Why don’t we fit? — God has condemned this World!
* We are IN the World (physically) but not OF the world (spiritually); we have a different community
* We use a different language; we talk about spiritual things using spiritual terms
* We have a different philosophy; we THINK different (Biblical Worldview)
* We have different standards! (1Peter 4:4) — Purity, Modesty, Godliness, Integrity, Honesty, Separation
Consequently, The world hates and persecutes Christians because…
* The World is INTOLERANT! The world touts tolerance, but it does not practice true tolerance. The world hated Jesus… without a cause!
* We remind the World of their sin and their eventual judgment; we are an offense to the World
* Misery loves company. The hopeless world hates Christians because Christians have HOPE!
We don’t fit into the World, but…
* Do we fit into the Family of God (? Do we fit in the local family, the local NT Church? (1Corinthians 2:14)
* Stop being a hypocrite! Don’t try to fit into the World. If we are trying to fit into this lost and dying world, then we are being a hypocrite.
* We are to love the people of this world because Jesus loved the World (the people, not the system). Remember that before we knew Jesus we were OF this World.
You Don't Fit
Believers Do Not Fit in the World
March 29, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
The Inside Out
December 13, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* The outside does matter, but it’s not priority one. * The outside can be deceiving. But it is revealing! How to know a person’s heart? 1—Look at their works and behavior; you can’t fake fruit! 2—Listen to their words; out the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
When Your World Comes Crashing Down
December 9, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* Everything is not always as it seems - God sent an earthquake to convert a soul! * Not every tragedy is tragic - God doesn’t cause evil, but He can use it to bring good! * Sometimes it takes a tragedy to get our attention. * If often takes a sacrifice to turn things around - Paul and Silas sacrificed their freedom in order to be available for the jailer.
Truth or Tradition?
December 6, 2020 • Dr. John Waterloo
* Traditions have their place. God set up many traditions, to cause the people to REMEMBER! * Traditions are not a replacement for true heart-worship of God, i.e., Lip-religion vs. Heart-religion. The Pharisees were so careful to keep laws and traditions, but they had no relationship with God! Outwardly they were religious but inwardly they were wicked and lost. * When traditions supersede God’s commands, there is a big problem… and the problem is with our HEART! When we hear the Word, and do not embrace it and live it, we make it of none effect!