WHAT IS THIS NEW SERIES?

"AfterWords: Lives Affected by What We Believe"
is a brief series that is meant to connect our
Statement of Faith (from the We Believe series) with other key aspects
of the Christian life as we enter this new year of 2023. 
___________________ 

PRIMARY TEXT

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (Titus 3:1–2 ESV)

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHT AND GUIDING QUESTION

Titus 3 tells us about the follower of King Jesus. In verses 1 and 2, we are provided with a list of seven distinguishing characteristics for Christian conduct amid what was certainly a wicked, evil culture in Crete. And we can learn from this church that Titus led for our own conduct amid an ever-increasingly wicked, evil culture like ours today. What is it that Paul tells Titus to remind the church of there in Crete?

Take some time to re-listen to the sermon to be reminded of what the church, whether in Crete or in Dayton, needs to be continually reminded of.

1. Followers of King Jesus are to be characterized by SUBMISSION.
2. Followers of King Jesus are to be characterized by OBEDIENCE.
3. Followers of King Jesus are to be characterized by INTENTIONALITY.
4. Followers of King Jesus are to be characterized by ENCOURAGEMENT.
5. Followers of King Jesus are to be characterized by PEACE.
6. Followers of King Jesus are to be characterized by GENTLENESS.
7. Followers of King Jesus are to be characterized by COURTESY.

CONCLUSION

Followers of King Jesus engage with the culture steadfastly and obediently speaking truth with humble grace and gentle courtesy.

QUESTIONS

1. What questions did this sermon leave you with as it pertains to our cultural engagement (or, as mentioned towards the end of the sermon, any of your relational engagements)?
2. How does your heart/mind respond to the first two points? Any thoughts come to mind? Frustrations? Agreements? How might you grow in these two areas as it relates to cultural engagements?
3. How do the last four points land on you as it pertains to your engagement with the culture, with government, with others?

_________________________________

The Grace and Truth Paradox: Responding with Christlike Balance

What should the world see when it looks at us? Christ. But we've come up with hundreds of principles and thousands of rules attempting to be Christlike. It's too complicated to wrap our minds around. And Christ gets buried under lists, rules and formulas.

John 1:14 boils down for us what it means to be Christlike. It means to be full of only two things: Grace and Truth. Instead of a dozen, this gives us just two balls to juggle. It's succinct, a two point checklist of Christlikeness. Everything we do can and should be measured by the test of grace and truth.

Christlikeness means living by grace and truth, extending both to others. Instead of the world's apathy and tolerance, we offer grace. Instead of the world's relativism and deception, we offer truth.

If we minimize grace the world sees no hope for salvation. If we minimize truth, the world sees no need for salvation. To show the world Jesus, we must offer full-orbed, unabridged truth and grace, magnifying both, never downsizing or apologizing for either.

To Purchase the book (Hardcover, Kindle, Audio)
Click HERE

_________________________________

TOOLS/RESOURCES THAT MAY PROVE HELPFUL IN CONNECTING WHAT YOU BELIEVE TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT.

1. A BOOK REVIEW ON "THE CASE FOR CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM" - A helpful review on a newer book that has gained some level of clout among some followers of Christ.
   
   
2. BLOG POST FROM ACTS29 ON CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT: A relatively brief post covering "6 Rules of Cultural Engagement," by Joe Thorn.
   
   
3. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE "WINSOMELY REFORMED?" - A post by Michael J. Kruger that was quoted in part during the sermon.