Christian Action

I. A. Christian Action:

The action that characterizes a Christ-centered life.

The relationship you have with Christ causes a “want-to” in you. You “want-to” be like Christ, therefore, you “want-to” show others Christ’s love, and you do that through your actions.

1. Christian action is representing Christ and his church in works of compassion. Let’s look in Luke 10:29-37, Luke 10:29-37

“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Samaritan could have stopped after the bandages, but he went ahead and poured on oil and wine. Now okay, that should be plenty. “I did my part,” he could have said, “I even supplied the bandages and the oil and wine.” But did he stop there? NO! He put the person in need on his donkey, took him to the local clinic and dropped him off – OH – just kidding. He took him to an inn AND TOOK CARE OF HIM HIMSELF. Okay, Okay, he did more than his share now. That should be more than enough. Isn’t it? This person chose to do even more. He pulled out his money. - Now you may say, “That is asking too much for me to even invest financially to help people.” But this person did! He cared for him himself , then paid for further care of the injured person. WOW! THAT IS CHRISTIAN ACTION!

And Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”

2. Christian action is bearing witness to Christ wherever you may be, in all you say and do. In Acts 1:8; Acts 1:8

Jesus is talking:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus says we are to be HIS witnesses!

3. Christian Action is using your gifts to carry on Christ’s work. It is making Christ and His love real in the world.

B. Flashback - STOOL

Let’s review where we have come thus far this weekend.

1. Life in piety talk told us to give our heart to God.

2. Grow through study talk told us to give our minds to God.

3. What is left? You ask. Giving one’s hands and feet to God.

SIGNS

C. “I am the way (piety sign), the truth (study sign), and the life (action sign).”

Who said this? Martin Luther King, Jr.? What? Wrong King. Jesus said it in John 14:6. Christian Action – a life overflowing with God’s love for people.

D. Christian Action is offering Christ to the world through the witness of your life.

(insert personal witness)

II. Christian Action – A response to God’s Grace

A. God’s grace comes to us in such a way as to enlighten, unbind, and strengthen us. WAKE UP! This is the greatest reality of our lives – God’s redeeming love. AND have you realized that we have a spiritual kinship with God? Did you hear that? We have a spiritual kinship with God! We are made in HIS image. Oh, did you catch that? I said “WE” not “I”. That means we also have a spiritual kinship with all people.

B. God’s grace is the best thing you could ever have, so since you know it now, GET EXCITED! ** Eagerly share it ** with others. A basic quality of God’s grace: it creates an enthusiasm to pass it on. Get excited about God’s grace and share it with others.

C. Now we all know that none of you are JUST like me or JUST like each other. Therefore each of us will respond to grace in Christian action uniquely. We need to give through the gifts we have been given. I have a friend, Joyce. She is a wonderful decorator, so she decorates for many of the church dinners and functions. She does a wonderful job. She is also a wonderful comforter. She has brought comfort to many, many people including myself, in our times of down. I have another friend, Stacey, who is very outspoken. She has an intense faith. She often has the job of telling people it is time to GET BACK TO WHAT IS IMPORTANT – JESUS. God has a way of putting her in my path when I need that reminder. Both of these friends show me wonderful examples of Christ’s love, although in very different ways, just as you and I will have different ways, also.