Manuscript Template
Title (written around problem being solved): Your Attitude Matters
Problem I’m Trying to Solve / Answer: Is doing the right thing enough? Does how we do it matter?
Focus Statement:
Function Statement:
Tweetable Phrase:
Main Text: 1 Peter 4:1-11
Supporting Text:
Redemptive Closure (point to Jesus):
Benediction: Philippians 2:5-8
WELCOMEGood morning!!! My name is Ryan Hanson, and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.
Welcome to those joining us online. We hope you're doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.
And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.
Apache Run ClubBefore we get into today’s topic, I want to say thank you.
Your support of Apache ES through the garage sale funds and your hours volunteering do make a difference.
Last Thursday was the Run Club’s big race.
Over 100 kids participated and almost all of them brought parents and siblings to cheer them on.
I ran with these kids over the last 8 weeks as they trained for their big race and to them this was a huge deal
Just look at their faces as they took off from the start line
[Image: Run Club 1]
[Image: Run Club 2]
[Image: Run Club 3]
Because of your generosity at the garage sale we were able to provide them snacks at ever practice and the race.
As I ran with these kids, I had countless conversations (as they asked questions) about church, faith, and baptism.
I wanted to let you know that you are making a difference in these kids lives.
The Light KC is doing all we can to live our our mission to
Mission: To reflect the light of God’s love and grace to everyone, everywhere, at all times.
We are committed to continuing our support of Apache ES and continuing to find ways to serve Overland Park.
The board is praying over a few opportunities that God has recently opened doors to.
But living out our mission takes everyone.
If you haven’t yet said “YES” to serving with us, I ask you to pray about it.
We’ll have more opportunities coming up and we’d love for you to join us in spreading God’s love to our community.
ME/INTRO - TensionAlright, back to day’s topic.
You may not know this about me, but I have coached youth sports for nearly 20 years.
Back in Michigan I grew up playing hockey and was given the opportunity to coach when I went to college. I coached 11-14 year old travel hockey for ~15 years. After Andrea and I got married we then co-coached youth soccer for a while
The thing that you quickly learn about youth sports is that talent doesn’t matter as much as you would expect it to.
There are always a few kids that are naturally bigger, naturally stronger, naturally quicker...and they absolutely dominate the beginning of the season.
But typically those are the kids that rely on their natural strengths and refuse to put in any genuine work to become better.
As the season progresses, the real stars of the team are the kids that start out in the middle of the pack.
These are the kids that don’t have all the natural advantages, but have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and solid WORK ETHIC.
These are the kids that may not start as the best, but consistently improve throughout the season.
These are the kids that lead the team to success.
They set the example for the rest of the team to practice harder.
They encourage the team to dig deeper during games.
They inspire the team to keep working when they are losing a game and nothing seems to work.
The truth is...just like in youth sports...
YOUR ATTITUDE MATTERS much more than your natural talent
Many of you have reached out over the last week asking how the 100-mile race John and I participated in two weekends ago went.
Neither of us won
But we both finished under our goal of 24 hours
I bring it up, because it wasn’t the training, or any natural ability (at least on my part) that helped me finish.
I can’t speak for John.
But what got me across the finish line was my ATTITUDE.
Growing up, playing hockey, I was one of those middle of the pack kids.
I wasn’t horrible, but I wasn’t big or naturally gifted.
I worked hard, I practiced hard, I played hard, and I never gave up.
I was the kid (and now the adult) that NEVER QUITS
And that ATTITUDE has served me well.
The training John and I did throughout the summer, got me to mile 90 feeling pretty good.
At mile 90, the wheels fell off, everything hurt, and each step felt like I was walking on broken feet.
But
I had a goal of finishing in 24 hours.
I had a daughter who wanted to run the last 7 miles with me.
And I had a watch that kept telling me how close I was to accomplishing my 24 hour goal...if I kept moving.
Finishing the last 10 miles of that race had nothing to do will skill or training, it has to do completely with the NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE that I had developed over decades of playing hockey and taking on progressively harder and harder challenges in life.
WE - TensionSo what kind of attitude do you have?
I think it is fair to say that it is easy to have a good ATTITUDE when things are going well.
But the real test of who we are, what character we have, and whose example we follow is what our ATTITUDE is like when things are not going well
When people disagree with us
When people mock us
When people treat us unfairly
When life is not going our way
I’ll be honest, sometimes when life is not going my way I do respond with patience, grace, and reflect the love of Jesus well.
But...sometimes, when life is not going well,
when my ATTITUDE starts to get negative,
when challenged by frustrating people,
I fail to respond with the patience, grace, and love of Jesus.
Maybe this is true of you as well.
Maybe you find yourself struggling to maintain a positive ATTITUDE when life is unfair.
This is exactly what Peter is talking about this week as we continue our series titled “Strangers” our study on the book of 1st Peter.
In 1 Peter 2, Peter answered the question, “Should we engage with culture?”
His answer was a direct, “Yes”, but with the caveat that we should engage culture by
Focusing on removing sin for our lives, instead of trying to change others
Submit to human authorities because God put them there for a reason, even if we don’t understand why
Always putting God first, only disobeying human authorities if we’re doing so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty for doing so
In 1 Peter 3, Peter answered the question, “What do we do when engaging with culture as a Christian gets hard?”
Peter said that we should engage culture by
Living lives true to the beliefs and values of the bible even when culture does not agree
Learn to love those we consider our enemies by praying for them, and genuinely wishing good for them
Seeking to bring peace everywhere we go.
Living lives free from fear and boldly share our story of how following God has changed our lives.
If you missed the previous messages, please feel free go to our website, TheLightKC.org, to catch up.
It is this week, in 1 Peter 4 that Peter concludes this section on how we are called to engage culture.
For the last 2 chapters, Peter has been telling us WHAT we need to do as followers of Jesus Christ to engage non-believers in a hostile world
Today, Peter is going to show us that HOW we engage with culture is just as important
And like any good parent or teacher, Peter reminds us that before we can effectively engage with culture as Christ’s ambassadors, we need to “Check our attitudes”
As we begin, please turn with me to [1 Peter 4:1: Sanctuary Bible Page # 982]
We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.
AND... if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.
Let's dive in.
GOD - Text - HEAD We need to take on the attitude of ChristLet’s begin in 1 Peter 4:1, which reads
1 Peter 4:1 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.”
Peter directly calls us to ARM OURSELVES with the ATTITUDE of Christ
I think it is interesting that Peter uses the phrase “ARM YOURSELVES”
Remember, Peter was a Zealot.
Peter was a Jewish man who was extremely passionate about gaining Jewish independence from Rome and re-establishing an Independent Jewish Nation.
Peter and other zealots were so passionate (zealous) about an independent Jewish nation that they were willing to use force to achieve their goals.
Jewish zealots in the first century were known for violence...carrying a curved knife called a Sicarii and regularly assassinating Roman officials.
[Image: Sicarii]
And remember Peter was the disciple that drew a sword and cut off the chief priest’s servant’s ear when they were arresting Jesus.
But this same Peter, that lived his life ARMING HIMSELF with swords and knives...
After watching Jesus die on the cross, come back to life, and ascend to heaven...
Is now telling us not to ARM OURSELVES with swords (or knives), but that Christians are to ARM OURSELVES with the ATTITUDE OF GRACE that Jesus demonstrated while on earth
Christians are to be zealous, not for independence from the current ruling authority, and not through violence...
But Christians are to be zealous as Christ was zealous, passionate about...
Serving others even if that means that we suffer for doing do
Obeying God’s will, no matter what it costs
Maintaining discipline in our lives, engaging in the spiritual disciplines to grow spiritually
But in the next half of the verse, Peter is clear. ARMING OURSELVES with the ATTITUDE of CHRIST comes with a cost.
1 Peter 4:1 “1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.”
Taking on the attitude of Christ, will entail suffering
J.M.G. Barclay - Biblical Scholar and Historian explains why Christians suffered, he writes
Family members who broke ancestral traditions on the basis of their new-found faith showed an appalling lack of concern for their familial responsibilities...The exclusivity of the Christian’ religion - their arrogant refusal to take part in, or to consider valid, the worship of any God but their own - deeply wounded public sensibilities...Such an unnatural and ungrateful attitude to the gods even branded them as “atheists.” Moreover, it was highly dangerous for even one segment of the community to slight the gods, whose wrath was ever to be feared...Civic peace, the success of agriculture, and the freedom from earthquakes or flood were regularly attributed to the benevolence of the gods.
In the first century Roman world, people believed that the gods were responsible for everything (rain, crops, harvest, fertility, earthquakes, natural disasters, etc.)
They believed that if they didn’t keep the gods “happy”, they would withhold their blessing and everyone would suffer
As a result, first century Romans viewed gods like we view sports teams.
We have our favorite / primary team that we want to win no matter what typically based on where we live - for sake the example, let’s say that team if the Chiefs
Yet, we all have other teams that, as long as they aren’t playing our primary team, we want them to win as well.
Being from Michigan, I want to see the Lions do well.
For those in a fantasy sports league, you probably have multiple teams / players that aren’t related to the Chiefs that you want to do well
That is how the 1st century Roman world viewed gods.
They were born into believing in a primary deity based on geography, but they recognized and accommodated for many other gods from other geographies as they traveled or interacted with others.
They thought that they needed to appease all the gods or famine and catastrophe would result
The Jewish people, and later Christians did not buy into that belief system and it created friction with culture
Beginning with the 10 commandments, the Jewish people taught that there is one God and they are to have no other gods except for YHWH
Exodus 20:3 “3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”
In the Shema, the prayer in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 that served as the central declaration of Jewish faith, Moses declares
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 “4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
The prophets echoed this
Isaiah 45:5–6 “5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.”
Right before Jesus was arrested, He prayed for the disciples
John 17:1–5 “1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
Jesus taught a counter cultural message, and it threatened not only the beliefs of everyday citizens, but created fear that famine and catastrophe would result.
And we are called to have that same counter cultural ATTITUDE.
We are called to adopt the ATTITUDE OF JESUS by:
Maintaining an unquestioned obedience to God
Refusing to retaliate when treated unjustly
Never giving into the temptation to return to sin
Having a willingness to suffer for doing what is right
Fostering an unshakable confidence that God will vindicate his people and bring justice when the time is right.
This has been summarized in what they call a
Trajectory of Devotion
Look to Jesus (Authority)
See ourselves through Jesus (Identity)
Others see Jesus through us (Activity)
When it comes down to it
When we are mistreated we get to choose to make it easier or harder for others to see Jesus through our response
So what ATTITUDE do you have?
Do you hold fast to the Counter Cultural message of Jesus? Even if that involves some suffering?
Or, do you accommodate the shifting beliefs and values of the world?
Where in your life have you compromised to culture and made it harder for the people in your lives to see Jesus through your actions?
We all have a choice to makeAnd as we pick up the next verse, Peter give us a choice.
1 Peter 4:2–4 “As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”
Peter is not just saying “have the Attitude of Christ”
Peter is saying that we need to CHOOSE to have the ATTITTUDE of Christ
We all have a choice to make
Continue living according to the world’s beliefs, values, and morals - giving in to every evil desire we are tempted with
Or, CHOOSE to follow Jesus, living our lives completely in service to the will of God
And for Peter this isn’t a one time CHOICE
When Peter writes, “they do not live the rest of their earthly lives”
Peter is describing a permanent, visible, trajectory change in their lives
This is the kind of CHOICE that will make people who have known you for a long time stop and ask what has changed
But Peter re-enforces his point from Verse 1.
The choice between human desires and God’s will therefore has a social cost
Peter say directly that when we choose God over culture, some will heap abuse on us
Peter tells the Christians reading this letter to be done with everything that defined the Roman experience
debauchery,
lust,
drunkenness,
orgies,
carousing
and detestable idolatry
The Roman society was built around giving into every fleshly desire.
For context, there were brothels everywhere, and the cost of a night with a prostitute was the same as the cost of a loaf of bread
The Roman culture was an extremely sexualized culture where nearly everything was acceptable
Sometimes turning on the TV, makes me wonder if we’re not right there with them.
Yet, it is exactly because of this, that the early Christian’s witness was so powerful
Tim Keller - theologian and pastor writes
It was because the early church didn’t fit in with its surrounding culture, but rather challenged it in love, that Christianity eventually had such an effect on it
As Christians, we are called to
Be a fully present and active participant in SOCIETY, but not in SIN
That is our witness
So...have you taken a stand for your faith?
Have you made the CHOICE to take on the ATTITUDE of Christ, to say “NO” to the sinful ways of your past, and permanently change the Trajectory of your life?
If so, when others “heap abuse” on you, do you view it as an opportunity to BOLDLY witness to your faith in God, or do you get discouraged and SHY AWAY from publicly living out your faith?
We need to live knowing that judgment is comingAfter Peter tell us that we need to make a CHOICE to take on the ATTITUDE OF CHRIST, Peter ends this section with a warning.
1 Peter 4:5–11 “But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Peter ends this section by reminding us that we are in the final chapters of God’s story.
Jesus is going to come back and judge us all for the choices that we’ve made
We don’t know when that will be, according to the Gospels even Jesus didn’t, only the Father does
But Jesus is coming back
And that coming judgment is not only a warning to those who persist in evil
but it is an encouragement to every Christian who suffers for CHOOSING to end their former life lived by the values of the world, and remain faithful to their new life lived in alignment to God’s will
This is why Peter ends by making the case that our words and actions matters.
Christian speech is accountable because it represents God’s truth,
and Christian service is accountable because it is an exercise of God’s grace.
Living our lives in knowing that there is a coming judgment should not produce fear within us.
It should lead to us living a controlled life,
having disciplined thoughts,
prayerfully seeking God’s will,
being restrained and truthful in our speech,
forgiving others quickly,
being generous in all our actions and encounters,
and serving others for God’s glory rather than personal recognition
Peter gives us good and bad news here.
The Bad news is that
Everyone will be JUDGED
But the Good news is
By believing in Jesus Christ as our LORD and SAVIOR we will not be judged on what we DO but rather what Jesus DID for us on the Cross
Do you think about the 2nd coming of Christ?
Do you believe that Jesus is coming back to judge every single one of us?
Does that knowledge and belief change the way you live your daily lives?
If Jesus came back today, what do you think He would say to you?
YOU - Takeaway - HEART WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action - HANDSThe truth of the Gospel is that we would all fail Jesus judgment if we were judged by our deeds.
We are called to CHOOSE to have the ATTTITUDE of CHRIST.
We are called to share God’s love, peace, grace, and forgiveness with everyone we meet.
We are called to be Jesus ambassadors, sharing our stories of how our lives were changed with unbelievers, inviting them into a relationship with Jesus, so that none may perish.
Yet, Paul states very clearly the reality of our situation in Romans 3:23-25 when he writes
Romans 3:23–25 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—”
Without faith in Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR, believing in what Jesus did for us on the cross, taking our sins and the consequences of those sins upon Himself, then rising from the dead, giving us hope of an eternal life with God in heaven...we have no hope of passing the judgement of Christ.
That is why our ATTITUDE MATTERS.
We are not called to simply DO the right things.
We are called to believe in and enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is through that relationship that we CHOOSE to live our lives in alignment with Jesus’ teachings.
It is through that relationship that our ATTITUDES CHANGE, that we’re not just DOING the right things because we’re told to, but because Christ has softened our hearts toward the hurting of this world and we can’t imagine not helping, not serving, not sharing the Good News and the Hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
So, I ask again, How is your ATTITUDE?
Are you simply doing what is right?
Or are you living a life in relationship with Jesus where you can’t imagine doing anything else?
CLOSINGI want to end with an analogy.
Many of you know that I worked in HVAC for 20 years, so bear with me :)
A thermometer simply reflects the temperature of its surroundings. If the room gets hot, it gets hot. If the room gets cold, it gets cold.
It responds to whatever environment it's in.
[Image: thermometer]
How many of us are living our lives like thermometers?
When those around us get angry, we get angry.
When those around us get hostile, we get hostile.
When those around us become argumentative, we become argumentative.
When those around us start attacking, we start attacking back.
It is too easy to allow the temperature of the people around us to determine the temperature of our hearts.
But Jesus calls us to something different. He calls us to live differently, think differently, respond differently, and love differently.
Jesus wants us to live our lives, not like thermometers, but like thermostats.
Because a thermostat is different.
It doesn't simply reflect the temperature of the room.
It determines the temperature of the room.
[Image: thermostat]
Jesus calls us to take on His ATTITUDE, the ATTITUDE OF GRACE, so we can be His WITNESSES determining the temperature every room God places us in, by...
Obeying God’s will for our lives
Refusing to retaliate when treated unjustly
Never giving into the temptation to return to past sins
Having a willingness to suffer for doing what is right
Having an unshakable confidence that God will vindicate his people and bring justice when the time is right.
Jesus calls us to CHOOSE to live our lives as an example for others by
Giving up our past lives that were driven by the temptation to engage in everything culture has deemed acceptable
Letting our changed lives serve as a witness to everyone we meet that there is a better way to to live, a life following Jesus
Because we know that Jesus is coming back, that we will all will be judged, and that God is waiting because He wants us to be His WITNESSES, His AMBASSADORS showing people the way to faith so that no one will perish during that final judgement
So...
How is your attitude?
What choice have you made?
Are you living your life like Jesus could be coming back any time, knowing that judgment is near?
Are you a thermometer reflecting culture, or a thermostat allowing God to use you to move culture toward Him?
What is God calling you to do this week?
Every time you pass your thermostat in your house, I challenge you to stop and pray that God shows you the next CHOICE He wants you to make to draw others closer to Him.
PRAYER Will you join me in prayer...
SONG As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who feels God calling them to respond to today’s message.
Maybe as you think about ...your attitude you need to come up and repent for all the ways that you have armed yourself with the weapons of this world, and not the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Maybe as you think about ...the choices you’ve made, you need to come up and ask God to help you fully choose Him, finally giving up on all the things the world values, but don’t honor God.
Maybe as you think about ...the reality that Jesus is coming back and will judge us all you need to come up and ask God to show you the names of the people in your life that He wants you to share His truth through your SPEECH and his grace through your SERVICE.
Or maybe, you heard this message and you haven’t yet put your faith in Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR. Maybe you need to pray to God
Admitting that you are a sinner and need forgiveness
Verbalizing your Belief in Jesus as the Son of God, who died on the cross paying the penalty for your sins, and rose from the dead on the third day giving your hope of an eternal life with God in Heaven.
Confessing that Jesus is your LORD and SAVIOR
If today is the day that you put your faith in Jesus, please come see me afterword. I’d love to walk with you as you start your new life in Christ.
You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.
BENEDICTION Philippians 2:5–8 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
This week...
Let’s stop trying to just DO what is right
Let’s instead focus on building our relationship with Jesus Christ
And through that relationship
Let’s take on Jesus ATTITUDE of GRACE
Let’s CHOOOSE to permanently change the trajectory of our lives, saying “NO” once and for all the sins that bind us to this world
Let’s live our lives knowing that Jesus is coming back and will judge us all
So Let’s not allow ourselves and our ATTITUDES to be determined by the people the and situations we find ourselves in
Let’s let God use us as His WITNESSES to determine the temperature of every room He places us in
Let’s go out and be a church that shines the light and love of Jesus everywhere we go
Quick reminder...
Transformed Bible Study - Wednesday at 6:30 PM - Programming for all ages
If you’re new, please fill out the card in the seat back and stop by our info desk, or see me. We’d love to say “hi” and get you know you a bit better.
If you’d like to get more information about taking your next step of faith, fill out the card in the seat back and give it to me or turn it in to the info desk.
I hope you have a great week.
Go in peace.
You are dismissed.
DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)How does your attitude reflect your relationship with Jesus when facing challenges?
In what ways can you consciously adopt the attitude of Christ in your daily life?
How can suffering for your beliefs serve as a testament to your faith?
What practical steps can you take to check your attitude when confronting difficult situations?
How does the promise of Christ's return impact your attitude towards life and challenges?
How do peer pressures influence your attitude, and how can you resist negative influences?
What can you do to maintain a positive attitude when things don't go your way?
Can you think of a time when your attitude affected others? How did that make you feel?
How can you practice being a 'thermostat' instead of a 'thermometer' in your social circles?
Title (written around problem being solved): Your Attitude Matters
Problem I’m Trying to Solve / Answer: Is doing the right thing enough? Does how we do it matter?
Focus Statement:
Function Statement:
Tweetable Phrase:
Main Text: 1 Peter 4:1-11
Supporting Text:
Redemptive Closure (point to Jesus):
Benediction: Philippians 2:5-8
WELCOMEGood morning!!! My name is Ryan Hanson, and I have the honor of serving here at The Light KC as the lead pastor. I’m so glad you’re here with us.
Welcome to those joining us online. We hope you're doing well and hope to see you in person in the coming weeks.
And a special welcome to those joining us for the first time. We’re so glad you chose to be here.
Apache Run ClubBefore we get into today’s topic, I want to say thank you.
Your support of Apache ES through the garage sale funds and your hours volunteering do make a difference.
Last Thursday was the Run Club’s big race.
Over 100 kids participated and almost all of them brought parents and siblings to cheer them on.
I ran with these kids over the last 8 weeks as they trained for their big race and to them this was a huge deal
Just look at their faces as they took off from the start line
[Image: Run Club 1]
[Image: Run Club 2]
[Image: Run Club 3]
Because of your generosity at the garage sale we were able to provide them snacks at ever practice and the race.
As I ran with these kids, I had countless conversations (as they asked questions) about church, faith, and baptism.
I wanted to let you know that you are making a difference in these kids lives.
The Light KC is doing all we can to live our our mission to
Mission: To reflect the light of God’s love and grace to everyone, everywhere, at all times.
We are committed to continuing our support of Apache ES and continuing to find ways to serve Overland Park.
The board is praying over a few opportunities that God has recently opened doors to.
But living out our mission takes everyone.
If you haven’t yet said “YES” to serving with us, I ask you to pray about it.
We’ll have more opportunities coming up and we’d love for you to join us in spreading God’s love to our community.
ME/INTRO - TensionAlright, back to day’s topic.
You may not know this about me, but I have coached youth sports for nearly 20 years.
Back in Michigan I grew up playing hockey and was given the opportunity to coach when I went to college. I coached 11-14 year old travel hockey for ~15 years. After Andrea and I got married we then co-coached youth soccer for a while
The thing that you quickly learn about youth sports is that talent doesn’t matter as much as you would expect it to.
There are always a few kids that are naturally bigger, naturally stronger, naturally quicker...and they absolutely dominate the beginning of the season.
But typically those are the kids that rely on their natural strengths and refuse to put in any genuine work to become better.
As the season progresses, the real stars of the team are the kids that start out in the middle of the pack.
These are the kids that don’t have all the natural advantages, but have a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and solid WORK ETHIC.
These are the kids that may not start as the best, but consistently improve throughout the season.
These are the kids that lead the team to success.
They set the example for the rest of the team to practice harder.
They encourage the team to dig deeper during games.
They inspire the team to keep working when they are losing a game and nothing seems to work.
The truth is...just like in youth sports...
YOUR ATTITUDE MATTERS much more than your natural talent
Many of you have reached out over the last week asking how the 100-mile race John and I participated in two weekends ago went.
Neither of us won
But we both finished under our goal of 24 hours
I bring it up, because it wasn’t the training, or any natural ability (at least on my part) that helped me finish.
I can’t speak for John.
But what got me across the finish line was my ATTITUDE.
Growing up, playing hockey, I was one of those middle of the pack kids.
I wasn’t horrible, but I wasn’t big or naturally gifted.
I worked hard, I practiced hard, I played hard, and I never gave up.
I was the kid (and now the adult) that NEVER QUITS
And that ATTITUDE has served me well.
The training John and I did throughout the summer, got me to mile 90 feeling pretty good.
At mile 90, the wheels fell off, everything hurt, and each step felt like I was walking on broken feet.
But
I had a goal of finishing in 24 hours.
I had a daughter who wanted to run the last 7 miles with me.
And I had a watch that kept telling me how close I was to accomplishing my 24 hour goal...if I kept moving.
Finishing the last 10 miles of that race had nothing to do will skill or training, it has to do completely with the NEVER GIVE UP ATTITUDE that I had developed over decades of playing hockey and taking on progressively harder and harder challenges in life.
WE - TensionSo what kind of attitude do you have?
I think it is fair to say that it is easy to have a good ATTITUDE when things are going well.
But the real test of who we are, what character we have, and whose example we follow is what our ATTITUDE is like when things are not going well
When people disagree with us
When people mock us
When people treat us unfairly
When life is not going our way
I’ll be honest, sometimes when life is not going my way I do respond with patience, grace, and reflect the love of Jesus well.
But...sometimes, when life is not going well,
when my ATTITUDE starts to get negative,
when challenged by frustrating people,
I fail to respond with the patience, grace, and love of Jesus.
Maybe this is true of you as well.
Maybe you find yourself struggling to maintain a positive ATTITUDE when life is unfair.
This is exactly what Peter is talking about this week as we continue our series titled “Strangers” our study on the book of 1st Peter.
In 1 Peter 2, Peter answered the question, “Should we engage with culture?”
His answer was a direct, “Yes”, but with the caveat that we should engage culture by
Focusing on removing sin for our lives, instead of trying to change others
Submit to human authorities because God put them there for a reason, even if we don’t understand why
Always putting God first, only disobeying human authorities if we’re doing so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty for doing so
In 1 Peter 3, Peter answered the question, “What do we do when engaging with culture as a Christian gets hard?”
Peter said that we should engage culture by
Living lives true to the beliefs and values of the bible even when culture does not agree
Learn to love those we consider our enemies by praying for them, and genuinely wishing good for them
Seeking to bring peace everywhere we go.
Living lives free from fear and boldly share our story of how following God has changed our lives.
If you missed the previous messages, please feel free go to our website, TheLightKC.org, to catch up.
It is this week, in 1 Peter 4 that Peter concludes this section on how we are called to engage culture.
For the last 2 chapters, Peter has been telling us WHAT we need to do as followers of Jesus Christ to engage non-believers in a hostile world
Today, Peter is going to show us that HOW we engage with culture is just as important
And like any good parent or teacher, Peter reminds us that before we can effectively engage with culture as Christ’s ambassadors, we need to “Check our attitudes”
As we begin, please turn with me to [1 Peter 4:1: Sanctuary Bible Page # 982]
We’ll have the scripture on the screen, but if you have a Bible with you, or Bible app on your phone, I’d encourage you to turn to the passage and follow along. There is nothing that replaces having God’s word in your hand.
AND... if you don’t have a Bible, we have Bibles under the seats. If you don’t have a bible and would like one, please come see me after the service and I’ll get you one you can keep.
Let's dive in.
GOD - Text - HEAD We need to take on the attitude of ChristLet’s begin in 1 Peter 4:1, which reads
1 Peter 4:1 “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.”
Peter directly calls us to ARM OURSELVES with the ATTITUDE of Christ
I think it is interesting that Peter uses the phrase “ARM YOURSELVES”
Remember, Peter was a Zealot.
Peter was a Jewish man who was extremely passionate about gaining Jewish independence from Rome and re-establishing an Independent Jewish Nation.
Peter and other zealots were so passionate (zealous) about an independent Jewish nation that they were willing to use force to achieve their goals.
Jewish zealots in the first century were known for violence...carrying a curved knife called a Sicarii and regularly assassinating Roman officials.
[Image: Sicarii]
And remember Peter was the disciple that drew a sword and cut off the chief priest’s servant’s ear when they were arresting Jesus.
But this same Peter, that lived his life ARMING HIMSELF with swords and knives...
After watching Jesus die on the cross, come back to life, and ascend to heaven...
Is now telling us not to ARM OURSELVES with swords (or knives), but that Christians are to ARM OURSELVES with the ATTITUDE OF GRACE that Jesus demonstrated while on earth
Christians are to be zealous, not for independence from the current ruling authority, and not through violence...
But Christians are to be zealous as Christ was zealous, passionate about...
Serving others even if that means that we suffer for doing do
Obeying God’s will, no matter what it costs
Maintaining discipline in our lives, engaging in the spiritual disciplines to grow spiritually
But in the next half of the verse, Peter is clear. ARMING OURSELVES with the ATTITUDE of CHRIST comes with a cost.
1 Peter 4:1 “1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.”
Taking on the attitude of Christ, will entail suffering
J.M.G. Barclay - Biblical Scholar and Historian explains why Christians suffered, he writes
Family members who broke ancestral traditions on the basis of their new-found faith showed an appalling lack of concern for their familial responsibilities...The exclusivity of the Christian’ religion - their arrogant refusal to take part in, or to consider valid, the worship of any God but their own - deeply wounded public sensibilities...Such an unnatural and ungrateful attitude to the gods even branded them as “atheists.” Moreover, it was highly dangerous for even one segment of the community to slight the gods, whose wrath was ever to be feared...Civic peace, the success of agriculture, and the freedom from earthquakes or flood were regularly attributed to the benevolence of the gods.
In the first century Roman world, people believed that the gods were responsible for everything (rain, crops, harvest, fertility, earthquakes, natural disasters, etc.)
They believed that if they didn’t keep the gods “happy”, they would withhold their blessing and everyone would suffer
As a result, first century Romans viewed gods like we view sports teams.
We have our favorite / primary team that we want to win no matter what typically based on where we live - for sake the example, let’s say that team if the Chiefs
Yet, we all have other teams that, as long as they aren’t playing our primary team, we want them to win as well.
Being from Michigan, I want to see the Lions do well.
For those in a fantasy sports league, you probably have multiple teams / players that aren’t related to the Chiefs that you want to do well
That is how the 1st century Roman world viewed gods.
They were born into believing in a primary deity based on geography, but they recognized and accommodated for many other gods from other geographies as they traveled or interacted with others.
They thought that they needed to appease all the gods or famine and catastrophe would result
The Jewish people, and later Christians did not buy into that belief system and it created friction with culture
Beginning with the 10 commandments, the Jewish people taught that there is one God and they are to have no other gods except for YHWH
Exodus 20:3 “3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”
In the Shema, the prayer in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 that served as the central declaration of Jewish faith, Moses declares
Deuteronomy 6:4–5 “4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
The prophets echoed this
Isaiah 45:5–6 “5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, 6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.”
Right before Jesus was arrested, He prayed for the disciples
John 17:1–5 “1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
Jesus taught a counter cultural message, and it threatened not only the beliefs of everyday citizens, but created fear that famine and catastrophe would result.
And we are called to have that same counter cultural ATTITUDE.
We are called to adopt the ATTITUDE OF JESUS by:
Maintaining an unquestioned obedience to God
Refusing to retaliate when treated unjustly
Never giving into the temptation to return to sin
Having a willingness to suffer for doing what is right
Fostering an unshakable confidence that God will vindicate his people and bring justice when the time is right.
This has been summarized in what they call a
Trajectory of Devotion
Look to Jesus (Authority)
See ourselves through Jesus (Identity)
Others see Jesus through us (Activity)
When it comes down to it
When we are mistreated we get to choose to make it easier or harder for others to see Jesus through our response
So what ATTITUDE do you have?
Do you hold fast to the Counter Cultural message of Jesus? Even if that involves some suffering?
Or, do you accommodate the shifting beliefs and values of the world?
Where in your life have you compromised to culture and made it harder for the people in your lives to see Jesus through your actions?
We all have a choice to makeAnd as we pick up the next verse, Peter give us a choice.
1 Peter 4:2–4 “As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.”
Peter is not just saying “have the Attitude of Christ”
Peter is saying that we need to CHOOSE to have the ATTITTUDE of Christ
We all have a choice to make
Continue living according to the world’s beliefs, values, and morals - giving in to every evil desire we are tempted with
Or, CHOOSE to follow Jesus, living our lives completely in service to the will of God
And for Peter this isn’t a one time CHOICE
When Peter writes, “they do not live the rest of their earthly lives”
Peter is describing a permanent, visible, trajectory change in their lives
This is the kind of CHOICE that will make people who have known you for a long time stop and ask what has changed
But Peter re-enforces his point from Verse 1.
The choice between human desires and God’s will therefore has a social cost
Peter say directly that when we choose God over culture, some will heap abuse on us
Peter tells the Christians reading this letter to be done with everything that defined the Roman experience
debauchery,
lust,
drunkenness,
orgies,
carousing
and detestable idolatry
The Roman society was built around giving into every fleshly desire.
For context, there were brothels everywhere, and the cost of a night with a prostitute was the same as the cost of a loaf of bread
The Roman culture was an extremely sexualized culture where nearly everything was acceptable
Sometimes turning on the TV, makes me wonder if we’re not right there with them.
Yet, it is exactly because of this, that the early Christian’s witness was so powerful
Tim Keller - theologian and pastor writes
It was because the early church didn’t fit in with its surrounding culture, but rather challenged it in love, that Christianity eventually had such an effect on it
As Christians, we are called to
Be a fully present and active participant in SOCIETY, but not in SIN
That is our witness
So...have you taken a stand for your faith?
Have you made the CHOICE to take on the ATTITUDE of Christ, to say “NO” to the sinful ways of your past, and permanently change the Trajectory of your life?
If so, when others “heap abuse” on you, do you view it as an opportunity to BOLDLY witness to your faith in God, or do you get discouraged and SHY AWAY from publicly living out your faith?
We need to live knowing that judgment is comingAfter Peter tell us that we need to make a CHOICE to take on the ATTITUDE OF CHRIST, Peter ends this section with a warning.
1 Peter 4:5–11 “But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Peter ends this section by reminding us that we are in the final chapters of God’s story.
Jesus is going to come back and judge us all for the choices that we’ve made
We don’t know when that will be, according to the Gospels even Jesus didn’t, only the Father does
But Jesus is coming back
And that coming judgment is not only a warning to those who persist in evil
but it is an encouragement to every Christian who suffers for CHOOSING to end their former life lived by the values of the world, and remain faithful to their new life lived in alignment to God’s will
This is why Peter ends by making the case that our words and actions matters.
Christian speech is accountable because it represents God’s truth,
and Christian service is accountable because it is an exercise of God’s grace.
Living our lives in knowing that there is a coming judgment should not produce fear within us.
It should lead to us living a controlled life,
having disciplined thoughts,
prayerfully seeking God’s will,
being restrained and truthful in our speech,
forgiving others quickly,
being generous in all our actions and encounters,
and serving others for God’s glory rather than personal recognition
Peter gives us good and bad news here.
The Bad news is that
Everyone will be JUDGED
But the Good news is
By believing in Jesus Christ as our LORD and SAVIOR we will not be judged on what we DO but rather what Jesus DID for us on the Cross
Do you think about the 2nd coming of Christ?
Do you believe that Jesus is coming back to judge every single one of us?
Does that knowledge and belief change the way you live your daily lives?
If Jesus came back today, what do you think He would say to you?
YOU - Takeaway - HEART WE / JESUS - Redemptive Close - Call to Action - HANDSThe truth of the Gospel is that we would all fail Jesus judgment if we were judged by our deeds.
We are called to CHOOSE to have the ATTTITUDE of CHRIST.
We are called to share God’s love, peace, grace, and forgiveness with everyone we meet.
We are called to be Jesus ambassadors, sharing our stories of how our lives were changed with unbelievers, inviting them into a relationship with Jesus, so that none may perish.
Yet, Paul states very clearly the reality of our situation in Romans 3:23-25 when he writes
Romans 3:23–25 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—”
Without faith in Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR, believing in what Jesus did for us on the cross, taking our sins and the consequences of those sins upon Himself, then rising from the dead, giving us hope of an eternal life with God in heaven...we have no hope of passing the judgement of Christ.
That is why our ATTITUDE MATTERS.
We are not called to simply DO the right things.
We are called to believe in and enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
It is through that relationship that we CHOOSE to live our lives in alignment with Jesus’ teachings.
It is through that relationship that our ATTITUDES CHANGE, that we’re not just DOING the right things because we’re told to, but because Christ has softened our hearts toward the hurting of this world and we can’t imagine not helping, not serving, not sharing the Good News and the Hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
So, I ask again, How is your ATTITUDE?
Are you simply doing what is right?
Or are you living a life in relationship with Jesus where you can’t imagine doing anything else?
CLOSINGI want to end with an analogy.
Many of you know that I worked in HVAC for 20 years, so bear with me :)
A thermometer simply reflects the temperature of its surroundings. If the room gets hot, it gets hot. If the room gets cold, it gets cold.
It responds to whatever environment it's in.
[Image: thermometer]
How many of us are living our lives like thermometers?
When those around us get angry, we get angry.
When those around us get hostile, we get hostile.
When those around us become argumentative, we become argumentative.
When those around us start attacking, we start attacking back.
It is too easy to allow the temperature of the people around us to determine the temperature of our hearts.
But Jesus calls us to something different. He calls us to live differently, think differently, respond differently, and love differently.
Jesus wants us to live our lives, not like thermometers, but like thermostats.
Because a thermostat is different.
It doesn't simply reflect the temperature of the room.
It determines the temperature of the room.
[Image: thermostat]
Jesus calls us to take on His ATTITUDE, the ATTITUDE OF GRACE, so we can be His WITNESSES determining the temperature every room God places us in, by...
Obeying God’s will for our lives
Refusing to retaliate when treated unjustly
Never giving into the temptation to return to past sins
Having a willingness to suffer for doing what is right
Having an unshakable confidence that God will vindicate his people and bring justice when the time is right.
Jesus calls us to CHOOSE to live our lives as an example for others by
Giving up our past lives that were driven by the temptation to engage in everything culture has deemed acceptable
Letting our changed lives serve as a witness to everyone we meet that there is a better way to to live, a life following Jesus
Because we know that Jesus is coming back, that we will all will be judged, and that God is waiting because He wants us to be His WITNESSES, His AMBASSADORS showing people the way to faith so that no one will perish during that final judgement
So...
How is your attitude?
What choice have you made?
Are you living your life like Jesus could be coming back any time, knowing that judgment is near?
Are you a thermometer reflecting culture, or a thermostat allowing God to use you to move culture toward Him?
What is God calling you to do this week?
Every time you pass your thermostat in your house, I challenge you to stop and pray that God shows you the next CHOICE He wants you to make to draw others closer to Him.
PRAYER Will you join me in prayer...
SONG As we enter into our final song, I want to open the steps up front as an altar to anyone who feels God calling them to respond to today’s message.
Maybe as you think about ...your attitude you need to come up and repent for all the ways that you have armed yourself with the weapons of this world, and not the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Maybe as you think about ...the choices you’ve made, you need to come up and ask God to help you fully choose Him, finally giving up on all the things the world values, but don’t honor God.
Maybe as you think about ...the reality that Jesus is coming back and will judge us all you need to come up and ask God to show you the names of the people in your life that He wants you to share His truth through your SPEECH and his grace through your SERVICE.
Or maybe, you heard this message and you haven’t yet put your faith in Jesus as your LORD and SAVIOR. Maybe you need to pray to God
Admitting that you are a sinner and need forgiveness
Verbalizing your Belief in Jesus as the Son of God, who died on the cross paying the penalty for your sins, and rose from the dead on the third day giving your hope of an eternal life with God in Heaven.
Confessing that Jesus is your LORD and SAVIOR
If today is the day that you put your faith in Jesus, please come see me afterword. I’d love to walk with you as you start your new life in Christ.
You may feel a hand on your shoulder as I or one of the elders join you in prayer.
BENEDICTION Philippians 2:5–8 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
This week...
Let’s stop trying to just DO what is right
Let’s instead focus on building our relationship with Jesus Christ
And through that relationship
Let’s take on Jesus ATTITUDE of GRACE
Let’s CHOOOSE to permanently change the trajectory of our lives, saying “NO” once and for all the sins that bind us to this world
Let’s live our lives knowing that Jesus is coming back and will judge us all
So Let’s not allow ourselves and our ATTITUDES to be determined by the people the and situations we find ourselves in
Let’s let God use us as His WITNESSES to determine the temperature of every room He places us in
Let’s go out and be a church that shines the light and love of Jesus everywhere we go
Quick reminder...
Transformed Bible Study - Wednesday at 6:30 PM - Programming for all ages
If you’re new, please fill out the card in the seat back and stop by our info desk, or see me. We’d love to say “hi” and get you know you a bit better.
If you’d like to get more information about taking your next step of faith, fill out the card in the seat back and give it to me or turn it in to the info desk.
I hope you have a great week.
Go in peace.
You are dismissed.
DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS (download into APP)How does your attitude reflect your relationship with Jesus when facing challenges?
In what ways can you consciously adopt the attitude of Christ in your daily life?
How can suffering for your beliefs serve as a testament to your faith?
What practical steps can you take to check your attitude when confronting difficult situations?
How does the promise of Christ's return impact your attitude towards life and challenges?
How do peer pressures influence your attitude, and how can you resist negative influences?
What can you do to maintain a positive attitude when things don't go your way?
Can you think of a time when your attitude affected others? How did that make you feel?
How can you practice being a 'thermostat' instead of a 'thermometer' in your social circles?
What are some ways to serve others and show love to those around you, even when it's difficult?