(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better — and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see why)
Focus Question:
Which “sinners” should you NOT associate with?
Intro:
Jesus took flak from the religious leaders of the day for associating with sinners, and in today’s NT segment the Dude Himself tells us why. So here’s our focus question for the day — which sinners, or unbelievers, should you associate with? If your answer is “all of them” or “none of them,” you might be slightly challenged (or I hope encouraged) in today’s Bottom Line segment.
Hey Hopeful Ones, welcome to a new week. One quick update. I’m furiously working on a new website, and this will affect you if you either come to forthehope.me to listen or check notes. That said, I’ll give you some headsup, and that’d be easiest if you happen to get the once-a-week Extras email. Go to ForTheHope.me and subscribe at the bottom of any page.
NEW TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
Luke 15, our NT segment today, is three parables that all make the same point. And, given that these are familiar stories, I’m praying that the Holy Spirit will help us rescue them from that familiarity and use them anew.
Passage: Luke 15
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 32
Words: ~684
ORIGINAL TESTAMENT SEGMENT:
Our OT segment today is going to be really short, finishing up an account of David’s various wars, because the next chunk of story is longer than we have time for today.
Passage: 1 Chronicles 21-22
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 49
Words: ~963
THE BOTTOM LINE:
I’m going to assume that, if you’re a Jesus follower, you know that the Bible commands you to be a witness, an ambassador. Today I’m not making that argument. The question is, Are there some unbelievers you shouldn’t hang out with? I think so.
Before I rattle off a few categories, however, let me be reeeeally clear: I’m not suggesting this dogmatically (meaning we’re free to disagree), and there is, no doubt, a degree of nuance that we won’t have time to get to today.
Those that unduly influence us in the wrong direction. Jesus doesn’t have this problem, but we might. Some alcoholics might be under control and have no trouble hanging out with others who are drinking, but some should undoubtedly avoid that situation. Put on your own facemask first so you can help others.
Those who are under an injunction of discipline. In the NT, the goal of disassociation is always restoration…we see that in the model Jesus shares in Matthew 18 and Paul’s example in 1 Corinthians 5. But remember, like kicking a kid out of your house because they won’t quit stealing your stuff and using drugs, the goal is restorative. Even in one of the parables we heard today, the wayward son had to come to the end of himself, but he was welcomed back with a party.
Finally, maybe those who don’t align with the way God has gifted you. The Bible’s clear about our spiritual gifts…first, they’re for the edification of the body of Christ. AND there are certainly things that every Christian is called to do (like be a witness or ambassador), even though some obviously have a greater degree of gifting as evangelists. But your work matters to God, and you’re wired the way you’re wired. Prayerfully consider where and how you should invest sacrificially in the lives of unbelievers, and I think a lot of the time God will use you the way He’s wired you.
This isn’t exhaustive, of course. But the bottom line is this: We’re all called to be ambassadors, and sharing the Gospel is never action alone…it also includes words. But there’s a time and place, and the beautiful thing you bring to the table is where you show up uniquely and let the Holy Spirit work through you.
Oh, and one more thing. We’re all sinners in need of a Savior (Ro 1 & 3). So being “in Christ” doesn’t makes us better, it just means we’re adopted into the family through no merit of our own. That, should make us humble, no matter who we’re serving.
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) David S. Dockery, ed., Holman Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1992), 273.