The Whole Trouble Series

### **Introduction**

Video Ill.: Awkward Invites - The Translation by The Skit Guys

"Peanuts, the famous cartoon strip, often assumes the form of a modern-day, Christian parable." (1) That is how Robert L. Short, author of the book The Gospel According to Peanuts, described Charles Schulz’s work. Schulz had a knack for slipping gospel truths into four little panels—no pulpit, no sermon notes, no church building—just ordinary humor and simple drawings.

Charles himself described his interweaving of gospel truths this way: “...naturally I must exercise care in the way I go about expressing things. I have a message that I want to present, but I would rather bend a little to put over a point than to have the whole strip dropped because it is too obvious. As a result...all kinds of people in religious work have written to thank me for preaching in my own way through the strips. That is one of the things that keep me going.” (2)

Charles Schulz is doing nothing different than what Paul strove to do. Consider Paul’s own words in 1 Corinthians 9:

19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even || though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of || God; I obey the law of Christ.

22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. 23 I do everything to || spread the Good News and share in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9, NLT)

In other words, Paul adapted his approach so he could connect with people right where they were—without changing the message of the gospel itself.

This morning, we are beginning a new study, which will lead us up to Back to Church Sunday — The Gospel According to Peanuts. Over the next few weeks, we are going to see how Charles Schulz’s “modern-day Christian parables” can help us not only understand the basics of the gospel, but also challenge us to share the good news in ways we are most comfortable. Each week, we will begin with a short video from the Skit Guys, humorously illustrating how we should not share the gospel. Then we will look at some of the Peanuts comic strips and outline the fundamentals of the gospel message.

Sharing the gospel in his own way is what Schulz did with comics. It’s what the Skit Guys do. It’s what we can do in our own lives. God has wired each of us with a way to share the good news—through conversation, acts of service, creativity, hospitality, teaching, or sometimes just listening well.

This morning, if we are going to understand the good news, we have to face the bad news — the whole trouble — head-on. And that starts with getting honest about what our real problem is. The Bible calls it sin. We tend to think of sin as just the bad things we do—but Scripture tells us it goes much deeper than that. It is not only our actions; it is our nature. It is who we are apart from God. Because of the failures of Adam and Eve, we are all born this way—none of us comes into the world with built-in faith or a natural desire to worship Him. (3)

## **1 – The Trouble with You Is That You’re You**

So as we begin this morning, Lucy hits the nail on the head in our first comic strip:

Lucy and Charlie Brown are leaning against a brick wall.

Lucy: Discouraged again, eh, Charlie Brown?

** Next frame **

Lucy: You know what your trouble is? The whole trouble with you is that you're YOU!

** Next frame **

Charlie Brown: Well, what in the world can I do about that?

** Next frame **

Lucy: I don't pretend to be able to give advice.... I merely point out the trouble.

As Lucy says, “The trouble with you is that you’re you.”

The beginning of the gospel is simple — the trouble with us is that we are us. We have an inherent problem that is as old as time.

We are all sinners. The tendency to sin is as much a part of who we are as our eye color, our hair color, our personalities, our mannerisms.