TWO APPROACHES TO CHRISTIAN LIVING (2)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are many religious organizations in the world that claim to be “Christian” in nature.  However, when we look deeper into many of these organizations, we find that they have an approach to Christian living that is much different than the Christian life authorized in the New Testament.

 

B.   The title of our lesson is:  “Two Approaches to Christian Living.” 

1.    We presented the first part of this lesson last week.

2.    We looked at the Contemporary Approach versus The New Testament Approach.

 

THE CONTEMPORARY APPROACH                        THE NEW TESTAMENT APPROACH

 

I.             CULTURAL                          versus                   COUNTER-CULTURAL

 

A.   It is possible for the culture to influence the life of a Christian.

1.    Often Christians do not want to “stand out” too much.

2.    Fit in, appease, compromise, conform                                                       

a.  Social drinking is acceptable.

b.  Immodesty is not confronted.

c.  Adultery is overlooked or justified.

d.  Even some of the big social issues are ignored or accepted (i.e., LGBTQ).

 

A.   Be not conformed, and stand in opposition

1.    The Christian is called to be different than the world.

a.  Romans 12:2

 

And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

 

b.  Ephesians 4:17

 

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.

 

c.  1 Peter 4:4

 

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.

 

2.    Not only are we to refrain from being like the world, but we are also called to oppose the world (Eph. 5:11).

 

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

 

II.           TRIVIAL                              versus                   SUBSTANTIAL

 

A.   Some who call themselves Christians have come to believe that some things are very trivial in nature.

1.    The name one wears in religion

2.    Partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week

3.    Assembling with the saints

 

B.   There are others that realized that everything God authorizes is substantial.

1.    The things we just mentioned are significant.

a.  The name we wear should honor the Lord Jesus Christ (Jam. 2:7).

b.  The early church met on the first day of the week to worship and observe the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7).

c.  The writer of Hebrews plainly tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:25).

2.  Jesus teaches us that even the little things are of great importance (Matt.

     5:19).

 

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:  but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

III.         GUILTLESS                         versus                   CONSCIENCE

 

A.   We find that many are ignorant of God’s law.  And, those who do have some understanding, have no shame or guilt when they violate His will.

1.    They violate God’s will.

They give little time to God.

Their lives are not filled with good works.

2.    Their conscience does not convict them in their disobedience.

3.    Jeremiah 6:15

 

Where they ashamed when they had committed abomination?  Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush.

 

B.   God has given man a conscience.

1.    The conscience is a feeling that originates in the mind that either approves or condemns us when we say or do things.  The approval or condemnation is based on one’s education and training.

2.    Romans 2:15

 

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.

 

3.    A faithful child of God has a conscience that stings like an adder. 

It will not allow him to persist in his wrong doings. 

It drives him to repentance.

 

IV.         DABBLE                              versus                   COMMITMENT

 

A.   There are many who like to dabble in Christian living.

1.    Dabble:  to work at anything in an irregular or superficial manner

2.    Little engagement, no guarantees, no promises, little sense of duty

 

B.   The true Christian understands the commitment of the Christian life.

1.    He is a cross-bearer (Matt. 16:24).

 

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 

2.    He is a stone in the temple of God (1 Peter 2:5).

 

Ye also a lively stones are build up a spiritual house…

 

3.    He is a soldier in the Lord’s army (2 Tim. 2:3-4).

 

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath called him to be a soldier.

 

V.           SELF-WILL                          versus                   GOD’S WILL

 

A.   There is an approach to Christianity that is filled with self-will.

1.    What’s best for me.

What’s in it for me?

Me, myself, and I must fare well here.

If not, this isn’t for me.

2.    It is interesting that in their minds, Jesus looks and acts just like they do.

 

B.   New Testament Christianity does not involve self.

1.    “For even Christ pleased not himself…” (Rom. 15:3).

2.    2 Corinthians 15:15

 

And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 

3.    Example:  Timothy (Phil. 2:20)

 

For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.  For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.

 

VI.         FLUFF                                 versus                   MEAT

 

A.   There are many who believe in fluffy teachings of the Christian life. 

1.    They need to be presented like whipped cream on the top of a big bowl of strawberry shortcake.

2.    Hard, challenging, confrontational, and convicting teachings to be omitted

 

B.   Christianity isn’t about fluff, easy, and pleasing.

1.    Christianity involves a strait gate (Matt. 7:13).

2.    Christianity involves a narrow way (Matt. 7:14).

3.    Christianity involves persecution (Matt. 5:10-12).

4.    Christianity involves warfare (1 Tim. 1:18).

5.    Christianity involves contending for the faith (Jude 3).

6.    Christianity involves being a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1).

7.    Christianity involves self-control (1 Cor. 9:25).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   There is only one Lord Jesus Christ.

 

B.   There is only one gospel plan of salvation.

 

C.   There is only one way to live the Christian life.  (NOTE:  If we are not living our lives in harmony with the New Testament, then we are not walking the narrow way which leads to life).