Be Different
In society we are often put into groups:
Boys and girls
Adults and kids
Where you live
Your nationality
People who support the same sports team as you and those who don’t
In the bible times there was:
Jews and Gentiles
Pharisees/teachers of the law etc and Jews
There are 2 groups Jesus talks about too. Jesus is always talking about us and them:
The wheat and the weeds
The sheep and the goats
The wise and foolish builders
Light and darkness
Citizens of Heaven and citizens of Earth
Jesus asks his us to live our lives differently to those who don’t believe in him.
He wants us to be obvious which group we are in.
Either we are on Jesus’ team or we are not. If you aren’t sure if you want to be in his team or not, you don’t go on a waiting list or name is in the team until you decide you don’t want to be there. You are not in the team unless you are sure you want to be.
Bible Passage: Romans 12:2
“Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.”
What do you think?
Have you ever played the game “Odd One Out”?
I will give you a list of things that will all go together, except for one.
In life in Australia and in most other countries, between Christians and non-Christians, Christians are the odd ones out. We are different and that is intentional. God wants us to be.
How God wants us to be different is what this series is all about.
Story Time!
In year 6 I bought a hat.
God wants it to be obvious that we are Christians. And people will laugh at us for it.
When an elderly person walks down the street it is obvious that they are elderly.
When an eshay walks down the street it’s obvious they’re eshay.
I live near the beach and surfers are usually obvious to pick out, with salty hair and surf clothes, thongs.
When I go to country towns I think people look at me and I am clearly a city person in city clothes.
God wants it to be obvious to others that we are Christians.
Bible Passage: Matthew 5:11-12
“God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. 12 Be happy and excited! You will have a great reward in heaven. People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.”
Bible Passage: Philippians 2:12-16
“Try to shine as lights among the people of this world.”
How does God want us to show others that we are Christians?
Not with what we wear or how we walk or talk, but with our actions. He wants us to be holy.
Stay tuned for next episode as we break that down!
Question Time!
Are you ever shy about people knowing that you believe in Jesus? Why/why not?
What is one thing you can do today, or this week even, to make sure your friends know that you are a Christian? Go and do it!
