Confronting Casual Christianity

Scripture: Luke 14:16 -

Title: “Confronting Casual Christianity”

Introduction: Jesus used the story of an imagery feast to represent the kingdom of God which was common among the Jews in Jesus’ day. His fellow guests, being influential Jews, would easily catch His meaning. Jesus was, in effect, saying to the guest who had remarked on the blessedness of eating bread in the kingdom of God, “Yes, it is blessed to take part in the heavenly feast; but you and other Jews might be entirely too confident of your own inevitable part in that feast.”

The invitation was first to the Jews and later on to the Gentiles because of the refusal of the Jews to accept God’s plan for redemption.

The refusal of the Jews came in the excuses they used to neglect the invitation of the King. (The PLAN of Salvation)

Some questions are in order at this point of the message.

Has Christianity, as we know it, lost its CUTTING EDGE?

This question can be answered by giving a definition of the word “Christianity.” - consists of people believing in Jesus as the Messiah and the teachings of Jesus; belonging to the religion based on these teachings; having and displaying the qualities that Christ had and displayed during His ministry while He lived on earth. (In other words, “Living like Jesus.”)

Have Christians not become busier than they have ever been before! (But what are they busy doing?)

Aren’t people are OVERWHELMED - Isn’t there too much to do and too little time to do it?

Isn’t it very evident there has been a SHIFTING of priorities? (The VALUE SYSTEM of America has CHANGED!) Abortion, acceptance of homosexual behavior, and the rise in crime and the overwhelming increase in the divorce rate are very VIVID reminders there has been a change.

Has Christianity BOUGHT into the World System?

Have our LEADERS in Christianity FAILED us? (Ministers are quitting the ministry right and left!)

What Is The Problem?

I. OUR TRAINING AS CHRISTIANS.

a. From childhood up we have been taught to be afraid of the devil. But the Bible tells us the opposite, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4)

b. We have been told because we are small in number in comparison to the rest of the world we are weak. But the Bible teaches us, “How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, . . . ” (Deut. 32:30)

c. We’ve been TRAINED to be PASSIVE. (Mt. 11:12) “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.”

d. We have been taught that we have to sin every day, but the Bible says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48)

e. One of the GREAT PROBLEMS with Christians being trained is there has been very little training or the wrong kind of training!

What Is The Problem?

II. KNOWING WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST.

a. We are “King’s Kids” because we are the children of the great God of heaven. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Rom. 8:16-17)

b. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” (1 Cor 12:13)

c. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Pet. 2:9)

d. “For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” (Eph. 2:18-19)

e. We have the right to call upon God as “Abba” Father (Daddy). “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:15)

f. We have POWER - “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: . . . ” (Acts 1:8)

g. We are not alone - “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” (John 14:16) “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5)