Imperfect Christians
All Christians are just regular, normal, average people
(just like you) and all people will let you down at one time or another. Christians are NOT perfectly good people; they are all sinners. Christians try to do good, but being imperfect they make mistakes and fail; but they try to be aware of their shortcomings and their sins. They pray to God for strength, direction, for God’s grace and forgiveness.
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Misconceptions About Christians
Christians are not perfect!
Forgive me God for doing the evil I do not want to do
and forgive me for not doing the good I want to do.
Romans 7:19 NIV
Christians by Maya Angelou
Self Righteousness
Are Christians self righteous and judgmental? Unfortunately we all are to some degree! Most try not to be, but Christian’s may not even realize that in your eyes they are self righteous and judgmental!
“Do not be confident of your own righteousness
and look down on other people.”
Luke 18:9 NIV
Jesus said to them, “ If any one of you is without sin,
let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”
John 8:7 NIV
If we claim to be without sin,
we deceive ourselves
and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:8-9 NIV
No one is Righteous Romans 4:9-19
Judgmental
“Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use,
it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” -
Matthew 7:1-3 NIV
Are you not going to church because you are being self-righteous?
You don’t need to go because....
Are you not going to church because you are being judgmental?
Have you already judged the people in church?
What do you believe in? Who is in charge?
You or God?
Is your life full of worry or love?
If you need unconditional everlasting love; look to God.
What is the most important powerful force in your life?
Your family, your job, money, or God?
What do you think about?
Where do you spend your time?
Where do you spend your money?
In a Justice Courtroom would there be enough evidence and proof
to "convict" you as a Christian?
People are usually compelled to go to church
from one of these 3 categories:
1. Some people have always been drawn to God and have always gone to church all of their lives, it just seems normal, routine, the way they were brought up, just part of their habit; they are blessed.
Some people are drawn to God through a tragedy.
When Bad Things Happen To Good People
by Harold Kushner
2. Why is there so much suffering in this world? Why do wicked people prosper and bad things happen to good people? How could God allow these bad things happen? Harold S. Kushner addresses these and many more questions in his book, When Bad Things Happen To Good People. I do not agree with some of the author’s theology, which is not important. What is important is that Harold Kushner makes you think! We all need to reevaluate our faith. This book actually pushes you into the “deeper waters” of faith; and some of these waters are “deeply troubled waters.”
3. Some people are so disgusted with their lives; hurting themselves and the ones they love, feeling alone and abandoned they look to God.
I come from group 3
- Osten
Why do people not want to go to church?
Because of Christians acting badly.
· People will be judgmental.
· People will be hypocritical.
· That it will be boring.
When Bad Christians Happen To Good People
by Dave Burchett
Church is not a courtroom
to judge sinners.
Church is not a social club for saints.
Church is a hospital to heal sinners.
Christians are not perfect...
but they are forgiven!
A Warning for Christians
21-23"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'
Matthew 7:21-23 The Message
Judgmental
How can we aspire to live by a higher Christian standard to be “Christ” like? How do we pursue a higher plateau of higher principles, values and ethics, and not be looking down at other people judging them? What will other people perceive when we try to attain these high values?
How can we hold ourselves to a higher standard and not belittle people who don’t share the same Christian values we have?
Living by a self-imposed higher standard and not being judgmental is as thin as a razors edge. It is a tough balance to be “Christ” like.
As fallible human beings, how can we be “Christ” like and be good examples and role models for others. How can we be good Christians and by our example people will recognize us by our love as disciples of Christ and will be drawn toward Christ?
Modern Day Pharisees
Every time we stick our nose up in the air in arrogance at other people;
we may look righteous, like we are looking up to heaven,
but God is not fooled. God knows our hearts.
If we claim we are without sin; we deceive ourselves,
we are modern day Pharisees.
Every time we look down upon people
and place ourselves on a self-righteous pedestal;
and Every time we do not see the value
in each man, woman, or child we are modern day Pharisees.
Every time we think we do more than others,
Every time we think our gifts and talents
are greater than others;
Every time we are prideful, our gifts, our sacrifices
are not acceptable to God.
Every time our pride comes before God;
we are modern day Pharisees.
Every time we ask Christ, “Who is the Greatest?”
Every time we want to have the greatest
most important seat at the table;
Every time we want to wrap ourselves in robes of glory
before others; we are modern day Pharisees.
Every time we treat fellow believers or non-believers with harsh,
judgmental, vindictive words we are not followers of God’s WORD.
Every time we do not encourage and support fellow believers
in their ministry and their mission;
we are modern day Pharisees.
Help us dear Lord to be your people. You taught us to “love one another as Jesus Christ loved us.” When you washed your disciples feet you showed us that there is no greater love than to love one another and to be a servant to one another. Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, to save us from our sins. Help us dear Lord, to give ourselves to you and to others as a holy living sacrifice for your Glory; not ours. Let us always remember that every time we approach God; we come to God with empty hands.
Amen
Osten
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