I Love You, Now Get Out

Introduction - A League of their Own

“It just got too hard”

“It’s supposed to be hard”

What if Hanks had responded, “Yeah, you’re right. See you around, Dottie.”

What is life like for a Christian? Why am I experiencing this? I better not say anything about my faith; I might lose my friends.

Last week we talked about the fact that all believers have a gift to be exercised for the benefit of the kingdom;

This week we talk about what it will be like to exercise that gift

New Normal

Christendom (the period of time when Christianity was the dominant force in culture) gave the church an unrealistic expectation about exercising our gifts

Northminster Presbyterian Church, North Canton, Ohio - membership is easy

“Professionalization” of the ministry - my gift is to be decent, the pastor’s gift is to do ministry

I can’t “do” ministry; I’m not even sure what that means

Those false expectations, along with our fear of looking foolish, plays into our natural tendency to fear

This is why Paul admonishes Timothy to not be ashamed

It’s not that he thinks Timothy is, but he knows in the face of opposition, he could feel that way very quickly

The true expectation of Jesus-followers (disciples!) is for suffering

Suffering is mentioned 86x in the NT; comfort is mentioned 24x

Jesus’ experience in

A false expectation when it comes to suffering will endanger our faith

If we believe comfort to be normal and suffering to be an aberration in this world, especially as followers of Jesus, then we will be sorely disappointed and disillusioned. We will be tormented by every discomfort, every setback, every pain, every loss, every day. There is one thing that Christ guarantees to his followers: In this world you will have trouble

True Grit

This sounds difficult; how am I to do it?

If you’re busy, it feels like one more thing

If you’re accustomed to an institutional church, it feels like the tables are being turned

Paul is clear as to how we are to deal with this

Suffering, like any other aspect of the Christian life, is engaged by God’s power, not ours

Not power like an electrical outlet, plug & go

Power like muscle or trust; it is something that we exercise

It is something that we exercise

If we are not practicing our faith, then we will not be aware of or know how to use the power God has granted us