Sunday, April 15, 2018

Be Like Christ


• Third Sunday of Easter
with Luke 24:36-48  and  1 John 3:1-7
www.FirstChurchBville.com    @FirstUMCBville   @kerrfunk
This sermon was broadcast on Facebook Live 4/15/18
https://www.facebook.com/FUMCWV/

• I visited my folks after Easter. The guy in the elevator recognized me.
The goal of disciples, followers of Jesus, to be known by who we’re like (Jesus Christ)
rather than by what we’re against.
• Book of 1 John something like an essay to a community in conflict. Several different schools of thought about who Jesus is and how salvation works and what it means to be follower.
• John’s response is basics. Keep plugged in to community, to study, to action. Trust that Jesus is Lord (and human!) and came for the purpose of reconciling people to God. It’s a gift! AND it is our duty to strive to be Christ like, regardless of what others are doing.
Sin creates barriers between people. Love seeks relationship, asks questions, connects.
Others saying they’ve achieved sinlessness, don’t need Jesus?
What does that do to relationship? Wall or connect?
You strive to be Christlike. You rely on his grace.
Others saying Jesus is a myth?
What does that do to relationship? Wall or connect?
You strive to be Christlike. You rely on his grace.
• What is this Christlike? It’s humility, hope, community. It’s righteousness – keeping the commands – and it’s deep concern for others. LOVE of others. It’s belief and obedience, with the assurance that God has chosen to be revealed among people for the purpose of erasing sin and leading into righteousness, and that that is done because of love, and the response is also love.
• So dwell not on divisions and differences. Stand firm, study, and act in love to all.
Seek to build relationship.
• Challenge / invitation in April: to discuss with another how to be in Christ.

• Hymn 365 Grace Greater Than Our Sin

1 John 3:1-7 (HCSB) 
3 Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. 2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.
4 Everyone who commits sin also breaks the law; sin is the breaking of law. 5 You know that He was revealed so that He might take away sins, and there is no sin in Him. 6 Everyone who remains in Him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen Him or known Him.
7 Little children, let no one deceive you! The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. ò

No comments:

Post a Comment