Called To Do (2 of 6)
Series: Fake News
Jeff Strite
James 1:16-27
OPEN: I read once about a certain Chinese church, where - when converts were baptized for the forgiveness of sins - when they came up out of the water they were told: ''Now, Jesus has new eyes. And Jesus has new hands. And Jesus has new feet.''
When we became Christians, we became the eyes and hands and feet of Jesus. We became extensions of Christ. We now represent Jesus, and when people see us they should see Jesus in us.
That's kind of what James is saying here in our text this morning: ''...(God) brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.'' James 1:18
God saved us so we could be first fruits, so that we could be examples to others of what it means to be a Christian.
But now, the problem here is that doesn't always work out real well.
Christians don't always reflect Jesus as well as we'd like. And one of the main reasons Christians fail in this is because they've listened to some false information - some fake news.
This sermon series we're doing this month is called ''Fake News''. Not political Fake News (about Politicians and the News Media, etc.). Instead we're talking about spiritual Fake News - fake news that often infiltrates the church and warps Christians.
Last week we talked about a Fake News called the ''Prosperity Gospel.'' It's a heresy that teaches people fake things about God and His promises. But that kind of heresy comes from the OUTSIDE. The Prosperity teachers flood us with DVDs and Books and TV programs etc. that teach people how to manipulate God so they can get health, and wealth... and whatever else.
But, frankly most people don't need any help trying to manipulate God.
They're quite good at this type of thing all on their own.
People have been doing this type of thing for centuries... and not just in the church. Pagan religions thrive on getting their god to do what they want done if they manipu ...
Series: Fake News
Jeff Strite
James 1:16-27
OPEN: I read once about a certain Chinese church, where - when converts were baptized for the forgiveness of sins - when they came up out of the water they were told: ''Now, Jesus has new eyes. And Jesus has new hands. And Jesus has new feet.''
When we became Christians, we became the eyes and hands and feet of Jesus. We became extensions of Christ. We now represent Jesus, and when people see us they should see Jesus in us.
That's kind of what James is saying here in our text this morning: ''...(God) brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.'' James 1:18
God saved us so we could be first fruits, so that we could be examples to others of what it means to be a Christian.
But now, the problem here is that doesn't always work out real well.
Christians don't always reflect Jesus as well as we'd like. And one of the main reasons Christians fail in this is because they've listened to some false information - some fake news.
This sermon series we're doing this month is called ''Fake News''. Not political Fake News (about Politicians and the News Media, etc.). Instead we're talking about spiritual Fake News - fake news that often infiltrates the church and warps Christians.
Last week we talked about a Fake News called the ''Prosperity Gospel.'' It's a heresy that teaches people fake things about God and His promises. But that kind of heresy comes from the OUTSIDE. The Prosperity teachers flood us with DVDs and Books and TV programs etc. that teach people how to manipulate God so they can get health, and wealth... and whatever else.
But, frankly most people don't need any help trying to manipulate God.
They're quite good at this type of thing all on their own.
People have been doing this type of thing for centuries... and not just in the church. Pagan religions thrive on getting their god to do what they want done if they manipu ...
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