Navigating the Gray Area (Chapel)

Josiah

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Introduction

This message is not about looking around to others around us and pointing fingers, it is about looking into our own hearts.

Marathon runner with two gallons of water

What does the rulebook have to do with it?

The runner is missing the bigger picture!

It may be lawful, but its not going to help you and will even hinder you!

Here’s the thing....we do the same thing as the runner did in our Christian lives…we ask the wrong question.

So keep this scenario in mind and I want to show you how we can be just like the runner sometimes

How many of you have faced a desicion before and you thought, “I wish the Bible just told me exactly what to do in this situation.”

As a general rule, we like things to be cut and dry

Right vs. Wrong, Good vs Bad, This is the best approach vs. Worst approach

The Bible is very cut and dry on specific issues:

The Bible has something to say about morality

Most of us could probably agree on several things

People don’t generally go ask their pastor if:

Kill Roomate

Steal from company to buy a new tv

You probably wouldn’t ask these questions, because the Bible is pretty cut and dry on these issues on what is right and wrong

Between right and wrong, is this vast unknown area called “Gray Area?”

But this is so important to us as Christians, and this is where we can so easily ask the wrong question!

Going back to the runner… “Where in the Bible does it say that this decision or this action, or this activity is a sin?”

When it comes on deciding what to do in the gray area, we ask ourselves this question: Is it a sin?

If that is your approach to the gray areas in life…you are asking the wrong question

So how do we navigate through life in these gray areas, and make the right decisions?

The Bible may not be specific on most of the decisions you will have to make in life…but it does give us principles to live by.

But before I do that, just to bring context to the sermon this morning…and give name to some gray areas we live with:

What are some Gray Areas?

I want to clarify that I’m not making a judgment statement on these areas I’m going to mentions…I’m not saying whether its good or bad, or whether you should or shouldn’t do them.

These are based off of conversations I’ve had with others, that are trying to find answers

Modesty..what’s acceptable to wear, and whats not

Drinking

Smoking

Giving an answer that is not directly a lie, but is a deceitful

Music

Entertainment

How you spend your money

buying a lottery ticket

How you spend your time

There are two unhealthy approaches that we can have towards the gray areas in our life.

God doesn’t care about my decisions in the gray area

God cares about me doing the things He says to do, and abstaining from the things he says not to do, but this middle ground, God is kind of out of the picture…I have to make my own decisions.

God cares deeply about every aspect of your life

He’s not peeking over your shoulder like a controlling God

He cares about every detail of your and my life

There are no consequences

What you sow you will reap....good for good and bad for bad, but the middle ground is kind of untouched

There are consequences for every decision you make…there is no neutral ground!

The entertainment we allow into our homes will effect and shape the way that we think and perceive things

The way we speak, the way we dress, the activities we involve ourselves in will not only impact us but will impact how others perceive us and relate to us.

The way that I spend my time and money will affect how fruitful I can or can’t be for the kingdom of God.

Some consequences may be good, and others may be bad…the point is that they do have consequences

So I want to give us 5 right questions to ask that will help navigate us in making the right decisions when the answers aren’t so clear

Principles laid out by the Apostle Paul

Will this build me up or tear me down?

ESV“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.

Let me bring some context to thisPaul had brought to them this incredible gospel of the freedom that is found in Christ!Saved by grace through faithWe are secure in ChristWe aren’t judged based on our performance!The Corinthians got so caught up on the principle of freedom that Christ brings that they were misconstruing it.They had this saying “All things are lawful!”They were like the runner saying, “show me where it says in the rulebook that I can’t do this?”Paul is saying, “It’s not just about whether it is lawful....You should ask yourself this question:1. Will this build me up or tear me down?Is this going to help me love others?Will this enhance my spiritual life?Will this cultivate godliness?Does this draw me closer to Christ?Does this help me trust Him?Does this help me hold fast to His promises? 2. Will this bring me into bondage or freedom?

Let me bring some context to this

Paul had brought to them this incredible gospel of the freedom that is found in Christ!

Saved by grace through faith

1. Will this build me up or tear me down?Is this going to help me love others?Will this enhance my spiritual life?Will this cultivate godliness?Does this draw me closer to Christ?Does this help me trust Him?Does this help me hold fast to His promises? 2. Will this bring me into bondage or freedom?

We are secure in Christ

We aren’t judged based on our performance!

The Corinthians got so caught up on the principle of freedom that Christ brings that they were misconstruing it.

They had this saying “All things are lawful!”

They were like the runner saying, “show me where it says in the rulebook that I can’t do this?”

Paul is saying, “It’s not just about whether it is lawful....You should ask yourself this question:

1. Will this build me up or tear me down?

Is this going to help me love others?

Will this enhance my spiritual life?

Will this cultivate godliness?

Does this draw me closer to Christ?

Does this help me trust Him?

Does this help me hold fast to His promises?

2. Will this bring me into bondage or freedom?

ESV“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Paul knew that we have desires that are natural, but the sin nature has tainted those desires to master the person for its own evil purpose!Could the action I’m considering be habit-forming, and bring bondage in my life?Do I have a propensity towards addiction in this thing?If I do, and I know that participating in certain things could put me in bondage to something, then I’m going to avoid it, because I am not going to be dominated by anything!!!Paul is saying “Your freedom to do certain things may turn around and bring bondage in your life!”Could the way I use my money and my consumer mentality bring me under the bondage of greed, and covetousness?Could the images I see in the movies and tv shows I watch, or the lyrics I listen to in the music I sing along with bring temptations to certain areas in my life that could eventually bring bondage, or even feed a bondage I’m in now?Does the relationship I’m in put me into a bondage of fear?Will this make me a stumblingblock or a steppingstone to others?

Paul knew that we have desires that are natural, but the sin nature has tainted those desires to master the person for its own evil purpose!

Could the action I’m considering be habit-forming, and bring bondage in my life?

?Do I have a propensity towards addiction in this thing?If I do, and I know that participating in certain things could put me in bondage to something, then I’m going to avoid it, because I am not going to be dominated by anything!!!Paul is saying “Your freedom to do certain things may turn around and bring bondage in your life!”Could the way I use my money and my consumer mentality bring me under the bondage of greed, and covetousness?Could the images I see in the movies and tv shows I watch, or the lyrics I listen to in the music I sing along with bring temptations to certain areas in my life that could eventually bring bondage, or even feed a bondage I’m in now?Does the relationship I’m in put me into a bondage of fear?Will this make me a stumblingblock or a steppingstone to others?

Do I have a propensity towards addiction in this thing?

If I do, and I know that participating in certain things could put me in bondage to something, then I’m going to avoid it, because I am not going to be dominated by anything!!!

Paul is saying “Your freedom to do certain things may turn around and bring bondage in your life!”

The decisions you make in the gray area can lead you into making the right or wrong decisions in the black and white areas!

Could the way I use my money and my consumer mentality bring me under the bondage of greed, and covetousness?

Could the images I see in the movies and tv shows I watch, or the lyrics I listen to in the music I sing along with bring temptations to certain areas in my life that could eventually bring bondage, or even feed a bondage I’m in now?

Does the relationship I’m in put me into a bondage of fear?

Will this make me a stumblingblock or a steppingstone to others?

ESVFood will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Let me explain this because this is a good example of a gray area they had in the Bible times!This was the question: Is it acceptable for a Christian to eat meat that has been offered to idols?Idol worshippers would sacrifice animals in their pagan temple and then turn around and sell the meat in the marketplace.There is no real God but one and that’s the one we serve, so an idol is nothingDon’t ask questions just buy the meat and eat it…it is of no importance whether it was sacrificed to an idol or not. That is a freedom that we have in Christ!He goes on to say, “If someone informs you that the meat was offered to idols, do not eat it for the sake of their conscience! Some Christians just felt it was wrong to eat. For the sake of their conscience and not becoming a stumbling block to them, just don’t eat it.Don’t let your personal freedom bring bondage in someone else’s life!So my love for my brother or sister will cause me to give up my rights and freedoms at certain moments. Personal example of Grandpa Will this help bring the lost to Christ, or will it turn them away from Him?

Let me explain this because this is a good example of a gray area they had in the Bible times!

This was the question: Is it acceptable for a Christian to eat meat that has been offered to idols?

Idol worshippers would sacrifice animals in their pagan temple and then turn around and sell the meat in the marketplace.

There is no real God but one and that’s the one we serve, so an idol is nothing

Don’t ask questions just buy the meat and eat it…it is of no importance whether it was sacrificed to an idol or not. That is a freedom that we have in Christ!

He goes on to say, “If someone informs you that the meat was offered to idols, do not eat it for the sake of their conscience!

Some Christians just felt it was wrong to eat. For the sake of their conscience and not becoming a stumbling block to them, just don’t eat it.

Don’t let your personal freedom bring bondage in someone else’s life!

So my love for my brother or sister will cause me to give up my rights and freedoms at certain moments.

Personal example of Grandpa

Will this help bring the lost to Christ, or will it turn them away from Him?

ESVGive no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

The world is watching you!!!The things that you allow or disallow in your behavior affects your witness for Christ!What is your testimony telling others about about God and a relationship with Jesus Christ?Are your actions and the things you involve yourself in reflecting a hope that is in you?Does the world look at you and say, “Man, I really don’t see a difference!”Capstone: Will this bring glory to God or does it simply please me?

The world is watching you!!!

The things that you allow or disallow in your behavior affects your witness for Christ!

What is your testimony telling others about about God and a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Are your actions and the things you involve yourself in reflecting a hope that is in you?

Does the world look at you and say, “Man, I really don’t see a difference!”

Capstone: Will this bring glory to God or does it simply please me?

ESVSo, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

ESV So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

This is the end goal of everything we do…to bring glory to God!If thats the case, Simply pray and get God’s heart in the decisions you make.I like what James Mcdonald said when it comes to the gray areas in our life…he said imagine God said this to you: “Go ahead and make application yourself, just get my heart in this.” This is my prayer for myself and for everyone here this morning:God, the cry of my heart is to bring glory to your name. I want to obey you where Scripture is clear, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit where it is not clear! My life, my decisions, and my actions are ultimately to bring glory to you! Guide me to do this in the best way possible!

This is the end goal of everything we do…to bring glory to God!

If thats the case, Simply pray and get God’s heart in the decisions you make.

I like what James Mcdonald said when it comes to the gray areas in our life…he said imagine God said this to you: “Go ahead and make application yourself, just get my heart in this.”

This should be the prayer and cry of our heart

God, the cry of my heart is to bring glory to your name. I want to obey you where Scripture is clear, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit where it is not clear! My life, my decisions, and my actions are ultimately to bring glory to you! Guide me to do this in the best way possible!

Conclusion

This message is not about looking around to others around us and pointing fingers, taking an honest look into our own hearts

Your right choices in certain areas in life may not be the right choices in someone else’s.

Be slow to judge what others allow in their life, and quick to seek the Holy Spirit on what you allow.

I’m not saying there is no place to encourage others to think about these things, but don’t bring condemnation on others

The mark of a mature Christian is not just a Christian who lives in freedom, but a Christian that balances freedom with responsibility - Warren Weirsbe (Pastor and Bible Teacher)

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