Reflecting Christ: Grace, Love, and Intentional Engagement
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the concept of the "whosoever" from John 3:16, focusing on the problem that the whosoever faces, which is often us—the believers. We delved into how our actions, attitudes, and behaviors as Christians can either draw people to Jesus or push them away. Using personal anecdotes and scriptural references, we examined the importance of living a life that truly reflects the love, grace, and humility of Jesus Christ.
We discussed how poor representation of Christ can be a stumbling block for unbelievers. For instance, bad customer service at a Christian store can deter someone from ever returning, just as our unloving actions can deter someone from coming to Christ. Ephesians 4:1 and 1 Peter 2:12 remind us to live lives worthy of our calling, exhibiting godly character and moral courage.
We also looked at the story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11) and how Jesus handled the situation with grace and love, contrasting it with the judgmental attitude of the Pharisees. This story illustrates how we should extend grace and love to the whosoever, rather than judgment and condemnation.
The story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) further emphasized that Jesus didn't care about societal optics; He cared about the individual's soul. Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost, and that should be our mission as well. We are called to be the light in the midst of darkness, to be hope to a hopeless world, and to reflect Jesus in all that we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. Our Actions Reflect Christ: Our daily actions and attitudes as Christians have a significant impact on how unbelievers perceive Jesus. When we fail to exhibit love, grace, and humility, we become a stumbling block for those seeking Christ. Ephesians 4:1 calls us to live a life worthy of our calling, reflecting godly character and moral courage. [44:01]
2. Grace Over Judgment: The story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11) teaches us to extend grace rather than judgment. Jesus showed love and forgiveness, even when the religious leaders were quick to condemn. This is a powerful reminder that our role is to love people in their messiness, just as Christ loved us in ours. [47:42]
3. Impact of Personal Conduct: Our personal conduct can either build bridges or walls. Peter emphasizes in 1 Peter 2:12 that our behavior among unbelievers should be excellent, so that they may see our good deeds and glorify God. Our consistent, Christ-like behavior can lead others to encounter Jesus. [44:01]
4. Intentional Engagement: Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) shows the importance of intentional engagement. Jesus didn't care about societal judgments; He cared about Zacchaeus' soul. We must be willing to engage with the whosoever, regardless of their past or societal status, to show them the love of Christ. [55:57]
5. The Power of Example: The transformation of C.S. Lewis from a devout atheist to a significant defender of the Christian faith highlights the power of a good example. When believers live out their faith authentically, it can lead even the most skeptical individuals to Christ. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative love of Jesus. [01:02:52]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:46] - Vision of a World with No Hate
[05:44] - Celebrating Baptisms
[06:42] - Series Introduction: The Whosoever
[34:09] - The Problem for the Whosoever
[36:04] - Customer Service and Representation
[39:15] - Personal Story: Christian Apparel Store
[42:04] - Ephesians 4:1 and 1 Peter 2:12
[44:01] - Our Behavior Matters
[47:42] - The Woman Caught in Adultery
[55:57] - Zacchaeus: Jesus' Intentional Engagement
[01:02:52] - The Transformation of C.S. Lewis
[01:10:24] - Call to Reflect Jesus Daily
[01:15:00] - Offering and Generosity
[01:20:08] - Baptism Celebration
[01:24:55] - Closing and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
2. Ephesians 4:1 - "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
3. 1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
### Observation Questions
1. What does John 3:16 say about God's love for the world and the promise for those who believe in Him?
2. According to Ephesians 4:1, how are believers urged to live their lives? [42:04]
3. In 1 Peter 2:12, what is the expected outcome of living good lives among unbelievers? [44:01]
4. How did Jesus respond to the woman caught in adultery, and what does this teach us about grace and judgment? [47:42]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How can our daily actions and attitudes as Christians impact how unbelievers perceive Jesus? [44:01]
2. Why is it important to extend grace rather than judgment, as illustrated in the story of the woman caught in adultery? [47:42]
3. What does the story of Zacchaeus teach us about intentional engagement with those who are considered outcasts or sinners? [55:57]
4. How can the transformation of C.S. Lewis from an atheist to a defender of the Christian faith inspire us in our interactions with unbelievers? [01:02:52]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily actions and attitudes. Are there specific behaviors you need to change to better reflect Christ to those around you? [44:01]
2. Think of a time when you were quick to judge someone. How could you have extended grace instead, as Jesus did with the woman caught in adultery? [47:42]
3. Identify someone in your life who might feel like an outcast or sinner. How can you intentionally engage with them to show the love of Christ, similar to Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus? [55:57]
4. Consider the impact of your personal conduct on unbelievers. What steps can you take to ensure your behavior builds bridges rather than walls? [44:01]
5. How can you be a better representative of Christ in your workplace, school, or community? Share specific examples of actions you can take.
6. Reflect on the story of C.S. Lewis. Is there someone in your life who is skeptical about faith? How can you be a positive example and engage them in meaningful conversations about Jesus? [01:02:52]
7. What practical steps can you take this week to live a life worthy of your calling, as urged in Ephesians 4:1? [42:04]
Devotional
### Day 1: Our Actions Reflect Christ
Our daily actions and attitudes as Christians have a significant impact on how unbelievers perceive Jesus. When we fail to exhibit love, grace, and humility, we become a stumbling block for those seeking Christ. Ephesians 4:1 calls us to live a life worthy of our calling, reflecting godly character and moral courage. [44:01]
Ephesians 4:1 (ESV): "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called."
Reflection: Think about your interactions today. How can you intentionally reflect Christ's love, grace, and humility in your words and actions?
### Day 2: Grace Over Judgment
The story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:3-11) teaches us to extend grace rather than judgment. Jesus showed love and forgiveness, even when the religious leaders were quick to condemn. This is a powerful reminder that our role is to love people in their messiness, just as Christ loved us in ours. [47:42]
James 2:13 (ESV): "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."
Reflection: Is there someone in your life whom you have judged harshly? How can you extend grace and mercy to them today?
### Day 3: Impact of Personal Conduct
Our personal conduct can either build bridges or walls. Peter emphasizes in 1 Peter 2:12 that our behavior among unbelievers should be excellent, so that they may see our good deeds and glorify God. Our consistent, Christ-like behavior can lead others to encounter Jesus. [44:01]
1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."
Reflection: Reflect on your behavior in public settings. Are there areas where you need to improve to better reflect Christ to those around you?
### Day 4: Intentional Engagement
Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) shows the importance of intentional engagement. Jesus didn't care about societal judgments; He cared about Zacchaeus' soul. We must be willing to engage with the whosoever, regardless of their past or societal status, to show them the love of Christ. [55:57]
Luke 19:5-6 (ESV): "And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.' So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you have avoided engaging with due to societal judgments? How can you reach out to them with Christ's love this week?
### Day 5: The Power of Example
The transformation of C.S. Lewis from a devout atheist to a significant defender of the Christian faith highlights the power of a good example. When believers live out their faith authentically, it can lead even the most skeptical individuals to Christ. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative love of Jesus. [01:02:52]
1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV): "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."
Reflection: Consider how your life serves as an example to others. What changes can you make to ensure that your actions and attitudes consistently point others to Jesus?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "They tell me it's illogical. But anything is possible. If God be for us, we can overcome all obstacles. They say love covers a multitude of sins. So I'm here to put some love in." [04:19] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We are called to be the light in the midst of darkness. We are called to be hope to a hopeless world. But when the world sees us, if all they see is fighting, if all they see is division, if all they see is hatred and people who can't seem to get along then the main thing stopping them from becoming a believer is us." [54:08] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Let's let our lives be reflect the heart of Jesus, who dined with sinners and extended grace to the undeserving. Let's not wait for the world to clean themselves up before we decide to extend them love. I have a thing that I say, and I've said this for a long time, we catch them first, then we clean them." [01:06:32] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Please remember that it was through kindness and patience that many of us came to know Jesus. So let's do the same thing that was done for us for others, inviting people into our lives and showing them the radical love and grace of God." [01:08:20] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Imagine the impact that Limitless can have when we decide to invest in the lives of others through our resources, when we have the opportunity to do that. We have the opportunity to say, hey, let me tell you about Jesus. Hey, we're going to put on this outreach for no other reason than to tell middle schoolers and high schoolers about how Jesus loves them." [01:13:28] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "One of the main problems for the whosoever isn't the concept of God or even the validity of the Bible. One of the main problems for the whosoever, sadly, is us. It's us. It is those of us who call ourselves Christians, but don't accurately reflect the life, the values, the morals of a true follower of Jesus." [44:01] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we are rude, when we are unloving and ungracious, when we compromise in areas of our life because we feel like it's okay, when we have all the knowledge of the scripture but none of the heart behind it, we become a detriment and a black eye to the name of Jesus." [45:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus shows us that as believers no matter what our title is no matter what our position is we have to carefully examine ourselves our actions because life death and eternity could be on the line. See you just think about how upset you are you just think about how unfairly you've been treated you just think about your emotions and how you want to pop off because you feel like you should be able to but eternity is on the line life and death could be on the line." [52:24] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The mission for the unbeliever for the whosoever drove Jesus and that same mission has to drive us it has to be a driving factor for us it cannot be something that we just do whether we feel like it or not we just live our own life we're free we're fine because we got our Jesus and we go into heaven so we are all right with that and and as long as I'm going it's okay no no no no no then we become no better than the Jews and the Pharisees and the Sadducees we become no better than them." [55:57] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you recognize today that you need a Savior you recognize today that you want Jesus Christ in your life then we want to pray with you. We want to have the opportunity to walk with you through that. And lastly, if you're here today and you say, hey Pastor, you know what? I realize I might have been being more of a problem than an answer for this to whosoever. At one point I did commit myself to Jesus but I have not been living a life that lines up with that." [01:23:58] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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