What were they thinking?

06/03/08 12:43 PM
This past Sunday I had the opportunity to "fill-in" and teach my Dad's Sunday School class. What a terrific group of people! I led the class in a discussion on outreach using Jesus as an example of the ultimate missionary. Specifically, I asked the class to share their insights into what the following Scriptures reveal about the way Jesus approached His mission of seeking and saving the lost:
The "Big Idea" I wanted to get across is that as Christians, we have all been sent by God into our communities as missionaries (Acts 1:8; II Cor. 5:20). Following Christ, we must INCARNATE Christ's life in our culture in order to impact it. Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you." (John 20:21).

We had an excellent discussion about the implication of Jesus being known as the friend of sinners. While He never soft-pedaled sin, He also never isolated Himself from sinners. He welcomed them... ate with them... and offered them mercy, love, acceptance and forgiveness. He understood that in order for the light to shine in darkness, the light had to first engage the darkness.

Fast forward to today. I ran across the following picture on one of the blogs I frequent:

Fear

Talk about a disconnect! What were they thinking?

Do you really think this is what Jesus had in mind when He told the religious leaders of His day, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matt. 9:12-13)

Do we see those outside of Christ for what they have been, or for what God can make of them through His grace and forgiveness? If we're serious about following the example set forth by Jesus, then as we meet people whose lives may be radically out of touch with God, we've got to be patient. . . realizing that without God we shouldn't expect anything different from them. The gospel offers them not only what they need, but also supplies what is lacking.

Back to the Sunday School class this past Sunday. . . unfortunately, we ran out of time and didn't get to fully discuss the application questions. I'll post them here for your consideration

  • A church on-mission will intentionally encounter unbelievers like Christ did. The goal is not separation but redemption without compromised values. Agree or Disagree?
  • Has the church lost touch with culture? Does it matter?
  • How does a missional lifestyle differ from an evangelistic program?
  • What enabled Jesus to be the "friend of sinners"? What would need to change, stop, or start so that you could become more intentional in that regard?