What about all the Hypocrites who say they are Christians?  What kind of example are they?

As told by A. Hypocrite

So, if you are looking for a perfect example to follow, know this – there is only one – Jesus.  Follow Him, examine His Word and see.  If you are also willing to realize that all of us, His followers, can ONLY offer imperfect examples, and take a careful, honest look at us you might see that with Jesus, there is a difference, not only for eternity, but in the here and now as well.

One other observation and confession:  following Jesus is actually much more demanding and difficult than following the ways of the world.  For example, 

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell

is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.  But the gateway

to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” 

Matthew 7:13-14 New Living Translation

The founding pastor of our church used to describe the walk of the believer this way.  Picture a crowded sidewalk where everyone else is walking in the same direction, except you.  You are walking against the flow and the other pedestrians are not very happy about the disruption you are causing.  Picture a crowded freeway where you are driving against the flow of traffic (e.g., the wrong direction on a one-way street!).   But as a follower of Jesus, you know you are going the right way, even though the world regards it as the wrong way. 

What about all the Hypocrites who say they are Christians?  What kind of example are they?

As told by A. Hypocrite

We still struggle to be obedient to Jesus, but with struggle comes opportunity for growth and strengthening of our faith and resolve in Jesus.  At CBC our mission statement is “Following Christ, by Loving God and Loving Others.”  And as we leave church, there is a reminder over the rear door – “Be Great at the Great Commandment.”  When Jesus was asked to summarize the Law that God had given to Moses, He chose to express it this way….

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with

all your mind.'  "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it,

'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'   Matthew 22:37-39 New American Standard

Version

While admittedly all believers in Jesus can do a better job of representing Him here, consider the instructions that Jesus specifically gave.  He did not say, “Follow my followers.”  He did not say, “Follow my church.”  He did not say, “let a bad example of one my followers give you the excuse you are looking for.”  He simply said, “Follow ME.” 

            Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my

follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.

Mark 8:34 New Living Translation

Many followers of Jesus still struggle with addictions, finances, relationships, gossiping, etc.

Using an alcoholic as an example, could God remove their desire to drink when that person believes in Jesus and chooses to follow Him?  Yes, He can and does.  Other times God may choose to allow the struggle with the addiction to continue for the good and growth of the individual who has decided to “follow Jesus.”  Why? God knows what is best for each of us and also who is watching us.  Consider someone who has struggled with abuse, addiction, bad relationships, a cheating spouse, etc.  Who best to describe the difference that Jesus has made in their life, than someone who has shared a common struggle and found the way to freedom and escape?

What about all the Hypocrites who say they are Christians?  What kind of example are they?

Followers of Jesus have been given a job description, but we would be the first to admit how difficult it is to consistently live up to the expectations. Consider the responsibility:

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life

is gone; a new life has begun!  And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to

himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For

God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins

against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s

ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead,

“Come back to God!”  For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our

sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”

            2Corinthians 5:17-21 New Living Translation

 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and

forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord

forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in

perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body

you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Let the message of Christ dwell among you

richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns,

and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you

do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God

the Father through him.”        Colossians 3:12-17 New Living Translation

 
Not a single follower of Jesus has fully lived up to the job assignment they have been given.  From the Apostle Peter who denied Jesus three times (see Matthew 26:69-75), the Apostle Paul who shared his frustration with doing what he should not and not what he should (see Romans 7:15-25), the other Apostles, and down to today, all believers in Jesus have and will fail to be perfect examples and representatives.

What about all the Hypocrites who say they are Christians?  What kind of example are they?

As told by A. Hypocrite

A few years ago there was a bumper sticker with the message: “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.”  This is the God’s honest truth.  This is the most positive admission a follower of Jesus can make.  The most negative, yet honest admission would simply be “guilty.”  A well-known writer, C. S. Lewis, once remarked, “Christians are the best argument for and against Christianity!”

First, we have to establish what a Christian actually is, because the expression can mean different things to different people.   In using the expression here we are referring to an individual who has found forgiveness for their sins through a personal faith and relationship with Jesus, who is also seeking to live their life by following His example.

Ephesians 3 – Facing PROBLEMS now and yet to come (Read vv 14-21)

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  (NIV)

The Apostle who described himself as the “chief of sinners,” also prayed the prayer above as testimony to the awesome God whom he served.  We have much to be thankful for and the best way to thank God is to accept the forgiveness He offers through faith in Jesus and then live a life that is an expression of your thankfulness.  God has showed us how.

So, it is your choice.  Having considered these 7 passages from the Bible, will it continue to be “Your” / “I” / “My Way” or are you ready for a wonderful change?  Need more information to consider?   Here is our suggestion:

• Begin reading the Gospel of John (4^th book in the New Testament) and continue reading the books that follow.
• As you start, ask Jesus to lead you in an understanding of His Word.
• If you are in the Rootstown area, stop in and visit Community Bible Church.

Enjoy the Journey!

 

Philippians 3:8-14  – PROBLEMS of the Past and ATTITUDE for the rest of your life

Especially 3:13b-14 " Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."  New Living Translation.

Mistakes made can have a way of trapping us and holding us back.  There may even be people who have judged you and keep reminding you of your past.  Plus, Satan loves to bring back those bad memories and failures and keep replaying them in our minds.  But realize this – no one had more to be sorry about and stuck in the guilt of the past than the Apostle Paul.  And yet no one presents a better example of a subsequent life lived for Jesus.  I've heard it said that the "Misery / Pain of the Past can become your Ministry / Passion in the Present." 

Consider the lyrics of Matthew West's song, "Do Something:"
I woke up this morning
Saw a world full of trouble now
Thought, how’d we ever get so far down
How’s it ever gonna turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”

Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, I created you!”

CHORUS: 

If not us, then who
If not me and you
Right now, it’s time for us to do something
If not now, then when
Will we see an end
To all this pain
It’s not enough to do nothing
It’s time for us to do something

I’m so tired of talking
About how we are God’s hands and feet
But it’s easier to say than to be
Live like angels of apathy who tell ourselves
It’s alright, “somebody else will do something”
Well, I don’t know about you
But I’m sick and tired of life with no desire
I don’t want a flame, I want a fire
I wanna be the one who stands up and says,
“I’m gonna do something”

Repeat CHORUS

 
We are the salt of the earth
We are a city on a hill (shine shine, shine shine)
But we’re never gonna change the world
By standing still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still
No we won’t stand still

Repeat CHORUS

 

Colossians 3 - Guidelines for Living - a New Testament Summary

Colossians 3:12-17:  What does Jesus want me to do? 
 

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and

forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord

forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in

perfect unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body

you were called to peace. And be thankful.   Let the message of Christ dwell among you

richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns,

and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever

you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to

God the Father through him.”   New International Version

Not long ago the phrase “W.W.J.D.” [What Would Jesus Do?] was very popular.  Perhaps you wore an arm band or had some other reminder.  Well, this passage is an expanded answer to that thought-provoking question.