A "Strange" Religion

By:  M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

97033

07/13/97 - Cyclone, KY

 

I.  Introduction.

A.   Our text is based out of 1 Pet. 4:1-4.

1.     The people of the 1st century who were members of the Lord's church had to "convert" to Christianity.

a.     "Convert" defined as:  to change into another form, substance, state or product; to transform.

b.     Christianity involves a transformation of one's life.

2.     v. 3 - these people had lived according to the ways of the Gentiles in the past.

a.     Read v. 3 - lived as most people do who are outside Christ.

b.     But now they were Christians.

1.     3:21 - became Christians by being baptized into Christ for the remission of their sins.

2.     They determined to make their lives better in Christ.

c.     They died to sin & according to v. 2, were to spend the rest of their lives doing the will of God.

B.    V.4 - their new behavior made them seem "strange" to their friends in the world.  Some even resented their change for the better by speaking evil of them.

1.     Perhaps we have experienced the same thing.

a.     Lived a life committing sin after sin after sin.

b.     Had friends who do the very same thing as we did.

2.     Then we converted to the gospel.

a.     We changed.  We started putting Christ first in our lives and ourselves further back on the priority list.

b.     Our good actions begin to conflict with the actions of the bad.

1.     Makes those in the world feel bad.

2.     Often they question our motives - "What are you thinking?"  Put us down for trying to do that which is right.  Do all they can to make us feel bad.

3.  Anything out of the ordinary us usually given the term "strange."  In fact, Webster's defines the word "strange" as:  out of the ordinary; unusual; peculiar; odd; not of one's own kind; exotic.

a.     a Christian is to be different from the ordinary person in the world.

1.     we are a peculiar people.

2.     We should stand out when compared to the world in general.

C.    Let us spend a few moments studying about the "strangeness" of Christians.

1.     Evaluate your life.  Do you stand out when compared with the world?

a.     do others know that you are a Christian?

b.     Do they see that you are a Christian by the way that you lead your life?

1.     are your actions done in a way that would be pleasing to Christ?

2.  We need to be willing to stand out and stand up for Christ.  Are you willing?

3.  I hope you will follow along in this morning's lesson and enjoy it.

 

II.  The Behavior of Christians Seems to Be Strange.

A.   Verse 4 - Peter said their former associates thought of them as being strange.

1.      It is often difficult for unconverted to understand the transforming nature of the gospel.

a.     Rom. 12:1-2 - the words of Paul.

1.      Christians encouraged to put away the things of the world and live the life which is pleasing to God.

2.      To be "transformed" means a change of the nature of; function; or condition of.

3.      We are to be transformed from things of Satan to spiritual things.  They are to be the focus of our lives.

b.     what is the nature of the world?

1.      on carnal things or the lusts of the flesh.  These are defined in Gal. 5:19-21.

2.      We are to be transformed from this to the fruit of the spirit.  (v. 22-23)

c.     many in the world wonder why Christians do this.

2.  It was evident that the 1st century Christians Peter wrote to had transformed their lives.  Have we put away the things of the world?

B.    Many, many cannot understand why members of the churches of Christ are so straight-laced about many things such as:

1.     social drinking

2.     dancing

3.     immodest apparel

4.     divorce & remarriage

5.     the necessity of attending services….etc…etc…etc

6.     these are things which many - even in the religious world don't cosider to be that big of a deal.

a.     many willing to compromised in these areas because in their eyes the aforementioned are "little" things.

C.    Let us look at this from a different perspective.

1.     it is just as strange to others that some become Christians & still live as they did before.

a.     this was a problem with the congregation at Corinth.

1.     1 Cor. 5:1-2

2.     man had his father's wife.

a.     a deplorable thing - even among heathens.

b.     They were puffed up about it - didn't want to admit that there was even a problem.

2.  some wish to become Christians, but wish to hold onto this or that old practice of the world.

a.      this appears to be the case here.  Wanted to pretend that it wasn't even a problem.

b.     Not pleasing to God.

3.  why then do not more children of God think it strange to hear other Christians lie and see them cheat & steal & live like people who are not Christians?

a.     again, those who are Christians are to be transformed from the ways of this world.

 

III.  Some Thought it Strange that F.C. Christians "Broke" the Law of Moses.

A.   This was a well known fact.

1.     Acts 18:12-13 - Paul & Christians accused of going against the law.

a.     caused great problems in the 1st century with Christians and Jews.

1.     Paul, b/f an apostle sought to persecute & kill Christians because of them going against the law.

2.     Jews raised on the law.  All they had ever known.  Christianity made them depart from that.  It had to be done away with.

2.  Christians today, in order to be pleasing to God have to go against the law.

a.     this is the strangest thing to most religious people who cannot understand why & how the law of Moses has been taken away.

b.     many insist on unscriptural practices b/c of OT.  Ex. Is instrumental music.

c.     The NT is clear on telling us that the old law is no more.

1.     Col. 2:14 - The OT law no longer binding - it has been nailed to the cross.  Done away with.

2.     Gal. 5:4 - It does no good to be justified by the law.  The old law does not save.

3.  But yet many "religious" people attempt to justify their particular practive by running to the OT.

4.  If we wish to keep part of it, we must keep all of it.  Gal. 5:3

 

IV.  Another "Strange" Thing - Zeal

A.   To many on the 1st century, Christians were a little on the weird side because of their tremendous zeal.

1.     Their zeal was evident to all.

a.      Acts 17:6 - Christians accused of turning the world upside down.

1.      early Christians had a message and felt the need to spread it.

2.      Willing to go to any extreme - even death - to spread it.

b.     Acts 8:1-4 - went everywhere spreading the word - under penalty of death.

2.  Unlike many today, they were not ashamed to be Christians and wanted others to know & them to become Christians too.

B.    When some of us show a little zeal, this seems a strange thing to some, even in the church.

1.     I have even felt this way toward others in the past.

2.     It was because they made me realize that I wasn't doing enough.

a.     instead of correcting myself - I attempted to put them down

b.     some people even make it a personal thing.  They personally dislike the one who is zealous.

3.     How many of us have done this in the past?

4.     This attitude is not pleasing before God.

C.    On the other hand, is it not just as strange that we know that the gospel, when obeyed, saves the sinner, and still we do not have enough zeal to tell others about the gospel?

1.     do we have the desire to convert the lost?

2.     Are we willing to plant the seed?

3.     Mk. 16:15-16 - Great commission not given to just a few - but to all!

 

V.  Other "Strange" Things

A.   Our emphasis on the Bible & the Bible Only.

1.     The Bible is our "sole" authority - 1 Pet. 4:11

a.     must speak as the oracles of God - The Bible - words of man are not the words of God.

2.     2 Jhn. 9 - must abide in the doctrine of Christ.

a.     where is the doctrine of Christ found?  In the Bible & the Bible only.

3.     1 Cor. 4:6 - not to think beyond what is written.

4.     Many do not seem to care about the importance of Biblical authority. 

a.     men write creed books, and disciplines, and even new bibles in order to justify their position.

5.     The only safe way is to follow the Scriptures.

B.    The Concept of one church.

1.     The Bible speaks of only one church - Christ's church.  We must be a member of that church to be saved.  The general view is that there are many churches and there are saved in all churches.

a.     My friends, the Bible speaks of only ONE church. - Eph. 4:1-6

b.     Christ built only ONE church, HIS church - Mt. 16:18

2.     the church that I am a member of is not a denomination.  Denominations were unheard of in the NT.

C.    Denominational Error.

1.     Some think it strange that members of the churches of Christ seek to "change" people - even religious people.

a.     many put down over the years - "You think you are the only one's going to heaven."

2.     we must make sure we are in the church that Christ built.

a.     Mt. 15:13 - have you been planted by God in Christ's church?

b.     Mt. 7:24-29 - Are you building upon the rock?

D.   Non-Institutionalism

1.     Many confused on what the work of the church is.

2.     Many insist on institutions of man to do their work for them.

a.     I'm afraid a great deal of people simply do not want to take their own personal responsibility & serve the Lord in everything.

b.     The church has no business supporting colleges, orphanages, and the like.

3.     many understand not why most churches of Christ do not have ladies aids, or missionary or benevolent societies.

4.     Again, we must ask ourselves, is there any authority for such things?  Did the 1st century Christians need institutions to accomplish their work?

E.    No Musical Instruments.

1.     Majority of religious world - musical inst. In worship.

2.     The command has been given to sing. 

a.     Eph. 5:19

b.     Col. 3:16

3.     we must accept that command and follow the example of the churches of the 1st century.  They set the pattern for us.  We need to follow it.

a.     we must infer to add musical inst. To the worship service would be against what would be pleasing to God.

b.     Jews quit music inst in worship.  No mus inst in worship for first 1000 years.  Catholics added it in the 1100's. 

c.     Should we take notice of this?

F.    Necessity of Baptism.

1.     NT calls for baptism.

a.     Acts 2:38 - baptism for the remission of sins

b.     Acts 22:16 - baptism washes away sin.

c.     1 Pet. 3:21 - Baptism saves.

d.     in order to be pleasing to God - we must be baptized.  No if's and's or but's.  Let no one tell you otherwise.

2.     if they do, they are not going against one man's opinion but against God & the Bible.

3.     Who in his right mind wants to go against what is written in the Bible?

 

VI.  Conclusion

A.   Do not be alarmed about what others thing of as being strange.

1.     it was that way when Peter wrote his epistle to the brethren.

2.     It is that way now.

3.     It will continue to be that way in the future.

B.    Let us concern ourselves with pleasing God - not men.

1.     Peter's statement in Acts 5:29

2.     Christ's statement in Mt. 10:28

3.     Don't be concerned with what others think of as strange.  Make the commitment to serve God - no matter what.

C.    Step up & step out for the Lord today!

1.     do this by becoming a Christian.

2.     Be renewing your commitment to Christ.

D.  If you are subject to this invitation, please come forward while we stand & sing.