How then should we live?

Luke 6:43–46(NKJV)

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

AS A BADGE OF HONOR

Tell the story of Tommy joking about me being the preacher and him being the devil As if it were a badge of honor.

We see the same kind of joking on social media

About how heaven will reject him/ her and the devil is afraid he’ll take over?

Somehow Hollywood has us cheering for the villain instead of the damsel in distress

This is the world in which we live in

The criminal has more protection than the law abiding citizens

There is a debate of wether or not a baby is a baby at any stage before birth

I saw someone waving a sign on social media that said, if Jesus comes back, they’d kill him again

I even heard a preacher say to me about a recent trip he took to Israel where he almost got into a Fist fight with some locals there.

SO HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE

In the words of Francis Schaffer, How then should we live?”

I have spent the last ten years or more of my life trying to figure that out!

Because being a preacher is no easy job.

Neither is being a preachers wife or kid

I can’t tell you how many fights and arguments would have been avoided in my family if we weren’t trying to live “right”

There are dangers and pitfalls if we don’t know how to live

EVEN OVER DOING IT

I remember “Gym with Mr Smith story”

I missed out on righteous fun.

I think, that this is the reason why many churches today Aren’t being filled.

The over zealous requirements of the churches of yesteryear

Turned a lot of would be congregants off

For instance as a child we attended a church in the 80’s

Boys hair has to be cut right above the ear.

Women couldn’t wear pants

So on and so on

Many of these things were considered “worldly”

And This generation is paying for it

I think the church today has bigger problems

THE WORLD NOW

Look at the world we live in now.

Years ago, the biggest problem with teenagers was worried about getting pregnant

Then came our generation, they had to worry about getting Aids or some other disease

Now, in this generation, they actually have to worry about whether or not their partners are really the sex they claim to be

Folks, we are living in a world where children are getting sex changes!!!

They are killing babies by the millions in the womb.

Now they want to justify killing them at birth!!

So again, “How then should we live?

How do we as believers fit in to a world such as this?

Romans 12:1–3 (NKJV)

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. And do not be 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.

Romans 12:9–21 (NKJV)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is how we should live.

There are a lot of people out there who need Jesus

We are not going to get there by getting caught up in useless debates

Or filling them with pharisaical restrictions that have no business in our day

Jesus came to give us life and have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (NKJV)

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

WHEN WE SEE AN OPPORTUNITY

Rather, when we see an opportunity to share the Gospel “Meaning good news”

We can always rely on

1 Corinthians 2:1–2 (CSB)

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

USELESS DEBATES

Try not to be lead down a fruitless rabbit trail of words and debates.

That’s how the lost of the world operate

They try to make you look bad or un sympathetic to the issues of the day

They try to embarrass you

They slander you

They actually blame Christians for being with out compassion

Let’s not allow them to twist our understanding to conform to theirs

JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

The Bible tells us we aren’t going to solve the worlds problems

We know how the story ends.

But we can try to save as many People as possible before it’s over.

We are called to plant the seeds of the gospel.

Live a life telling of that gospel.

BE FRUITFUL

Jesus said you will know them by their fruit.

So no matter what shape we find this world in We are called to live in a way that bears good fruit

Because in the world we just described

We will stick out like a sore thumb

The lost are looking for good fruit to

Let’s us always be bearers of good fruit

Remember, when Jesus expected to find fruit on a tree,

But found none, he cursed it and it never produced fruit again

When Jesus comes to you, let’s pray we are full of fruit