Abiding In The Vine... Together

September 1, 2013 Sunday Sermon - Christlike Approach to the World

9/2/2013

This Sunday we looked at the last of three relationships that Jesus tells us are essential; our relationship to the world. By world, scripture means the system of organized society that is hostile to God and constantly trying to squeeze us into it's mold. Christians in the west, especially in America, have not had much experience with serious worldly hatred or persecution but our fellow believers in other parts of the world testify to a very different experience. Many say there is more hatred and persecution of Christians today than any other time in history.
For more info on persecution check out these links: Voice of the Martyrs - Open Doors - Christianity Today
Our relationship to the world should be characterized by how Jesus interacted with the world.

Some characteristics of a Christlike relationship to the world would include:

Grace and mercy - knowing we have been chosen out of this world and belong to God's Kingdom
Remembering Jesus words ....‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also (John 15:20). There is a false gospel popular in American Christianity that promises health, wealth, and prosperity for all but the reality is we can expect and should not be surprised when we are hated and persecuted for Christ.
Knowing the whole world lies in the power of the evil one we can understand the world's hostility toward us and like Jesus we can pray from the heart... "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)
We must be witnesses to God's love and mercy to a world whose only hope is Jesus. Be the salt and light God intends us to be wherever we are.

If you missed this Sunday's sermon you can listen to it and get the pastors outline by clicking here.

lrry

9/7/2013 05:06:18 am

I've been contemplating this message all week. You know the bible tells us we need to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. I've found that apart from the guidance of the Holy Spirit that it's nearly impossible in my life. We are to condemn evil, yet not the individual. I've found the best way to do this in my life is to remember the words of our Lord on the cross- Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

Verne

9/7/2013 11:44:20 am

Once again I stand convicted by Pastor Ron's sermon and have been mulling it over ever since hearing it. Prior to Easter of 2012, in a bible study at the church I used to go to, we had been viewing and talking about a series of videos concerning the events leading up to Christ's crucifixion. The Pastor was planning a special Good Friday evening service and hoped that maybe some folks would feel inspired to share some thoughts on what the cross represented to them and our reaction to the crowds actions just before and and at the crucifixion. I was one of 3 or 4 people that shared that evening. I opened with, When Christ spoke the words from the cross, "Forgive them father for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34, he was speaking not only about those gathered around the cross but to all humanity, all alive then down through today, and those not yet born. Christ must have known that the crowd that gathered and persecuted him that day was actually a good cross section of humanity in general.
In Pastor Ron's sermon I believe he said persecutors of Christians are basically innocent people that don't know any better because they lack a relationship with God. Christ's words from the cross!
In Jim's summary of Ron's sermon "Christlike approach to the world" Jim stated "By world, scripture means the system of organized society that is hostile to God and constantly trying to squeeze us into it's mold. So after we are chosen out of this world by Christ and obey his command to go and bear fruit back out in the world, and we resist the forces that try to squeeze us back into the ways of the world, we likely will be mocked and persecuted.
So for me, thinking of my persecutors/trespassers as INNOCENT PEOPLE because they lack a relationship with God, makes it easier to forgive them. And perhaps it puts me in a better position when saying the Lord’s prayer, “forgive our trespasses as we forgive our trespassers.”

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September 1, 2013 Sunday Sermon - Christlike Approach to the World

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