What Christianity is not...

First Things

Greetings/ Introduction

I would like for us to look at a passage of scripture today in order for us to set our course firmly upon Jesus and also provide an informative disclaimer for our class.

14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

I am of the opinion this story played out before us in this particular passage of scripture can be utilized to illustrate the majority of our lives. We all have people, places, circumstances in our lives which cause us to approach Jesus much like this father. We want to believe Christ is enough- We want to believe He loves us unconditionally- We want to believe He is greater than our mess.... and , in some way regardless of how miniscule it may be we do. However, ultimately we cry out “Help my unbelief!” this is not a cry only for those who are new to trusting Jesus. It is not exclusively held by those who are interested in following Jesus. This cry does not elude those who have been walking faithfully with Christ for years. It is a heart cry from deep within us. Almost as if, our corrupted fallen existence demands its exclamation. I would claim that it does. for we are made in the image of God. it does not matter how much we desire to go at this life alone we are left reeling and incomplete until we cray out to God in our most vulnerable ways. Often these most vulnerable cries are emotionally explicit and their raw nature is ok.

With this being said, I am a man claiming only to know Christ and be known by Him. I am a new creation in Him. I do claim to be able to answer all your inquiries or objections to the Christian faith. I only claim to be able to, by His grace, point you to the same Jesus who has changed me. All that has been said up to this point was to pave the way for this framework. we need to function in this manner: “I am sorry.” and “I do not know, but will try to seek an answer for you” need to be acceptable responses to all testimonies, objections, and inquiries concerning following Jesus. There may be times I simply do not know the answer to your question at the time of your asking. In those moments I will say, “I don’t know, but will try to seek an answer for you.” There may be other times where I inadvertently need to apologize to you if i lack clarity or simply make a mistake. I will keep these instances to a minimum. Moreover, the sad truth is many of us in this room have been hurt by people who bore the name of Christ. There may need to be times where we make up for our brothers and sister are lacking and apologize to each other.

This may all sound to you as if I am laying the foundation for subpar teaching. it is not. Instead it is an appeal for us to recognize ourselves and each other as people in need of Christ. Once we come to terms with this we will be more apt to show grace to one another as we study together over the next weeks.

Why are you here?( What are your motivations for this class)

Legalism

Many believe Christianity is a set of rules that people live by in order to obtain righteousness and right standing before God. This is not true. Following Jesus is being constrained by the love of God and propelled by the love of God simultaneously. True followers of Jesus understand they stand before God on the righteousness of Christ and not their rightness. Christianity is not the same as Jefferson’s Daily Virtues. Following Jesus is daily running to the cross, grave, and resurrection of Christ.

Many believe Christianity is a set of rules that people live by in order to obtain righteousness and right standing before God. This is not true. Following Jesus is being constrained by the love of God and propelled by the love of God simultaneously. True followers of Jesus understand they stand before God on the righteousness of Christ and not their rightness. Christianity is not the same as Jefferson’s Daily Virtues. Following Jesus is daily running to the cross, grave, and resurrection of Christ.

Hedonism

Christianity is not a free ride on God’s grace. one does not simply have a license to sin because God loves and has forgiven him. This presumption upon the grace of God tramples the blood of Christ underfoot. Recipients of grace realize how precious grace is.

Therapeutic Moral Deism

Who Jesus is

48 I am the bread of life.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

18 I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

23 He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

English Standard Version Chapter 10

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

English Standard Version Chapter 11

I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

English Standard Version Chapter 13

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.