Live shockingly different lives

Care for the needy in history:

The Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known legal codes from ancient Mesopotamia, included provisions for the care of the poor and needy. For example, it required that a debtor’s family be taken care of if the debtor was unable to repay their debts.

Civic Charity (Cura): In ancient Rome, wealthy citizens were often expected to care for the less fortunate as part of their civic responsibility.

Xenia (Guest Friendship): In ancient Greek culture, hospitality to travelers and strangers was a sacred duty. The god Zeus was considered the protector of hospitality, and violating this code could anger the gods. Wealthy families would provide food and shelter for those in need, especially guests who were strangers.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”

This was possible, to eat and not work.

Stop living as Americans (4.17-19).

[American culture lists]

Maoris in New Zealand perform the haka in opposition to an LGBTQIA+ Pride parade

Jesus chose at least one man from the far left (tax collector) and far right(zealot) as apostles.

Emphatic “testify in the Lord” - very serious

Do not conduct your daily lives like Gentiles (Americans) - they are Gentiles, what they were born into and know.

“Futility of mind” - uselessness, meaningless. Living in a way they has no concern for what God wants you to do .

Romans 1.21, Romans 1:26–27 “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.”

(4.18-19) - the understanding of Gentiles is darkened.

A willful culpable ignorance is in them, due to hardness of heart, “the progressive inability of conscience to convict them of wrongdoing” (Bruce). Callous - lose the capacity to feel shame/embarrasment. Sensuality, uncontrolled sexual behavior.

Christians must avoid such a life characteristic of the wrath of God.

Jesus culture does not fit in anywhere (4.20-21).

We have learned a far different way. Christ is the content of Christian teaching.

John 7:7 “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.”

Remove ideas and actions that promote this culture (4.22).

Taught to put off your old self. (take one’s clothes off)

Romans 13:12 “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

Allow God to change your mind (4.23).

Taught to be renewed in spirit of your minds. Renewed is passive, God is the agent, yet they are commanded to pursue it.

Titus 3:5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

Now, wear Christ (4.24).

Its never enough to flee from sin, we must put on like clothing specific virtues.

Created by God and displaying the righteousness and holiness belonging to him.

Galatians 3:26–27 “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

[Stackoverflow partial good horse meme]

Takeaways:

If you are not removing sin from your life you are not a child of God.

God wants to cut off the sin that we consider our nature by birth.

What God has done in Jesus is worth any sacrifice.

You promised to be a copy of Jesus for all to see.

Action points:

Stop siding with 50 percent of Americans.

Commit to boldness, not protecting yourself by hiding.

Study why Jesus was "lonely" and how he handled it. 

This week, tell someone how Jesus is the peacemaker.