hate and revile him? What about the NBA? Will anything be said or done about their stance regarding Ivey’s behavior?
In this podcast, Frank Sontag clearly and emphatically, speaks to the abject hypocrisy of this story, as well as the greater Truth and outcome. When all is said and done, God Will have His Way, and all will be held accountable and judged appropriately.
Today is an undeniable gift and blessing! Get right with God and live for His Glory.
And may God bless Jaden Ivey and his family deeply!
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Thank you, Frank!
Blessings,
Alex
