Christian Lifestyles 2006

We are on a journey to move closer to the life Jesus taught us about. Each Sunday, we will discuss another small step and hopefully throughout the week, we will all have a chance to join in and continue the discussion until we meet again.

Just a note before you begin. This is in chronological order, so please read from the bottom up and then feel free to comment and join in.

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Location: Fayetteville, NC, United States

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Week 2 Discussion: The Church's role

When looking at this from the angle that Tony has presented, one of the video participants expressed the thought (I had it too) that "did Jesus mean that we all should be poor?" Tony brought out the idea that the church of the New Testament did the kinds of things he is talking about. In Acts 2: 41-47 there is a description of the early church and that they were "selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need" (verse 45). I added the italics to show that it was not a matter of simply selling their possessions, but giving them to the poor/needy. Compare this to the rich young ruler (Matthew 19: 21) ," sell your possessions and give to the poor."

Some notes about this section:
  • The question is raised, "when is the church going to be the church of the Bible?" Not some consumer oriented affair where people go to "feel good." For instance, if the pastor is a great speaker, it is okay to stay, but if you don't feel challenged by the pastor's oration, change churches.
  • One commented that the church was institutionalized around the consumer market and not an alternative to consumerism.
  • Tony says that we are not filling our needs with all our wealth but gratifying "artificially created desires." Our needs are met and other's needs should be met. The church is filled with sinners. We are saved by grace. If we give all of our wealth away to the poor, but do it without grace, we are still lost.
  • Christianity is a growing process. A new convert is a "radical" and willing to take great risks, to use whatever measures necessary to move closer in their walk with Christ. As they "mature" though, things change. It is these people who have been buying into this American dream lifestyle.

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