Desktop Computer Christians 2 - Laptop Computer Christians Series

Desktop Computer Christians Part 2

Laptop Computer Christians

Scriptures: Matt. 28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:15; 4:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:58

Introduction:

This morning I will take up where I left off on last week. As you may recall, last week I discussed the desktop computer Christians. The desktop computer Christian believes that God exists and inhibits a certain place and that is where they must go when they want to commune and/or interact with Him. They find it difficult to expend too much energy getting to know God on a very personal level and thus their worship is more of a formality versus a developing closeness with God. On a daily basis God remains in a far off place as it relates to their day to day lives. Because they do not see God as being active in their daily lives it is much easier for them to “allow” God to operate through others (pastors, teachers, and other leaders) while they remain on the sidelines. Finally, these individuals refuse to move beyond what they know/believe according to the teachings of their denominational. They know what they know and that is good enough for them. One of the traits of the desktop computer Christians that I told you I could appreciate is that they can be immovable when they believe something. While this can be a frustrating trait when you’re trying to enlighten them, it also means that they will not be blown from side to side with every new age doctrine that comes along. Keep this in mind as we move to the laptop computer Christian.

From a historical perspective, the first laptop computer did not look like nor function like today’s notebook computers. It is believed that the first laptop computer was invented in 1979 by William Moggride of Great Britain. It was one-fifth the weight of other computers and was used by NASA in the early 1980s on the space shuttle program. The first laptop of was bulky and did not have many of the features that we enjoy today on our laptops but it was portable and could sit on one’s lap. The laptop has gone through a series of changes throughout the years but its primary function has remained the same – its portability. Christians who have a laptop mentality carries this same trait – they are portable and they take God with them wherever they go. To make the comparison between the laptop and the desktop, I want to go back to our foundational Scripture from last week. (By the end of this series you will know these two Scriptures by heart.) Turn with me to Matthew 28:18-20. This week I will be reading from the Amplified Bible. It reads: “Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, ‘All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the (very) close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be.”)

I. Location

Last week I shared with you that one of the main things a person had to take into consideration when purchasing a desktop computer was where they would place it. Because the desktop computer was not made to be moved about on a daily basis but to be placed on a desk and left, it required some thinking to decide the best place to put it. That is not the case with a laptop computer. The laptop computer was designed to be totally portable so an individual could carry it wherever they went. If a person were on a business trip; college student going from class to class; etc, they could now have their computer with them to aid in their work/study. This was a great advancement especially after the internet was created. With the laptop computer anyone could have immediate access to their files and be able to create additional files regardless of their location. When a person owned a laptop computer they were not limited by location, space or the connectivity issues that were associated with the desktop computer.

So how does this compare to Christians? The Christian who has developed a laptop mentality understands one basic concept about God – that He is with them wherever they go and is not limited by a location. This thought patterned evolved over time just as the desktop computer eventually led to the development of the laptop computer. As with the laptop computer which they can carry with them as they travel, they understand that God is with them in every location. They do not have to come to Church or any other designated location to feel close to Him as they know He is always with them. This might seem elementary to some of you, but there are many Christians in the world who do not understand this concept. For the laptop computer Christian God is with them everywhere and they are not ashamed of Him. Consider how the Amplified translated Matthew 28:20 which says “Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the (very) close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be.)”