The Jenga Church

Have you ever played Jenga?  That’s the game where you build a tall tower of wood blocks then go around the group removing as many blocks as you can.  The loser is the one on whom the tower falls.

So the goal is to see just how many pieces you can remove before you make the whole structure so unstable that it collapses.

But unfortunately, the more you remove, the harder it is to find the next piece.  Throughout the game, you can see holes and gaps.  You can tell the structure is missing something and that it is not as strong as it should be.

Most of the time, when you remove a piece, you simply discard it without really thinking about how important and necessary that piece was.

Sadly, many churches in America look like a Jenga tower that is on the verge of collapse.  Far too many believers have removed themselves, their gifts, their lives, from the Temple that is God’s People.  

We have a foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets.  We have a Chief Cornerstone that is the true basis of the whole entity and we, according to Ephesians 2:22 are “being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.  

Here’s the whole context:

Ephesians 2:19-22 : “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”

God is making us into a spiritual house.  A well built house needs a foundation, needs walls, supports without which the house will leak or collapse.  But instead of using 2x4’s and drywall, He is using people.  People that He has shaped and positioned together to provide a solid and functioning structure.

What’s amazing is that in Paul’s day, many built with stone and did not use cement or any other types of adhesives between the blocks.  Each piece was cut and carved to exact specifications so that it will fit tightly and not be moved.  Some of those structures still exist.

Peter echoes the idea that we are built together by Christ into a Spiritual Temple for a purpose and function.   1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10 : “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ… 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

We are drawn together to serve as a priesthood, to declare His praises.  Each of us is fitted for a purpose in that structure.  Ephesians 4:11-13 : “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Christ’s Body needs to be built up, in order for us to reach maturity, completeness and unity.  In order for us to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, there can be no holes.  We all have to be in our place.

We forget how vital that is.  Many in America seem to think their particular church exists to serve them.  When things don’t go their way or feelings get hurt too often they take themselves out of the church.  But like the game of Jenga, the structure is weakened and the individual piece is no longer fulfilling its function.

We think people, like the Jenga pieces, can be removed without any real consequence.  After all, it’s my life… right?

The church doesn’t exist to serve its members.  It exists to fulfill the purpose and mission of Christ.   He needs to be pleased and satisfied in all we do in the church and as the church. 

And when you remove yourself, you leave a gap.  You isolate yourself and cannot accomplish the work of the Kingdom.

I remember watching the movie, The Patriot with Mel Gibson about the Revolutionary War.  The British forces would often concentrate on the militia rather than the Regular army because they had seen the everyday farmers break ranks and flee for lack of discipline and training.  The fact that they ran made the rest of the army easier to defeat.

That’s where we are.  We have holes in our structure… soldiers are missing from our front lines and our flank is vulnerable because we are not true disciples (ironic that Disciple and Discipline are so close isn't it?).

How is your church?  Do you see a lot of missing pieces?  Is the structure teetering and near collapse.  Are you taking yourself out and leaving a teetering structure?

When a church collapses, there’s only one winner and a whole lot of losers trapped in darkness waiting to be freed.

Don’t play Jenga with the church!

Sermon--Faith's Call of Leadership--1 Peter 5:1-5

Faith’s Call of Leadership—1 Peter 5:1-5

This was a difficult passage to develop into a sermon as it was speaking to “elders” which is primarily understood to be pastors. However, there were several principles of leadership & motivation that were spoken of in the passage that are helpful for our churches.

Leadership is a vital part of the success or growth of any organization be it a nation, a business.

Can you imagine England surviving WWII without the leadership of Churchill? Or America surviving without the leadership of Washington during the Revolution or Lincoln during the Civil War. Great Leadership often manifests itself during times of great turmoil or conflict.

It’s even necessary in the church. The Kingdom of Light is setting up battle fronts in the Kingdom of Darkness. Each outpost must be manned and prepared for an enemy that is ruthless and cruel and wants nothing more than to “Steal, Kill and Destroy” Leadership within the Church is Vital—that’s why Paul spent so much time identifying and setting up leadership for the churches he established and visited.

In many ways, this was a section of 1 Peter directed to me. The elder of a congregation or Presbyter, as an office we typically understand as a pastor. However, since the word is plural, it also means that it was written either with several pastors in mind, either multiple congregations reading the letter or each congregation that will have several who hold places of leadership within the fellowship.

READ 5:1-5

Elders—Pastor—I am an elder or leader not by age, but by calling—we both felt God’s leadership

Pastor to Students, Deacons, Trustees, Council Members

A Call of Maturity

A Call of Responsibility

A Call of Privilege

A Call of Example

1. Elder

Witness of Christ’s Sufferings—Peter was an eyewitness in the literal sense. But we have not been an eyewitness, but it must still apply to us. We must have witnessed and called upon and depended upon Christ’s suffering in our own lives. You and I must have seen Christ suffering in our heart and spirit and applied its power to our lives—as a result of doing this, we share in the glory to be revealed.

IOW, we must be saved. Leadership in the church must have a genuine, authentic, sincere faith that has had time to grow and mature. Leadership is a Call of Maturity.

Maturity—is not perfectly dependent on age—but it often is related to it. Maturity as a Christian has to do with understanding the faith, with wisdom, with humility, not insisting that you’re always right, willingness to forgive and not strike back at someone who has offended or hurt.

Scripture teaches more about the Qualifications for someone serving as a leader than it does explaining what that leader is supposed to do.

Titus 1:6-9—Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he “must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

1TI 5:17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching

James—says there is a ministry of prayer for an elder as well. “Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

2. Beware of Wrong Motives for Church Leaders

Greedy for Money—Gain, Compensations, Gifts, Benefits or Perks

In this you are banking or taking advantage of the generosity of others.

Money is a powerful motivator and can ruin lives and ministries.

Lording It Over—controlling, power hungry, manipulative, superiority complex

If you enjoy being the boss and telling other people what to do. If you had to take orders for a long time and struggled through it, now it’s your turn to make someone else squirm. Don’t get involved in ministry or service to others in the church just to boost your own ego

Don’t let me come across as power hungry—

3. Be Shepherds—gentle and firm Guides

This title is personal for Peter, for it is the language that Jesus used while reinstating Peter to the ministry of the Kingdom after Peter’s denials. “Do you love Me?... Feed my Sheep” In other words be their shepherd. It is a Call of Responsibility

Its meaning embraces on who:
Feeds—when they are hungry—you see to it that they have their need met—spiritually speaking, you have a responsibility to help nourish their spiritual hunger.
Guides (sheep and keeps them from going astray or necessarily their own way
Guards (against wolves—THOSE people, those teachings that are dangerous to the sheep)
Heals (the wounds of injured)
Protecting, leading, guiding, feeding.

As a leader in our church, in some way, God has given you a Call of Responsibility for which you must show care—concern, devotion and responsibility.

We are to organize around each other—so we may encourage one another, so we may help one another, so we may give us a sense of family when all other family has abandoned us.

If you are a part of University Baptist Church, then you need to look at who your leaders are—you need to look for those you can go to in time of need.

Flip Side—if you are not an elder—and even if you are, b/c you need people to minister to you.

Then God has placed you under someone’s spiritual care and responsibility. Live in that—do not resent it or spurn it. Do not take advantage of it either.

4. There is a Call of Privilege Must vs. Willingness—--Quote from “Disappointment With God”—We who live now are not disadvantaged, but wonderfully Privileged, for God has chosen to rely primarily on us to carry out His will on earth.”

We are privileged. Embrace this calling—take joy and satisfaction at seeing those you care for are growing, are involved and have their family and spiritual needs met. This doesn’t mean that you enjoy everything you do—but your attitude going in will many times shape the outcome and the blessing you receive.

Flip Side—be willing to live under their care— vs. 5—Young men—submissive to those who are older—show respect—hear their wisdom—be willing to bring your concerns, questions and needs—willingness is key for you to get the most out of your elders. They are there for your benefit and support. They can be a great asset to you, your family, your future, your walk with Christ—They can be a mentor for you.

When you have questions, needs, concerns—don’t do it all by yourself. Willingness isn’t about gritting your teeth, either when it comes to living under the guidance and leadership of the elders. Too many times, you hear talk about the Problematic Sheep than the Helpful Sheep.

Don’t be the sheep that is constantly wandering off—constantly lagging behind or dragging your feet or the one that needs the most prodding. Then you become a burden when you should be a source of joy and strength.

Peter also told “all of you” to Clothe yourselves with Humility—Peter knew what this looked like. The tendency of Leadership is to see people as serving you, but Peter remembered just the opposite and he saw it in Jesus. Upper room experience—seeing Jesus strip down to just a towel and wash feet. Leadership and maturity in the faith is not about

A Call of Example--Set an example in Service & Humility

Leaders—lead by setting an example—others see your actions, hear your voices, notice how you live and behave

Leaders--Don’t expect anyone else to grow if you are not growing. Don’t expect anyone else to attend our activities or services if you are not willing to attend. Don’t expect commitment, don’t expect time, don’t expect giving, if you are not willing to do those things.

Think of Attendance--In many ways, the health of a church’s attendance is not measured by Sunday Morning numbers or even whether giving makes the budget or not. Rather, a truer measure of a growing and mature church is the attendance on those other days when there isn’t such a perceived obligation.

Sunday Nights or on Wednesday Nights—when prayer is a greater emphasis—when growth in the word is done.

That health starts by a good example—from the Top-Down. If attendance and growth is not important to the leaders, why would anyone else need to be there?

What are other signs of living by examples?

True Leadership and willingness begins and ends in Trust. It’s not that your leaders are perfect—it’s not that I will ever be perfect or the best at everything—but do you trust—is relationship established enough that I won’t take advantage of you—I won’t look down on you

5. Remember that You Too are Under A Shepherd—vs. 4

He is the Good Shepherd—He willingly lays down His life for His sheep.

He will hold accountable—parable of talents or cities in Matthew 25 or Luke 19

He Greatly desires to Bless—blessing for faithful leadership—i.e. reward

Sermon 4-29-07--Faith's Call to Endure Persecution for the Right Reasons

Being a Christian in American History usually meant--(until recently)

· Fine upstanding citizen

· Difficult get elected without claiming faith in God

· Good morals

· Strong family values

· Respectable

· Mainstream or Normative faith

· Good relationship with God—God pleased with

· Government gives tax exempt status and sees the benefit of churches on community

It wasn’t always this way…

Being a Christian in Early Church History

Abnormal faith

· Bad citizen to the Empire—
refusing to sacrifice to the Emperor

· Bad morals—
potential cannibals (misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper)

· Against the family—
as wives became believers without husband’s “approval”
as outcast from family for choosing Christ over them

· Bad relationship with the gods—
refusing to worship them, only one God—danger of angering them and bringing their wrath down on everyone else.

· Not respected—
many came from the lower classes, the slaves, the military

· Government mistrusted and arrested and accused believers --
put in jail, tortured, beaten, open persecution, fire of Rome, Coliseum,

It was much more embarrassing to be a Christian in those days. So much so that Peter felt the need to address it.

1 Peter 4:12-19

No Surprise at Trials—12

1 Peter 1—Peter is writing to those who have been scattered—

· scattered either in the vents surrounding the day of Pentecost, or

· Acts 8—where many were driven out of Jerusalem by persecution initially led by Paul or

· believed to be scattered by official condemnation by Roman government. All Christians and Jews were forced to leave Rome under Caligula in —later Nero blamed for setting fire to Rome.

Many believers, including the leadership were accustomed to trials and persecutions. They knew what if felt like to uproot their family and flee—they knew what it felt like to bear the stigma of fighting the law and the law losing. “I Fought the Law and the Law Won” could have been an early church song.

No Surprise—

Jesus Himself said—John 16:33--“In this world you will have trouble.”

You Were Chosen by God—1 Peter 2:9

Rejected by Men—2:4

Jesus was rejected--4:13--—so will you be --John 15:18-- "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”

Rejoice that you are being persecuted and suffering for the same reasons that Jesus suffered. Your service, your love for one another, whatever gift you have been given—as we talked about last week—when done and lived with authenticity, you will bring difficulty and hardship down..

Christ received greater glory through Suffering—Hebrews 2:10—“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, would make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering.”

The captain of our salvation

Resurrection greater than any miracle

Qualified Him to enter the Most Holy Place

Blessing for Suffering as He suffered—vs. 14

It may feel like you should be ashamed, it may feel like you are being punished but the reverse is actually true—you are blessed—it is not darkness but light you are feeling—Instead the Spirit of Glory rests on you.

Can you imagine that? The amazing, blazing, awe-inspiring Glory of God is a part of your suffering when you do on behalf of or in response to your faith in Christ. Even when you are merely insulted

Why Trials & Persecutions & Insults—

The world does not understand our faith

The World is Given Over according to Romans 1 and they live in spiritual darkness

Their Minds are Blinded

They Don’t Like being Reminded

Satan is our enemy

Glory can come from Suffering and Persecution. But Peter gives a word of warning

No Glory for Just Suffering—vs. 15—

Trials and persecution can come to our lives because we no longer belong to this world, because of who we are as believers. But that fact is not the only way trials and suffering can come.

It is possible to suffer trials and persecution with reason. Peter had already introduced the concept in ch. 2:20—“how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?” For that culture, a beating was justice being served for disobedience.

We should not suffer justly because that will be further justification for persecution and because it’s not just our name we are tearing down, it is the name of Christ. We carry & Embody His name with us wherever we go.

Peter mentions Murder, Stealing, any other type of Criminal. The first three mentioned are somewhat obvious—deliberate, premeditated breaking of the law—bringing the standards and punishment arm of the society down upon you.

But then Peter also lists that we should not endure suffering as a Meddler—What is a Meddler? Someone who sticks their nose into other people’s business, who tries to twist or manipulate things for their benefit.

Why would Peter mention meddling?

I’ve always thought it strange. Is Meddling illegal? NO, so again, why mention it?

I believe he’s talking about more than just Meddling – I believe he’s referring to those things that may not be against the law, but they’re still wrong for you or other Christians to be known for. There are many things that are not illegal, but can seriously malign the name of Christ and look very bad in society’s eyes. Things do not have to be illegal to be wrong. No one else may get hurt, but it can still be wrong. Even if no one gets hurt, even if you don’t get caught.

For example, Is internet pornography illegal—sadly no—but it is still wrong for you. Is gambling or the lottery illegal—sadly no—but you should not be identified with them.

What if Drugs, Prostitution or Polygamy become legalized—does that mean it’s then OK for you to go out and do them too?

NO.

This verse does not mean that if you have done something wrong, against the law or been in jail or anything else then you are now worthless in the Kingdom of God. God is about Forgiveness, He is about Restoration, He is about Hope—He takes the broken things, the discarded things, the useless things, the unwanted & rejected things and He uses them for His glory.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11—“ Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

They were those things but are them no longer. As a believer, you are not living just for yourself any more. Suffering becomes blessing only through faithfulness—only if it comes as a result of Standing for Christ.

If you are unfaithful, you will not receive the great blessing that awaits you

READ vs. 16—

There is no shame in suffering for the right reasons.

If or when you suffer for being a Christian, there is great blessing—many of Peter’s readers had been accused, scattered—forced to leave or move somewhere else, arrested, beaten because they claimed the name of Christ. Peter himself was one of those.

There are things that Society may one day deem illegal and immoral. In some countries, it is illegal to own a copy of the Bible. In some countries it is illegal for Christians to be meeting like we are meeting. In some countries it is illegal to evangelize and tell people about Christ. In some countries it is illegal to convert from one faith to another. In some countries it is illegal to identify another religion as false or call certain behaviors sin.

And if our own society one day deems that those behaviors are illegal—know that you have the opportunity to share in the sufferings of Christ—know that the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1^st Amendment Freedom of Association—Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

If you've ever wondered why all of these subjects were listed together under the first amendment, it's because each them have to do with Establishment and Free Exercise. Ever thing listed after the ; are examples of how governments tried to limit religious expressions.

Speech (preaching) unapproved doctrines,

Press--distributing leaflets and flyers or tracts explaining beliefs or promoting a meeting,

peaceably assemble--like a church gathering without state sanction

Petition--something many believers and congregations were denied

How comfortable would you be going to a church where you know the pastor, assoc. pastor & several other leaders have all served time in jail? Would you hesitate?

That could have described the Church at Jerusalem with Peter and the other apostles—or the church at Ephesus while Paul was there.

Be Strong in the Lord and be willing to endure the accusations. Be willing to associate with those who endure such accusations as Paul mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:8—“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel”

Praise God that you bear that name.

Vs. 17

But Peter is telling them that the only One who’s opinion of you that matters is God’s—not your family’s, not society’s, not pop culture, not friends. Only God’s opinion truly matters. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, but if you are torn between the two, realize there’s no real contest.

Sermon--1 Peter 4:1-11--Faith's Call Not to Fit In

This message may not read as well as some others. There are times I just introduce a word and fill in the rest as I speak. I'm trying to do a bit more of that.

If you want to hear recent sermons (this one will be up soon) you can go HERE and click on the individual sermon title. So far, the system seems to be working well.

Kelly

Faith’s Call Not to Fit In

There is great pressure to fit in. As much as many youth want to stand out and be noticed, there is an even greater pressure to fit in. They want to stand out, but not too much.

This pressure wants to make us find out what the Normal is and match it—for the most part. The problem is, the world’s definition of normal is not the best one to be living for. It has many unintended consequences.he World’s Normal—1 Peter 4:3

This is a description of someone Living For Self—complete Self Indulgence. It’s the part of the world that says you cannot have a good time unless you’re drinking. That you don’t have a good sex life if you’re committed to one person for your whole life.

I remember in 1994 during the World Cup Soccer tournament—Brazilians in CA didn’t need alcohol to celebrate which totally confused the Americans.

Peter has strong words of condemnation for the World’s View of Normal—

Debauchery—sensuality—HCSB—unrestrained behavior, unbridled lust, excess, outrageousness, shamelessness

Lusts--desire for what is forbidden

Drunkenness—

Orgies—drinking parties

Carousing—a parading around of the fact that you’re a part of the party crowd-- parade through the streets with torches.

Detestable—abominable--contrary to law and justice, prohibited by law, illicit, criminal

idolatry—the worship of false gods, idolatry --of the formal sacrificial feats held in honor of false gods

This type of idolatry was the idolatry of self—what I want, what makes me feel good without any real concern about the effect on anyone else.

Tell me if you don’t see this? If you had come up and driven around the block of the church last night—you would have seen this verse in action.

The desire for a life without restraint—without consequence, free to do whatever, whenever, with whoever—There is no society of human beings that does not possess the idea that this is how you have a good time. It is the world’s sense of normal and life to the fullest.

It is so normal for the unbelieving world—it becomes as a religion—a means of idolatry. It describes those without God in their life or thinking—vs. 3 sets this context within the understanding of Evil Human Desires.

Human Desires—What are they? What makes them evil?

It doesn’t matter if you are a life long pagan, if you came to Christ as a child and spent your whole life in the church—you have had and will have struggles with your desires.

Desires are meant to satisfy a need—you are thirsty and desire an icy lemonade, you are hungry and the anticipation of lunch makes your mouth water with every word of this sermon. You desire a good job so you can provide for yourself or you family. You desire love and affection because we were never meant to be alone.

The problem in the world today is that our desires are affected by our fallen world. Sin occurs when the good thing that God has given us is abused, distorted or misapplied. What makes a desire evil is how it takes us away from the good things of God.

Being thirsty is not wrong, but satisfying it with alcohol to the point of drunkenness is. Being hungry is not wrong, but a pattern of baking, then eating a whole batch of cookies by yourself demonstrates gluttony.

Noticing an attractive person is not wrong, but allowing your thoughts to dwell on someone can quickly lead your mind to the wrong place.

Sex is not bad, but fulfilling that desire outside of an exclusive marriage relationship violates what God created it to be.

At the heart of all of this is idolatry—the rejection of God and the taking on of something else. And this taking on and indulging of your flesh

Romans 1:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

32bthey not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Only those who participate in these things with them really ever merit their approval. Only by living the same way will you ever be considered normal.

This kind of behavior is so normal and expected that they expect you to join in with them. And here begins the conflict.—vs. 4

Vs. 4—They think you are strange—for not jumping right in. When you say “no” when offered a beer or a drug—they think—“what’s wrong with you?” When you avoid certain places, certain behaviors certain jokes or movies, because your conscience won’t let you, your past struggles say stay away—they think it strange

Astonished, surprised, shocked—“well who’s ever heard of such a thing?”

Some reactions you see will be like…

· if you’re on the internet

· if you’re at work

· if you’re at home…

You don’t go to the bars and get trashed? That’s not natural. You don’t cuss up a storm—well why on earth not? You mean you plan on waiting until you’re married? You really won’t consider cheating on your husband, your wife? Come on… live a little, indulge yourself.

Flood—excess—outpouring, overflowing,

Dissipation—negative coming from the word meaning safe—so essentially the same unsafe activity, reckless

When you refuse—“they heap abuse on you”—you are then blasphemed--to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme--to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at.

How many of you can look back at times when a friend, even a family member criticized you because of your faith in Christ, because you made a decision that didn’t make sense, b/c you refused to go along with something that was questionable, that they thought was fine

1 Corinthians 2:14—“ The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

It’s especially hard for people who knew how you used to be and how you are now. Most of us have things in our past that we’re not proud of. I know there are people from high school, if I ever go to a reunion, who will laugh when they find out I’m a pastor.

In some way or another, each of us has “spent enough time in the past doing what [they still] choose to do.”

In some way or other, whether you indulged a little or a lot in that kind of lifestyle, living for yourself—you have spent, you have wasted enough time doing these things. Such a life promises to make you happy, but it leaves you empty. It has no lasting or redeeming value.

Such a life of self-indulgence has consequences.

Galatians 5:19-25-- The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

May You Be Judged Strange—vs. 4

Contrast that with what it is to live for God.

Living For God—vs. 6—live according to God in regard to the Spirit.”

1 Peter 4:1-2—“ 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. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires but rather for the will of God.”

Now that you are in Christ—you have died, just as He died—in your baptism, you were buried and raised just like He was—so sin no longer has a claim on our lives, even though we let it.

Our faith Calls us to a Life that is bigger, a life that is greater, a life that is more important than our own. It is a life that is beyond the “earthly” but is eternal. And it is quite a contrast to the World’s Normal.

Galatians 5:16-17-- So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Romans 6:12-13—“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”

READ 1 Peter 4:7-11

Prayer—prayer requires some things for it to be effective. A Clear Mind and Self-Control. Without these 2 things, your mind can wander, your heart is distracted. Praying for others, praying for yourself, praying to hear the will of God.

Love—directed toward those who share your faith—the reason why this is so important is that even those sitting next to you still struggle with sin and selfishness. They will continue to do things from time to time that upset you, that hurt you. So true love, empowered by the Spirit of God is going to “cover over a multitude of sins”—unlike the world which will hold on to every hurt, every slight, every insult and wait for the opportunity to inflict pain of its own.

Hospitality-- generous to guests—without grumbling—muttering, a secret debate, a secret displeasure not openly avowed

Service—whatever your gift, whatever you enjoy doing, whatever your talent, ministry, or skills—use them to serve others—because through you, God is giving grace—He is comforting, He is encouraging, He is teaching, He is leading into worship.

Through the strength God provides—realizing that all you accomplish in life is because you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.

Romans 12:6—“We have different gifts according to the grace given us.” Prophesying, Serving, Teaching, Encouraging, contributing, leadership, mercy.

12:11—“ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

The Will of God—vs. 2

For His Glory—vs. 11—so that—God is praised—for His glory

When God is at work in our lives, we will see the evidence of Him…

GAL 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

The Attitude of Christ—Philippians 2, 1 Peter 4:1

The attitude of the World

Are you living with the attitude of the World’s Normal—do you fit in well? Or does the world think you’re a bit strange? You have permission from God to be strange. You have God’s direct call to live, to pray, to serve each other---for His Glory

Now the hard part—will you commit to being strange in the eyes of the world—but still loving of those in the world. Most of them are just deceived, not evil. You have to show them another way—you have to reach out to them in love, not shun them or criticize them. Maintaining your strangeness without compromise, but being evangelistic about it is one of the great challenges you as a believer will face—that’s why you need prayer, that’s why you need the strength God provides because it is all for His glory.

Will you commit to pray and reach out to those who are deceived?