Over-Opinionated Oscar

Intro

Sticks and Stones

Cousin Clay

Proverbs 18:21 NLT

21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

Lighthouse Vision

Welcome Everyone

Guide People to Jesus

Serve the Church and the Community

We have all run into people at church that did not make us feel very welcome

Set up Series

Over-Opinionated Oscar

Characteristics

Loves the sound of his voice

Always feels it necessary to voice his opinion even when no one asks for it

Acts like he is a subject matter expert on every topic

Feels like his rights are being violated if he can’t express his opinion

Boss I had

Created an environment where people were uneasy and wanted to leave

People were actually embarrassed at the way he acted during meetings

The same thing happens in church

Personal opinions always seem to make public appearances.

1. Don’t argue about opinion matters

Romans 14:1–3 NLT

1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.

Biblical Matters vs Opinion Matters

You may not be able to stop people from expressing their opinion to you, but you can determine not to argue with them over it.

Social Media

2020 impact on church

2. Don’t judge others by your personal opinion

Romans 14:4–13 NLT

4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval. 5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. 10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say, “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance praise to God.’ ” 12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

Your personal opinion is not the standard of right and wrong, the Word of God is.

Facts are always supported by evidence

If someone is doing something that goes against God’s standard, then there is a correct way to approach it

2 Thessalonians 3:14–15 NLT

14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.

3. Don’t cause someone to stumble by flaunting your opinion

Romans 14:13–21 NLT

13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. 14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. 17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. 20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.

Just because you have the right to do it, doesn’t always make it wise or beneficial to do so.

Church was never designed to be a place of selfish, individualistic, self expression.

We must always be aware of how our behavior may affect others

4. Do your best to keep your personal opinion to yourself

Romans 14:22 NLT

22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.

Our culture screams against this

How many news programs have become just opinions of who is hosting?

Freedom of Expression

How long will it take us to realize that Christianity is always counter-cultural?

1 John 2:15–17 NLT

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.