When I was a new believer, I was deeply troubled by how other Christians treated me. Sad, I know, but I was a bit much for people in my early faith walk. I was an absolute mess and needed a lot of Jesus. However, over three decades later now, it seems that not much has changed in the Western Church. It is incredible how fast we can all fall into legalism or an abusive sense of entitlement clocked behind a veil of liberty. Peter writes, "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. I love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. (1 Peter 2:15–17)

Extremes in both legalism and licentious liberty are damaging to Gospel communities. Francis Schaeffer is known for saying that when our doctrine (what we teach) and practice (what we do) do not match, we have an "ugly orthodoxy." It is my hope that no one wants that. James writes, "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James 1:22–27) Do not overthink this. Our "works" are an expression of what we believe and a visible representation of our doctrine. (See James 2:22-24; Ephesians 2:10)

So, if we seek God's favor, we must be doers of the Word. As we saw last week, "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5, also see, Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:34–40; Luke 10:25–28; John 13:34–35; John 14:15)

It deeply chaps my hide when someone misrepresents me to others. But imagine how God feels looking at His church today. To declare the love and God and acting outside of His divine love for the world (See John 3:16) is, at least hypocrisy, and is not conducive to the proclamation of the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Who wants to listen to a liar? This inconsistency confuses people who are seeking to know God. God loves and welcomes sinners with open arms, and so should we. Not only as individuals but even more as a Gospel community. This is what a Gospel Culture looks like. The lost are welcomed by those who have been found.

References:

Galatians 2:11–21

Romans 15:7

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Over the years, I have heard and seen those who call themselves Christians do and say some crazy things in the name of God. Of course, when things get out of hand, and they are challenged as questions arise about their disorderly and self-aggrandizing conduct, they often respond that it was the power of the Spirit moving upon them. They say it was the Spirit causing them to act or speak in a way that is contrary to good order and, at times, to God's Word. Bad behavior in the name of God should concern the church today.

The church in Corinth was a group filled with and functioning in the power, gifts, and spirituals of the Spirit of God. (More on that in the weeks to come.) Unfortunately, things in their gatherings in Corinth had become a free-for-all. The witness for God and His deep relational love for His creation was lost in the chaos and needed to be recovered by the church. (See 1 Corinthians 13) Their disorderly conduct and blatant disregard for sin within the church brought confusion to those in the church and their community. Paul, therefore, reminds them, "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…." (1 Corinthians 14:33)

It is important to note that the Holy Spirit is not an amoral force but one of the persons of the triune Godhead. Therefore, He will not act outside of His divine character. (See 1 John 4:8; 16) The person of the Holy Spirit with not bring confusion to the people of God but clarity. Yet much inappropriate behavior is done in His name.

Our lack of understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and what He does has caused many to use Him as an excuse for laziness, evil or abusive speech, to false prophetic words used to manipulate others. Some have even gone to war in the name of God, declaring the leading of God's Spirit. We must learn how to discern the difference between our voice, which leads our desires, from the voice of God, the Holy Spirit, who seeks to give us His desires.

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What is "Culture?" In its simplest sense, culture is how we behave based on our beliefs. Proverbs 23:7a says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." So whatever a man or woman thinks or believes to be true about themselves and the world around them directly impacts their interaction with others and influences their culture or community. Hey, if you come to my house when all the children are home, is it loud, fun, and sassy? 

Without question, every church has a unique culture; some may call it personality because every church is made up of amazing people with different experiences, education, skills, and gifts. However, there are some aspects of our "common faith," as Jude so elegantly puts it, that should be clearly found in every church and fought for as orthodox essentials of the faith. More on that another time. 

Yet, there is great beauty in the diversity of the Body of Christ. A great hope in our being one in our diversity, and yet not in forced conformity. Paul put it like this, "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For, in fact, the body is not one member but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12–14)

But what drives our church culture? In a word, we hope and seek it to be Love. We are the church, and ultimately, we create the culture through our actions based on what we believe. We can say Yes, to all the good things and no to the things that hurt others; The choice is up to each of us. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (Jn 13:34–35) 

References:

1 Ti 1:3–7

Dt 6:4–7

Le 19:18

Mt 22:34–40

Lk 10:25–28

Jn 13:34–35

Jn 14:15

Ga 2:16 

2 Ti 1:7

1 Jn 4:18

Lk 6:35–36

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We are responsible for telling others about salvation found in the LORD Jesus and Jesus alone. For He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

Yet, It was the great theologian Uncle Ben that said, "With great power comes great responsibility." Yet, our great Savior and redeemer of creation, Jesus Christ, said, "Go to every nation and make disciples, but first, you need to wait for the power of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:1-8) We are to go, but we are not to go it alone. 

The great commission that comes with our common salvation and the gospel message needs great empowerment. In other words, "great responsibility needs great power," and that power comes from the indwelling God, the Holy Spirit. Our divine command to share the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified must not be done in human wisdom, cunning, or strength. It must be done in the power of the Spirit.

Churches and people can become so "mission or program focused" that they have forgotten the church's primary calling. Make loyal disciples of Jesus who will make disciples of Jesus until He returns. To do that, we have been given the power of God as individuals and as the church to share the Good News of the Gospel as a Jesus community. 

References: 

1 Corinthians 2:1–2

2 Timothy 3:16–17

Hebrews 4:12–13

Ephesians 4:11-14

James 1:5-6

2 Peter 1:16–21

Numbers 6:24–26

1 Corinthians 3:16

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How do we know that Jesus was God? Beside the fact that Jesus said so, and the religious leaders of His day thought He said so. Remember they wanted to stone Him for blasphemy. (John 10:33) We should consider the prerogatives of God that Jesus took upon Himself and confirmed through the miraculous. Jesus calmed equality with God claiming the rights and privileges that are exclusive to God. For example, the forgiving of sin, raising the dead, receiving worship, and prayer in His name. These are rights that belong to God and God alone. Therefore, we can conclude that Jesus was not just an exalted man, but God incarnate. Jesus is the GOD-MAN. 

References:

Mark 2:5-12

Ex 34:6–7

John 5:21

John 5:25–29

John 11:43–44

1 Samuel 2:6

Deuteronomy 32:39

Psalm 49:15

John 5:22–23

Ex 20:1-5 

Deut. 5:6-9

Matthew 8:2

Matthew 9:18

Matthew 14:31-33

John 14:6-7

John 14:13-14

John 15:7

Acts 7:57

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What would be the most significant proof that someone had returned from the dead? See them? Hear their voice? Hold them? How about a one-on-one sit down over a meal after a tough night of mourning and sadness while hiding from the authorities in fear for your own life? Well, I would need each one of these to be sure. Yet, at any one of these, I would be freaking out.

Because death is permanent, I would need some undeniable proof to ensure I am not losing my mind. I have done hundreds of funerals. My experience with death is quite fixed. Death is the end of my physical relationship with someone. They are gone. Any resurrection is a miracle that breaks the natural order of fallen creation. "In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)

Think about it, a person you know to be dead is now in the room with you, and they are asking to eat something. Could you be having a psychotic break or a hallucination brought on by grief? Are we having a grief-induced vision, dream/nightmare, or are they a spirit, or are they with you in the flesh come back from the grave? 

Would we wonder if this is really happening? The Disciples did! They were filled with wonder and joy but still doubted what they could clearly see, hear, and touch. Would we have done any better at the moment? 

References:

1 Corinthians 15:3–6

Luke 22:19–20

Romans 15:7

Zechariah 13:6

Revelation 5:6

1 John 1:1–4

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How do we know that Jesus was God? Beside the fact that Jesus said so, and the religious leaders of His day thought He said so. Remember they wanted to stone Him for blasphemy. (John 10:33) We should consider the prerogatives of God that Jesus took upon Himself and confirmed through the miraculous. Jesus calmed equality with God claiming the rights and privileges that are exclusive to God. For example, the forgiving of sin, raising the dead, receiving worship, and prayer in His name. These are rights that belong to God and God alone. Therefore, we can conclude that Jesus was not just an exalted man, but God incarnate. Jesus is the GOD-MAN. 

References:

Mark 2:5-12

Ex 34:6–7

John 5:21

John 5:25–29

John 11:43–44

1 Samuel 2:6

Deuteronomy 32:39

Psalm 49:15

John 5:22–23

Ex 20:1-5 

Deut. 5:6-9

Matthew 8:2

Matthew 9:18

Matthew 14:31-33

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