Northland Church notes 8-9-09

"I Don't Believe in Christ Because of Christians"

...waiting for the music to end and the sermon to start...the topic by itself sounds like something that has freaking bothered me for almost a decade. Using people as an excuse has always seemed incredibly lame to me...but seeing and feeling the hypocrisy on a personal level (I don't even want to look at the mirror right now)...the fact that the Church hasn't fallen apart and that people continue to have changed lives to me is EVIDENCE that there is something more than a community wide self delusion.

Truth is a living, vivid and powerful force that is not subjective to time and human interference...of course the conveying of that Truth can be marred by miscommunication...but that Truth is You...that Truth exists an actual Being...like in John chapter one where it talked about the Word...which is Jesus bu in Greek the word for Word is Logos...truth...this being...this absolute.

This beautiful horror of an absolute unbreakable love that transcends our mistakes and our evil.

...

Matthew 23:13, 25:10
Genesis 4:7
Matthew 6:2, 5, 16
Matthew 7:5, 21-24
1 Peter 2:1
Galatians 2:20
Matthew 12:48, 50


The point of carrying the gospel is because earth is supposed to be more like heaven.
Few people rationally think out their beliefs to the point of why they do or do not believe in a doctrine...and question. It's base instinct that drives and make people decide what is 'true' or 'false'.

They do not read the scripture or pray before making a decision...their first 'Bible' is the Christians they see.


Matthew 23:13
-The only period where Jesus has a sustained anger is in dealing with hypocritical religious leaders who suppressed people pushing them from God.

People do not always come out and say it but they are looking...saying you are a Christian, much less minister, is opening a world of critique and criticism.

Our life is not about us...it is about others. It is possible to literal shut people off from the Kingdom just because of our lives.

-literal definition of the word hypocrite (used by Jesus) in the Greek is 'actor' someone performing on a stage for money...
-'shut off' also used in Matthew 25 in the parable and the ones trapped outside.
-There are those with an interest and desire to find Him but the hypocrisy can push others outside.


Hypocrisy is NOT:
-The fact we have many identities, we have competing identities for different circumstances. Not necessarily in trying to put in on an act.
-The self control of our feelings. Holding back and not being rude...not saying everything one is thinking. It is wise and prudent to exercise self control over thoughts and what is said..."being a better self". Choosing a wiser way to communicate.
-When you refuse to live other people's definition of Christianity.

Hypocrisy is:
-Demanding of others the life you, yourself will not live.
-Trying to look religious when you are not trying to become the person you are trying to look at.


Genesis 4:7 Abel and Cain
-What we give to God isn't supposed to be bribes or payoffs...we give because we love God. He owns everything and doesn't need us...it's like a child being given money to buy a gift for a parent...it's done out of love...wanting to make Him happy.
-Abel offered his sacrifice our of faith and love, which God accepted. Cain's offering was rejected because it wasn't done out of faith and love. Cain was seeking approval, not seeking to honor God.
-All God was asking for was Cain's heart...his love...Cain's reaction was the murder of Abel.


Matthew 6:2, 5, 16
-Do not act, pray or give like hypocrites.

Central questions:
Who are you living for?
Whose approval are you living for?

-God doesn't view like people do...he doesn't judge on the outward appearances.
-When we understand what hypocrisy is do we know the results?

Hypocrisy robs us of intimacy with God and people. We were born to love and be loved and having a secret life prevents us from loving. To be loved genuinely you have to let people know you. By definition hypocrites can not be loved by God or people.

-It is more than just good teaching on Sunday but how we learn from others during the week. Kids learn from what we say but they will become how you live.

-We can choose who we are going to become. When we accept Christ it is no longer us who live but Christ...are we going to live this new identity?
-We have the power to be the people we are supposed to be...with children and with marriages...but will we use it?



Matthew 7:5, 21-24
-We have to take a look at our lives...decide what has to go if we REALLY want the real life we were meant for. What has to be cut out? Removed?

1 Peter 2:1
-These things aren't who we are...things we can loose.

It is possible to live a life where people can follow us and see Christ...

-Working to repent from sin isn't hypocrisy...it is who we are. It's only when we try to adjust our life to the sin and hide that...it becomes hypocrisy.


Matthew 12:50
He loves us for who we are and will not let us stay the way we are.
Community helps.

It's not enough to believe without becoming.

Morning

I'm hurting from the bike...trouble breathing...stupid asthma that I thought was gone. Nothing major...just pain.

I think I may have almost broke the bike...I started listening to "The Perfect Drug" by Nine Inch Nails and as soon as the drums hit in the intro I took off...about ten seconds into that burst of speed I heard a horrible screeching noise and smelt burning plastic...I glanced down and saw I was going about twenty-six MPH and slowed down...thankfully it didn't fall apart but that would have been my luck...the stupid bike falling apart under me.

I ended the biking with Johnny Cash's haunting version of "Hurt". One of the best recordings of any song ever...I can say that will be one song I want to carry with me the rest of my life. The Nihilism in Christianity...but it is offset by hope. Amazing where this is all going and going...