THE OUTSIDERS
INTRODUCTION: We come to church and we’re mostly surrounded by “insiders” people who are Christians like us but how much consideration do we give to those who are still outside? Are we mindful of how we come across to unbelievers? Do we care how we present ourselves? Are we aware of how the unchurched look at those who call themselves Christians? It would serve us well to gain a better understanding about how important it is to present ourselves in the right way.
1) Why is it important to be a good example to outsiders?
• Because we are representing Jesus. 2nd Cor. 5:20, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” An ambassador is a representative. Jesus has ascended to heaven; his physical presence is no longer here. But, we who are followers of Jesus are here in his place. That means we are called to be a true representation of Jesus. We plead with people, on Christ’s behalf. In his stead. We are the voice of Jesus to the world. And in that our goal is not to draw attention to ourselves but to Jesus, whom we represent. In the world we act a certain way, talk a certain way and dress a certain way to draw attention to ourselves. When we are focused on being a good example, all of the above are done with a purpose to draw attention to Jesus. However, we can be a bad representative. When we act ungodly around outsiders, we are communicating a negative image; especially when the outsider knows we are a Christian. 1st Pet. 2:11-12. We accurately reflect Christ when we abstain from sin a live a good, wholesome life in the view of outsiders. This reminds me of Daniel 6, when Daniel’s enemies were trying to find something to discredit him before the king but they couldn’t; except when it had to do with his devotion to God. May it be said of us that the only thing anyone could say against us is that we’re Christians! Being a proper representation of Jesus dispels any accusation brought against us. That gets recognized. That is commendable. Think of how popular the politician would be if no one could dig up any dirt on him. When we are a true ambassador for Jesus we have integrity and character. This sets a good example for outsiders.
• Because people need to be saved. What am I doing to promote the gospel? What am I doing to hinder the gospel? I read a sermon where a minister stated these sobering words, “don’t give people an excuse to reject the gospel.” My bad behavior, my immodest appearance, my sour speech can stifle any effort I’m making to bring someone to Jesus. We may need to ask ourselves, “Am I drawing people closer to Jesus or pushing them further away?” We might act offensively in public and walk away thinking it was no big deal. “Oh, well, they don’t know me; I’ll probably never see them again anyway.” But what if, in the not so distant future, on some Sunday morning you saw one of those “insignificant” outsiders walk through the doors of our church? And then they see you and remember your example. Would it be no big deal then? We are all setting an example, we are all influential on some level; we all carry responsibility. Quote: “Those who set bad examples, though they may repent themselves, cannot be sure that those who they have drawn into sin by their example will repent. It is often otherwise.” We can mess up and come to our senses and repent but we can’t repent for anyone else. If I am a negative example, if I am a bad influence, if I cause my brother to stumble, I may repent but what if he doesn’t? I came to my senses but he’s continuing down the path of destruction. I can try to steer him back but what if he doesn’t listen? Ultimately we are each responsible for our own choices but we carry much responsibility as influencers. We can be responsible for another getting started down the wrong path. We need to count the cost, we need to understand the consequences; we need to recognize the damage caused by being a bad example.
2) What needs to change? First impressions are very important. They are important when interviewing for a job. They are also important for the Christian when we are out and about and in the visibility of others. What are some things that might need to change if we are going to make a good impression?
• Our appearance. How do we look to outsiders? Granted, we shouldn’t be more concerned about the outside of the cup than we are the inside but we should be concerned nonetheless. Appearance is important. Cleanliness is important. If your clothes are dirty that doesn’t make you dirty and vice versa but remember, in being a good example to outsiders I believe a healthy appearance goes far. I’m not saying focus on getting designer clothes and spend oodles of money making yourself look good. I’m talking about just simply being clean and well-kept. I’m also talking about modesty. 1st Tim. 2:9-10. 1st Pet. 3:1-6. The single ladies out there might be thinking, “I don’t have a husband so this doesn’t apply to me.” Even if you don’t have an earthly husband, you do have a heavenly one. You do have a master in heaven. Therefore, as a proper representative of Christ, we need to look the part. I’m not saying you need to dress like a Muslim or walk around in a burlap sack. But there needs to be a sense about the way we dress that asks the question-is what I’m wearing going to draw improper attention to myself? Again-we don’t have to stick out like a sore thumb, but we shouldn’t blend in with the world. I believe a young woman can dress stylishly without having to compromise her modesty. And this isn’t just for women; this applies to guys also.
• Our demeanor. I know we’re all going to have our bad days; we’re only human. But I’ve seen Christians go around with a sour look on their face way too many times. And worse yet, I see it happening in church on Sunday morning! We come together as Christians to worship our Lord and Savior and the looks on some Christian faces communicate you’d rather be anywhere else. The gloomy faces communicate to people, especially visitors, that there’s no joy in you today. The angry faces communicate there’s no love in you today. If a visitor walks into our church and they see joyless, loveless faces what is being communicated? If it were me I might very well be thinking that Jesus is not in this place. I know that’s not true but you have to see how one might think that by what they’re observing in the people who claim to know Jesus. I’m not asking anyone to be fake. I’m not saying we should pretend to be happy when we are hurting. But we do need to realize how we’re coming across. And frankly, sometimes we just need to get outside of ourselves and think about the outsiders. One way to realize how we come across is if we have had various people ask us at any given time, “what’s wrong” and there is nothing wrong, we need to take notice of that. “Oh, you looked like something was bothering you.” If that has happened to you more than a few times you need to consider what people are seeing and check the condition of your heart. Is there something about your demeanor that is a turn off to people?
• Our speech. Col. 4:5-6. Often times before we can make a disciple, we need to make a friend. We do that by generating proper speech. We communicate words that are profitable. Words that speak truth; words that encourage. If we are spouting off-color remarks, dirty jokes, foul language, gossip or anything of the sort we are making a bad impression. However, when our conversation is full of grace and seasoned with salt, when it’s pure, we are acting wise toward outsiders.
3) How do we show people we are Christians?
• By walking the talk. Phil. 3:17, 4:8-9. Paul was telling the Philippians to follow his example in whatever they heard or saw displayed in him. Would we be able to make such a bold claim to fellow believers? Paul told the Corinthians the same thing in 1st Cor. 4:16, “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” Paul was able to challenge these people to imitate him because he was following the example of Christ. 1st Cor. 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul was following the example of walking the talk that Jesus had displayed in his own life. Jesus didn’t just talk the truth, he lived the truth. He is the truth. He didn’t just tell his disciples to wash one another’s feet; he set the example by doing it first. He didn’t just tell people he was gentle and humble, he showed that he was. Paul lined himself up with the example of Jesus and could tell the Corinthians, “follow my example as I follow the example set forth by Jesus himself.” This doesn’t mean Paul did it perfectly, but he showed himself to be a follower of Christ. We need to do the same. We need to live the gospel. Some people are more apt to respond to the gospel not when they hear it, but when they see it. They will receive Christ when they see Christ in those that claim to follow Christ. What incentive would someone have to accept our invitation to come to church if what they see in us is no different than what they see in themselves?
• By letting our light shine. Matt. 5:14-16. How brightly do I shine? How well do I stand out? How well do I show others that I am a disciple of Jesus? If I were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict me? “The Definition of a Saint.” A young boy went with his parents touring around Europe one summer. Part of their tour included visits to the great old cathedrals of the past. As he visited cathedral after cathedral, he was impressed by the massive stained glass portraits of the disciples and other saints as he stood in their great empty halls looking through the beautiful stained glass windows. Upon returning home, he was asked by his Sunday school teacher about what he liked the most. He thought for a moment of those great churches and their grand windows and he said, "I loved the sense of awe and the hugeness of who God must be, and I loved the stained glass windows with their images of the saints." "And what is a saint?" his teacher asked. His mind went back to those beautiful windows and he said, "A saint is a person the light shines through." That is a good definition of what a saint of God is supposed to be. We have no light of our own, but like the moon, we are to reflect the light of Jesus to a lost and dying world. Phil. 2:14-15. If we are not acting crooked or depraved, if we are not arguing, complaining, acting all angry and miserable, then we will stand out. We will shine like stars in the darkness.
• Love. John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” They will know we are Christians by our love. How can we show love in a practical way? By being willing to serve. We show love by taking the time to engage in a meaningful conversation. We show practical love by doing something nice for a stranger. Everyone will know we are Christians when we are selfless. When we are willing to encourage the downhearted. When we are willing to help the helpless; those who aren’t able to repay us. We are being a good example of Christ when we love the unlovable. And when we are thanked, we point them to God. When they see our good deeds, sown in love and we point them to Jesus, they will praise him instead of us. That’s what it’s all about.
CONCLUSION: Read Nelson’s Illustrations-pg. 275-276. Why did she want to be a Christian? Because she saw it displayed. She had no examples of godliness to go by until she saw the love of Christ lived out. Then she knew it was real and she wanted what she saw. She realized that there was something better than what she had experienced thus far. That’s what people are looking for. They don’t just need to hear about Jesus. They need to see Jesus. There are a lot of hurting people in the world much like the young lady in the story. All they know are bad examples. They need to see the good ones. They need to realize that there is something better. Let’s go out and be good examples of Jesus today.
