Faithful in what? // 08.23.20
Notes
Transcript
Faithful in what?
Faithful in what?
When we think of faithfulness, we’re often aware of 2 areas:
1. God’s faithfulness
1. God’s faithfulness
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
2. Our faithfulness
2. Our faithfulness
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
We understand this, and want to be trusted with much!
We want to be seen faithful
[ASK] - But we could be missing the mark on the “our faithfulness” part.
[TITLE]
When we think of “our faithfulness” we really only stop at how faithful are we in doing to do’s and not doing the don’ts.
From there, we judge ourselves and others on how well we are “living as Christians.”
How “Christian” are you?
But, let’s not miss the more important things!
calling
calling
We are the church.
Called out of the world and into this Body of Christ
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
There are many parts to this body
Each part has a unique and separate function
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Each part has it’s work and gifts and talents that come along with it...
Each part has it’s purpose
What part am I? What part are you? Are we faithful...
with our time?
our talent?
our treasure?
[POINT] - You are called to something. Are you faithful in that calling?
cause
cause
Jesus placed a purpose on His people.
And your calling is your part in that purpose.
Here’s that purpose:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
So, there is a cause in which you and I are to be faithful in!
Reach others!
So they can also obey everything He has commanded...
But wait! What are those commands?
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
He also said it like this:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
I’m frustrated that some in our body are....
faithfully drawing attention to the corruption in the world
faithfully pointing out where other Christians are “too accepting”
faithfully pointing out where the church should be more bold
But not faithful in loving others and teaching others to love.
People are scared of religion. But it’s not because they are as scared of God as they are scared of being like religious people.
community
community
There’s another area of “our faithfulness” that needs proper attention.
The Apostle Paul writes that we should...
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
“In this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
But, I’m against cursing… does that count?
I’m against drinking… does that count?
I’m against sex outside of marriage… does that count?
[POINT] - Are you and I, as the Church, faithful in community?
It says that we fulfill the law of Christ when we care and act on that care
[POINT] - This attitude! Imagine if the world knew that THIS is what following Jesus is about.
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.
I think we should protest and boycott.
Let’s CANCEL the sharing of useless social media posts that divide the church
Or push the un-churched further away.
Somewhere along the line, we’ve made following Jesus more about...
Our belief system (religion over action)
Where we stand (elitism over love)
Other structures that give us assurance that we are “good” and “righteous”
Rather than trusting in the gift of righteousness given through Jesus.
And, we fight more for our democracy than we do our mission to see people loved and set free (patriotism of evangelism)
Instead of following after the things Jesus set us in motion to pursue!
Loving the unlovable
Being light in darkness
Bringing unity in division
Justice for injustice
Salvation, victory, healing, life!
[POINT] So, this week: BE FAITHFUL
Faithful in calling - Do that thing you do so well, and do it for Him!
Faithful in cause - Do it for those who are as lost as you once were!
Faithful in community - Do it as if the door is open to any and all. Do it for them, and not ourselves.
