Be intentional about things not to do.

To do list

Video

Reading

Ephesians 5:1–2 NIV

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Not-to-do List

We have spent the last few weeks talking about the things we should intentionally be or do.

We saw that little video that reinforces some of the practical actions that we can take in our Christian life.

But today I don’t want to talk about the things we should do I want to talk about a list of things we should intentionally not do.

In the Old testament there are 613 laws or commandment. Of those 248 are positive - you should commandments and 365 are negative, you should not laws - you will be please to know that my list is some what shorter.

Ephesians 5:1–2 NIV

1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Reading along it says be there for the followers of God. As dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also half loved us and have given himself for us and offering a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour

Four things that Christians should not be.

These are things that I believe as Christians we should not be. I have pulled them into a sort of Christian not To Do List.

I know all of us have those To Do List. Maybe you have it in your Phone.

Get some bread on the way home

stop and pick up a bottle of milk

Collect Alice from School

or whatever it might be

Take the dog for a walk.

You have your list of everything you have to do today.

All of us have lists. If your todo lists are anything like mine the get bigger instead of getting smaller.

Here's a list that I have for the Christian Not To Do List

Let's pray dear Lord. Thank you for this Day. Thank you for loving us and guiding us. Holy spirit pray today that you will take control of the words I speak, open the ears and hearts of those who hear them and be the counsellor and teacher that transforms us. I ask this in Your name Jesus. Amen.

Here we go then the Christian not to do List.

Don’t be a careless Christian

says

Ephesians 5:15–16 NIV

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

The first not To Do List item is don't be a careless Christian.

A coach owner and he was in need of hiring a coach driver. So he put up some signs Coach driver wanted.

He had three men apply for the job so he decided to test them out.

He said well here's what the deal is he said. I'm going to have each one of you take the coach from the top of the mountain and you're going to wind your way down the road down the side of the mountain and get to the bottom and the one that I feel is the best driver is the one that I'm going to hire.

So, the first man got into the coach and he began to go as fast as he could down the side of that mountain, he got the size of the wheels of the coach right up to the edge of the mountain and as fast as he could go. He came down the mountain and got to the bottom as soon as he got down. He looked at the coach owner and said, “ I like to see somebody Top that!”

So, the next man. Looking at how fast he came down thought I can beat that. He got in the coach at the Top of the mountain and he began to come down that the mountain side. He drove as fast as he could to the point where the wheels were right on the very edge of the mountain in the rocks began to tumble down the side as he came down. He was even faster than the first man when he got down, he said, “I beat the time how about that!

The third man got into Stagecoach. And he started at the Top of the mountain. And he began coming down the mountain hugging the inside of the mountain as close as he could stay as far away from the edge of that mountain side. Coming down the side of the mountain at a moderate but steady pace, keeping well away from the side. Barely even stirring up any dust as he came down that mountain side. He got down to the very bottom of the mountain . When he got there the other men, the first two drivers, were laughing hysterically. “This guy can't even drive a coach, Why did he even show up for this contest?”

The driver got of the coach looking forlorn. The coach owner hired him on the spot

The other two men looked at him in amazement and said, “why are you hiring him?

The owner replied, “because, the people that ride in this coach are precious, their cargo is important. They pay good money to ride in the coach, to be kept safe. He protected that.”

And you know it's just like us as Christians.

Bible says to imitate God – to walk in love, or live a life filled with Love, Following the example of Christ

I think about our Wednesday evenings, or Friday mornings as we start Alpha. It's great to see people the have come out because they have a desire to Imitate Christ to walk in love, to stay pure in their life, to grow in their walk, to follow after the Lord . To be armoured – with the armour of God as it tells us later in Ephesians. To learn to live a life filled with love, imitating Christ requires you to keep your guard up. – The enemy walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour

I encourage the teenagers in this room tonight keep your guard up. Over the course of your teenage years are going to be offered a lot of things that you're going to have to say no to. In order to Live that imitating life. Listen to your mum and dad, to good godly people, to those that are watching our for you. Align yourself with people that will challenge you, keep you accountable. – This is as true for all of us as it is for the teens.

If each of us is to live that life imitating God, a life full of love, then we have to be intentional about it. We can’t be careless about how we conduct our lives. We can’t be carless Christians.

The second item on our Not-to-do list is…

Don't be a critical Christian

Philippians 1:27 NLT

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

Paul writing here to the Church of Philippe, he's saying to them. Be of one mind. Stand together as one unit, with one purpose...

Don’t be a critical Christian

When I worked in a school in Sleaford the Head Teacher there would not entertain the staff criticising aspects of the school.

There is not enough paper in the photocopiers, someone has not filled them!

Someone should organise a coffee rota.

There is always washing-up in the sink

As you can see the gripes of the staff mainly revolve around the staff room.

The head would quickly close down this sort of conversation unless it came with two things.

The first was a suggestion for improvement.

The second was a commitment to action.

You see:

“There is always washing up in the sink” – that is just criticism

“There is always washing up in the sink – someone should create a rota” - that is criticism and a wish at best or condemnation. – the other people need to change.

“there is always washing up in the sink, I’ll create a rota and I’ll take the first turn”

That is transformation - the head would get behind that.

The same is true as Christians. We can be quick to criticise people.

“they thought this about the bible”, “they do this in their lives”.

Some people are quick to add suggestions

A bit like “Fred over there has no, money and no friends – it’s because he drinks so much, he should stop drinking.” - I see and hear this thing, and sometimes this is said out of love and care but I also know that often is it sanctified gossip. I have heard people say things that are critical and deflamatory and believe that if it is wrapped in a prayer, or said to another church member wrapped in concern it is acceptable. – Can I say it is not. We are not to be critical – even in our prayers

Less people still walk the Christ imitating, love filled life we are called to do.

“Fred over there has no, money and no friends – it’s because he drinks so much. I’m going to get alongside him, see if I can help, see if I can be a friend.” - this is what Jesus would do. – this is how transformation starts.

We are to be of one mind, not critical. It is counter cultural, you look in the news paper, listen to the TV or read social media the wold is full of people trying to pull down others, to destroy ideals and ideas. It seems to be a race to the top, not by becoming better but by pulling others down below you.

The Church is called to be something different.

Ephesians 4:29 NIV

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

The Church is to be of one mind reaching this community with the gospel of Christ? By Church, I mean the people here, but also the wider church - Everybody is in this mission together. This is why I had breakfast with Penny and Melanie it is why Jenny went and spoke to people across the Lincolnshire Catholic Parishes. It is why Alice is engaging with Christians from a range of churches to establish something lasting in William Farr.

The church of Jesus Christ is not one of criticism – they use liturgy, or it’s all formal. The church of Jesus is one where everybody is cheering each other on

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

ADD THE ENCOURAGERS VERSE

We should not be Critical Christians. Our conversation should become Gospel of Christ they should not be contra to it. We should spend our time spreading the gospel, spend our time building people up, saying to someone wow that was a that was a great offer! saying wow that was a really nice cup of coffee that you made this morning.

There's so many people around that we can and encourage not criticise

A challenge for you today intentionally find someone and lift them up with a positive word don't be a critical Christian.

Our Not to do list has two items.

Don’t be a careless Christian

Don’t be a critical Christian (I wish my to-do list was so short)

The next is ...

Don’t be a complaining Christian.

Says

Philippians 4:4–9 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

That is something to live up to. We are not called to be complainers we are called to be Glorifiers, praisers, thankers and yet so often we skip all that for a good old-fashioned moan.

I've done it, I am sure you do it, inf act I do it often. I start to complain.

It’s raining again! – I live in England – it rains you would think I would get over it.

The wind blew my fences down – that’s £200 it has cost me.

There’s another storm coming – it’s horrible

And that is just about the weather, don’t get me started on work, family, traffic…

Sometimes you get to the point where you take on the perona of eeAw from whininie the poh, he's always complaining down in the dumps about something has a cloud following him everywhere.

What amazes me is how often we complain about what we don’t have and yet we forget to give thanks for what we do.

I really have to discipline myself when I start complaining.

Sure the fence blew down- I have a nice home and garden that needs a fence.

Sure it is going to cost money to replace. I have a job, I am healthy enough to work.

We are called to desire the treasure in heaven that which rusts and rots away on earth but even so most of us have things we should be thankful for – because God provides.

I had a Mum a dad and aunts and gran who invested in bringing me up. I had Christian friends who invested in praying for me to know Jesus. I had good Christian role models who stood by me when my faith wobbled, who taught into me to help me grow. If you have not got someone like that – get someone.

I have a fantastic wife. I have salvation, I have two amazing children. I belong to a great church full of wonderful people – each different, each a creation of God.

We have a Lord who loves us enough to die for us. I'm able to walk this morning and I'm able to see as the crowd. I'm able to hear.

I have so much to be thankful for, so much to take joy from and yet I'm complaining about the weather.

I'm complaining about how much money I have in my current account.

I'm complaining about this, or that or whatever it might be what's for dinner or that.

I'm hungry or that we're out of coffee or maybe should complain about that.

It's easy to forget about how great God has been to us. Each one of you here this morning. I'm sure if you take a moment to think you will think about all the greatness that God has given to you. THINKFULLNESS equals THANKFULNESS>

We live in a free country, its not perfect, there are things we would want to change but we live in a country where we can worship freely in the House of God on Sunday.

We are called to bring hope to the world. Not to be complaining Christian

Don’t be a compromising Christian

The last not-to-do item is. Don't be a compromising Christian.

Romans Chapter 12 tells us.

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Don't be a compromising Christian. Here in the book of Romans, the first eleven chapters basically deal with what God has done for us:

How much he loved us

Everythings He has done for us.

How God commended his love toward us.

Even while we were sinners Christ died for us.

Paul takes the first eleven chapters telling us everything that God has done for us (maybe these are the things we should be thankful for)

In chapter 12, he begins to pivot, he tells us what we need to do, not for God but for ourselves.

Paul urges us, in the Greek the word is to plead with you or to beg you… By the mercies of God that he present your bodies a living sacrifice. You know often you hear from this verse quoted when we talk about accepting Jesus. And that is a good use. – to access the mercies of God that the first 11 chapters covers that is indeed what we have to do. We also use that verse when we are talking to people about living differently – keeping pure. Especially to teen when cetain topics around relationship come up. But this verse is so much more. In the literal it is to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties]- so not just your bodies but your minds, thoughts and actions - as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

Dedicate or present your bodies, a living sacrifice, meaning that word there means to give over freely. No hesitation, saying to God my life is yours, you can have it. Present your bodies, a living sacrifice wholly acceptable under God, which is your reasonable service. That's the minimum you can do given that God has done for us. It is about choosing to follow God – how heartedly – whole maimedly and whole bodily… I made those last two words up but it give you a sense of what this passage calls for.

Paul then says, and be not 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?

Don't be a compromising Christian don't be half in the camp and half out of it.

Jesus had some cutting words for the luke-warm.

Don’t be a compromising Christian who says. you know, just this one time I'll go ahead and do what I know is wrong.

Just this once it’ll be Ok., once too.

Don’t be a compromising Christian – who says its nearly what God commands, or it’s a way of keeping the piece or being inclusive or inoffensive.

In so many things we can and should be a caring Christian, we can be a comforting Christian we can be compassionate Christian but indoing so we should never be a copmpromising Christian.

Conclusion

So there we have the Christian not-to-do list.

We need to intentionally strive not to be a careless Christian. - Diligent

Don't be a critical Christian - Encouraging

Don't be a critical Christian

Don't be a complaining Christian - Thankful

and especially don’t be a compromising Christian - Resolute

All of us deal with these things, I struggle with at least one of them each day. But those are four things a list that I believe we should not, but instead let's be a church, who reaches out. With compassion and says Hey come on in it's a place where you're loved. A place where you will be encourage, a place where you can be transformed because this is a place where we can point you to the one who loves the entire world. He loved me enough to die for me. Let's follow after Christ as dear children and be the example. That Christians should be.

Let's pray dear Lord. Thank you for today. I thank you for all you've done for us. I pray you just use this tonight to help us live intentional lives for you.

Amen