Sermon Central
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Yuck: A Lukewarm Experience
Contributed by Stephen Robinson on Sep 8, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: But exactly what does it mean to be Christian? Can I create my own interpretation and live a quasi Christian Life. How do I know God’s voice from my own or that of my circumstances?
Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to CrossPoint Church whether it is your 1st time or 101st time my prayer is that you came here with the expectation that we serve a supernatural God who is concerned about your everyday life.
We live in a society that has become increasingly self-centered and has become consumed with self-satisfaction. There is a relentless pursuit of pleasure and worldliness that is an affront to the Cross of Jesus Christ.
But exactly what does it mean to be Christian? Can I create my own interpretation and live a quasi Christian Life. How do I know God’s voice from my own or that of my circumstances? Great questions. Last week we attempted to answer those question in the message called: God Said, Now What?
Today my desire is to look at modern Christianity and its departure from the tradition faith our father in this message called: Yuck! Yuck is one of those expressions we used when we reject something that is contrary to our disposition. The Prophet Moses has a Yuck moment.
Who Am I
(NKJV) Exodus 3 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?”
Serving God
(NKJV) Exodus 3 12 So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Have you ever thought about these simple questions: Who Am I? And What on Earth am I Doing Here. Well lately I have been asking myself those same questions. My so called Yuck moment!
First I am a husband, a father, and a grandfather. I pastor a great church called CrossPoint and I am living in a Great City in a Great Country surrounding by people like me who want to see a Move of God in our Generation.
But that doesn’t define me or my purpose for living on this planet. And it certainly shouldn’t define you or your purpose. So how do we find purpose? How about following the example of Christ.
Finish God’s Work
(NKJV) John 4 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
Destroy the Devil
(NKJV) 1 John 3 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Jesus understood His assignment. 1, was to do the will of Him that sent him, meaning God the Father and 2, to destroy the works of the devil. Ok, I know why Jesus came but what about me.
The bible defines the word Christian as Christ like. It means that we are to become like Christ. We are to do the works of Christ and live a life that is Holy and Acceptable, which is our reasonable service.
DWJD (Doing what Jesus did.)
(NKJV) John 14 12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Jesus has gone back to the Father and He has this amazing expectation from us, to do the same things He did.
Pastor you’re kidding me; I can’t do the same things Jesus did. A Yuck moment.
See I am a professional pew sitter; please don’t ask me to do anything like give my time, my talent, or my treasure. I want to wear bracelets that say WWJD, and wear this cool cross around my neck but don’t ask me to do anything, I am comfortable doing nothing.
Unfortunately the American Christian centers upon what Christ can do for them versus what He has already done. The term Jesus is my personal Savior removes individual responsibility to Advance the Church and the Kingdom of God. Why? Because they are in it for themselves.
Fact: The term Personal Savior is not found anywhere in the bible. Why is this important?
When we overly personalized our view of our relationship with Christ it can create selfishness to the point of rejecting our daily cross. See if I believe that Christ died so that I can have a great life and sit around and eat bom-boms all day it eliminates my responsibility to do the works that Jesus did.
Christ Lives in Me
(NKJV) Galatians 2 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
