P4CM Presents COUNTERFEIT GODS by Featured RHETORIC Poet Jefferson Bethke

P4CM presents Rhetoric 2012, the largest Christian Poetry event in Southern California. Jefferson Bethke delivered his poem "Counterfeit Gods" as a Rhetoric Featured Poet in front of an audience of nearly 3,000 people. For more poetry and to know when the next Rhetoric will take please check out: www.P4CM.com

[@HashimWarren]

*Reality check: If you can't give it up, then you don't own it, it owns you.*

[@Damnit_dan]

Amen Brother

[@dkt4377]

I'm still listening to this 9 years later

[@carlene496]

"We mock and we laugh, at the Israelites golden calf, but we do that same thing right back, it just looks a lil different to that". Question:what's on your throne?

[@alvinphillips8573]

That poem was awesome...point blank period

[@AngellaGretchen]

They are so anointed with a beautiful gift of poetry. They all use it to glorify God.

[@Priest60440]

"When was the last time the world promised satisfaction and it came true?" Never!!

[@ILYRJ18]

saw him on sat. and he is such a humble guy loved his poems!!

[@jarrodlacy9856]

I admire the beauty of this post.

[@thaprodigemack1245]

This is real spoken word. I've watched it so many times

[@Dyslexicnurse]

I watch this like everyday, all part of renewing my mind - if you can't give it up you don't own it, it owns you *blowsmymindeverytime*

[@cherlysimms]

This man is PREACHING!!!

[@jakeng777]

Kaboooom! Amazing! Every word pierces... Glory to God for your life Jeff!

[@iankanyi]

Real Talk right there. Blessed by that spoken word ***** ,praying for Rhetoric to expand to Africa!!!

[@berniemat5829]

Let's pray big. Expand worldwide.....!!!!!

[@RachelYvonne93]

"If you can't give it up, you don't own it. It owns you.." WOW that's truth. This poem always blesses me. It's a wake up call for sure!!

[@PaperDboi]

Left in awe, this is DEEP!!! This is the Gospel, this is the Truth we too scared to accept!

[@savedsista86]

Deep. Thanks for the spoken word by PC4M {Passion 4 Christ Movement}

[@ProphetRLJones]

Brother this is great. I thank God for your gift. I will be starting a church soon. I want you to come in 2015 to do some sayings. Would you be willing to come? Thank you and God bless you and your gift!

[@IMETGODSHEBLACK]

Wow I think this was my favorite poem!

[@chichae_]

dang dang dang dang! that last line’s a killer

[@lucymarquez3760]

Truly amazing!! "If you can't leave it alone, you don't own it, It Owns You" Powerful and all these comments about if you can't or can drink alcohol well... I personally gave up drinking when I became a born again Christian about 3 yrs. Ago and since we will one day have to stand before God and give an account to him for our actions... I think I would rather not drink alcohol than to have to give an account for why I went ahead and pleased my flesh.... (p.s. Let's pray that we stay Heaven Mind

[@nate2396]

Glory to you Lord for this beautiful work

[@ASusan89]

Wow. Just wow. Thank you Jesus

[@mastos]

For those of you that don't know. The reason why they snap their fingers when he's talking is simply because it makes less noise than clapping which avoids interruptions.

[@iAmWhoiAm954]

Yessssssssss! Thank you Jeff for being submissive to the Holy Spirit who imparted such a powerful message in you! I love it!

[@ebonieshnae2429]

My soul says YESSSS!! Thank you for such a powerful message! May the Lord continue to bless you!

[@riannar4394]

Absolutely amazing!! 🙌🏼

[@KG-kg2nc]

This is Amazing!!! What a true, talented and creative role model this man is!! Keep up the great speaches,I think that God really created you with a purpose!

[@consuming_fire66]

Glory to almighty GOD be blessed guys!!!You are doing Great Job for the Kingdom!!!!!

[@childofgod5987]

Amazing!

[@thaprodigemack1245]

You might say: "I don’t believe in God," but the Bible says: “Not possible.” See, everyone has a god, whether or not it’s the God of the Gospel. You might not believe in God, but everyone has that one thing that’s King. Even the dictionary defines God as “whatever we make supreme.” Because it’s a theme, a thread, it’s inside of all human beings, the fact that we all worship. And no, it’s not just about singing. Now I know you’re like: “Jeff, I don’t worship; I put that on the shelf.” But I say, technically we all worship; we just worship ourselves. See we all worship something, to an object we’re all liable. Ladies, to some your boyfriend is your God, and Cosmo is your Bible. Yet, we mock and we laugh at the Israelites Golden Calf, but we do the same right back; it just looks different than that. So, question: "What’s on your throne? What do you chase so you don’t feel alone?" So what defines you? What do you give ultimate worth? And what if taken will bring ultimate hurt? Now see, that is your God. And all of us, we’ve sacrifice deep joy for shallow happiness. To be honest, we look like fools. We’re like full grown adults in the kiddie pool, going “Oh my goodness, guys! This is like so cool!” Because we’re slaves to our possessions; we are always craving something new, Reality check, if you can’t give it up, you don’t own it, it owns you. And that’s why the Bible, it says we’re all spiritual prostitutes, in fact it says we’re worse. Because at least prostitutes get paid for their works. All we get paid is a hearse. That’s why worship is not just behavior; it goes way into our core. So ask yourself what is your God. What do you bow down before? For example, some of us, we don’t worship God, but we worship what He said, We got theology in your head, but in your hearts, poor, pitiful, naked and dead. Or some of us worship in stadiums, while some of us worship in bars. Some of us worship our possessions, while some of us worship our cars. See, some of us worship science, while some of us worship the arts. But I don’t care what clothes your idol’s wearing-the disease is the heart. Or my favorite is those guys who say: “Jeff, I’m a man, because I’m in control!” Okay, then tell me, why can’t you stop having sex with your hand while staring at your MacBook Pro? Or what about those guys who trade their wives for their jobs at work - give more time to their boss then their actual wives’s needs or hurts. And ladies-ladies, no guy can love you more than Jesus already has, So stop putting your worth in Magic Mike; He’s so much better than that. Now, I know what you’re thinking-you’re probably thinking: “Jeff, are you saying we should hate money, hate alcohol, and never have sex.” No, but I’m not saying that God created those all to be enjoyed in their proper context. But I wanna transition; I want to make a spiritual incision, Can you really say these things are the ultimate purpose of living? I mean, instead of worshiping the Creator of you and I, We’ve all said screw you God; I’ll take your stuff, but you can die. But that trade is terrible, trading God for man It’s like God offers us water, and we say, “But God, this is such good sand!” Or my friends, they’ll say, “Jeff, a God that requires me to give up something” I just can’t fathom, Yet most of us seem fine giving up everything for a quick orgasm. I mean am I the only one who's felt the gnawing within? Am I the only one who's felt the weight of my own sin? But see, here’s what’s unique; go ahead and critique, but if you hear anything, hear this one thing that I speak. Where we exchanged ourselves for God, thinking we could be Him He exchanged himself for us, absorbing all our sin. I mean God literally , put on flesh, and do you see how we treated him? The ultimate war veteran, because he was killed for our freedom. Nonetheless, He was thinking of you and me, with every whip that beat Him, knowing full well we’d still go nah, I don’t really need Him. But like a father, he couldn’t bear his children to not be free So it's up that tree He paid our fee, for specks of dirt like you and me So my plea is, let Him restore His proper place, I promise you He loves you right now. Just trust in His grace. Because before I leave, I’ll leave you with this: What are those other things took nails in their wrists? Or how about when was the last time money or sex forgave you? Whens the last time your boyfriend set you free from all you’ve enslaved to? See what else died so that you could be made new? Or when was the last time the world promised satisfaction, and actually came through?

[@ep8470]

Mic drop

[@FlixChick]

And there it is!

[@ReinaP80]

Preach brother! Thanks for keeping it plain.

[@PastorErickDMarquez]

Sure thing.Hey knowledge is power, and the truth shall make us free.

[@seekinghimdaily92]

I'm subscribed to P4CM and Also Jefferson! Saw this video a while ago and didn't even realize it was him 😀

[@yemoteleyquarshie6071]

Me too! His poems are refreshing.

[@seekinghimdaily92]

^ Yeah, just bought his book two days ago. Great read so far, just as his wife's book! Win win! 😊

[@messtomessage1]

deep, clear, powerful, real.......share this with everyone you know !

[@floridaboydb]

Standing ovation Jeff

[@offdatgogo]

BAM! And there you have it ladies & gentlemen. *snaps*

[@Irra09]

This was great!!!

[@Suciadawn]

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! That was AWESOME!!!!!

[@alabye100]

mind blown!life changing, heart shaking truth!

[@ThisizPrince]

about time they posted a video.

[@yeziagabi7964]

Amen!! Amazingly spoken

[@Hope4Life26]

YES! YES! This was great! I loved it

[@JTamba3]

Killed it!!!!!!!

[@shinheishi]

Very interesting to watch this as someone who lost his faith

[@semt9]

Feeling sooo convicted right now. Great stuff

[@TusheanaThePoet]

definitely an eye opener!!!

[@danielle23999]

I'm guessing your real pumped by all those caps lock letters though!!! You have a good day.

[@ladyguf]

Oh yea! Keep up the good work guys. This is brilliant.

[@ryancampbell8240]

Power word my Yute.... Keep up the awesome work for god

[@BrunsonNique06]

Just...WOW!

[@tarabrown6932]

Daaaaaaaaaaaang !!!!!! WHEEW ! Speechless. I see I'm gonna have up make a trip from Atlanta to Cali real soon

[@angelmartin9521]

Amen Praise God!!! Jesus is Lord King of Kings and Lord of Lords Love you Jesus!!! He's coming R you Ready???

[@taraladyvirtue5207]

Hallelujah

[@barbarabruin2848]

Wow, must see hear for sure ty Shane for being the vessel shining light in the darkness in Jesus Christ name love always barbara amen

[@cephasmutua8639]

Awesome. This is just what we need. Jesus Christ the truth. the flesh, the world and (the accuser) the devil are our enemies and gods of this age.

[@umuJG]

The poem and message is great and fully inspiring. I was actually referring to this guy calling himself "pastorErick" in the comments thread

[@Emanoflove]

Awesome

[@isaiahogud31]

transfixing astonishing mesmerizing does any one no more words that i can use to describe how magnificent this clip is?

[@jwillett7]

It's so difficult to find a video on youtube with the subject on Christianity without finding some stupid 'theological debate' which normally ends with name calling from both sides. Pray for the people who've posted negativity in your comments section and keep going! I'll have a look at your videos :)

[@JoyceFHer17]

God has made a man out of Him:)

[@born4this7]

Preach bro!! I always listen to this poem, I absolutely love it! its so convincing! Lord of Lords and King of Kings! Glory to You! There is nothing in this world that can take the place of God in your life.. Amen!!!

[@flemiingo]

This is so incredible and accurate

[@thequeenx3839]

My God is you're God !!!!

[@Gottaluvsweetz]

That was amazing.

[@janiejl]

Great spoken Word Jeff!!

[@Dharmajohns]

If you can't give it up YOU DON"T OWN IT, IT OWNS YOU *pow pow pow*

[@SamWolthaus]

its not to argue or so. just to dialogue. I have grown up in germany, and it is very normal for us to have drink a beer once in a while and i have lived in the US with puerto rican family who said the biblical wine is not todays wine.. it is different - well the effects of both wines are if you drink too much you drunk. so ya, i was with them - and enjoyed my time.. but i dont see that as biblical. But God bless you in your walk, sharing the Gospel, being a light to the world and knowing Him =)

[@natashaburton306]

All we get paid is a hearse. Fire lines!!!! Woooo✨

[@berniemat5829]

I make it a point to attend rhetoric and I'm going to need a good seat close to the front. In Jesus name I pray I am able to attend 2017!!!! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@rhonda1111]

Awesome!!!

[@paulamizingou]

Amazing.

[@MYBEL0VED]

Wonderful word! =)

[@dsnewo]

Awesome! Truth!

[@sadie4sure]

love the realness of it! Keep it up bro!

[@PhiweM]

two words... "eye opener!!!"

[@ladychris692003]

Love this!!

[@MsVamps818]

AMAZING! Loved it!!!!

[@johnturman7921]

Powerful Messege.

[@wer1lifeproductions]

Dope!! Amen Bro!!

[@skyttles8330]

I needed to hear that!

[@88ZoeMiss]

Preach poet Jefferson!

[@JessicaBentu]

Very deep.

[@4EVABLESSED7]

If you were not convicted by this in some way.....something is wrong!!!! Awesome piece! #humbled

[@steppaan]

Very good, 4 Jesus!

[@Egosukee]

This is Epic

[@Nyla19841]

Love it!

[@SwagSwamp]

Nailed it.

[@Mrs1inamillion]

wow!!!! amazing!!!

[@amplifythefunkypearl]

Very Very Cool!

[@lininglifesmile]

daaaaaannnnnngggg, wow. speechless

[@tarabrown6932]

I would love to sit in on one of these

[@WHOOP28WHOOP]

Finally get what he means in this video :-) so true ...

[@Mr.DMZ.]

yes!

[@sherikabrown6521]

Preach!!!!

[@firesinged]

Get it Bethke!

[@pdubpaulyd]

Man, that is so real. This really have me thinking. Am I truly worshiping God or just what he can give me? Open my eyes for real. Need to reconsider some things because I rather be engulfed in the Lord then these measly things.

[@curtisbrownr09]

Hey you and me both sis! I make sure that every now and again I check myself to see that I am not in adultry/idolatry (falling under law) so I trust in God's Grace to be sure I don't fall or trust in Grace to get up after a fall.

[@slayernight55]

GO JEFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@n3ilioGX]

Jesus is awesome :)

[@saraher294]

Wonderful

[@trishadenegal718]

Love it love it looovvee it.