Turning the Lens on Ourselves (Part Two)

Review.

A worldview describes the framework or paradigm – the lens through which we view, process, even judge people, circumstances, and events in our world.  Our values and belief systems are formed from our worldview. It is not too strong a statement to say that our worldview affects every area of our lives, including relationships and religion (whether one has any or not).  

What is meant by the phrase “secular worldview or secular humanism”? 

The bottom line of what makes a worldview a secular one is clear. Man (or woman) is at the center of this view; they are their own “gods”.  Moral absolutes do not exist. Morals are relative. Fairness and justice are high on their lists but completely depend on their personal views.

Understanding the terms “Cultural Christian” and “Progressive Christian”

Cultural Christian.  This one is the easiest to address. Cultural Christians are not Christians at all. They identify (a popular word choice in our culture) as Christian because they are not Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or other religion. They believe in Jesus but not Jesus of the Bible. They often believe getting into Heaven is a function of doing more good than bad.

Progressive Christian. Focuses more on social issues than the commands of Christ and truth clearly laid out in Scripture.   

The Biblical Christian Worldview

Biblical Christians have not just identified with Jesus Christ but in humility, repented and surrendered our lives to Him as Savior. We now live to make Him Lord as well. Life becomes a living sacrifice and testimony to the world. (Romans 12) The way we live and view the world comes thru the lens of Scripture. That includes all areas of life: marriage, parenting, education, politics, science, our work lives, and activities we choose to engage in/those we avoid.

Challenges to our Biblical Christian Worldview

• Direct demonic and satanic attacks on our homes (families)and at work or school. Sowing seeds of doubt and despair in the hearts and minds of Christians to render us powerless, without faith and strength to overcome because we lose focus on Jesus.
• MEDIA of every kind: printed, electronic, social. 

Turning the lens on ourselves 

An honest look at how you see yourself, others, and our world 

• “I am the greatest!” (Cassius Clay/Muhammed Ali)

“An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.  But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” Luke 9:46-48

• Not Part of Your Holy Huddle…outsiders

John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.”  But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.” Luke 9: 49-50 

• They Did Not Do What You Asked…Let’s Kill Them!

When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem. When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”…Luke 9: 51-56 

Begin Part Two 

Correcting Your Vision: Seeing yourself and other people thru the eyes of Jesus

• Race The Woman of Samaria at the well of Jacob

“And He had to pass through Samaria…So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well…There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink” …Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) … The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.”  Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He. “Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:7-9, 41-42 

• Compassion

Salvific Compassion (That which desires salvation for those He saw/observed)

“And seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and downcast like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”  Matthew 9: 35-38

Human Compassion  (The Good Samaritan) Luke10: 30-37)

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. “And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. “But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. “On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.

• Your Sin is as great as anyone’s! Do Not Judge or Hold Others in Contempt

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.  Such were some of you; but you were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11

Remember Everyone Needs Jesus!

Invitation 

For those who have to this point avoided the truths taught in this message, and all my messages, or simply rejected them out of hand, I plead once more that you do not turn this off without understanding this part of my message was written and taught for you. God does love you and the ultimate expression of His love is the incarnation of His Son, Jesus.  He vacated that position of Authority to pay the price for our sins that we could not – death on the cross.  These verses put it in perspective.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 3:23; 6:23

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

For godly sorrow produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world brings about death.”  2 Corinthian 7:10

Pleading prayers that you confess your sins, repent, and receive Him as Savior today.

For Christ’s sake,