BACK TO THE BASICS IV: Radical Christianity
Matthew 5:13-14
You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 You are the light of the world-- like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.
Intro: You know- somebody is always watching you
Your life has an impact on someone—
Peanuts cartoon illustrates point
• Peppermint Patty- talking to Charlie Brown
• Says-Chuck I got sent to principal’s office today—and it all your fault
• CB-says My fault—how can it be my fault- we don’t even go to same school
• PP- You’re my friend aren’t you Chuck?
• CB- Yes, I’m you’re friend
• PP- Well you should’ve been a better influence on me!
Somebody is always watching you
A preacher was mending was building a dog house
• One of his son’s friends saw what he doing stopped by to watch
• Didn’t say a word- just stood watching
• The preacher spoke-then kept on working
• The preacher thought-he must be admiring my work
• Asked- are you trying to learn how to build dog house
• No said boy- just wanted to see what preacher says when he hits thumb with hammer
Our actions and deeds impact others-Jesus knew that
• God made us to live in community
• Parents impact kids
• Kids impact other kids-we all touch each others lives
• So-in some way- we become partially responsible for each other
Jesus used the analogy of salt and light
• His followers were to be like salt
• Salt-gives flavor, it preserves---it has impact on what it touches
• Salt of his day—was not nearly as purely refined as today
• Contained impurities- that could ruin-make salt loose its usefulness
• Thus it had to be cast out
• If followers of Christ-don’t live out –they useless to kingdom
Jesus also used the analogy of light—
• Light too has impact on what it touches
• Jesus says-it wouldn’t make sense to have a needed light-and hide
• God wants followers of Son—to make a difference
• Sent Holy Spirit to empower
Jesus is stressing that his followers should
Have a positive influence on others
• That we should live in such a way-that others come to know God
• That we should be radical in way we live
I once knew a youth minister in church
• He was very upset the fact that church he was serving was stagnant
• He felt that some things needed to be stirred up—
• So he started stirring pot
• He had a somewhat Pentecostal background
• Nothing wrong with that
• But when you start trying to force that style worship on UM’s
• Things can get tough-
• He kept saying that the church needed to become radical
• The reason why church was stagnant-was they too comfortable
• People needed to get fired up!!!!
• Well his idea of being fired up—
• Was so radical—it got him dismissed
• Because he was equating radicalism with emotionalism
What does it mean to become radical?
• We have come to believe that it means wildly different
• Something unusual
One definition of radical in dictionary:
Marked by a departure from the usual or traditional-extremeist
• This is more of the definition that this youth leader was tying into
• We are called to depart from the usual ways of life of the world
• Someone whose a radical—is passionate about what they believe
• They are sold out to the cause they advocate
• To me—that sounds like Basic Christianity
• But –we DO NOT have to be a pew jumping
• Floor falling—tongue speaking person to be a radical Christian
Other definitions of the word radical:
1. Relating to or proceeding from a root
• Christians are the vine that grows from root-root is Christ
2. Fundamental-A basic principle
• A person who follows Christ realizes certain principles-
• And they live by them
What I want all of you to here- is this
You don’t have to be preacher/missionary to be a radical Christian
Just being a true Christ is radical-its different from the world view
But its also living by some basic principles-
That all follows idea of living like Jesus
So today- I want to think about what it means to do that
What does it mean to live radically for Christ?
Going to look at more of sermon on Mt to see this
A “Radical” Christian:
1. Realizes Thoughts are as Important as Actions (Matthew 5:21-22;27-28)
You have heard that the law of Moses says, ’Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22 But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. You have heard that the law of Moses says, ’Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The Jews believed that by following law—
• They could be made right with God
• They thought if they could just keeping from doing things God disliked
• They would be ok with God
• So-they took the commandment-You shall honor the Sabbath
• They added to it—
• Made great restriction of what could/couldn’t do on Sabbath
• So that they might not even get close to breaking it
As long as a person’s action were held in check
• Then they be ok
• They could hate others-
• But as long as they didn’t kill-ok
• They could have life built around making money-rather than God
• But as long as they didn’t have an image of an idol-ok
• They could fantasize having sexual relations with others
• But as long as they didn’t touch—they ok
Then comes Jesus-Son of God
• He says-look guys/ gals my Father just showing basics-
• Getting you ready
• Giving you the lowest level of acceptable behavior
• But now—its time to move up to real standard
• You got to clean up your minds
• Because your thought life is as important as your actions
• Your intent as important what you do.
But why?
• What does it matter what we think –as long as our actions are acceptable
• Why did Jesus make it so hard?
• Jesus didn’t he was showing us-God’s true intention of giving law
• Make us realize that we can’t be holy-be right with God alone
• Because even though we may be able to curb our actions
• Our minds will be unholy-without God
If your mind is not right with God—it will eventually spill out
• In Mark7- hear of time religious leaders came & questioned Jesus
• They had seen that Jesus’ disciples didn’t do ceremonial washing b4 ate
• They upset—because they thought outward action of washing-ok w/ God
• Keep them pure- if they wash hands
• Jesus , thinking of idea, that unwashed hand- let defilement in
• Jesus said-not what goes into body that makes one impure
• But what comes out of one’s heart-one’s being that defiles one
Our minds are the source of our actions
• If our minds are not pure-holy-clean
• If our motivations not right---than what we do makes no real difference
A man or woman may not cheat physically on spouse
• But if they have a mental affair-
• Get emotionally to attached to someone of opposite sex
• That can have same overall affect on marriage as if they had a physical 1
• Because it still leads to an emotional distancing between married couple
A person may not go out and murder someone
• But if they hate that person—
• They will treat them as if they wished they dead
God is concerned with what we do-yes
• But more importantly he concerned with our mental purity
• Because our minds are the place where actions are are birthed
God is as much concerned about our intentions
• As our actions
• We can do all the right and charitable deeds for others
• But if our intention is to get noticed
• Then it does not bring God the glory
Our thought life is important to God
• That’s why Paul writes in Romans 12
• That we need to let God change the way WE THINK
• Then we will be able to know what God wants us to do
If we are living in mental sin
• Though our actions may be good
• We can not know what God’s will is for our life
People are watching and they need to see a radical Christian
AND RADICAL CHRISTIANS KNOW THEIR TOUGHT LIFE MUST BE PURE
2.Realizes it’s a “full-time” job. (Matthew 5:33-37)
Again, you have heard that the law of Moses says, ’Do not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.’ 34 But I say, don’t make any vows! If you say, ’By heaven!’ it is a sacred vow because heaven is God’s throne. 35 And if you say, ’By the earth!’ it is a sacred vow because the earth is his footstool. And don’t swear, ’By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. 36 Don’t even swear, ’By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 37 Just say a simple, ’Yes, I will,’ or ’No, I won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that something is wrong.
Remember the day-when a person’s word meant something
• People did right-not because they legally bound to by contract
• They did the right thing-because it was the right thing
• It didn’t matter if someone governing them to do it
• It not matter if they being monitored
• Not care if somebody watching or not
• A person’s word-sense of right/wrong made them do right
• Even when no one was around to see it
But now days- we try to divide the secular and sacred
• It’s ok to act & do one thing in world
• But as long as we not doing it in church-we’re ok
Jesus is saying here—it does matter who we are-what we do
• 100% of the time
• Living as a Christian is NOT BY NAME ONLY
• Just because you believe in Jesus doesn’t make you a Christian
• For even the demons believe in him
But its placing faith in Him to save you from sins
• And its in living as God requires
• Which again-means living a Holy life
• Not just at church—but every where
When we don-the name Christian it means something
• It supposed to mean that we live what we believe
• If we believe that Jesus calls us to be loving-then we’re loving
• If servant to world-servant
• Be assured it means to live as Jesus did---not just part time
• 100%---because when we done the name Christian
• We become representative of Christ
The way we act-when we outside the church building does matter
• That’s why we should hold one another accountable
The Baptists are good about this—
• But many times to extreme-almost judgmental
But we Methodists-have gone to other extreme
• An anything goes mentality
We should have expectations of holy behavior
• Not a Live & let live
• That’s not Wesleyan—that’s not Methodism
• It sure not Christianity
We’ve forgotten what Jesus said to Pharisees
• When they misrepresented God—
• They were too legalistic
But also forgotten what Paul said to Corinthians
• Man was sleeping with his step mother
• 1 Corinthians 5- Paul deals with it
He reminds us-that who we are outside church
• Is as important as inside the church
• And that the church has the right to expect something from its members
• Most important thing they should expect is holiness
Because –Jesus said we’re supposed to be the salt of the earth
• We’re supposed to be light of world
• If we live in unholy way-outside the church building
• We hurt the cause of Christ rather than help
People think that preachers are exempt from temptations
• But we aren’t- we human too
• I’m tempted just like the rest of you—
• I have my own personal struggles
But I also realize that God is watching
• I also realize people in community watching
• I am a pastor- I represent Christ in this community
• I am called to a standard
• BUT SO ARE EACH OF YOU
So, if we don’t take that seriously—outside the church
• Then others may define Christianity by way we live it out
• Thus we may be teaching someone-its ok to sin
• What did Jesus says about those who teach others to sin?
• Mark 9- It be better to have huge stone tied around neck-be thrown into sea
People are watching and they need to see a radical Christian
AND RADICAL CHRISTIANS KNOW BEING A CHRISTIAN IS A F/T JOB--24/7-365 DAYS A YEAR
3. Acts “Abnormally.” (Matthew 5:38-39; 40-42)
You have heard that the law of Moses says, ’If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it.’ 39 But I say, don’t resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other, too. f you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
Ever heard the term minimum?
The MDR- for vitamins
• This is the minimum daily intake of these items you should take in
• If you want to stay healthy
Schools have a minimum goal that students must meet
• If they want to graduate
And of course Credit Cards
• Have the minimum payment they will accept
The idea of minimum is scraping by
• Getting by as low as we can—while still getting what we want
• I can charge a 2000.00 cruise that I can’t afford
• But if I make my minimum payment—then at least I can go
• If I can just get a 62—on my test-then I can graduate
• If I can just eat a few pieces of lettuce—then I won’t feel hungry
Jesus says- following him is not about minimums
• Its’ about going over & beyond
• Its not just about correct actions—but pure intentions
• It’s not just about helping person in need by giving one time
Its about being abnormal—at least as world sees it
• World believes in getting by when it comes to giving
• It takes an event like Katrina to shake us up
But Jesus showing us-
It shouldn’t take huge cataclysmic event to make us care
It shouldn’t take us being caught-that makes us sorry about our actions
Boy & His Cookies
• Little boy whose mom baked some cookies for event at her home
• Told her son-stay out of cookie jar-those cookies are for …
• Comes in hour later-cookie crumbs all in floor
• Little boy-has hand in cookie jar
• Sees mom –starts saying—I’m sorry please don’t punish me
• Mom says—are you sorry about eating cookies or getting caught
• Little boy looks at floor
• I’m sorry I got caught
It not that boy was sorry he disobeyed—
Obedience be higher thing
He was settling for lower thing—minimum thing
Not getting caught—allow him to eat cookies and not get in trouble
(Or so he thought)
Jesus calls us to be different—
• Not to get by with just not just killing someone—
• but not to even hate them
• Not to just avoid sin when people are watching
• But to avoid it when no one around
Because when we get away from living as minimum Christians
And move to being radical Christians that’s when we become
True Christians
Because people are watching
And a Radical Christian-Isn’t a minimum Christian—
• They are not normal by world’s standard
• They go beyond the call of duty—
• Duty demands certain lifestyle
• But Christians should live out of gratitude.
Yes you are being watched—by others
• But most importantly by Jesus—all the time
• Are you living radically for him?
Radical Christianity- can NOT be attained on your own
You can’t clean up your thought life
• May can control actions-
• But not mind
You may can live out "the Christian life" at church
• But you CAN NOT fake it 24/7-365 days a year
• It’s impossible
You may can act loving caring sometimes
• But w/o Christ- you won’t all the time
The life of a true Christian is not just in name only
• It’s in the very essence of who we are
• We can’t get there—w/o Christ in us
• W/o the help of the transforming power of Holy Spirit
So as I close—I ask you
• Are you living the life of a radical Christian everyday?
• Is your heart right with the Lord
• Is your mind full of thoughts of things above
• Or are they dwelling on the things of earth?
