What Can We Do?

Sermon Ideas From Friends and Family

Sermon 2 April 13th 2008

1 Peter 3:8-4:11 Page 1890

Last week we looked at two main complaints against church and church goers: hypocrisy and judgmentalism.

Today we are looking at some of the things that people need to see in our lives and a part of that list comes from last week’s message. For us to be a healthy growing congregation people need to see that we take hypocrisy seriously and we are taking the steps to deal with the damages caused by this sin. We are people who work at being genuine and falling in love with God. As followers of Christ who are saved by grace we need to avoid acting "Christian" and make a true commitment to Christ as the leader of our lives. We need to be honest with people about how God has changed us and how He is in the process of changing us. Hypocrisy is handled with truth; even when it shows our ugliness.

The second major condemnation against the church and her people is when we are judgmental. So how can we avoid the trap of being judgmental? Three choices can really help us in this area. One is to have a real relationship with God that involves surrender to His word personally. Another factor that helps us with being judgmental is to see our lives as God sees them and to extend the grace that God has given to us. A third thing that helps us overcome the tendency to be judgmental is to develop deep relationships with people so that we can speak the truth of God’s word in love.

People are looking to see if our faith in Christ deals with the sins of hypocrisy and judgmentalism. They need to know that we have a relationship with Jesus and not a set of rules and a social network that they are missing. People are attracted to active, loving faith.

As I was getting the message ready this week I had some difficulty. The main concept is to consider what it is that people are looking for as they connect to the church and church people. The difficulty is in the variety of answers and so I kept thinking of different ways to approach the question. To get a specific answer from the people that you know you will need to ask them! But there are two ways to ask. One question is "What things would attract you to church and church people?" Another question is "here is what our church is focused on and how it impacts my faith and life, is that something that you would be interested in?"

Think of it this way. Think of our congregation and its activities like a restaurant. Do we provide a menu and everyone then chooses what they do and do not like and the price that comes with it or are we more like a buffet that has chosen what it offers and makes that available to people at one fixed cost? At a buffet the quality of the ingredients and the manner of presentation makes a difference does it not?

With these things in mind I want us to get to the text that I eventually selected. Today we will be reading sections of 1 Peter 3:8-4:11 starting on page 1890 in the Blue Guest Bibles:

Peter is writing to Gentiles who are trying to live out their faith in a Pagan environment. He has reminded them that they are living stones and a chosen people and that following God will make you different than the people around you and that they may persecute you because of it, but friends and family need to see that we are different for good reason so Peter writes:

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

The difference comes from loving others as God has loved us.

Then Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16

10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 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."

God is watching our speech, actions, and motivation.

Then Peter gets into a list of the practical commands:

1PE 3:13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Then he shows the ultimate example of suffering for doing good:

18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Then Peter gets into how we become right with God.

He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed 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, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Now onto the impact of connecting to Christ:

1PE 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

People need to see that you are done with sin and that you live a different life:

3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

The time for showing a changed life is now because…

1PE 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I selected this passage because of the blend of specifics that people need to see including speech, gentle answers, hospitality, and a host of other "good behavior." I also like that the passage reminds us that the motivation for a changed life is a relationship with Jesus and knowing Him and what He has done for us as individuals. It also reminds us that our lives and words are to be a testimony because there will be a judgment.

What can we do that helps meet the needs of those around us?

bulletGrow a real, genuine active faith that drives your choices, your speech, and your actions. Show that your faith permeates your life not just fills a Sunday morning.
bulletKnow God individually so that you can introduce people to Him and not just to church and church people.
bulletLive a changed life that avoids sin while still loving the sinner. Stand your ground even when it means persecution because sin causes separation.
bulletWalk the walk and talk the talk.
bulletKeep inviting people to study the word of God, come to services, get to know you and others who are walking in the same direction.

I want to conclude with one more passage: Colossians 4:5-6:

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Not only can we make the most of every opportunity but we can go even deeper and make opportunities to connect others to Christ.

This week I would like to challenge you to focus on transitioning general conversation into spiritually focused conversation and I have a printout of conversation starters that may help you do that.

Next Week: Nehemiah and taking on tasks that are overwhelming.

 

23 Suggestions for Steering a Conversation

to Spiritual Matters

  1. Do you ever think about heaven? How do you think a person gets there? Would you like to see what the Bible says?
  2. Ask about their religious or church background: What do you think about childhood church experience (if any)? Do you take your religious beliefs more seriously or less seriously than when you were younger?
  3. What are your goals in life? Do you have spiritual goals?
  4. What do you think is the biggest problem most people face? What’s the solution to that problem? What role, if any, do you think God might play in solving that problem?
  5. If you could ask God any question, what would it be?
  6. If I could diagram for you (in an easy-to-understand way) the overall message of the Bible in just ten to fifteen minutes, would you be interested?
  7. In your opinion, how does a person become a Christian? Would you be interested in seeing what the Bible says on this subject?
  8. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "Christianity"?
  9. You know, ________, we’ve been friends for a long time, and yet I’ve never really told you about the most important thing in my life. Could I tell you about that right now?
  10. Do you ever pray? When? (Common answer? "Usually when I’m in trouble.") Do you feel like your prayers are answered? Do you ever feel like your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling? You know, I had the same experience until someone explained to me how to know God in a deeply personal way. Would you be interested in what that person told me?
  11. Do you ever go to church? Does it do much for you? (Common answer? "Not usually.") You know, I felt the same way until someone explained to me the difference between religion and a relationship with God. Have you ever considered the difference between those two things?
  12. Has anyone ever shown you from the Bible how you can know for sure that you’re going to heaven? May I?
  13. If you died tonight, do you know for sure where you would spend eternity? What would you base that on?
  14. If you died and found yourself standing before God and He asked, "Why should I let you into heaven?" what would you say?
  15. Wow, you sure have been going through a rough time! Could I show you something that Jesus said that has really been helpful to me?
  16. What do you think happens after we die? Would you like to see what the Bible says about that subject?
  17. (After a church event of service in which the gospel is presented.) So, what do you think? Did it make sense? Have you ever trusted in Christ like the speaker talked about? Really! When? Tell me about it. (If their response is vague you could go to questions 13 or 14).
  18. You know what I like about Jesus Christ? I’m fascinated by the way He treated people with such dignity and compassion…
  19. Did you know there is someone in the Bible like you? [Depending on their situation go to: the social outcast (Zacchaeus in Luke 19); the person in a shameful situation (The adulterous woman in John 8); the highly religious yet empty person (Nicodemus in John 3); the party person who has hit rock bottom (The prodigal son in Luke 15); the person in crisis (The royal official in John 4); the disillusioned person (The woman at the well in John 4).]
  20. What do you think about Easter? Have you ever considered the significance of Christ’s having risen from the dead?
  21. Hey, can you help me? I’m in a small group where we’ve been trying to learn how to articulate what we believe about Jesus Christ. Anyway, I’ve been given the assignment of explaining my beliefs to someone. Could I practice on you? You can tell me if I’m making it clear and doing it in an easy-to-understand way.
  22. [If someone reports negative experiences with religion, you can say] You are not alone! I’ve experienced a lot of those same things. And you know what? Even Jesus Christ had his run-ins with the religious establishment! Maybe that’s why I find him so interesting and appealing. His perspective on relating to God is really refreshing!
  23. You know, I think in one way or another, we’re all on a kind of spiritual journey. Where would you say you are in your quest to find meaning and purpose in life?

 

Vernon Church of Christ
4107 Pleasant Valley Road
Vernon, BC   V1T 4M1   Canada
(250)  545-6892

  vernonchurchofchrist@telus.net

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