HoHum:
A treadmill is one of the most effective tools for burning calories, despite the fact that the person exercising stays in the same place. Similarly, so it is with people who try to work their way to righteousness. We understand that grace is what saved us but believe they must pay God back with good works in order to remain saved.
WBTU:
Sometimes Christians swallow the lie, that everything depends on what we do and on how well we perform, on our efforts and our work.
This pride extends to every area of life but is especially true in our relationships, including our relationship to God, our relationship to ourselves, our relationship to family and friends, and our relationship to society. We believe that all of this depends on how well we perform. Everything of importance is conditioned on whether we can deliver a good performance.
Such believes and attitudes are the very opposite of grace. We cannot earn or ever deserve the favor of God. Ephesians 2:8-9 and then Titus 3:4-7
“I know all of this. I believe in salvation by grace through faith, not by my righteous things or works. I cannot earn God’s salvation or blessings. But are you implying that I believe in some kind of salvation by works? I gave all of that up when I became a Christian.”
That’s very good. However, for many people this is all in the mind or head and not in the heart or behavior. It is a truth they believe about God, but it is has no bearing on their dealings with God, themselves, or others. It is believed but not lived out.
At this point we could go back to the Garden of Eden, talk about the results of the Fall and point out humanity’s pride, self centeredness, and rebellion against God. This is all very true and foundational. But I’m afraid it would be just another lecture that would produce little change. This whole world is based upon earned acceptance. If we do not perform, then we are not rewarded. How often do we think about breathing? Not very much. It is much the same way in this world. We live in a world of ungrace and many times we don’t even notice how warped and unbiblical and ungodly our attitudes really are.
Thesis: Tonight let’s talk about our world of ungrace (USA) and how that affects us as Christians.
For instances:
Introduction
People who make a special study of other cultures are called anthropologists. Their research has conclusively proved that the people of one country may have very different ways of looking at life and reality than people from another country.
These differences affect our worldview, the way that we look at life. Most of the time these beliefs and values people take for granted. People may not talk about them, question them, or even be aware of them. They are just “there.”
What is our North American worldview? Are there some underlying assumptions and values so deeply ingrained in the “American way of life” that they actually bend and distort the biblical understanding of salvation by grace?
Three elements of American culture which can be barriers to grace:
1. Self reliance
Consider, an elderly American man who is dependent on his children for support vs. an elderly Chinese in a similar situation. The Chinese, whose society does not idealize self reliance, is proud of his children and brags on how good they are to him. The American is ashamed and doesn’t want anyone to know his situation. Instead, he wants to boast of his independence from his children. He tends to apologize for bothering his children or friends.
Such self reliance is contrary to grace, for grace is dependent upon humbleness. Two times in NT- God opposed the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
In the Christian life, extreme self reliance makes us try to be our own saviors and sustainers. It’s hard for Americans to think any good could come out of a dependent relationship, but that’s what grace is all about. The ideal of self sufficiency, deeply ingrained in most Americans, causes many Christians to take the very means of grace and put them on the performance treadmill.
2. Individualism
“Do your own thing” “Stand on your own two feet” “Where there's a will, there's a way.” “just do it”–these and so many more societal messages encourage us to work independently of others. In our history, we have had people who have used this to do wonderful things, like make this country what it is. They left their families, their culture and forged a new nation from the wilderness.
However, this taken to an extreme can be bad. If someone is a drag on me, then cast them aside. This idea is expressed in an 80’s song- Ain't nothin' gonna to break my stride Nobody's gonna slow me down, oh-no I got to keep on movin'.
The sad part is that there are no Lone Ranger Christians. In the New Testament, saving grace is always relational and is found only in the fellowship of Christ and His people. According to Acts, no one saved themselves. The “whosoever will’s” of Scripture are balanced with “you will be saved- you and your household”- Acts 16:31. We cannot live out the one anothers of the NT except in relationships with other Christians.
When the church becomes a drag and a burden, then many people feel like they can throw that off as well. We can be Christians and not be part of the church. Too many people regard Christianity as one more avenue for self actualization, rather than receiving grace, allowing Christ to reign within, and living in a grace relationship with others.
3. Activism.
“You can do or be anything you really want to be if you work hard enough.” “Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.” “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” “Keep you nose to the grindstone and your shoulder to the wheel.” “God helps those who help themselves” “Don't just stand there - Do something!”
The Avis car rental company based its successful commercial slogan; "We try harder!" on our strong work values. We give 110%- How is that possible?
Make something of ourselves through work seems to be a requirement for all Americans.
Certainly, doing and obeying are stressed throughout Scripture. We are to be doer’s as well as hearers of the Word- James 1:22. However, look up Romans 5:6. We were powerless, unable to work, unable to do anything to achieve our salvation.
But Americans regard approval, success, and status as rewards for performing well. When this value system gets translated into the Christian life, salvation becomes a matter of our efforts. A cartoon picturing modern day Pharisees was captioned, “We get our righteousness the old fashioned way- we earn it!” We have difficulties with grace
Since we are a popular culture, many aspects our our worldview have been exported. While we rejoice in progress, we should be saddened when we see some of the same hindrances to grace developing in other nations. The American rat race needs healing, not exporting.
What about the church?
Throughout history the church has had a tremendous impact upon the culture around it, often achieving triumphs over evil.
However, we also see that the church has been influenced by its culture. When we look at the churches of the NT we see that sometimes the culture affected them more than they affect the culture. This is especially true in American churches.
We must remember that those who make up the church are products of a culture. Many times they (and we) do not consider how much of the culture’s sins are still part of our worldview.
Let’s look at two problems when it comes to American churches:
1. The gospel of success.
The health and wealth gospel is the most extreme example of this. The name it and claim it idea clearly comes more from the American worldview than the Bible. No wonder the church is lampooned by comedians as promoting a blab it and grab it faith.
David Seamands- I heard a sermon based on the New Testament story of the Rich Young Ruler. You recall how the young man refused Jesus’ challenge to give away his possessions, take up his cross, and follow Jesus. The preacher accurately called him a millionaire, and then commented, “The poor fool! He didn’t realize it, but if he had only obeyed Jesus and sacrificed his possessions, Jesus would have made him a billionaire!”
C. This idea is becoming popular among third world nations. How destructive to the true faith!
D. Most do not go to this extreme, but we cannot deny that many times the message in many churches is commitment. The church leadership wants to see things move forward, so the preacher talks about commitment for months at a time. As a result, the people think that commitment and performance are what Christianity is about. ABC’s define a successful church.
God’s grace makes us worthwhile and valuable for who we are, and not because of what we successfully accomplish. If we cannot contribute to the church’s overall program, then we are not worthwhile and valuable. Is this right?
My history of working in churches. Came to one church where it wasn’t working. Must be something wrong with my faith! Failure!
All of this is a far cry from the true gospel of grace which alone can put us into a right relationship with God. 1 John 3:1: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
Think about the differences between a servant and a child:
The servant is accepted and appreciated on the basis of what he does, the child on the basis of who he is.
The servant starts the day anxious and worried, wondering if his work will really please his master. The child rests in the secure love of his family.
The servant is accepted because of his workmanship, the son or daughter because of a relationship.
The servant is accepted because of his productivity and performance. The child belongs because of his position as a person.
At the end of the day, the servant has peace of mind only if he is sure he has proven his worth by his work. The next morning his anxiety begins anew. The child can be secure all day, and know that tomorrow won’t change his status.
When a servant fails, his whole position is at stake; he might lose his job. When a child fails, he will be grieved because he has hurt his parents, and he will be corrected and disciplined. But he is not afraid of being thrown out. His basic confidence is in belonging and being loved, and his performance does not change the stability of his position.
My 4 boys
I. Galatians 4:4-7
2. The gospel of self reliant individualism.
An overemphasis on the individual life apart from relationships with other people. The NT presumes that if we receive God’s grace, then we will always give the same kind of grace to other people. This means that the church should provide an atmosphere where possible.
So many churches function like one more spectator sport, with little or no genuine participation in relationships. Like herding a bunch of cattle into an arena.
Most of us are hesitant to let people really get to know us; in church, we feel we always have to “put our best spiritual foot forward” and “keep our halos on straight.”
When this is combined with the success emphasis, most people are afraid and ashamed to share problems or weaknesses. Some believe, “If I’m a Christian I ought to be able to handle it myself.” This contributes to feelings of unreality and phoniness.
The tragedy is that this kind of sterile atmosphere drives Christians into greater hiding. They join the ranks of the disillusioned and the disheartened.
Church should be more like AA. Alcoholics will not attend church because too fake. “Hi, my name is Davon, and I’m a sinner.”
So what?
“All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” says Robert Fulgham. In truth, one of life’s most important and hardest lessons is this: we are not the center of the universe. We have to learn it again and again.
When we get to heaven's gate and God asks 'Why should I let you in?', what will our answer be?
John 17:3: Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
