We had the opportunity to hang out with several good friends over the two days and that was cool. I am thankful that the Lord has allowed us to form friendships with so many diverse folks. We get into some interesting conversations as a result. Tonight the conversation turned to the topic of the church and its effectivness in engaging the culture, which was interesting. That conversation though got me to thinking about something else.The church is composed of people who are by definition suppose to be "Christ-like". In a pragmatic sense, I am aware that if Christ were here walking amoung us physically in the 21st century, that would look verfy different in terms of details than what we read and know from scripture.
However, what if Christ were born in the baby buster generation and were a 30-40 yr. old male in N. America today? What would He be doing? Who would He be engaging and more specifically what methods would He use? Would He attend your church or home fellowship? Would He be the leader? Would He be focused on the same programs, goals and objectives that you are? What would He do if He were on the job at your work or attending your school? What forms of entertainment would He occupy himself with? What kind of clothes would He wear? and what reason do you have to presume the things that you do?
I would love to hear your thoughts on your perception of what Jesus would be doing if He were a 30-40 yr old, N. American male physically living today in the United States. How far, if at all, do you think that you have veered from what you perceive that He would be doing?
4 comments:
Clothes would be low key, leader if needed but not needing to be in the spotlight. Looking for every opportunity to serve others.
I certainly feel Jesus would change very little from what He did in the Bible. His whole existence was to do the will of the Father and He had one goal, to seek and to save that which is lost. He may or may not have had a vehicle preferring to walk when possible to engage anyone who would listen.
That's the issue I see with the church today and where we deviate from the example Christ gave us. We don't open our mouths and share our faith. It seems more and more today there has to be some sort of process in place or gimmick or program or whatever you want to call it to somehow bait people, get them in this building that we are trying real hard to not call a church then backdoor the Bible and expect them to miraculously fall on their faces and worship God. I truly feel all that is needed in this day and age is to have genuine concern for people, it's the whole love your neighbor thing. Then when we have a concern for people as a whole including their eternal destiny we talk to them and share our faith. Sounds simplistic I know, but it's highly effective. If you believe in statistics a USA Today poll found:
78 percent of those surveyed said they would be willing to listen to someone who wanted to talk about their Christian beliefs.
The number rose to 89 percent among adults 18-29 years of age.
Only 28 percent of adults 30 years and older said they think Christians they know talk to them too much about their beliefs.
78 percent of adults 30 years and older said they would enjoy an honest conversation with a friend about religious and spiritual beliefs, even if they disagreed with the friend.
89 percent of the un-churched say they have close friends that are Christ-followers.
I have found this true in nearly every witnessing encounter I have engaged in. People want to hear what we have to say.
I feel Jesus would engage people right where they are, homes, stores, streets, work and the list goes on. Not using any method other than love and concern. Not waiting for the invitation to come to Him, but going to the neighbor and knocking on the door and asking would you consider yourself to be a good person?? LOL...After all, it's the Way of the Master.
Well, I was going to say that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever but that seems too short of an answer.
we enjoyed you guys coming out as well. we want folks to feel like we are giving the same quality as at a rock concert so that is good to here. I hope your week is going well see ya.
Buddy, I gave you the wrong blog address. It should be: http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/ . Can you let Tristan know? She wrote down the other one... which I looked up when I got home and it is NOT the one I intended. Big mistake. Thanks! Leslie
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