First, let me thank each and everyone of you for your willingness to discuss these important but difficult issues that are being raised through this sermon series. Your response to this is just one more evidence of why we keep saying you are an incredibly wonderful group!!
There are some fundamental principles that are discussed at length in the book, UnChristian, that you need to know. Since many have not had a chance to read the book, yet, I thought I would explain a couple of key concepts.
First, The authors of this book are not suggesting that we change the message of truth: God's gospel of love as demonstrated through the life and death of Jesus Christ. The truth of that message is constant and unchangeable. What the authors are suggesting is that we need to take a look at how effective we are in communicating that message. This isn't denying the role of the Holy Spirit in awakening the heart of an unbeliever and leading them to realize who Christ is. However, they are asking us to seriously question whether the words we say and the actions we take are assisting the Holy Spirit or hindering Him. In other words, can people see Jesus in us, or can they not see Jesus because of us? That is a tough question. The research that the authors did indicate that the message that is being received is often not what we intended.
Second, the authors' also talk about something called "world view." This concept was mentioned just before our time ended today. We will go into that more next week. Basically, your "world view" will be reflected in how you do life. That means that your attitudes and behaviors reflect who or what is in charge of the world. If you believe that God created the world and has been actively engaged in the world since then your actions and attitude would reflect that. You would see historical events as a part of God's plan. You would believe that you are a part of God's plan and seek God's guidance in making decisions. You would also believe that God has already won the battle with Satan and know that even when the world around you seems chaotic, you would have peace.
If you believe that that there is no God or that God is not actively engaged in the world, you put yourself in the driver's seat and the world becomes all about you. Your life choices will reflect that.
Please let me know what you are thinking. We will continue this discussion next Sunday.
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It seems to me that what we do and what we say has a dramatic impact on whether we make any difference in the lives of those who question the whole concept of who Jesus is and how he impacts our lives.
ReplyDeleteOthers are watching us to see how we react to different situations. The real proof is when we are Christian when we don't feel like being that way. A comment was made today that some may not be "ready". That's when we need to stick to it and not judge because God wants us to be obedient in spite of the circumstances. We never really know in what stage the "seed" is in. Our actions and love may be the "water" the plant really needs to grow and accept.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Pat!
ReplyDeleteI see you have signed on as a "fan." That's great. Both you and Harold have identified one of the key points of this series: thinking about what we do and how that impacts non-Christians.
I am so sorry we have to miss the next few Sundays when such awesome discussions are evolving! I love this blog and will stay tuned in!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings to all!
Gaynel and Chuck
Love must always be our motivation in every word & action. Truth must be spoken in love. Life must be lived in love. There are only 2 reactions one will receive, either they will respond to you with questions or with words of hate. The power of the Gospel demands a response. There is no middle ground. Truth without love is brutal; Love without truth is hypocrisy. Choose your words carefully, but always in love. Walter
ReplyDeleteMerle & Barbara nailed it when they mentioned the "tension" between judgment and mercy /love. It seems that many of us, as well as the Christian Church as a whole, are wrestling with this issue. Merle's sermon illustration with the preacher and the rose was a perfect example of how handling it poorly can inflict significant collateral damage from which someone may never recover.
ReplyDeleteThe apostles faced very similar situations, especially Paul with his testimony to the various cultures of the Gentiles. I think that their testimonies, as written in Acts and the Epistles, are to be our guidelines in presenting the Gospel message.
For example, Paul went to a community to work and live among the people thus building relationships & trust. He started with a common ground and then introduced them to the gospel. He was transparent, admitting how wrong he had been in his own disbelief and how knowing Jesus had changed his life.
We indicated last week that we had to earn the right to tell someone about our faith. Paul did that on his mission trips as well as while he was imprisoned by following the walk of Jesus Christ. Additionally, Paul ensured that when he left a community of new believers that mature Christians were left in or brought into place to help disciple those new in the faith. He also remained in contact with the community to ensure that they did not stray from the truth. Paul was a renowned apologist & evangelizer, but he also was a great teacher and discipler and he encouraged us in his letters to copy him.
The issue that I brought up late in class is relative to “Christians” that do not espouse a Biblical world view. The Biblical world view was defined in the book unChurched as believing that: 1) Jesus lived a sinless life, 2) God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and He still rules it today, 3) salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned, 4) Satan is real, 5) a Christian has a responsibility to share his/her faith in Christ with other people, 6) the Bible is accurate in all of the principles it teaches, 7) unchanging moral truth exists, and 8) such moral truth is defined by the Bible. According to the survey results out of 95mm Americans ages 18-41, about 60mm say they have already made a commitment to Jesus that is still important; however, only about 3mm of them have a biblical worldview. The results weren’t too much different for older “Christians.”
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how “Christians” without a biblical worldview can be a Christ-followers? Also, it seems logical to me that a “Christian” without a biblical worldview would inevitably be seen as hypocritical because the Bible defines the standards, ideals and promises for Christians under the new covenant. Thus I see the dilemma addressed in the book unChurched as not only about non-believers, but as significantly about nominal Christians who are creating a luke-warm Church. How should we as Christ’s Church address this internal issue? Another question to ask ourselves is, “What would Jesus do?”
Jesus did not shy away from discussing sin, nor describing the consequences of sin. He defined the method for church discipline: Matthew 18:15-17 (NASB) 15 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 "But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 "If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector."
Now I urge you to recall how Jesus treated the Gentile and the tax collector. He was constantly surrounded by some of what were considered that society's worst sinners. Why, because He did not judge them, but did call them to repentance and to sin no more. He did not withhold His good news from them and He was overjoyed when they displayed greater faith than the Israelites or the religious leaders.
Jesus is referring to the Law when he tells them to “sin no more” or to say it another way, do not be lawless. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for making the Law an unbearable burden. Rather He taught from the Law as a way to direct mankind to live within the will of God and thus be in right relationship with Him and through that relationship receive His blessings. As Psalms 19 declares, “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul…”
To me, this indicates that we Christ-followers are indeed held to holy standards and are to help each other in the body of Christ to maintain those standards. If we find that someone is not truly of the body of Christ, then we are to once again treat them as an unbeliever. And how should we treat an unbeliever? You got it, we show them who Christ is by our walk and talk, and with God’s grace they will see the Light.
I’d like to add just a bit more on church discipline and the responsibilities that we Christians have to keep Christ’s Church pure and prepared for His return.
ReplyDelete1 John, is a great letter to direct "Christians" to read as a test for whether they truly are in Christ. 1 John 1:5-6 says, "But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
Galatians chapter 5 sets out guidelines for living in the freedom of Christ by the guidance of the Spirit and avoiding the acts of the sinful nature. "…for those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Gal 5:21b NASB or "…for those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." NIV This verse gives us an indication of the serious aspect of "practicing/living in" sin versus a sinful act for which a person is truly repentant.
Galatians chapter 6 reminds those who are spiritual to GENTLY restore someone caught in a sin and to watch ourselves so that we are not likewise tempted.
In regard to "brothers" who sin, again Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NASB) 9 "I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves."
These verses are a clear indication that Christ-followers (aka Christians) are to live a sinless life and to avoid willful sin. We also have a responsibility to keep the Church pure. Now we know that as Paul says, we are jars of clay holding a precious treasure. We are not yet perfected, and we are living in a sinful world, so we will sin. But through discipline and by God’s grace, we will become more Christ-like. And because we are under grace and the new covenant rather than judgment under the law, we are assured of being raised to new life in our new bodies and being eternally in God’s awesomely, lovely and holy presence.
Yes, I think the central issue is whether Christians have God at the center of the world or self at the center. Therefore, we have two things to consider: First, who is at the center of our life? Second, how do we help other Christians understand the importance of putting Christ in the center of their lives? If we truly face both of these issues, there will be a revival in the church that will wake up the church and change the perceptions of the unbelieving generations who are watching us!
ReplyDeleteCan we change the subject a bit? This was posted on facebook by my nephew, a pastor...
ReplyDeleteAnswer this with complete authenticity about how in your core you believe God views you: When God looks at me, He...
When God looks at me I think He smiles at the marvelously unique person He has created; knowing all that He purposely included in this creation called,"Barb." But, then I think He slowly shakes His head; perplexed that I don't always see myself in the same way that He does, and disappointed for me because I continue to approach the challenges He prepared me to do with such hesitancy. All the while knowing that if I would just let go and "fly with Him" I would experience the thrill of all that He holds in store for me!
ReplyDeleteOK I really thought that was an interesting prompt but I don't see anyone else responding? I'd love to see what you think, too.
ReplyDelete