ABCs of Practical Christian Living: Review and Overview

"...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you..." (Phil 2:12-13).

1. Accountability: Who are you accountable for (Gal 6:1)? To (Heb 3:13)?
   
2. Beauty: Are you enraptured by the beauty of Christ (Ps 27:4)? Or by a sense of duty?
3. Community: Do you sense the unity of Christian community (Ps 133:1)? Or the pressure of a wish dream?
   
4. Delight: Are you happy? How do you find delight (Ps 37:4)?
5. Experience: Do you taste the goodness of God (Ps 34:8; 1 Pet 2:3)? Or is it just head knowledge?

What the Bible says about Gentleness

"Let your gentleness be evident to all" (Phil 4:5, NIV). "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone" (Phil 4:5, ESV). "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men" (Phil 4:5, NASB). "Let your graciousness be known to everyone" (Phil 4:5, HCSB). "Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do" (Phil 4:5, NLT).

Theme: Gentle does not mean weak. It takes real inner strength for one to be gentle toward others. A weak person will not have the inner strength to be gentle, for true gentleness requires power and strength that is under control.

(This is the tentative theme and outline for my sermon on 7/20/2014: G is for Gentleness.)

I. What the Bible says about Gentleness

• Church leaders should be gentle: "...not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome…" (1 Tim 3:3, HCSB).
• Christians should be gentle: "They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone" (Tit 3:2, NLT). "Always be humble and gentle. …making allowance for each other's faults (Eph 4:2). "…you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Col 3:12).

Gentleness

Philippians 4:5: "Let your gentleness be evident to all" (Phil 4:5, NIV). "Let your reasonableness be known to everyone" (Phil 4:5, ESV). "Let your gentle spirit be known to all men" (Phil 4:5, NASB). "Let your graciousness be known to everyone" (Phil 4:5, HCSB). "Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do" (Phil 4:5, NLT).

Are Christians gentle? Gentleness, humility, meekness, mildness, kindness, consideration are attributes of Christ and the attributes that are attractive to all people. Yet when we think of Christians these attributes may not stand out prominently as being descriptive of some of us. Might we not sometimes think of Christians as being rude, judgmental, critical, sanctimonious, condescending, arrogant, ungracious, etc.? It is evident that gentleness is not common in the world, and sometimes does not even seem common in the church either.

What is a Christian? (Phil 3:8-11)

Phil 3:8-11; Key Verse: 3:8

"I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..."
Based on Paul's testimony in Phil 3:8-11, I pondered the question, "What is a Christian?" But this past week was a very tough week. A former Bible student was arrested and charged with criminal sexual assault. Ever since I heard the news last Sun evening, I have been distressed and distraught all week, conflicted with many thoughts and emotions. I tried to work on my sermon, but was simply distracted and depressed. The text in Philippians is bright and glorious. Paul was declaring joyfully, "Jesus is worth more to me than anything else in the world." The reality I was experiencing is dark and gloomy. A friend I have known for 5 years is charged with rape and robbery. How do I resolve such conflicts within my own heart? I am not able to. But I do know as a Christian that God is good, and that all things work out for good to those who love God and who have been called by God (Rom 8:28). I pray for him that through this sad, painful and unfortunate event, he may come to find his Joy, his Treasure and his Pleasure in Jesus. I pray that he may come to confess from his heart as Paul did in the text today. Briefly, Paul shows us his core and his center in Phil 3:7-11. He teaches us what it means to be a Christian.

2012: The Year of Sanctification

2012 Key Verse: Philippians 2:12b-13


“…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to his good purpose/pleasure.”


West Loop UBF does not need me. I said: “West Loop UBF does not need me, but I need West Loop UBF.” Why? We have 9 families who are faithful stewards, friends and elders for our local church community. For all practical purposes, these 9 families run West Loop UBF with little to no input or contribution from me. I only thank God for the initiative and love of Jesus of my friends. I also said, “Please make mistakes boldly. If you want to do anything, you do not have to ask for my permission or blessing. I trust you. If it works, praise God! If it flops, learn from your mistake.” From the outset of West Loop in Jan 2008, my principle is for West Loop to run without me. By God’s grace, I believe it has.