Intentional Christianity: Make People Thirsty
John 7:37-38
Ill. When we started the Children’s ministry at Desdemona, we noticed that the children did not drink much water. One week, I used an illustration of water, and drank from a bottle of water several times. I would randomly say during the lesson, “I am so thirsty. Oh, this water is so good.”
Some of the kids started saying, “I’m thirsty. I want a bottle of water.”
When I finished the lesson, we had to give every child a bottle of water because they all were thirsty.
We can make people thirsty for water and we can make people thirsty for God. But it must originate in our true thirst for God. (Psalm 42:1).
Last week we spoke about intentionally infiltrating our community as Kingdom representatives. I hope you have been thinking about that and are intentionally looking for opportunities to intentionally touch lives for Christ. Have any of you had any thoughts on how we can better do this?
This week, I want to focus on the desert known as the world. I want us to focus on this: after we intentionally make contact with those in our community (where they live, work, travel), what do we show them, and how?
I want to make two suppositions and I will need your help.
• The religion we practice makes people nauseated. What makes people put off by religious Christianity today?
• Scanning and reading atheist web sites and websites of people who openly avow their hatred for Christians, I have found the following issues recurring:
A. Perceived hypocrisy. (Generosity taught, not practiced, loved taught, not practiced, etc…) This is the question, “Do we really practice what we preach? Do we really live out the fruits of the Spirit, which are not offensive?”
B. Illogical thinking. Our beliefs on creation and against abortion and homosexuality appear to be out of touch with social norms and the intellectual community.
C. Pushy evangelism (not as much a problem when there is NO evangelism). When we evangelize, the pressure that people feel comes across push and unwelcomed.
D. Pride, looking down on non-Christians. This may not be avoidable. A Christian must know Christianity is right, or it is not by faith. We must know that the lost have a need because they are not right, or we will not evangelize. Maybe we can minimize this by how we evangelize.
E. Disrespect for those who do not agree, in and out of our ranks. This is a difficult issue, also. We are to maintain discipline within our ranks, but in love. That love can be misunderstood. However, I think it isn’t the discipline that is the problem here, but the lack of love with which we correct each other.
F. Condemnation of sin, sometimes the sinner. There is no doubt, sinners feel condemned, especially from Christians. The anti-gay rhetoric from Christians in the media and social networks
G. Legalism, living by rules that many seem unnecessary.
H. Lack of compromise.
I am told that these things make people unthirsty for what we offer. Although some of these will remain, for instance, our desire to see all come to repentance may be seen as pushy evangelism, true representation of what Jesus offers through us should make people thirsty, not seek another fountain.
The Christianity we should practice should make people thirsty. Therefore, intentional Christian living in the community will make people thirsty.
John 7:37-38 “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"
Jesus’ life made people thirsty. He taught righteousness and corrected people for their error.
Some hated Him for it, and He said we would be hated for that.
However, His attitude about judgment was a little different than some Christians’ attitudes. John 3:17-18 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
Jesus saw no need to condemn anyone. They stood already condemned. Jesus told the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” John 8:11. Romans teaches that the Law condemned us (Romans 2:27) because it is completely righteous. Therefore, condemnation came to us through Adam, and on top of that, we condemned ourselves with our sins against the law. Christians who condemn are not following Christ’s thirst-creating evangelism methods.
We have discussed that Jesus must make a difference in our lives for us to live our mission. Last week, we discussed that we must live intentionally to have an impact like Christ instructed.
Tonight, I want to focus on four areas where we can have an impact by intentionally allowing Christ to live through us.
I. Outlook on life despite circumstances.
This has to do with how we see life, and how our lives reflect that outlook. The idea that the difference Jesus makes in our lives can be seen by our community members, coworkers and family members is found in the Sermon on the Mount we have previously discussed. Mat 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
II. Outlook on love despite hate.
To love each other intentionally as a witness is one of Jesus’ themes. Love is not the warm fuzzy feelings towards one another, but the commitment to put the other person’s welfare and preferences ahead of our own. This is something that the world must see, for it is what Jesus told us to do.
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
This is letting our light shine so others can see our good works. Here is the importance. We live in a world that loves those who love them and hates those who cross them. Matthew 5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
As mentioned, this is a must in the ability to show the Christ makes the difference in a life. Nobody really enjoys the canker of hate and anger. That is why it comes with the overwhelming sense of violation. But we must rise above the feelings of violations between us and guard the testimony of Jesus Christ. That is our calling and responsibility.
When they world sees our undying, unchallengeable love for each other, they will be thirsty.
III. Outlook on self despite history.
When we are born, life assaults our view of self. This is because our view of life is warped by the sin nature.
One of Satan’s great ploys is self-hatred. Another is pride, going the other direction. Satan will cause one to hate himself so much, he is worthless.
Oh, he is a clever one, because there are some that hate themselves, and he fills with pride in their hatred, supposing it to be false humility. Self-hatred wrapped in pride is the most stubborn of weaknesses.
The other wrapping Satan loves to clothe self-hatred in is self-love, and it usually comes in as self-comfort. Ephesians 5:29 truly stands true: “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.”
So any form of self-hatred must seek compensation. Often times, this is food, pleasure, work, etc. Addictions usually demonstrate a level of compensation for self-hatred.
However, in Christ, there is a difference. We actually can be comforted in the love of God.
We are amazed that God chose to love us, but we can accept that we are loved and accepted, and assume the value of His only begotten. We receive His love and find peace within our hearts about ourselves. Our war within our breast that raises our own self-dissatisfaction is put to peace by the peace of God.
Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When the world sees the peace in our hearts towards ourselves, they will be thirsty.
IV. Outlook on trouble despite emotions.
Trouble is life. Life is trouble. There is no avoiding all trouble. Job said, (Job 14:1) "Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble.” Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” John 16:33. Why so much trouble?
A. Because sin calls for trouble.
God told Adam, (Gen 3:17-18) "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; 18 thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field.”
God had just told Eve, (Genesis 1:16) "I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you."
In other words, sin brings trouble. This is not to say that we always bring trouble onto ourselves, because the curse of sin in the world “rains on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45).
However, some trouble, we bring onto ourselves. Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
Therefore, we avoid some trouble when we stay out of sin. Avoiding this kind of trouble will make people thirsty for God.
B. Because we run to God in our trouble.
Where do we run when we sense trouble? I run to God. I hope you do to. But doing so explains why God allows trouble in my life. He uses trouble to chase me to Him. Psalms 37:39 “The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.”
Psalms 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
James 5:13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.”
Ill. There is a man named Phil who was raised by unaffectionate parents. One day when he was playing at the park, one of his friends fell off the jungle-gym. He landed on his arm funny and hurt his elbow. He started to scream and ran to the park bench where his dad too him up in his arms to comfort him.
Phil said seeing the boy run to his dad filled him with anger and resentment. Who would he run to if he hurt himself? He began to cry.
The father of the hurt boy saw Phil crying and called him over. Phil cautiously went over. “Why are you crying?” asked the father.
Phil didn’t know what he was feeling inside or how to express it. He says, somehow the man sensed it. He called him closer and drew him into an embrace.
Phil became very close to the family. They were his second family, but when he was hurt, they were his first family.
When those of the world see us going into the loving arms of our Heavenly Father, there will be resentment. There will be some confusion. There may be even some jealousy and anger. But how will their attitudes change when they realize that they have an invitation to come to our Father’s arms.
Thus…..
C. Because we reach others through trouble.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”
We have trouble so we can have grace. We have more grace so we can comfort others. This is one of the beautiful ways God allows us to partake in His plan.
It is not our choice how we receive trouble. That is God’s assignment. But it is our decision how we handle it.
D. Because we still need to grow.
James 1:2-4 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
1Pe 4:12-13 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”
Jas 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Life down here is a constant testing and growing. Thus, Paul told the Philippians, “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.
When the world sees us growing in trials, it will make them thirsty.
VI. Outlook on others despite social pressure.
There are a lot of things that forms people’s opinions on how they view other people. James cautioned us to not be like the world in our evaluations of people. James 2:1-9 “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, "You sit here in a good place," while you say to the poor man, "You stand over there," or, "Sit down at my feet," 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”
There are very few people, but some, who can rise to the top through the world system. However, God warns us that this is not how it is in His kingdom. It saddens me today that many in the Church see leadership from the world’s perspective.
Some people have learned to play the world’s game of manipulation, popularity and influence and Christians think they have the promise to be good leaders in the Church. However, God’s economy is so much different. Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Paul pointed out how it is easier for one from a lowly status to grasp God’s economy. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” Also see 2 Corinthians 5:16.
You see, we should not be like the world, elbowing our way to the top of leadership. Since everyone is on level ground at the foot of the cross, this is the way we need to reflect acceptance and assignment in the Church. When the world sees that everyone has the same respect, love and opportunity in the Church of Jesus Christ, that should make them hungry for what we have to offer.
Jesus called fishermen, shepherds, tax collectors, Pharisees, rulers, servants, and soldiers into His Church. Galatians 3:27-29 “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.”
Let me show you an unusual passage that is hard to understand. Matthew 11:11-14 – “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.”
When you look at the Kingdom of God in the Old Testament, if someone came into the Kingdom, they straggled in with few numbers. But John was the first prophet to create a thirst in the people and they came to him in droves. Matthew 3:1-6 “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.'" 4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.”
With sincerity and hunger, people came, confessing their sins, desiring to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven. It started with John. It continues in us, if we create a thirst in people. A thirst for truth…..
Hand out notes:
Intentional Christianity: Make People Thirsty
John 7:37-38
• Introduction:
• Additional thoughts from last week?
• Two propositions:
1. The religious practices make people _________________________.
• What makes people put off by religious Christianity today?
• Common complaints about Christianity:
A. Perceived __________________________.
B. ____________________________ thinking.
C. ____________________________ evangelism.
D. ____________________________.
E. Disrespect for those who do not _______________________.
F. Condemnation of ____________________
G. _________________________.
H. Lack of ______________________________.
2. Intentional Christian living in the community will make people _______________________.
• Jesus taught righteousness and ________________________ people for their error.
• His attitude about ________________________ was a little different than some Christians’ attitudes. John 3:17-18. John 8:11.
• The _________________ condemned us (Romans 2:27).
• Four areas where we can intentionally create thirst. Matthew 5:14-16.
I. Our outlook on ___________________ despite hate.
• To love each other intentionally as a witness to the ________________________ Jesus makes is one of Jesus’ themes. John 13:34-35. Matthew 5:43-45.
• Nobody enjoys the canker of __________________ and anger, the sense of violation.
II. Outlook on self despite history.
• Our view of ____________________ is warped by the sin nature.
• One of Satan’s great ploys is_______-______________.
• Satan wraps self-hatred in __________________ and _______-____________. Ephesians 5:29.
• ________________________ usually demonstrate a level of compensation for self-hatred.
• We actually can be comforted in the ___________________ of God.
• Receiving His love, we find _______________________ within our hearts about ourselves. Philippians 4:4-7.
III. Outlook on _______________________ despite emotions. Job 14:1, John 16:33.
E. Because of ___________________. Genesis 3:17-18 & 16.
• Some trouble, we ___________________ on ourselves. Galatians 6:7.
F. Because we run to _______________. Psalms 37:39, 46:1, James 5:13.
• When the world see us going into the loving arms of God, there will be _______________________.
G. Because we ______________________ others through trouble. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5.
• When they realize that they are invited to come to our Father’s __________________, there will be thirst.
• We have _____________________ so we can have grace and comfort others.
H. Because we still need to ____________________. James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 4:12-13, James 1:12.
• God will keep sending trouble until we _________________ ________. Philippians 1:6.
VI. Outlook on _________________________ despite social pressure.
• We are cautioned not to be like the world in our _________________________ of people. James 2:1-9, 2 Corinthians 5:16.
• Few people can rise to the top through the ______________________ system.
• However, God’s ________________________ is so much different. Matthew 20:25-28.
• It is easier for one from a ____________________ status to grasp God’s economy. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
• Everyone is on level _____________________ at the foot of the cross.
• This is the way we need to reflect acceptance and assignment in the __________________. Galatians 3:27-29.
• Matthew 11:12 – “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.”
• Matthew 3:1-6.
• With sincerity and _____________________, people came, confessing their sins, desiring to be part of the Kingdom of Heaven.
• It started with __________________.
Notes and additional thoughts:
