Who do you want in your church? People that look like you, or people who need to be there?

About 20 years ago I stopped dressing up when I went to church. One day, it just struck me to go to church in a pair of cut off sweat pants, and an old t-shirt to see how people would receive me. It was an interesting experiment that I continue to this day.

Somehow, in today's society, church has become this social club where they want to attract a certain type of person, and friends can congregate. It's the new social setting...

But, how would your church react... no, how would you react if a homeless person came in and sat next to you?

True story, I was attending a church in NY and we were serving a dinner. One of the homeless people that came from a local shelter came in and sat next to me. One of the women in the church got really offended that he was there because he was ruining her meal. The young man was truly offended because he truly loved coming to the church, and this was the first time in a long time that he was receiving a great meal.

I tried to explain to her away from the group the importance of the mission of the church and why it's important that we open our doors to people like this. She very angrily responded - which ended a great multi-year friendship between her family and mine... It didn't end because I wanted it to. It ended because she was offended when presented with the truth.

What would you have done in a similar situation?

Those who are well have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. Mark 2:17

In this case... both people needed Jesus... only one person realized it.

Let us struggle to reach out to those who truly need Jesus, whether they realize it or not.

Not making progress? Try something else...

Any great change in life comes starts with making the decision that there is some change that needs to be made, then deciding to make that change. That, simply put is what it means to repent. To change your mind.

For most of my adult life, I have struggled with my weight. I have always used the excuses to justify why I hadn't started the change.

• My knee hurts from a malicious kick I received when playing soccer
• My ankles hurt because I ran so much when I was younger, I've worn the enamel from the bones
• My lower back hurts from getting kicked... when I played soccer
• There are plenty of people who are fatter than I am

There is always an excuse. But when you realize how the extra weight is causing the knee, ankle, and back pain, you can do one of 2 things... live with it - let it get worse or change your mind.

I repented, cleaned up my diet, I've been going to the gym... and I see the change!

What does that have to do with Christianity? Everything!

Any great move of God begins with repenting. The realization that the way your life is going needs to change.

Repentance is a major theme is the Bible. We'll take a look at 3 instances - spend some time this week looking at more examples and meditate on where the people were before, and how repentance changed their lives.

1. Mark 1:4-5 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan confessing their sins.
2. Mark 1:14-15 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
3. Acts 17:29-31 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

I think this is probably why it was easier for the people who were poor, sick, or rejected by society to accept Jesus. Their lives needed a change. It's much harder to realize that when you have 300 channels of cable tv, a car, and a job.

Let us struggle to remember repentance is key - let us not get so comfortable with ourselves that we forget that and begin to make excuses for our sins. Furthermore, let's share the gospel of repentance with those around us that we see hurting... they're probably ready to hear a message of hope.

Who is in your circle of influence?

As Christians, we tend to think that our Christian duty is to go to church on Sunday, volunteer, and give money. Christianity is far more than that.

In Mark 2:16, the religious leaders of the day ask the following question: "Why does He (Jesus) eat with tax collectors and sinners?" That may be the wrong question... the question should be:

Why would sinners eat with Jesus?

The one thing that we know about Jesus was that He was very truthful. If you were a sinner, He would tell you to stop. If there was an area that you struggled with, He addressed it head on, like He did with the rich young ruler.

So, why would sinners flock to Jesus? If we take an honest look at today's society, most people that the church views as sinners aren't given the opportunity to talk to Christians because most Christians avoid them.

Maybe it's time that we start living our life like Jesus did and spend some time with those that don't know who He is. Let's build relationships where we can sow the Word of God into their lives rather than spending 5 minutes sharing something then leaving to never see them again.

Jesus said that he came for the sick because those who are well don't need a physician. Let us struggle to open our eyes to those who are lost and struggling so we can share with them the hope that we have in Christ.

Losing the draft...

I went to see my first live NASCAR race this past Sunday. There was this interesting phenomenon that happened that I became fascinated with. Drafting. Not so much drafting, as much as the consequences of losing the draft.

Losing the draft happens when one of the cars loses touch with the pack, and as a result - regardless of how fast they drive - the cannot catch up with the other cars. As a matter of fact, within a few laps, the other cars actually catch up!

There's a benefit that comes in working together where regardless of how hard you work, you just cannot catch up on your own.

What does this have to do with Christianity? Everything!

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

There is power in meeting together. When you get together with like-minded people, you feel encouraged to try harder, strive more fervently. So... let us struggle to not lose the draft and let us work together in order to be all that we can be in Christ!

When is the truth a lie?

There are times when you read things in the Bible so many times that you completely miss the importance of what is being said.

God said, "Let us make man in our image."

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. And God blessed them. - Gen 1:26-28

The lie that satan told Adam and Eve was that if they ate the fruit, they would be like God.

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Gen 3:6

Did you catch that lie? God created man in His image, but satan said "If you do this, you will be like God."

Are there areas in your life where satan is attacking the truth in your life by telling you lies? Lies like: you're not worthy, you're not good enough... the list goes on.

Let us struggle to remember what the word of God says about us. Le us not get sidetracked by distortions of the truth.

Are you a stick in the mud?

Have you ever seen a stick standing in the mud? They kind of look like a tree, except they're dead. There is no root structure, they aren't alive, but there they are standing... as if they are pretending to be a tree.

To be totally honest, there are times when I feel like I could be a stick in the mud, and other times where I know that I'm rooted and grounded and bearing fruit.

That's our struggle, right? Or am I in this alone?

I think the key is in who you surround yourself with... is your "support system" made up of people that delight in the Lord? Are there people that you can discuss the law of the Lord with? Do you meditate on the words of God day... and night? If so, you will definitely be more like a tree yielding its fruit in season.

Let us struggle to not to find ourselves in a forest of sticks in the mud.

Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers.

The wicked are not so,

but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Psalm 1:1-4

What defines your life? What do you value?

If you ask someone what the most important thing is in their life, then watch how they live their life - you will usually see a disconnect. What's they ideally say is important, is not usually where they spend their time, effort, or money.

I've seen a lot of people say that their family was important to them, but they spent all their time at work trying to provide the material thing and they've missed the relationship with their family, which most would argue is far more important.

I have seen people say that the most important thing to them was their health. When you look at them on the outside, they appear to eat healthy and exercise, but they also smoke and drink too much - which arguably could have a negative impact on their body.

If you ask a Christian, they most likely will tell you that God is the most important thing in their lives, but is you ask them to explain salvation, or articulate what they believe, it's really difficult. And when you look at their lives, the expectation of seeing them live their life as Jesus lived his... well, let's just say a lot of things may be lacking.

In Philippians, Paul makes a bold statement.

For me to live is Christ, to die is gain. Phil 1:21

When you look at Paul, you know the most important thing in his life was sharing the Gospel. He grasped one this one idea that is spread consistently throughout the New Testament.

 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I liv by faith in the Song of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Gal 2:20

Jesus explains the same idea this way:

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in the truth. John 17:16-19

So, the question of the morning is... how are you living? What do you value?

For you to live is.......