Because of Life Breathed Into Us

Yesterday even as I stood speaking to the church family, there were words and sentiments coming that had not been planned. Like most preachers, I usually have a general idea of what I'm going to preach several weeks in advance. The Bible has numerous "stand-out" names for Jesus, and I knew some of them seemed right to aim us, as a church, in a positive direction at the start of 2011.  


There's a certain name for Jesus that was coined by his critics, "this man is... a friend of tax collectors and sinners". There it is:  "Friend of Sinners". Ironically true. Those words intended for insult have inspired hope for many. Quite often, for me.


Today we whisper this word "sinner". We prefer to say "everybody has issues." Undeniably. One of our issues? People who say they want to be like Jesus, then kick others who are spiritually down-- treating them like dirt. You know how bad you feel when your back is out of line? Well, knowing your faith is out of line feels much worse!


So we looked at how Jesus befriended sinners, most of all, by dying for people like me on the Cross. But this sermon turned into a two-parter. Part two was how people wanting to be like Christ must learn how to be friends with all kinds of people, even those they might instinctively choose not to befriend.


How do we do that? Dr. Martin Luther King reminded people almost 50 years ago that you do it with forgiveness. Not just words of forgiveness, but deeds. That climate requires us to extend grace to those who've hurt us. And when we do, God breathes new life into them, and us.


Our most basic tasks include building character and availability. Availability means being there for others when it's especially challenging to stick by someone's side.


It takes patience, gentleness, genuineness, and caring beyond our own strength to care. It takes Jesus. It takes that mental memo and inner prompting-- He's still a friend to sinners. Will we act accordingly?

Any church doing this has to provide teamwork to shepherd people through a process, of . . .

•  Getting real about the issues.
• Getting close to Christ  (and getting around people who already are.)
• Getting away from all the old trappings of sin.
•  Getting help from a new circle of support. We're supposed to be family.
• Getting on with God’s plans to grow us into who we’re meant to be.
• Getting thrilled about every day progress and wins.
• Getting involved as a friend to others who need Your Friend.