Embracing Our 'Weirdness' as Children of God

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Our True Identity in Christ Over Conformity

The desire to fit in and be accepted by the world can often tempt us to hide our true selves as followers of Christ. Yet, we are called to resist the pressure of conformity and instead embrace the unique, sometimes “weird” identity God has given us. Our public image and fear of rejection should not outweigh our calling to live authentically as children of God, even when it means standing out or being misunderstood. The world may try to label or discourage us, but our citizenship is in the kingdom of God, not in the fleeting approval of society. [36:26]

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you most tempted to hide your faith or “blend in” with those around you? What would it look like to let your true identity in Christ shine in that specific situation today?

Day 2: Devotion to Good Works as a Mark of Christian Distinctiveness

Paul’s letter to Titus reminds us that being a follower of Jesus is not just about belief, but about living out our faith through tangible acts of goodness, kindness, and service. In a world where selfishness and division are common, Christians are called to be ready for every good work, to show gentleness, avoid quarreling, and devote themselves to meeting urgent needs. This devotion to good works is not about earning God’s favor, but about responding to His grace and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into people who reflect Christ’s love in practical ways. [49:47]

Titus 3:1-8 (ESV)
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Reflection: What is one specific good work you can do today—no matter how small—that would reflect the love and kindness of Christ to someone in your community?

Day 3: Avoiding Distractions and Divisions That Undermine Our Witness

Paul warns against getting caught up in pointless controversies, arguments, and quarrels that distract from the heart of the gospel. These distractions can sap our energy, divide the community, and keep us from focusing on what truly matters: living out our faith and loving others well. Instead of letting the noise of the world or petty disagreements define us, we are called to stand firm in our identity as Christ followers and not let anything make us forget who we are in God’s eyes. [59:51]

Titus 3:9-11 (ESV)
But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Reflection: Is there a debate, argument, or distraction in your life right now that is pulling your focus away from loving God and others? How can you intentionally step away from it and redirect your energy toward unity and grace?

Day 4: Living Out Sound Doctrine Through Integrity and Self-Control

Paul’s instructions to Titus emphasize the importance of living lives marked by integrity, self-control, and sound teaching. Whether young or old, male or female, each person is called to be a model of good works, to teach and encourage others, and to let their speech and actions be above reproach. This kind of life may seem odd or countercultural, but it is a powerful witness to the world and brings honor to God. [01:01:55]

Titus 2:1-8, 15 (ESV)
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us... Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Reflection: Who in your life is watching your example—at home, work, or school—and how can you intentionally model integrity and self-control for them today?

Day 5: Living in the Grace of Past Forgiveness, Present Presence, and Future Hope

The Christian life is a journey marked by the wonder of past sins forgiven, the joy of Christ’s presence with us now, and the hope of eternal life in God’s kingdom. We are not perfect, but by God’s grace we are continually being transformed. Each day is an opportunity to accept God’s forgiveness, rely on the Spirit’s guidance, and look forward with hope to the life to come. This perspective frees us to live boldly and share the message of peace, hope, and light with the world. [01:11:46]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: As you reflect on your past, present, and future, where do you most need to receive God’s grace today—letting go of guilt, embracing Christ’s presence, or renewing your hope for what is to come?

Sermon Summary

Tonight, we gathered as a community of Christ-followers, reminded that our faith calls us to live in ways that are often seen as odd, eccentric, or even “weird” by the world around us. We reflected on how the grace of God, poured out through Jesus Christ, has freed us from the emptiness of our former lives and given us a new identity as children of the living God. This new identity is not just a private matter but something that shapes how we live together, how we worship, and how we interact with the world.

We explored the tension between our calling to be different and the powerful pull of conformity. The desire to fit in, to avoid standing out, and to be accepted by the world can be a major roadblock to living out our true identity in Christ. Through the story of Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain, we saw how even when something is good and effective, the fear of being seen as strange can keep us from embracing it. In the same way, following Christ often means choosing the unconventional, the countercultural, and the uncomfortable path.

Looking at the history of the Methodist Church, we acknowledged times when the church failed to resist the pressures of the world, conforming to injustice and segregation. Yet, we also celebrated moments when the church chose the harder, “weirder” path of reconciliation and justice, moving closer to the vision of God’s kingdom. This history challenges us to ask whether we are seeking acceptance in the world or citizenship in the kingdom of God.

Turning to Paul’s letter to Titus, we heard the call to live out our faith in tangible ways, even in difficult and corrupt environments. Paul’s instructions to Titus and the early church in Crete remind us that devotion to Jesus produces new kinds of people—people marked by gentleness, self-control, love, and good works. This is not a superficial checklist but a deep, Spirit-empowered transformation that resists the patterns of the world.

We are encouraged to avoid pointless controversies and distractions, focusing instead on living out the gospel with integrity and courage. Our uniqueness, our “weirdness,” is not something to hide but a gift to the world—a sign of God’s grace at work. As we go out, we are called to be beacons of hope, embodying the forgiveness, presence, and future hope we have in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. **Conformity vs. Calling:** The greatest threat to living out our true identity in Christ is the temptation to conform for the sake of acceptance. The desire to fit in can silence our distinctiveness as followers of Jesus, but we are called to embrace the “weirdness” of the gospel, even when it sets us apart from the world. [36:26]
2. Learning from Our History: The church’s history is marked by both conformity to the world and courageous acts of faithfulness. Recognizing past failures and moments of compromise challenges us to pursue justice and reconciliation, choosing the harder path of kingdom citizenship over worldly acceptance. [46:13]
3. Devotion Produces Transformation: True devotion to Jesus is not about checking boxes but about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us into people who embody love, self-control, and good works. Even in the darkest places, God’s grace can create newness if we are willing to be used by Him. [54:24]
4. Resisting Distractions: Paul’s advice to Titus is clear: avoid pointless arguments and controversies that distract from the heart of the gospel. Our energy is best spent on living out our faith with integrity, letting our actions speak louder than debates or divisions. [59:51]
5. Living as Beacons of Hope: Our “weirdness” as Christians is a sign of God’s grace and a gift to the world. By standing firm in our identity as beloved children of God, we become beacons of hope, forgiveness, and future promise, inviting others to the table of God’s kingdom. [01:03:04]
** [63:04]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:30] - Call to Worship & Opening Reflections
[05:30] - Community Updates & Introductions
[06:59] - Cheerwine Moment & Fellowship
[23:37] - “Keep Christianity Weird” Theme Introduction
[35:18] - What Kills the Weird? The Pull of Conformity
[36:26] - Fitting In vs. Standing Out
[40:15] - Normative Social Influence & Jesus’ Example
[41:17] - Methodist Church History: Conformity and Division
[45:05] - Segregation and Reconciliation in the Church
[46:13] - Choosing Kingdom Citizenship
[47:42] - Living as Citizens of God’s Kingdom
[48:38] - Setting Up Titus: Context and Relevance
[49:47] - Reading and Exploring Titus 3
[54:24] - Devotion to Jesus: Transformation in Crete
[55:46] - The Work of Faith: Beyond Checklists
[56:40] - Rick Barry Analogy: Embracing the Unconventional
[57:36] - Digging Deeper: Spirit-Empowered Living
[58:41] - Doing Good vs. Doing What’s Conventional
[59:51] - Avoiding Distractions and Controversies
[60:47] - Standing Firm in Your Identity
[61:55] - Encouragement from Titus 2
[63:04] - Living as Beacons of Hope
[64:40] - Closing Prayer
[70:20] - Announcements & Benediction
[71:46] - Final Blessing & Doxology

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Titus 3:1-15 (ESV) —
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.

All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

Observation Questions

According to Paul’s letter to Titus, what are some specific behaviors and attitudes that should mark the lives of Christ-followers? (Titus 3:1-2)
What does Paul say about the way God saved us? What was the reason for our salvation? (Titus 3:4-5)
What kinds of things does Paul tell Titus to avoid, and why? (Titus 3:9)
In the sermon, what example from Methodist Church history was given to show the difference between conforming to the world and choosing the “weird” path of the kingdom? [45:05]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes gentleness, self-control, and good works as signs of a transformed life, especially in a place like Crete? How might these qualities have set early Christians apart? (Titus 3:1-2) [49:47]
The sermon talked about the “pull of conformity” and the desire to fit in. Why is this such a powerful force, and how can it keep us from living out our true identity in Christ? [36:26]
Paul warns against “foolish controversies” and arguments that are unprofitable. What are some modern examples of these kinds of distractions in the church or in your own life? [59:51]
The sermon described our “weirdness” as a gift to the world and a sign of God’s grace. What does it mean for our distinctiveness as Christians to be a “beacon of hope” to others? [01:03:04]

Application Questions

The sermon challenged us to embrace the “weirdness” of the gospel, even when it means standing out. Can you think of a recent time when you felt pressure to hide your faith or blend in? What would it look like to respond differently next time? [36:26]
Paul says to devote ourselves to good works, not as a checklist, but as a result of God’s grace at work in us. What is one tangible way you can serve or show love to someone this week that might seem “unconventional” or countercultural? [54:24]
The Methodist Church’s history includes both moments of conformity and moments of courageous faithfulness. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to “go along” with the crowd instead of choosing the harder, kingdom path? What would it look like to choose differently? [46:13]
Paul tells Titus to avoid pointless arguments and focus on living out the gospel. Are there any “distractions” or controversies in your life right now that are taking your focus away from what really matters? How can you shift your attention back to what’s most important? [59:51]
The sermon described the transformation that comes from the Holy Spirit as deep and real, not just surface-level. Is there an area of your life where you need God’s Spirit to bring real change? What step could you take to invite that transformation? [55:46]
The story of Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain was used to show how fear of being seen as “weird” can keep us from doing what’s right or effective. Is there something good or faithful you’ve avoided because you were worried about what others would think? What would it take to step out in faith? [56:40]
The sermon ended by calling us to be “beacons of hope” in the world. Who in your life needs to see the hope, forgiveness, or love of Christ through you this week? How can you intentionally reach out to them? [01:03:04]

Sermon Clips

The only way the earliest Christians could avoid conforming to the patterns of their world, where men treated women as property, where masters mistreated slaves, where slaves stole from masters, where drunkenness and debauchery were commonplace, was to submit to the renewal of their minds by the Holy Spirit. [00:59:21] (23 seconds) #RenewedMindInChrist

If there's anything that we can take away tonight, and what it means to be, or to keep Christianity weird, is to look at verse 9. It says, But avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. And another translation says it like this. Listen. Don't get trapped in brainless debates. Avoid competition over family trees or pedigrees. Stay away from fights and disagreements over the law. They are a waste of your time. [00:59:53] (52 seconds) #AvoidFruitlessDebates

Don't let the things of this world and the people that want to be have citizenship in the world, of the world, have shared poetry groups in the world. Don't let the things of this world Don't let it sit. At the?, And you know as a gift and you can adapt to a job Thank you. Let them come over and weigh heavy upon you to tell you you are not who you are. To make you question this silliness that is a Christ follower. This weird and odd thing that you do. But stand firm that you are who God created you to be. [01:01:15] (39 seconds) #StandFirmInFaith

``Friends, we are the children of God. And as odd and weird as it may sound to those that are yet to come to the faith, may we leave this place tonight being beacons of hope in a world that need to know that they're loved and that God has a place for them at the table of the great kingdom that is to come. [01:03:35] (24 seconds) #BeaconsOfHope

We know that we are going to do things. We know that we are going to fail. We know we are in this practice of being better Christians. But thanks to the grace of Jesus Christ, it can be forgiven. We can live in the present moment knowing Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is present with us now. And because of that, we can be assured that in the forever kingdom, we will be there with Christ and with one another. [01:11:51] (27 seconds) #GraceFilledJourney

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