Radical Christianity

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.