12/11/2023
Misguided Faith always Leads to Misguided People. The primary focus of our Christian Faith is not to win elections based on the biblical interpretations of politicians. But rather to worship our God while simultaneously evangelizing our neighbors.
This is done by following the advice in 1st Samuel 15:22 " Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice". Scripture gives us one great command: Mathew 22: 36-37: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” This is the first great commandment. And the second is like it; “You shall love your neighbor as yourself".
And one great commission, Mathew 28: 18-20, says, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on the earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Beloved, for us to be able to fulfill the above task, the gospel, and our worship must do five things for us.
1. The gospel is Formational: Jeremiah 18: 6 "O' house of Israel, can I not do with you as this Potter says the Lord." Clay represents a temporary holding vessel for precious treasure. Our bodies are like clay and can be molded by the will of God. So, the Spirit of God reforms us.
2. The gospel is Transformational: 2nd Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new." Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind. A renewed mind does not practice old behaviors
3. The gospel is Relational: Luke 15:20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still far off, his father saw him and had compassion." Be slow to anger but always ready to reconcile. Colossians 3:12-13 “So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, and quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you.”4. The gospel is Missional and 5. reproducible