I. A. Christian Action:
The action that characterizes a Christ-centered life.
The relationship you have with Christ causes a “want-to” in you. You “want-to” be like Christ, therefore, you “want-to” show others Christ’s love, and you do that through your actions.
1. Christian action is representing Christ and his church in works of compassion. Let’s look in Luke 10:29-37, Luke 10:29-37
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Samaritan could have stopped after the bandages, but he went ahead and poured on oil and wine. Now okay, that should be plenty. “I did my part,” he could have said, “I even supplied the bandages and the oil and wine.” But did he stop there? NO! He put the person in need on his donkey, took him to the local clinic and dropped him off – OH – just kidding. He took him to an inn AND TOOK CARE OF HIM HIMSELF. Okay, Okay, he did more than his share now. That should be more than enough. Isn’t it? This person chose to do even more. He pulled out his money. - Now you may say, “That is asking too much for me to even invest financially to help people.” But this person did! He cared for him himself , then paid for further care of the injured person. WOW! THAT IS CHRISTIAN ACTION!
And Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”
2. Christian action is bearing witness to Christ wherever you may be, in all you say and do. In Acts 1:8; Acts 1:8
Jesus is talking:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Jesus says we are to be HIS witnesses!
3. Christian Action is using your gifts to carry on Christ’s work. It is making Christ and His love real in the world.
B. Flashback - STOOL
Let’s review where we have come thus far this weekend.
1. Life in piety talk told us to give our heart to God.
2. Grow through study talk told us to give our minds to God.
3. What is left? You ask. Giving one’s hands and feet to God.
SIGNS
C. “I am the way (piety sign), the truth (study sign), and the life (action sign).”
Who said this? Martin Luther King, Jr.? What? Wrong King. Jesus said it in John 14:6. Christian Action – a life overflowing with God’s love for people.
D. Christian Action is offering Christ to the world through the witness of your life.
(insert personal witness)
II. Christian Action – A response to God’s Grace
A. God’s grace comes to us in such a way as to enlighten, unbind, and strengthen us. WAKE UP! This is the greatest reality of our lives – God’s redeeming love. AND have you realized that we have a spiritual kinship with God? Did you hear that? We have a spiritual kinship with God! We are made in HIS image. Oh, did you catch that? I said “WE” not “I”. That means we also have a spiritual kinship with all people.
B. God’s grace is the best thing you could ever have, so since you know it now, GET EXCITED! ** Eagerly share it ** with others. A basic quality of God’s grace: it creates an enthusiasm to pass it on. Get excited about God’s grace and share it with others.
C. Now we all know that none of you are JUST like me or JUST like each other. Therefore each of us will respond to grace in Christian action uniquely. We need to give through the gifts we have been given. I have a friend, Joyce. She is a wonderful decorator, so she decorates for many of the church dinners and functions. She does a wonderful job. She is also a wonderful comforter. She has brought comfort to many, many people including myself, in our times of down. I have another friend, Stacey, who is very outspoken. She has an intense faith. She often has the job of telling people it is time to GET BACK TO WHAT IS IMPORTANT – JESUS. God has a way of putting her in my path when I need that reminder. Both of these friends show me wonderful examples of Christ’s love, although in very different ways, just as you and I will have different ways, also.
1. We’ve been given the Holy Spirit. And this becomes evident in our lives in spiritual qualities Paul calls the fruit of the spirit, such as Love, Joy, Peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. Since we all have at least some of these, which means we are all a bunch of fruits, ha ha, just kidding. Galatians 5:22; Galatians 5:22 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.” Each is a fruit of God’s grace coming alive in us. They are avenues of Christian action.
2. These are spiritual gifts given to us to use for Christ’s ministry. Paul talks passionately throughout I Corinthians 13 about one of these gifts. When you have the opportunity, you should read the whole chapter. It is great stuff. For now, I would like to emphasize verse 13 of I Corinthians 13, that I Corinthians 13:13. “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Paul makes it clear that the most excellent is LOVE. Without love all the other gifts are empty.
4. These gifts are fabulous and are given to us to use.
D. Hey, stop and think about what qualities and gifts God has given YOU for sharing Christ and his grace.
III.Now we know we have something to offer through Christ. Now what? Christian Action calls for a plan.
A. Make a Plan based on your real situation and resources.
1. Christian Action does not happen by accident, but by decision to show Christ’s love. You decide to show Christ’s love through what you say and do. Step ONE of the plan is to “Make the choice to show God’s love”.
2. Ask yourself, “What situation needs God’s love?” “What are the resources needed, both personal and physical?” “What are the consequences of your action?” Step TWO of the plan is to “Ask yourself questions to get direction”.
3. Then think through and pray your plan for action. Step THREE is to think through and pray your plan for action.
Now you have a plan. COOL. I love it when a plan comes together.
B. Now it is time to work it.
1. Have faith. Trust that when you step out in faith, you will experience the strength and support of the Holy Spirit. Listen to this! Matthew 10:19, that is Matthew 10:19 says (Jesus is talking here): “But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,”
Isn’t that cool? He will provide for us clear down to what to say. Hey, wait! Did that say arrest you?
2. Matthew 5:10-11, Matthew 5:10-11 says, (Oh and Jesus is the speaker here, also): Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” That was Matthew 5:10-11. Do not be disheartened or discouraged by difficulty. Remember that God sometimes uses momentary failure for success in God’s own time.
C. Now we have a plan and are working it. The next step is keeping perspective. This is an ongoing step.
1. First of all, a Christian should not neglect family, job, church or community in order to do the Lord’s work.
2. Christian Action is not occasional heroic acts. It is not necessary to become Superman for a day. Christian Action is a way of life and is done naturally every day.
3. Oh and by the way, the rest of life cannot stand still while you are doing your Christian Action. But that goes both ways. Christian action cannot wait until you take care of life’s necessities.
4. Christian action is every action a Christian lives.
D. Let’s move on from perspective. Don’t try to do it all alone. So are you asking, “And just where am I suppose to find help?” Let me make a few suggestions.
1. The Holy Spirit! Oooh – good thinking, huh? The Holy Spirit is available to guide and empower Christian Action. (PW) I use to decorate cakes for special events. A huge part of the job for me was deciding what to put on it. First I would pray for an answer. Now you may say, “That sounds silly to pray over cake decorating”. BUT – IT WORKED! Within days, an idea would present itself. Sometimes I would just wake up and the idea had come through a dream. Isn’t it awesome how God works! He provided every time. The cakes became a wonderful form of ministry.
2. Let’s get back to who else could help. There are committed Christians who are willing to join you in your efforts. Hey remember – the disciples went two by two, oh wait, was that the animals of Noah’s ark? Just kidding. According to Luke 10:1, the disciples went two by two. So – so can we.
3. Another place to find assistance is your local church. Your local church is your base camp and fellowship for Christian action.
E. Okay, enough on help. Let’s talk about how it should be done. Christian action must be authentic.
1. Christian Action must flow from care for persons, not from your own need to be needed.
2. Christian action needs to flow naturally from your own faith experience and your own personality. Christian action should not be forced to fit a preconceived image of witness.
3. Christian action is not to be done with a “better than thou” attitude or thought. Well, I think you get the point how, meaning what attitude, Christian action should be carried out.
F. Now let’s consider areas of Christian action in your life:
1. First, individuals you naturally come in contact with.
2. Second, groups, clubs, and organizations you associate with.
3. Third, people you know need assistance and support.
Take a look at who is in your life and needs Christ through you.
FRIENDS
IV.Friendship is the Style of Christian action
“All this is done by God who, through Christ changed us from enemies to friends, and gave us the task of making others His friends also” 2 Corinthians 5:18
“All this is done by God who, through Christ changed us from enemies to friends, and gave us the task of making others his friends also” 2 Corinthians 5:18
A. Reach out to people with whom you naturally come in contact.
1. Start by making a friend. Take initiative to get to know the person. Understand the person’s life, situation, needs and strengths. Listen and support.
2. BE that person’s friend. Share your own life. Be there in tough times as well as good times. Reach out, help, offer assistance, and show agape love. Let them see there is a living faith in your life.
3. INTRODUCE your friend to Christ. Share with them information about your relationship with the ONE that is the Source of life and love. Your friend will need to have seen Christ in your life for this introduction to be authentic and natural. Jesus calls us not just to witness but to be witnesses in our words and deeds. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, that is 2 Corinthians 3:1-3 says: “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” DID YOU HEAR THAT? You are the letter from Christ, written with the Spirit of the living God, on tablets of human hearts. WOW! We are from Christ!
4. So – ** Make a friend, **Be a friend, **Bring a friend to Christ.** Sharing Christ becomes authentic and natural when we make it part of the everyday interactions and sharing of ourselves in relationships.
5. This process will naturally display your personality and the spiritual qualities given you.
B. Besides reaching out to people you naturally come in contact, reach out to those who need a helping hand, to people you may not even know personally. You are to make God’s friendship real to people. Remember the story Jesus told us of the Good Samaritan? Remember, also, that we are to go and do likewise.
1. ** Respond to people’s felt needs and also seek to change the problems that cause the need.
2. ** Listen! Who did Jesus listen to? The very young, the sick, the dispossessed, the poor, the left out. Listen.
3. ** Stand! Stand, like Jesus stood, with those who need a friend or an advocate. Get out of your comfort zone. (PW) Did you notice that I’m barefoot? This is an example of comfort zone. Throughout my whole adult life, I was so self-conscience of my feet. I would not go barefoot or wear open-toe shoes. About 5 years ago I was called to be on an Emmaus team. During that weekend, I was asked to do a skit that called for me to go barefoot. I stepped out of my comfort zone and responded to the call. Since then God has richly blessed me by putting adorable open-toe shoes in my life. The point I’m making here is that God richly blesses you (sometimes by changing your perspective). Where we stand determines what we see, and the human reality we see determines our response.
C. Let’s get back to reaching out. **Reach out ** with Christ and grow in God’s love toward all.
1. Like prayer and study, make action a regular part of your life – a discipline. Don’t just wait until you feel moved.
2. Christian Action requires you to consider others, to identify to those in need and do for others what you would want them to do for you. Hey, did you hear that? The Golden rule! Jesus tells us to do this in Matthew 7:12. Jesus says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
3. Christian action calls for a commitment from us to take up the towel and become a servant in union with Jesus Christ. John 13:14-15; John 13:14-15 (and this is Jesus talking), “Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” As Jesus did, we are to serve in selflessness, without concern for results and recognition. We are to learn to be creatively obedient to the God of Love.
V.In Conclusion.
A. Remember that Christian action is our grateful response to God’s awesome grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, by which we grow in the likeness of Christ.
B. When you are involved in Christian action, you are authentically living up to the image of God in which you were created – your potential for loving God and your neighbor with your whole life.
C. ** Your mission is to pass on the gift of grace you have been given.**
D. Christian action is an extension of Christ’s work. There is a statue of Christ in Germany that lost its hands during a bombing raid in World War II. A sign was placed on the statue that reads: “Christ has no hands but yours.” God is counting on you to continue the development of the Kingdom that began in Christ and to share the love.
SO – LET’S RESPOND TO THE “WANT-TO” IN US.
LET’S GET INTO ACTION.
CHRISTIAN ACTION.
DECOLORES.
