Know how people say they don’t go to church because it’s full of hypocrites?
Sunday Louie said that whenever he hears that he immediately THINKS: “Well, you must not go to the grocery store, either”.
It was pretty quiet when he said it, and I was the first to laugh…kind of loud. He went on to list several places frequented by hypocrites: offices, gyms, even bathrooms. “In bathrooms there are two manufacturers: Koehler or American Standard. Two companies. Who made them? Hypocrites. Who are on the board of directors? What are you going to do?
Earlier Louie had read the dictionary definition of a hypocrite: “a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings.” At some point, EVERYONE acts in contradiction to their beliefs. Obviously, everyone is a hypocrite.
Louie usually SAYS “I agree…you’re absolutely right. And I’m one of them.”
The grocery store line just caught me as funny.
“Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity” – Colin Powell.
This was Monday’s “Don’t Quote Me” puzzle in USA Today. Made me stop and think. This may have been me at one point, but I don’t think it’s me now.
...Will's notes from Andy Stanley’s July 3, 2011 sermon at
It’s easier to make a point than to make a difference.
In the mid-80’s the Gay Pride parade route was intentionally altered to march past FBC Atlanta just as the morning worship service let out. FBC had taken the stance the homosexuality was sin. “Change and become like us, and then we’ll accept you” was apparently FBC’s view.
Andy (28) asked his father if he could preach on homosexuality. The place was packed, with members and visitors alike. A tape of the sermon is not available in the resource center.
FBC changed the service time and ushered worshipers out the back, hoping to avoid a confrontation. It didn’t work. People were hiding, peering through the bushes. Meanwhile, the church across the street handed out cups of cold water.
Jesus and Paul spent the most time with those they disagreed with the most. Though the theology of Jesus and the Pharisees was the same, their approach was different.
Jesus was not concerned with being judged guilty by association. By associating with sinners and tax collectors, the religious leaders thought Jesus was supporting them, and
Sometimes questions are asked that should not be answered. The Pharisees often questioned Jesus, trying to trap Him. “By whose authority did John baptize?” Jesus refused to be dragged into debates that distracted from the primary issues.
Colossians 4:5-6: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity…full of grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt.
In the next 300 years Christians thrived because of their response to the plagues. Emperor Julian had promoted paganism. “The Christians are moral
Jesus and Paul did not judge non Christians, who are not bound by God’s Word. Paul walked through towns that were filled with idolatry. The people erected statues to every god they knew, and even to Gods they didn’t know.
.It would have been easy for Paul to make a point about idolatry being wrong…but the people would not have listened to him. Instead he talked about the unknown God (unknown to them). This way, some listened.
Matthew 5:14-16: You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify God who is heaven. Verse 17 talks about how the law should still be in order.
The purpose of the church is to tell the world that Jesus died for them. Love your neighbors. That’s how the nation can be changed.
Three thoughts I’d scribbled down over the past few months:
Does dying young sometimes mean God is so pleased with your service on earth, that He is bringing you home to heaven early? I’ve often wondered this, but have never heard anyone else talk about it. People like Dan Dehaan and Keith Green come to mind. Jenny. Steve Norman. Andrew Evans. But what about the converse of that thought: God isn’t finished working through those living long lives. Is that good or bad? Which is better?
This spring Andy preached from Acts 15 on how the message of Jesus should be kept simple. NP was created for people who had grown weary of going to church. At work my Christian co-worker had a perfect opportunity to share with a non-Christian coworker, who had asked a question about the Bible. It was as if the ball were sitting there on a tee for him to hit. At first the Christian did a wonderful job sharing the message of Christ. While he shared I prayed, and I almost cried that the opportunity had come off so well. But the Christian went on and on, eventually adding how worshippers shouldn’t talk about things like sports in church hallways on Sunday morning. That’s ”complicating” the Gospel.
Of course, I contributed little.
With life being so busy, how many still keep Sunday as a day of rest and worship? If you do, in today’s frantic society you seem to fall further and further behind. With baseball finally not taking up so much of our time, we are finally getting weekends, and Sundays, back. Many times I feel like I’m wasting the day by sitting around watching a game. Conversely, the feeling of accomplishment that comes from weekend yardwork, chores, washing the car, or folding and ironing laundry is so fulfilling that it hardly seems like work. The Lord will bless those who keep the Sabbath, right?
“Baseball is a gift, that you’re given to play, but this comes third or fourth on my list.
I could walk away from the game today and be happy. As long as you have your family, they’re going to be there a lot longer than the game will be.
A lot of people don’t look at it that way. A lot of people think this is who you are as a person.
It’s not. It’s something that you’re blessed to do.”
