Cookie Cutter Christians
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· 368 viewsAre we being the unique and special individuals that God has created us to be or are we simply "cookie cutter" Christians, striving to walk, talk, and act just like everyone else because that is how we think we should be?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good evening and welcome back!
Tonight we are going to be looking into the Book of Romans, specifically chapter 12, verses 4-8.
You can follow along in your Bibles, one of the pew Bibles, or the board.
But tonight we are going to be digging into Paul’s letter to the Romans.
And like most of Paul’s letters, Romans is divided really into two parts.
The first part has to do with doctrines and the second part with the practical application of the doctrine.
So the first 11 chapters of Romans have been dedicated to the Doctrinal stance of Paul.
And chapter 12 begins to introduce the practical application of the Doctrine.
And it’s really important for us to remember this and apply this logic as well because it doesn't matter how much Doctrine you know, if you can't use it, it is worthless to you.
It is really that way with anything in life that we learn.
We have a lot of teaching and learning in the world today, but if people cannot apply it, then “so what?”
Why does it matter?
It really doesn’t.
So, Paul is always going to give us a practical application.
And the practical application that Paul talks about here is simply how do we make it.
How are we going to “finish the race” as he likes to put it in other places.
But our subject tonight though is not so much going to be about the "how" but really the "what."
We are not going to talk so much about how to get saved and sanctified, but rather, what we do once we are.
Which is why the title of the message is "Cookie Cutter Christians."
This is the concept that every Christian should act the same and do the same things and it is very popular.
Mainly because it makes it very easy to identify a Christian when everybody looks and acts the same.
And we have gotten really good and designing the model for Christianity and fitting everyone into that model.
However, our model is not entirely accurate.
And this is what we are going to look at tonight.
And as we go through this, ask yourself am I "for real" or just a "cookie cutter Christian?"
So, let’s get into it.
Romans 12, starting in verse 4, Paul writes . . .
Scripture Focus
Scripture Focus
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Be Transformed
Be Transformed
Now, this is a very familiar passage talking about the unique qualities and qualifications that each and every Christian has been given by God.
But before we can claim our role and engage in the “work of the ministry” and even understand and recognize our role, we have to be identified as a Christian to begin with.
Which is exactly why Paul tells us in the first two verses of chapter 12 to . .
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer 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.
And you can almost hear the pleading in Paul’s words. I urge you, Literally translated as “strongly urge you” or “beg you to listen”. The KJV says “beseech you” to listen to what Paul has to say.
Remember God’s mercy and what God is offering us.
And in response to this then offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.
And he concludes the verse this is your spiritual act of worship—or “this is how you worship God.”
And we all want to do this right?
We all want to worship God, right?
Well—here is how it is done—by offering ourselves fully and completely to God.
By giving ourselves as a sacrifice to God.
You know the the need for sacrifice has not changed from the Old to the New Testaments.
The only thing that has changed is what the actual sacrifice is.
No longer are bulls and goats required as a sacrifice.
We are now the Sacrifice.
We are to offer ourselves completely to God for His use and for His purposes.
But how? How do we do this?
Well, Jesus says to . . .
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.
So, it is pretty simple really.
It's not through some great feat or miracle, but rather by simply loving God with everything we are. Not only that but also . . .
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
So, offering ourselves fully to God is no more than loving God completely and then loving others as God has loved us.
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Notice that Jesus is not talking about taking a bullet for another man.
He is talking about laying down your wants and your desires for the sake of someone else.
Giving up what you want to help someone else, not out of obligation but out of love.
Serving God, not out of obligation but out of love.
This type of sacrifice is pure and Paul says it is a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.
And Paul goes on and says in verse 2 . . .
Do not conform any longer 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.
And there is where the rubber really meets the road.
Don't conform and give in to the ways of the world.
Why?
Well because the ways of this world are evil, corrupt, and not of God.
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
So, we are not to conform to this pattern.
And sadly, many in the Church today have developed a “model” of what Christianity is to look like based on what the world looks like.
And this is not going to fly with God.
God says clearly to not conform the the patterns of this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds!
And how do we go about doing this?
Simply put—by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Not in our own might, but in God’s might.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
And as the Holy Spirit teaches us “all things” then we will know what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God!
Getting Over Ourselves
Getting Over Ourselves
And all of this sounds good on paper and good for a sermon.
But the reality of life is that there remains something within us that can cause us some problems.
It hinders our ability to accurately identify what God has called us to do.
It is what makes us want to fulfill the role of another person in the church instead of what God has called us to do.
And it is that five lettered word, P.R.I.D.E. —Pride.
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride is often what stands in the way of us stepping into God's calling in our lives.
Pride tells us that we need to be the pastor and not the janitor.
Pride tells us we need to be the teacher and not the choir member.
Pride often tells us to listen to self and flesh, and not to Spirit and God.
That's why Paul writes:
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
Simply put, Paul is telling us to "get over ourselves."
Don't think that we are any more special or blessed than our neighbor on the pew.
Husbands, you’re not more special in God's eyes than your wife.
Wives you’re not any more special than your husbands.
Paul says to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
In other words, God has blessed you and given to you according to your level of faith.
The more faith you have, the more responsibility you have.
That doesn't mean that the pastor is any more important than the janitor.
That doesn't mean the Sunday School teacher is any more important than the choir director.
That also means that we are not the only pastor, Sunday School teacher, Choir director in the world either.
God has called each of us and given us responsibilities based on our ability to carry out those responsibilities.
When we get over ourselves and begin to realize that we are all members fit together to serve a common purpose and each is equally important to God, we quit competing and start working together.
Many Gifts
Many Gifts
Which is the whole point that God is trying to make with us here.
God wants the Church as a whole to work together.
Regardless of the name that hangs over the church door.
We need to all be working together.
And Paul continues . . .
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
We are many members that compose one body.
What is that body?
The body of Christ.
Paul says that we have not the same office and having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us.
So, we don't have the same gifts.
We don't have the same job.
We don't have the same role to fulfill.
We are unique individuals and are built differently.
Each of us came to Christ in a different way, unique to us.
God knew what it would take for it to click with each of us.
God also knows what our talents, abilities, and unique qualities are.
He didn't make us all the same but made us individuals, unique and different.
So, how we "do Christianity" is going to be unique and different for each of us.
We cannot fit us all into a small, neat, little box that looks and acts the same.
Here's an example:
We all believe that we should read our Bibles, Pray, Study God's Word, and Witness right?
I think we all agree on this, so let’s look at something Jesus told us . . .
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Notice Jesus didn't say, "if you pray," but rather "when you pray," so it is a given that we are to pray.
Here's the question though,
How much do we pray?
How many times a day?
How long each time?
What do we pray about?
Do we close our eyes?
Do we bow our head?
Do we get on our knees?
Jesus gives us some guidelines, but this is different for each of us isn't it?
Some may pray for hours, some for a few minutes. Are there any rules?
pray continually;
Okay, what about reading God’s Word?
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
And . .
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
And . . .
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Clearly, we are supposed to read and study God’s Word, but . . .
How much do we read at one time?
What translation do we use?
How long do we read for?
Do we have to read every day?
Okay then how about witnessing to others?
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.”
Do we go door to door?
Do we witness to people at Walmart?
Do we go every week?
All these examples are basic things that we know we should do, but we want to set rules about them of what is proper and what is not.
THE TRUTH IS, WHAT WE DO IS NOT NEARLY AS IMPORTANT AS THE MOTIVATION AND HEART BEHIND WHY WE DO IT.
This is why Paul says . . .
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Paul says that each of us has a special calling of God.
Maybe you are a prayer warrior and that is your reasonable service.
Maybe your a prophet, Sunday School teacher, pastor.
Maybe your a worker in the church.
Whatever it is, God has called you and it is important.
It is vital to the survival of THIS CHURCH that you are obedient to God in fulfilling that role.
Altar/Challenge
Altar/Challenge
The altar call is simply this:
Have you offered yourself fully to God to use?
Have you accepted what God has called you to do not desiring another office?
Do you accept that we are all different and unique, called according to His purposes?
Do you accept that we cannot all be cookie-cutter Christians?
Are you fulfilling the specialized ministry role God has called you to?
If the answer is "no" to any of these questions, I invite you to come and make a change today.
Let’s pray . . .