Social Media Salvation

1 Peter 3:8–22 NIV

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Introduction: Talking to the Jehovah's Witness about her concern over her kids being on discussion forums online. I told her about my room-mate who was having meaningful conversations with athiests in an AOL forum.

We Can Fear Sharing Our Faith.

Peter to his audience:

They are the minority in their communities.

They fear persecution not only for because they are marginalized people to begin with, but now because they are apart of this new weird faith community

Peter is explaining to them the Gospels way of living in that context.

Do Good to show you are good for the community - shine your light.

Do Good even if people harm you for it.

When people ask why you are a hopeful people when people harm you share the gospel. - This matches what Jesus did for us.

Know that God will vindicate you if people harm you for doing good. God has your back like he had Jesus’ back.

Fear in-Person, Online

Our fears may be different. Not so much persecution, but....

Ridicule - It is becoming less and less “Popular to be a Christian and Share Faith.”

Rejection - We have some good friends and if we share our faith we will lose them.

Embarrassment - We feel like we will not have the right answers, that we don’t know enough about the Bible.

Online - We may have these same fears, but they take on a different form.

Whereas in person - We fear connection with a person we have a relationship with.

Online - We fear unlikes from an entire community of friends who can see what we say.

Whereas in person - People may be more willing to dialogue and listen.

Online - People often post to draw lines - Demonize those who do not believe like them and prop up those who agree with them.

Wereas in person - We may be concerned about how we look.

Online - We care even more how we look and how many likes or comments we get.

On the one hand our online presence can actually magnify any wrong and self-absorbed fears we have about sharing our Faith.

On the other hand - for many it can increase the abrasiveness of our communication.

It is far easier to be confrontational with people we don’t know or barely know because we don’t have a relationship with them.

I have seen too many conversations divulge into name calling, insulting, and personal attacks between Christians and Atheists, Christians and other faiths, Christians and other Christians. - People will often talk in a way that - Often this gives a bad name to Christians.

Example - Cindy’s post about politics - Two people we know went back and forth and began labeling each other as ignorant.

How can we share the Good News online boldly, without being a Jerk about it?

We Share Good News as Good News People

“The starting point of effective outreach is not a system, a program, or a specific presentation. It is a heart deeply in love with God and with people. Without love, no outreach strategy will work. With God’s love, we can change the world.” - Organic Outreach

The Starting Point for Peter for sharing the Good News is being Good News People.

Tie into last week - The Overflow of the heart.

Good News people are characterized by harmony, sympathy, mutual affection, compassion, humility, and a desire to bless people - Fruit of the Spirit.

The opposite is repaying evil for evil or insult for insult

At the same time He calls us not to be intimidated or disturbed by anyone

I think this is extremely helpful when sharing the good news both online and in-person.

Good News Online, In-Person

- Sharing Good news is - This is the same for online or in person

Knowing The Gospel Story - vs. 18-20

Listening to their story - vs. 15

Sharing your story - vs 15, 21

Then Connecting the dots.

In the world of theater, actors are given a script they can memorize and rehearse before they go out to perform. But when an actor is asked to be part of improv, they must make up their script in the moment, as they go. The improv takes a certain amount of faith, knowing that the reaction from the audience (and the fellow performers) can be unexpected. Use this to illustrate how in a similar way, evangelizing with people out in the world requires a level of faith and trust in the Holy Spirit (improv) as opposed to creating a perfect post online (a script).

Example: To me this looks less like posting scripture although nothing wrong with that a very valid thing to post, or If you believe in Jesus re-posts, but marrying being good news with sharing the good news.

Someone posts - “Black Lives Matter.” find out the story behind that post. Maybe a question, How do you see Black lives being marginalized? In what ways are you feeling marginalized? Know your story - For me, I can’t say I have been marginalized in those ways, I might apologize if need be. - Know God’s story - This reminds me of in Jesus’ life, he was always reaching out to the marginalized. He experienced being marginalized. We know that Jesus’ death reconciles us to God that it is for all peoples, and so is the basis for breaking down racial divides. Jesus wants the whole diversity of humanity in his Kingdom, and so Your life, or Black Lives matter deeply to Jesus, and so they matter to me as well.

Someone Posts - “Blue Lives Matter.” What do you think Cops are feeling right now? If a cop, “How are you feeling right now?” I can’t imagine the stress you are experiencing during this time. Know God’s story - I am reminded that Jesus is now above all rule and authority in heaven and earth, that he will vindicate those who are harmed for doing good, and often people who work for peace are persecuted for it. Don’t lose heart when you work to keep the peace as a police officer and still people hate you, Jesus can vindicate you.

This can go the opposite direction as well - You post something and someone responds negatively, or asks you about it. You can respond the same way. Ask about their story, Share your story and Gospel story, and connnect the dots.

But don’t leave it there. Social Media is only a tool for being social. Being on Social media does not necessarily make you social or what I mean is build relationships. It should be viewed as a tool in your relational toolbox, it should not be your only tool. You can connect with people on Social Media, but real relationship move beyond that.

Find ways to move your conversations away from social media to deeper means of conversation. From comments on a post, to a side chat, to a phone call, to meetings in person. You can say, “I would like to talk more about this with you some time can I call you, or can we meet up.” - Of course do this safely - Kids don’t meet with people you don’t know, spouses, don’t meet up with people of the opposite sex. etc....

Example - Zoom calls with friends in Phoenix.

Crosswalk Sharing your Faith:

Be Kind

Think before you post: Is it helpful?Is it hurtful to anyone?What does this say about me as a Christian?How does this reflect on my faith?

Show instead of tell: Show what God is doing through your life, show the Church being good news (Pictures/video)

Share Strategically - Posts from other people that share good news.

Demonstrate Care for Others

Dialogue; Don’t argue

Pray about it - Let the Holy Spirit Lead.

Conclusion:

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Catechism: Q&A 32-33, 52, 54, 62-64, 86, 91, 104-107 Belgic Confession: Article 24, 27 Canon’s of Dort: Head V, Article 12 Belhar Confession: Articles 1-5