Avoid Becoming a Camouflaged Christian
Scr. Ref: Rom. 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Paul is speaking to Christians - “brethren”
∙ He was instructing them not to follow after the pattern of Israel
∙ Not driving out all of the inhabitants of the land
∙ Warfare with the nations
∙ Weddings with the nations
∙ Worship with the nations - false gods
∙ Instead of Israel changing the world - the world changed Israel
∙ They became conformed.
suschematizo { soos-khay-mat-id’-zo}
AV - conform to 1, fashion (one’s) self according to 1; 2
∙ to conform or fashion one’s self, one’s mind, one’s character to another’s pattern
That definition brings to mind the word Camouflaged
Illus. Camouflage Clothing
Lake County - Camo is a “right of passage” Camo Day!
∙ The purpose is “to not be seen” - to go unnoticed
∙ To “blend in” to the surroundings
∙ To not “draw attention” to ourselves
∙ It’s an advantage for the military and for sportsmen, but it’s disastrous for Christianity
Mt. 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
How do we avoid becoming a Camouflaged Christian?
How do we keep from “blending in” with the world?
There Must Be:
I. A Difference in our Logic
because we have A Different MIND
∙ We have a different mind set than the world
∙ Our views are different that the world’s views
∙ My thoughts are not your thoughts, your ways not My ways
A. We Must Have a Compassionate Mind
Phil. 2:4-8 KJV 4Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
∙ We should be more concerned about the needs of others than our own needs
∙ The mind-set of the world is me, myself, & I
B. We Must Have a Consecrated Mind [set apart; dedicated] Colossians 3:1-5 NKJV
1If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
If we are dead to the flesh why should we seek to fulfill fleshly desire?
C. We Must Have a Careful Mind
1 Pet. 1:13-16 NKJV
13Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
∙ We need to be on guard of what we subject our mind to
Pro. 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Isa. 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
In order not to be conformed:
There must be a difference in our LOGIC because we have a different MIND.
There must be:
II. A Difference in our Labor
because we have A Different Mission
∙ We have a different mission or purpose in life than the world
A. A Mission of Service
Matthew 20:28 KJV
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
∙ Jesus had finished the parable about the laborers in the vineyard, foretold again of His death, then Salome - the mother of James & John asked for her sons “seats of honor” (missed the whole meaning)
∙ Our life on earth is not what we can “stack up” - what we are able to “stack up”, we are unable to “pack up” - it stays here, it decays, it becomes junk.
∙ How many lives are wasted accumulating junk?
∙ Our lives are to be lived in service to our Lord, not ourselves.
B. A Mission of Sacrifice
∙ The call to follow Jesus is to “Come and die” (flesh)
∙ A resurrection is always preceded by a death & burial.
1. In serving Jesus we must sacrifice of our TIME. We each are given only 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week.
2. In serving Jesus we must sacrifice our TALENTS. God has given each of His children gifts - Use them!
3. In serving Jesus we must sacrifice our TREASURE. Whatever resources we have belong to God - we are only managers of His property.
Mark 10:28-30
28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
∙ Jesus had just spoken with a rich young ruler
∙ Peter was patting himself on the back
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
∙ Each and every person sacrifices or spends their life in pursuit of something
∙ The question God asks is “what are we purchasing with our lives? What are we sacrificing our lives for? - what is our Mission?
C. A Mission of SALVATION
Luke 14:23 “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
∙ Compel denotes an urgency
∙ God desires for everyone to be invited
∙ We are share the invitation announcement
To not be conformed: There must be a:
Difference in our LOGIC - because we have a different MIND
Difference in our LABOR - because we have a different MISSION
and Finally, There Must Be A
III. Difference in our LIVES
Because we have: A Different MASTER
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
∙ We’re not the same person we used to be.
∙ We’re not to live as we lived before.
A. Difference in our CONDUCT
Romans 13:11-14
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
∙ We must live holy lives (separated to God)
∙ We are the only Bible some may read - How do we read?
Each day you’re writing a letter to men, make sure that the writing is true. Tis’ the only Gospel some men may read, that Gospel according to you.
B. Difference in our COMPANIONSHIP
2 Corinthians 6:14,17
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord.
∙ We should have different companions
∙ Ones who will ENCOURAGE us, not ENTANGLE us.
∙ We have to be IN the world, we don’t have to be OF the world
ILLUS. Boat in the Water - It’s not a problem when a boat is in the water. The problem is when the water gets into the boat.
C. Difference in our CONVERSATION
Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
∙ Our speech should convey God’s grace
∙ It should preserve & not destroy
ILLUS. Peter around the enemies fire
∙ his speech betrayed him - until he began to curse
∙ We have a greater message to tell than the world does - We need to SPEAK UP
The World can’t afford for us to be Camouflaged Christians
Mt. 5:14-16 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.15 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
We must:
∙ Stand out from the World
∙ Reach out for the World
∙ Speak out to the World
How do we keep from becoming Camouflaged?
The answer is found in our text - Ro. 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
There has to be:
1. A Presentation - present our bodies to God as living sacrifices.
2. A Separation - avoid conforming to the worlds ways
3. A Transformation - renew our minds through Christ
4. A Demonstration - prove we belong to God by doing His will.
