My late step-father, Judson Woodbridge, once preached here in McAllen. Because of his influence and recommendation, I worked with a church in Kansas (Mulvane) for almost ten years. He passed away a few years ago and I’m thankful that before his death I had the privilege of having his counsel as a young man. I went into his office on various occasions and he would let me thumb through his sermons outlines.

I came to an outline one day that had a curious title: “TEDDY-BEAR CHRISTIANS.” I said, “Judson, what’s this about.” He said, “well, there are some Teddy-Bear Christians.” They really don’t want to learn and grow and obey and learn of Christ – they just want a Teddy-Bear. They don’t really want a Savior and moral leader and elder brother or High Priest; they are not willing to let Jesus be the authority over their hearts and lives daily.

They want to sing about Jesus and talk about Jesus – but to really learn what He did, what He means and the kind of life He wants us to live — there is little interests. They just want a Teddy-Bear.

God sent His only begotten Son to live in a human body, suffer and die and be raised from the dead. The spiritual needs we have are fulfilled by God in Jesus Christ. And the offer of gospel preaching is, to come to him in obedient faith and let Him be the Lord of our lives from now on. This is no Teddy Bear religion.