9/21/14 YEAR OF EQUIPPING TO SERVE

Christianity - LIVE IT!!  Alive - Not Dull!!

What do believers in Jesus have that no other group has?
    Theologian Michael Horton on the Gospel
    The gospel is not good instructions, not a good idea, and not good advice. The gospel is an announcement of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Michael Horton, Professor of Theology and Apologetics at Westminster Seminary California. Michael Horton, “Christ at the Center,” Christianity Today magazine (November 2009), p. 48
    Let me share from a recent writing by Lee Strobel from:
Investigating Faith with Lee Strobel, September 17, 2014
Q. There are so many religions out there. How can we be sure that Christianity is the right one?
A. No doubt about it – people believe all kinds of religious ideas, and most people are sincere in their beliefs. We should treat them with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15 NKJV  15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;), and do all we can to protect their rights – as well as our own – to practice religion freely.
    I also know that people can be sincere, but sincerely wrong. In fact, it’s impossible that all religions could be right, since they contradict each other on so many fundamental points. For example, look at what these religions teach about God:
• Buddhism historically denies that God exists (atheism).
• Hinduism teaches that everything is part of an all-pervasive, impersonal god (pantheism).
• Christianity teaches that there is one God who is personal and who created everything (theism).
    As one person put it to me, if all these religions are true, then God must be schizophrenic – because he doesn’t even know who he is, but tells one group one thing about himself while telling others something completely different.
    Well, God is not schizophrenic – so we’re forced to choose between belief systems. How should we do this? Should we base our decision on our traditions, or on what some authority figure tells us to believe, or perhaps on what we feel in our hearts? Those are dangerous ways to decide.
    My contention, and the approach I’ve used throughout my writings, is that we should choose our beliefs based on where logic and the evidence point (while asking God for guidance). And it’s with that approach that I’ve concluded Christianity – over any other worldview – squares with the facts of science philosophy, and history.
    My own experience has borne this out. Psalm 34:8 invites us, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Well, as one who has been tasting and seeing for more than three decades – and experiencing those blessings – I can testify that the psalmist was right: the Lord is real, and he is good.
“I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” – Isaiah 48:17
Q. Isn’t it elitist to say that people must be followers of Jesus in order to get into heaven?
A. It can certainly sound that way – and unfortunately some Christians project an air of arrogance and exclusivity in how they live out their faith and then communicate it to others. But authentic Christianity is anything but arrogant or exclusive. Let me illustrate.
    Imagine two country clubs. The first has a strict set of rules and only allows people in who have earned their membership. They have to accomplish something, obtain superior wisdom, or fulfill a long list of demands and requirements in order to qualify for acceptance. And despite their best efforts, lots of people just won’t make the grade and will therefore be excluded. In effect, this is what other religious systems are like.
    The second country club throws its doors wide open and says, “Anybody who wants membership is invited inside. Rich or poor, black or white, regardless of your ethnic heritage or where you live, we would love to include you. Entry will be based not on your qualifications or efforts but only on accepting this invitation. Jesus already paid for your membership. So we’ll leave the matter up to you. You decide. But we will never turn you away if you sincerely and humbly seek admittance.” That’s what Christianity is like.
    Which country club is being snobbish? Christians aren’t being exclusive; they’re being inclusive. They’re not being haughty; they’re being hospitable. They’re not pretending to be better or more accomplished than anyone else. Instead, they admit their own weakness and invite others who feel weak or needy to join them in order to find the help that they’ve found through Christ.
    Preacher D. T. Niles summed up genuine Christianity well when he explained that we are simply “one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.”
    Says Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”
Lee Strobel
    The enemy hates Jesus and does all it can to prevent the message from getting out.  The forces of evil are liars and deceivers.  We must keep our focus on what the Bible really says and let that make the difference in our lives.
    Our question of the day as we continue to look at the ALIVE life Jesus gives us.  What do believers in Jesus have that no other group has?
    The book of Philippians is a good example of what believers have.  The theme of the book is JOY.  It was written by Paul when he was in PRISON for his proclaiming the message of Jesus.  The message of this letter is thanks for their generous gift.  He also assures the church of the triumph of God’s purpose in his imprisonment.  He encouraged the Philippian church to press on to grow close to Jesus.
Philippians 1:21 NKJV
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
The Living Bible says: For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, and dying – well, that’s better yet!
    What is real living all about?  Fame and money?  Easy life?  Pleasure?  After many harrowing and exciting experiences, Paul came to the conclusion that Jesus makes life worth living.  Doing whatever he could for Jesus make every day beneficial.  Then, when it is all done we get the best retirement plan anyone could imagine.
    This letter contains a very clear picture of who Jesus is and what He did for every person in the world.
Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
    Jesus’ mind was one of total selflessness, service and sacrifice.  He put the needs of others first.  How did Jesus do this?
    Jesus left unparalleled glory in heaven and limited Himself to the humble place of a servant.  His sacrifice gave the human race the only chance for freedom from eternal death.  Jesus paid for the gift of eternal life for all who accept his forgiveness and make Him their Lord and Savior.
    Who did this for us?  The Eternal Creator did this for us, His highest creation.  Jesus literally emptied Himself by laying aside the privilege of being God.  He left the glory of heaven.  He took on the problems of being a human.  It ended up with His death on the cross.
    Because of this Jesus is fully worthy of all the worship.  Every knee, even those who claim He doesn’t exist, will some day worship Him.
    Paul established his priorities in life.  Having had many experiences he came to the conclusion that the most important pursuit in life is Jesus.  He was describing his pedigree that was one to be envied.  Then he said:
Philippians 3:7-8 NKJV
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.
    Having lived for many years, Paul learned what was important.  Nothing on this earth was eternal.  He had lost most earthly things and was living in confinement.  What mattered most was that he knew Jesus.  The rest of the things of the world were just trash.
    What is a more satisfying way to live?  Rejoicing or complaining?  As he was coming close to the end of his letter, Paul gave a powerful word of encouragement.
Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
    The theme of this letter is JOY.  Christianity reflects the inner peace and delight of having God.  Joy is deep in our hearts, founded on God’s immeasurable love for us.  He gives us peace and hope.  Joy is a part of the salvation Jesus gives us.  It grows in our lives as we grow in Jesus.
    How much genuine joy do you see in the lives of those who have not made Jesus their Lord?  It is something that is generally lacking.
    Yes, we are in a battle.  And, yes, the deception continues.  We know that the solution to life is found in the power of Jesus in our lives.  Don’t quit talking about Jesus even though there are many voices telling you to shut up.
Movie Receives PG Rating for Christian Themes
    Facing the Giants is an evangelistic movie made by Alex and Stephen Kendrick that tells the story of a football coach’s spiritual life. The movie has no drugs, no sex, and no profanity. Consequently, the filmmakers believed it would receive a G rating if ever reviewed by the Motion Picture Association of America.
    However, after the movie was picked up by a distributor called Provident Films and scheduled for limited release in the fall of 2006, the MPAA rated Facing the Giants PG, meaning that children need “parental guidance” to see it. The reason for the MPAA’s decision? Too much Christianity.
    The movie is filled with miracles, prayer, and even a presentation of the gospel. When asked about the decision, Kris Fuhr, vice president of marketing at Provident Films, said the panel “decided that the movie was heavily laden with messages from one religion, and that this might offend people from other religions. It’s important that they used the word proselytizing when they talked about giving this movie a PG.”
    Christianity may become the next sex and violence. The day may come when a movie will get an R for religion.
Gene Edward Veith, “R for Religion,” World (6-24-06), p. 11
    There are the attacks against Christianity.  Here is an illustration of the power of the Christian life, making it the envy of an atheist.
    Atheist Admires Christian Service After Hurricane Katrina
    “It ought to be possible to live a Christian life without being a Christian,” laments Roy Hattersley, a columnist for the U.K. Guardian. An outspoken atheist, Hattersley came to this conclusion after watching the Salvation Army lead several other faith-based organizations in the relief effort after Hurricane Katrina.
    “Notable by their absence,” he says, were “teams from rationalist societies, free thinkers’ clubs, and atheists’ associations—the sort of people who scoff at religion’s intellectual absurdity.” According to Hattersley, it is an unavoidable conclusion that Christians “are the people most likely to take the risks and make the sacrifices involved in helping others.”
    Hattersley also notes that this pattern of behavior goes beyond disaster relief:
    Civilized people do not believe that drug addiction and male prostitution offend against divine ordinance. But those who do are the men and women most willing to change the fetid bandages, replace the sodden sleeping bags, and—probably most difficult of all—argue, without a trace of impatience, that the time has come for some serious medical treatment.
    “The only possible conclusion,” says Hattersley, “is that faith comes with a packet of moral imperatives that, while they do not condition the attitude of all believers, influence enough of them to make [Christians] morally superior to atheists like me.”
Roy Hattersley, “Faith Does Breed Charity,” Guardian.co.uk(9-12-05)
    I read things like this an am reminded of the reality of what it means to be a true follower of Jesus.  What we have in Jesus is amazing.  And, this is all about HIM.  It is not us but what He makes us.  JESUS is the One that makes the difference.  HE is what, WHO we have that no one else has.
DISCUSSION
What are the main points of this message?
How do we apply them in daily life?
PRAYER
Lord, help us live and display the difference it makes when we really live for YOU.