Chico Alliance Church
"People of Distinction" Pt 1
REVIEW
We have all talked about revival. It is a word frequently used in Christian circles. We readily use the label "Revival Meeting" or a "Renewal Conference". Yet few of us have ever experienced renewal in the sense that many of us would wish. There simply are very few examples of genuine revival in the American church today. A genuine revival takes place when the Spirit of God comes upon a group of people and brings a greater understanding of the holiness of God and a keener awareness of personal sin. This in turn causes a greater sense of helplessness apart from the power of the Spirit in my life to live in greater trust and obedience to the Lord we love. Revival touches every aspect of my personal life. It is allowing Christ's life to flood areas of my life never before offered for His use. Revival effects every area of a church. There is renewed hunger to know and do the Word, to pray for one another, to gather together, to bear one another's burdens, to stimulate one another to greater love and good deeds, to care for the things of God, to serve in the family and to share the news of Christ's life to those who don't know. Simply put, revival is Christ's life so filling the heart that it flows out of the life.
1--Rally together
2--Read and study the word together
3--Rejoice and worship together
4--Reflect together
5--Resolve together
The people resolved together to make changes in four specific areas.
FIRST--My Response to the Word
Commit to a life of discipline by the Word. (hear and obey)
SECOND--My Relationship to the World System
Commit to a life of distinctiveness in the world.
THIRD--My Relationship to God
Commit to a life of devotion to God.
FOURTH--My response to giving.
Commit to a life of dedication of all my resources to the things of God.
INTRODUCTION
This message explores the commitment to be distinctive. Every family has a distinctiveness that can be observed by others. That distinction is behavioral as well as physical. Not only families, but different groups. We can group people by certain characteristics common to all of them. We call that cultural distinctives. When we are born into the family of God, there are certain distinctions that should identify us as members of His family. For most twentieth century Western Christians, that distinction has been obscured and we have become conformed to the image of this devil designed and directed world system.
It is not a new problem. Exhortations abound in the Bible concerning this problem.
Rom 12:2 1Jo 2:4-6 1Jo 2:15-17
There is a name for this special contrast from all others and comparison to the character of Christ. It is called "sanctification". Basic concept of the word means to be set apart for special use. The family of words translated from the Greek root include, saints, sanctify, holy, holiness.
There are three spheres in which this word applies to Christians:
1--Distinct People By Calling (past)
1Pe 2:9 Eph 2:10 2Co 5:17 Heb 10:10,14 Joh 17:14-17 Act 26:18
By reason of our calling, we are special people with a special mission in this world.
THOUGHT
Have we taken for granted the blessing connected to His calling and choosing us out of this world to be a special set apart people? Paul prays for enlightenment concerning the hope of our calling. Peter urges us to be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice godly character, you will never fall, 2Pe 1:10
That brings us to the second sphere of sanctification a distinction by conduct in the present. Not only are we set apart and distinct by calling, we are to demonstrate that distinction by our behavior.
2--Distinct People By Conduct (present)
If we are to be light in this world, there must be a distinction between those who claim to know Jesus Christ. There must be a marked difference in behavior. Over and over in Scripture, we are called to demonstrate a behavior different than the world in which we live. Mostly what happens is that the Christian community has paralleled the world in its slide into corruption.
LOOK AT SCRIPTURE
Survey of 1 Peter & Ephesians 4-6 for distinction between the world and followers of Christ. Eph 2:10 2Co 7:1;Titus 2-3; Mat 5:16 Jam 4:4
HOW ARE WE TO BE DIFFERENT?
Basic Beliefs
Autonomy-I'm my own boss Dependence-Christ is Boss
Amorality-no absolute morals Absolute standard of righteousness
Atheism-man is God Theism (Lord our God is one God)
Evolution--antisupernatural universe Creation-supernatural intervention
Basic Values
Sensuality-what appeals to the senses What is right--follow Christ
Materialism-love of things What is valuable--take up cross
Humanism--exaltation of self Denial of self
What is wrong with an activity What is right with this activity
Temporal and seen Eternal and unseen
Personal happiness Personal holiness
Basic Behavior
Selfishness Fervent love
Indulge fleshly drives Abstain fleshly drives
Rebellion against authority Submission to authority
Use freedom for self indulgence Use freedom as bondslaves of God
Tear down others Honor all men
No fear of God Fear God
Dishonor the president (king) Honor the king
Revenge Suffer for righteousness
Threat for threat Entrust to Faithful Creator
Complain about injustice Patiently endure injustice
Harsh, brash, independent women Submissive, quiet/gentle spirit
Insensitive, selfish husbands Understanding, loving husbands
Disharmony in relationships Harmonious
Proud and arrogant spirit Humble in spirit
Return evil for evil Give a blessing for cursing
Sensuality Controlled senses
Unbridled desires Delight in the Lord
Drunkenness, escapism Filled with the Spirit
Parties, entertainment Ministry and service
Idolatrous Seek first the kingdom
Subjective thinking Sound and sober judgement
Isolation Hospitality
Self serving Serving one another
Lying Speaking truth in love
Stealing Working hard to share
Empty conversation Constructive conversation
Bitterness and wrath Kindness, forgiveness
Hard hearted Tenderhearted
Immorality & impurity Pure
Filthy, silly or coarse talk Giving thanks to God
Greed Contentment
Pursuit of money Providing money
Outbursts of anger Gentle spirit
Worry Trust
Fear Confidence
Earthly minded Heavenly minded
Controlled by appetites Control appetites
In my behavior, attitudes, motives, talk, how am I demonstrating a difference?
Do I delight in the same things the world delights in?
Am I going to the same source as the world goes to find joy and happiness and fulfillment in life?
Other than clinging to the promise of eternal life, does following Christ really make my significant difference in my life?
Are those difference deeper than the fact that I go to Church on Sunday and my unbelieving friends sleep in or go somewhere else more exciting?
It is time we took a hard look at our relationship with God.
3--Distinct People by covenant (future)
One day the sanctification process we be complete.
who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phi 3:21
How Are We Sanctified?
The Father Sanctifies 1Th 5:23 Joh 17:19
Christ Sanctifies Eph 5:25-27 Heb 13:12
The Holy Spirit Sanctifies Rom 15:16 2Th 2:13
Our part in Sanctification
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2Co 7:1
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20
Gal 3:1-7 --- 2 Peter 1:1-11
ELEMENTS
1--Hear the truth (The Truth)
2--Believe the truth (Faith)
3--Act upon the truth in the power of the Spirit who mightily works in us
All the water in the world however hard it tried
Could never sink a ship unless it got inside.
All the evil in the world the wickedness of sin
Can never sink the soul's craft unless it got inside.
CONCLUSION
I believe that revival will come if we will come apart into the dark room away from the glitter and glamour of this world system in our eyes; away from the pull and deadening screams the world's "music" in our ears. With our senses restore we will be able to see and hear again the wonderful promises by which we become partakers of the divine nature. We can again see the magnificence of our salvation and having heard we believe with a faith that transforms and gives life to the members of our earthly body that becomes a weapon of righteousness in the Master hand.
DECISIONS
1. Acknowledge and confess failure to let the light of Christ flow.
2. Ask for the cleansing of Lord
3. Acknowledge your inability to change
4. Acknowledge that real life can only come from Christ our Sanctifier
5. Allow the Holy Spirit access to every aspect of your life.
6. Enter in to His life.
