Christians Really Are Strange

Luke 5:18-26

18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was 18 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. Him.

19 And when they could not find how they might bring 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. into the midst before Jesus.

20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you." sins are forgiven you."

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"forgive sins but God alone?"

22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He 22 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? your hearts?

23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' 23 Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Rise up and walk'? or to say, 'Rise up and walk'?

24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the man who power on earth to forgive sins"—He said to the man who was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and was paralyzed, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." go to your house."

25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he 25 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. glorifying God.

26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God 26 And they were all amazed, and they glorified God and were filled with fear, saying, and were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen strange "We have seen strange things today!“things today!“ Luke 5:18-26 Luke 5:18-26

Our World’s Philosophy of Life

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group• Conformity demands silencing dissenters

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group• Conformity demands silencing dissenters• Conformity comes by compromise

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group• Conformity demands silencing dissenters• Conformity comes by compromise • Christians by definition are different

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group• Conformity demands silencing dissenters• Conformity comes by compromise • Christians by definition are different• Conform, compromise OR convict/convert

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group• Conformity demands silencing dissenters• Conformity comes by compromise • Christians by definition are different• Conform, compromise OR convict/convert• If we are not “strange” something is wrong

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group• Conformity demands silencing dissenters• Conformity comes by compromise • Christians by definition are different• Conform, compromise OR convict/convert• If we are not “strange” something is wrong• The text shows that Jesus was “strange”

Our World’s Philosophy of Life• Everyone must conform to the group• Conformity demands silencing dissenters• Conformity comes by compromise • Christians by definition are different• Conform, compromise OR convict/convert• If we are not “strange” something is wrong• The text shows that Jesus was “strange”• Four concepts which make us strange

Christians Really Are Strange

Christians Really Are Strange• Believe in a strange resurrected God/Savior

18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?

20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean."

21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

Acts 17:18-21

Christians Really Are Strange• Believe in a strange resurrected God/Savior• Believe a “strange” doctrine

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

Heb. 13:8-9

Christians Really Are Strange• Believe in a strange resurrected God/Savior• Believe a “strange” doctrine• Believe and behave in a strange manner

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

1 Pet. 4:1-4

Christians Really Are Strange• Believe in a strange resurrected God/Savior• Believe a “strange” doctrine• Behave in a strange manner• Believe in strange morality

4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Jude 1:4-7

Christians Really Are Strange• Believe in a strange resurrected God/Savior• Believe a “strange” doctrine• Behave in a strange manner• Believe in strange morality

If you are not strange, change today!

Becoming a “Strange” Christian

Becoming a “Strange” Christian

• Believe in Him Mark 16:16

Becoming a “Strange” Christian

• Believe in Him Mark 16:16

• Repent (decide) Acts 17:30

Becoming a “Strange” Christian

• Believe in Him Mark 16:16

• Repent (decide) Acts 17:30

• Confess Christ Rom. 10:9

Becoming a “Strange” Christian

• Believe in Him Mark 16:16

• Repent (decide) Acts 17:30

• Confess Christ Rom. 10:9

• Be Baptized Acts 2:38

Becoming a “Strange” Christian

• Believe in Him Mark 16:16

• Repent (decide) Acts 17:30

• Confess Christ Rom. 10:9

• Be Baptized Acts 2:38

Added to His Kingdom, FAMILY, Church

Becoming a “Strange” Christian

• Believe in Him Mark 16:16

• Repent (decide) Acts 17:30

• Confess Christ Rom. 10:9

• Be Baptized Acts 2:38

Added to His Kingdom, FAMILY, Church

• Live Faithfully unto death Rev. 2:10