“Just Live it” Series – Being in the World

Do not Hide your Light

On March 1, 2009 I shared my heart in a sermon regarding being in the world, but not of it and what that really means.  My premise is that too many Christians have missed that fact that Christ’s mission was to the non-believer and that he was effective because (well other than being God) He engaged people and built relationships. 

The church of today is far too content to “play church” on Sunday morning and to turn their nose up against those who don’t believe; forgetting that the only difference in some of us is that we yielding to the call.  I am the chief sinner amoung you and I struggle every day with religion.  Organized Church has become the land of the Pharisee and not refuge for the broken sinner.  We must stop play-acting for our Church friends to the exclusion of the rest of the world.  Life-style evanglism is the most effective tool we have go show Christ’s love.  Not yelling from street corners, not rebuking young scared girls in front of clients, not “preaching” hatred against our elected officials.  We are called to be more Christ like.  Read the references in the slide to see how Christ engaged the “sinners’.   BTW:  We are all sinners….

One of our first steps is to know when to take a stand. This video clip is a great introduction to not being afraid of “man”, but in being a “light to the world”, even when it’s not comfortable.

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Here are my slides and references from the sermon:

Repay no one evil for evil

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It’s harder than it sounds

There are many, many things that I struggle with on a daily basis.  Amoung those are Christ’s relentless pursiut of my heart and His desire that I love others as He does – yes even my enemies.  I, like many people, work in a gossipy and judgemental enviroment.  Essentially I have a fairly visiable position in a large organization of about 1500.  In that role, I have fans and then those who simply do not and will not like me.  I’ve spent years concentrating on those people and have converted many, however I’ve realized that it’s impossible to be liked by everyone.  Not that I have stopped trying, but I am aspiring to no longer lose sleep about it.  In some instances folks have reasons to dislike me.  Some people are simply convicted about themselves and some I have offended.  Not everyone is as forgiving as Christ is.  

As much as I desire to love others, to not stand in judgement, to not gossip and to not want to “put them in their place”, the desire does not always become reality.  I wake up each morning telling myself that I will be kind and show the love of Christ – and then I get out of bed…

Blessings?  Really!?!?!

While preparing for a sermon, I was reading Romans 12:14-20.  It had nothing to do with what I was preparing to speak on, but I dwelled on it non-the-less.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 

16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 

18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord. 

20 Therefore If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink;  For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.  

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I find two main issues with this – first I am greatly convicted in the fact that these verses do not suggest we think blessings,or think kindness toward our enemies.  We must actually do it and feel it.  People are pretty quick to know when you aren’t being sincere.  In verse 16 it says that we should not be wise in our own opinion and that we must be humble.  It’s hard to believe that we were called out by Christ and through his death were saved, yet at the same time not have a tendency to look down on those who don’t live as we think they should.  Humanity has established some type of gauge as to what persons are good and which are bad, but God has said that we are all sinners and the He died for EVERYONE.  It’s the second thing that is such a struggle for us.  That is not to say that He isn’t grieved by our sin; but He’s grieved by all sin – not just those who do it more frequently.

However, I know that Christ has told us that we will be judged by the same measure that we measure others.  God help me…  I’ve often fallen and often judged those who have fallen.  

The Salvation of All

I am thankful that I have seen many of the low points in my life.  I wasn’t at the time that I was living through them, but I’ve got much more of a heart for those who are stuggling.  Now, I am working on not judging those who judge – don’t think on that too hard, it’ll hurt your brain.  I really do tend to get most upset with those who are judgemental and trivial with others.  

That being said, I don’t wish to be judgemental of anyone.  I wish to be aware of things that may be of harm to me and my family and to guard and protect; but I will not shy away from opportunities to show God’s love.  It’s not enough to say it or think it.  We have to show it – even to our enemies….especially to our enemies.  It’s easy to show forgiveness to our friends and loved ones.  The Christian walk is not easy…

 

 

In need of a Body

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The Question

Recently I was asked, “Does the Bible actually say that I people have to go to church?”

My Answer

There are numerous edicts to participate in the “Body” of Christ. I’ve never stumbled on one New Testament scripture that commanded us to attend church.  However, we can see by reading the Word that we are to participate in the Body.  As I’ve said before, you cannot take one solitary scripture and make a theology based on it.

1 John 1:7 (New Living Translation) 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (New Living Translation) One Body with Many Parts 12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles,[a] some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.[b] 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? 18 But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. 19 How strange a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” 22 In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, 24 while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. 26 If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27 All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 28 Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages. 29 Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? 30 Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! 31 So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

“Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them”

Those of just some of many that come to mind. Christianity in a bubble (as in just you and Christ in your living room by yourself) isn’t benefiting the Body.  That isn’t to say that we shuoldn’t strive for and take advantage of quiet time.

 We are commanded to live by Christ’s example. You can see that in the New Testament there are MANY references to Him attending the Sabbath. He healed on it, prayed on it and was experiencing face offs with those religious Pharisees on the Sabbath. Well, He couldn’t exactly face off with them, if He wasn’t in the church on the Saturday mornings when the Pharisees were.  (note that the church met on Saturdays until yeasr after Christ’s death, at which point they move the services to Sundays, as reportedly Christ rose form the dead on the first day of the week, which would be Sunday.)

I’ve struggled with this question in the past. Each time that I see someone who is trying to living out their Christianity in their living room, I’ve found that its because they were challenged by church leadership. Church leadership is VERY much a requirement in the scriptures and being submitted to a church is VERY much a requirement. There is typically a certain level of  rebellion against God that is a common thread in the believers that refuse to go to a church. I don’t necessarily believe that non-church goers are not Christians, but I do believe the Bible is clear that it’s we are to be engaged with the Body of Believers. Iron sharpens iron….

Lastly, I also feel that its a level of laziness for those who haven’t fervently prayed and sought out God’s desire in which church they are to attend. Going to a church where one feels “comfortable” or able to “blend in” isn’t finding the fullness of the Body.

If you aren’t challenged by God’s word and His Being than you simply aren’t reaching the fullness of of His relationship. Biblically every revelation, every Word from God, every encounter is suppose to be edified by another believer – it’s the only way to truly know that we’re in God’s will.

I am fairly self reliant, but I don’t depend on just mine or my wife’s confirmation that my beliefs or actions are right. I need someone who also hears from God to confirm it.