Sermon Central
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Paul's Admonition Series
Contributed by Bobby Stults on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: How often do we as believers look down on the world and in our hearts think, "I am so much better than that..." Not too many of us will admit it, but I can guarantee you it crosses the minds of believers every day. Do you love the lost? OR Do you condemn
When someone outside the Grace of God sees a believer who is willing to live a life of transparency, confessing sin where he fails God, realizing he is not perfect, and honestly shares Christ and how Christ has changed his life IN SPITE of his shortcomings… THAT is when we are going to see people take notice of what we have to say!
They are not looking for someone perfect… they are looking for someone who is REAL in their living! Real in their beliefs… someone who is fully aware of their own frailties but understands and recognizes the greatness of the Grace of God that saves us from those failures!
Now I understand that in many cases, we can love people and share our own failures and share Christ and they STILL think we are being judgmental of their lives… but you have to understand this one thing! Even though the Gospel is very INCLUSIVE to ALL who accept it and embrace it… it is also a message of confrontation!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message that reveals to those outside of the Grace of God… where they are before a holy God. It reveals their sin in a way they have NEVER seen it… and NONE of us want to see ourselves like that, so we strike out at the one carrying the message!
But whether they accept the message OR reject it and call you all sorts of names, like narrow-minded, prejudice, bigoted, hateful, vengeful, kill-joy, oppressive… whatever they call you… YOU ARE CALLED TO LOVE THEM and share that message with them!
We cannot look down upon them! We cannot allow an attitude of superiority to creep into our hearts or our fellowship… we are the representatives of Christ Jesus in this world… what they see in us is what the world see of Christ!
We love to quote John 3:16, but when we read John 3:17 we see that Christ did not come into this world to judge or condemn it (even though He is qualified to do so…) Jesus came to SAVE the world… came to redeem it through His sacrifice. We are called to that same calling… to save the world… to love the world… to BE a picture of Christ that DRAWS people TO God, and does not cause them to reject God!
So to answer my basic premise this morning in how can we reveal TRUE joy to the world around us… we can look to Paul and his example of TRUE joy in thankfulness, in obedient service and in full faith and trust in God in all situations… but nowhere in Paul’s example to us is there JUDGMENT of others!
Paul’s admonition to us is to love others, share Christ and serve God faithfully in all situations… that is how we reveal our TRUE Joy in Christ, by serving and loving God… by serving and loving others! So what about you this morning?
Conclusion:
So the question for all of US here this morning is what is most important in our lives? The outside appearances that we all have a tendency to embellish and lift up? OR is it the inside and the attitude of our hearts in obedience to Christ!
I believe if we have the inside RIGHT… the outside will take care of itself! Are we willing to love those around us without judging them? This goes for all people in our lives… are you willing? Are we willing?
