Sermon Central
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Good Looking Christianity Series
Contributed by Mark Hensley on May 3, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: Many people would rather sleep in on Sundays, thinking that Church has little if anything to offer them. What does God, and His church have to say to them?
West Greeley Baptist Church
April 29th 2001
“Good looking Christianity”
Titus 2: 7-10
By Pastor Mark Hensley
“7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. 9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” Titus 2: 7-10
Introduction: Christian ministers are inundated with mail! I often feel sorry for our mail carrier! In fact a few years ago the mail carrier pleaded with me for the Church to get a bigger mailbox. This we did!
Recently a mission magazine made its way into the box, and an article griped my attention. Titled “Why I sleep in on Sunday”. A series on why people have no interest in Christ or His church. The writer Carolyn Curtis, included 13 different responses from people all over the United States who were asked why didn’t they attend church? Carolyn writes: “By listening to them I can discover what barriers I and my church can try to dismantle.”
Transition: The next 13 weeks we will be given the opportunity to do the same! Each week I will give you the actual responses that the 13 people gave around the country in answer to the question why don’t you attend church? Today we begin with Jennifer 29 year old marketing rep divorced, from Alabama.
“I went to the front of my church during a revival when I was about 10, but when I was a teenager I decided I didn’t want to be associated with born-agains anymore. They embarrassed me by coming across as fanatics-pushy, narrow, insulting. Now that I am older I can’t say I feel much different. Most of the ones I know are judgmental rather than loving, cliquish rather than inclusive, stern rather than fun-loving. I still feel I have Jesus in my heart, but I don’t want to be around people like that. They bring me down. I need to be positive, forward –thinking, upbeat for my career-and also for my mental well-being.”
Can some Churches be hazardous for ones mental well being?
Yes! God’s response to Jennifer and challenge to this church is found in the New Testament book of Titus 2: 7-10 under the title “Good Looking Christianity”
7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
For every Jennifer who sees Christian people as narrow pushy fanatics more judgmental than loving, more cliquish than inclusive stern rather than fun-loving we must:
Set an example
Show integrity in our speech and conduct
So that in every way, we will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
I. Set an example 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good
Paul wrote this letter to Titus near the end of his 30 -year ministry as a missionary for Christ. He was born in the first decade A.D. in Tarsus a small but prosperous city on the trade route from Syria to Asia Minor.
Titus- was a young gentile follower of Christ whom Paul had been training to carry out his ministry. Navpress “Titus” Pg 9.
Paul determined to instruct his young friend in Christian basics. 7In everything set them an example by doing what is good”. It’s been said that most people “Would rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” Paul with the reality of his ministry coming to a close teaches this young minister to let “everything” be an example of surrender to the teachings of Christ!
Chapter two of Titus is written for a young minister and its seasoned counsel for what matters most in a believers walk with Christ. As the chapter unfolds Paul speaks of the right conduct for older men and women and for younger followers as well. Our passage while directed to young men is of course applicable for everyone who has come to serve Christ. Titus is a book that is practical and the application can be profound! For every Jennifer that we might meet, we must example Jesus!
