How to be a christian today
Unanswered Questions • Sermon • Submitted
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Summary of the Unanswered Questions series
Summary of the Unanswered Questions series
Inward
How to be a Christian today.
Gospel centered mentality.
The Purpose of the Church.
Servant Leadership
Outward
Christianity and LGBTQ
The Problem of Suffering: if God even exists why is there so many problems in the world?
The Bible- why do we believe it’s from God?
Depression and Anxiety
Love versus Fear
Christianity and Islam
If you are NOT a Christian maybe this will help you to understand Christians a little bit better and possibly even draw you to the place where you say “I want to be born again and have my sins forgiven just like these people!”
In fact maybe most important to our Christianity is the inclusivity of Jesus towards those who think differently.
God is more open to diversity than anyone in the world.
God Loves Diversity
God Loves Diversity
Economic Diversity: Lydia was wealthy and the slave girl was not. Both were set free by Jesus.
Economic Diversity: Lydia was wealthy and the slave girl was not. Both were set free by Jesus.
Racial Diversity: tells us that the church in Antioch was a racially diverse church.
Racial Diversity: tells us that the church in Antioch was a racially diverse church.
Generational Diversity:
Generational Diversity:
Paul older, Timothy younger
God called Saul and David when they were young.
called Saul and David when they were young. He called Moses when he was older.
He called Moses when he was older.
God called Moses when he was older.
Cultural Diversity: reminds us that even though all the groups at that time were Jewish they did not share all things in common. Religion yes but not language or culture. It was important for the early church to learn how to appreciate the different cultures.
Cultural Diversity: reminds us that even though all the groups at that time were Jewish they did not share all things in common. Religion yes but not language or culture. It was important for the early church to learn how to appreciate the different cultures.
Personality Diversity: The Bible had Peter and john- one was outspoken the other soft spoken. Gideon and Timothy were both a bit more fearful and timid and God used them just like he used an Isaiah and Apollos who were both excellent communicators.
Personality Diversity: The Bible had Peter and john- one was outspoken the other soft spoken. Gideon and Timothy were both a bit more fearful and timid and God used them just like he used an Isaiah and Apollos who were both excellent communicators.
Gender Diversity: God used men and women. In fact God was so open to diversity that he used a donkey to speak and He was willing to use rocks to cry out if the people didn’t!
Gender Diversity: God used men and women. In fact God was so open to diversity that he used a donkey to speak and He was willing to use rocks to cry out if the people didn’t!
God does NOT discriminate!
God does NOT discriminate!
(NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
(NKJV)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
(NKJV)
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
English Standard Version Chapter 1
the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
He made us all, unique individuals with our own free will. Nobody is more committed to diversity than God is.
WHY?
WHY?
Because diversity of people shows how big the love of God is.
God doesn’t have a type.
Ghandi story
He really loves the world and we are a part of helping the world see that.
Travel examples:
Cuba: Camajuani
Mexico: Ensenada
Europe: Hungary
That same peace and joy and love that is changing you and me is changing others all over the world.
That same peace and joy and love that is changing you and me is changing others all over the world.
But what does this have to do with being a Christian in the world we live in today?
But what does this have to do with being a Christian in the world we live in today?
There are two ever-conflicting realities that we as Christians must recognize.
God is NOT changing
Everything else IS changing
(NKJV)
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
(NKJV)
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
“Because God’s Love for the world has not changed, neither has His Word or His heart. What is changing is us and the world around us. We are constantly needing to figure out what it looks like to show people Jesus.” Phil Metzger
If you imagine God as a constant but everything around Him is in movement. How we see God changes from where we are at. That doesn’t mean God changed- He didn’t! But how people understand Him and connect to Him does change.
Issues to address:
Gun control
smoking
If you are hoping that I’m going to tell you what to think on these issues then I am sorry to disappoint! It’s not my calling to create a culture that limits the diversity of God’s amazing love.
Main Point
God’s love and God’s kingdom are bigger than the issues
Next step:
Socrates, “Know yourself”.
Socrates, “Know yourself”.
Every country I’ve gone to has changed my perspective on the love of God for the world. Every trial I’ve walked through has changed my perspective on the kingdom of God. Having kids has completely transformed my understanding of the grace of God.
(NKJV)
The Law of Liberty
14 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
And Paul calls them both to “know yourself” and “respect others”.
Modern example: Starbucks
And it is absolutely important that we see how Paul defines the weaker and the stronger.
And it is absolutely important that we see how Paul defines the weaker and the stronger.
Weaker Christian = less liberties
Stronger Christian = more liberties
(NKJV)
“10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
The Law of Love
14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.”
What ought to drive us as Christians is love for one another, love for the world, NOT our love for our freedoms or our weaknesses.
(NKJV)
19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Paul warns us not to let our personal preferences get in the way of God’s bigger kingdom work.
That means that God’s kingdom does not hinge upon present day divisive issues. His kingdom is bigger- it’s about a person being right before God and enjoying God’s peace and His joy.
That means that God’s kingdom does not hinge upon present day divisive issues. His kingdom is bigger- it’s about a person being right before God and enjoying God’s peace and His joy.
What do I want to be known for?
What do I want to be known for?
I want to be known for Jesus. Okay that sounds great but what are we seeing and hearing from you?
I want to be known for Jesus. Okay that sounds great but what are we seeing and hearing from you?
I don’t want to be known for what I am against but rather what I am for.
Practical Thoughts:
The Bible tells us that all of us have fallen short of the glory of God. Apart from His saving grace and work of sanctification we are all in trouble.