Becoming a Contagious Christian
How to Be Ready
1 John 3:14-19
It’s fun to compare how life today is different from life 500 years ago. Some of the expressions we use, and the things we do, are based on life in the 1500’s. For instance, did you know that…?
• Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May. In order to smell pretty, brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide their body odor.
• Baths were a big tub filled with water. The man of the household had the privilege of nice clean water, then all the other males could take their bath. Next the women were allowed to bathe and then the kids. The babies were last. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it. Hence the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”
• Back when houses had thatched roofs. It was the only place that animals could stay warm so they lived together on the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would fall off. That’s where we get the expression, “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
• When company came over, the host would bring out some bacon and hang it up in order to show off. It was a sign of wealth that a man “could really bring home the bacon.” They would cut off a little to share with guests and would all sit around and “chew the fat.”
Now, don’t you feel better knowing what these phrases mean? While many things have changed the message of the gospel stays the same. In order to make a Kingdom impact, we must own the Mission Jesus gave us. We can do that because Jesus:
• Accepts us
• Commissions us
• Equips us
• Motivates us
As I’m studying the early church one of the things I noticed was those early Christians were bold and their boldness became contagious; which got me to thinking, am I contagious?
Now I, we, don’t want to be around contagious sick people because we don’t want what they have. Hence the thought: do I want my life to be contagious? Are people catching what I have? Is Christianity spreading because of me? Is it contagious? Are other folks catching it?
I trust we want to be contagious in our Christianity. We want to make a difference. We’re going to focus on how to live out our responsibility.
Specifically, how can we take biblical truths that few people understand and communicate them in a way that is both practical and compelling?
Our mission is mammoth yet there is no other plan. We are the plan. When Jesus looks at you and me, He still says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21).
As evangelicals we must have an understanding of the importance of raising our evangelistic temperature. So the first Truth: “People Matter to God.” John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world…”
We agree with this but we don’t always own it. We hear it so much that it doesn’t penetrate our lives. In actuality, this belief is the hardest one to fully absorb into our value system. It ought to be the very core of our being.
We need to do whatever we can to gain God’s heart toward those who don’t know Him. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that God “is patient…not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
It doesn’t matter how old they are, what color they are, what country they’re from, whether they have money, education, or a job.
It doesn’t even matter how bad their sins are. They have great value in God’s eyes, and their repentance will bring “rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God” (Luke 15:10).
Bill Hybels said, “You’ve never locked eyes with anyone who doesn’t matter to the Father.”
Truth #2: People are spiritually lost
While people have tremendous value and worth to God, the Bible declares a second truth: People are spiritually lost. Romans 3:10-12 spells out this reality: “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.’”
This is not a pretty picture. But we need to understand this truth or we won’t be motivated to become a contagious Christian. People are lost without Christ.
Let’s be crystal clear on this: No matter how “good” people are, if they don’t know Christ as Savior and Lord, they are headed for eternal torment in a place called Hell.
Isaiah 59:2 states: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.”
Truth #3: People Need Christ
The good news is that everyone matters to God. The bad news is that people are spiritually lost. The great news is that Jesus died as full payment for our sins and everyone needs Christ in order to be saved.
Our culture today bristles at the teaching that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with the Almighty. A dangerous form of religious pluralism is creeping into many churches as they teach there are multiple paths to God.
Jesus Himself was clear-cut when He said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Acts 4:12 adds, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
The apostle Paul captures this truth in a short phrase when he says in 1 Timothy 1:15: “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…”
We have an unpopular message and we’ve been commissioned to present it boldly. While it might not be fashionable, it’s the best news we can give to people who are spiritually lost and on the road to eternal separation from God.
People need to hear the message of the cross, Romans 1:16 says, “It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”
Before moving on to the fourth truth, for most of us, the first three are nothing new. This is standard Christian teaching that has been taught in various ways for two thousand years.
Yet while it’s true, we need to ask God to transfer these truths from our head to our heart and then to our hands and feet.
The vast majority of people in our society used to have some understanding that they were sinners who needed the forgiveness of God. Most people shared sort of a collective church consciousness. As a result, evangelism could be very direct.
Truth #4: People Have Moved. For the most part, people in our culture have moved. They have disengaged from biblical teaching and can no longer see the depth of their sins.
In fact, for many people, they don’t even recognize that there is a rift between them and God. People are further away and they’re continuing to move in the wrong direction.
The fact is people don’t think the way they used to think or believe. People have taken steps away from Christian beliefs, values and morals. When we say, “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life,” many will respond by saying, “Oh yeah? Which God?”
They may even wonder what they’ve done that is so bad that they need forgiveness for. To the modern person, all people are basically good, even though they may make mistakes here and there.
Because so many people today don’t believe in absolute truth, and regard those who do with suspicion and even contempt, we must be willing to try something else. We need to communicate the same message but use a different approach.
Truth #5: People Need Answers
If we’re serious about impacting our culture with the life-changing gospel, we must recognize that people have moved. Many have erected roadblocks and walls between them and the Lord.
If we want to help move others toward Christ, we need to proactively address their issues and show that the Christian life is the best way to live and the only way to die.
People today require more than to merely having the gospel declared to them – they must also have it demonstrated. And if they are going to really listen, they need to be disarmed.
Paul put it this way in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
If we turn in our Bible to 1 Peter 3:13-16, we’ll see that we have three responsibilities if we want to be ready to reach lost people today.
• We need to Demonstrate (3:13-15a)
• We need to Defend (3:15b)
• We need to Disarm (3:15c-16)
Listen as I read: “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened.’ But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
Peter instructs different groups of believers by giving them specific guidelines on how to live in a world that is hostile to their presence. The problem of suffering has marked the people of God throughout the centuries, and continues today.
In chapter 3, Peter gives several principles for enduring difficulty in a way that is thoroughly Christian.
In verse 13, we’re told that doing good will make persecution less likely. While he generally believes that this will help, he knows that not all of our adversaries will be so lenient. But, even if we suffer, we will be blessed.
Matthew 5:10 puts it this way: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The bottom line is that the fear of the Lord conquers every other kind of fear. If our relationship with God is strong, we can handle opposition and even persecution.
The first step in being ready to make a difference is to demonstrate authenticity in our Christian life.
Verse 15 begins with a contrast to verse 14, the word “but” shows that we don’t have to be filled with fear.
The word “hearts” is the most important place in the human system and came to represent man’s entire mental and moral activity.
What Peter is about to ask us to do must take place internally, not externally because it must happen at the core of our being.
We are to “set apart Christ as Lord.” To “set apart” means to “sanctify” or “make holy.” Peter is arguing that Jesus must be Lord of our lives.
The word “Lord” is a title of honor that demands respect and reverence. It’s the New Testament equivalent of the title “Jehovah.”
To say that Jesus is my Lord is to say that He has sovereign power and authority over me and I submit to Him with reverent obedience, because I am His possession. When Jesus is set apart as Lord, He will deliver us from fear.
To live under the lordship of Christ is a command. It’s one thing to acknowledge Jesus as savior; it’s another thing to make Him Lord of our life.
Scripture never separates the Lordship of Jesus from His work as Savior. In the book of Acts, He is referred to as Savior twice, but is called Lord 92 times!
When Thomas finally recognized Jesus as His Savior after the Resurrection, he exclaimed: “My Lord and my God!” Charles Spurgeon said, “You cannot have Christ for your Savior unless you also have Him as your Lord.”
Is Jesus Lord of our life right now? Have we ever made a decision of our will to decide to live under His leadership in every area of our life?
Is Jesus in complete control, or are we deliberately keeping things from Him? Some of us are living under our own leadership, not the Lord’s.
The Lord of the universe has given us a command. He needs to reign in our hearts. He is Lord and longs to lead our life. Are we ready to cancel all other engagements so that we can dine with Him for the rest of our life?
Spiritual seekers want to know that Christianity is not just some stale theological exercise, but a daily relationship with Christ that radically transforms a life from the inside out.
Sadly, according to researcher George Barna, almost half of “born-again” believers questioned in a nationwide poll admitted they are “searching for meaning and purpose.”
This is the same percentage as what non-Christians say. If believers are not experiencing meaning and purpose in life, than what do we have to give to lost people?
If people don’t see us living with love, joy, and hope, then do they really want what we have?
The first thing we’re called to do is to demonstrate an authentic Christian life by setting apart Christ as Lord in our hearts. Evangelism is primarily what we are, not what we do.
Someone said, “Evangelism is what spills over when we bump into someone.” When we’re living under the lordship of Christ, we have something that appeals to others when it spills on them.
The second challenge is to defend what we believe. We see this in the middle part of verse 15: “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…”
We’re called to visualize Christianity by living it. We’re also urged to verbalize our faith by expressing it.
Here’s how it works. When we are living under the lordship of Christ, our lives will be characterized by hope. Non-Christians will see what we have and be curious about it. Some of them will ask us about our faith. When they do, we need to be ready.
The word “always” means that we are to be ready at all times, to be on a state of alert. We should have an attitude of anticipation. To be “prepared” comes from the word that we translate “fitness.” It carries with it the idea of “being in readiness.”
We’re challenged to give an “answer”, means a “verbal defense.” It was used in a courtroom when someone gave evidence or testimony about a situation. We are to be prepared to give a logical, step-by-step explanation for what we believe.
Every Christian has to be a theologian, every believer is called to be a defender, we’re all charged with the responsibility of giving a reason for our faith.
We’re to give an answer to everyone who “asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have.” The word “ask” means to “crave or desire.” People are craving answers. They know they don’t have hope and they want it.
While there are no hopeless situations, there are tons of people who have grown hopeless about themselves. Are you ready to give them the answer?
Lastly, the end of verse 15 tells us how to witness in a way that disarms people: “…but do this with gentleness and respect….”
We must remember that we are not called to win arguments, but to make disciples. While we should be ready to defend what we believe, we should avoid being abrasive. We’re to be “gentle.”
This is translated “meekness” in some versions. It’s an inner attitude that affects the way we interact with others. 2 Corinthians 10:1 gives us a great example of how Paul treated others: “By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you…”
We’re also to relate “respectfully” to others. Interestingly, this is the same word that is translated “fear” in verse 14. We’re to have a sense of holy awe at the opportunity to speak words of life to people who are lost in their sins.
Instead of bolting, we’re to turn our sense of fear into reliance upon Christ. It’s a holy moment when eternity hangs in the balance.
Most of our witnessing is likely to happen in the passing moments of conversation. As we mix it up with people, we’ll have opportunities.
The issue is not that we should necessarily become more aggressive about sharing our faith. It’s that we should be more sensitive to the needs of the people around us, and more aware of the subtle promptings of the Holy Spirit.
To be respectful will mean that we will be more gentle to people and their pain.
When our attitude is gracious and gentle, verse 16 helps us see that those who oppose Christianity will be disarmed: “…those who speak maliciously against our good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
As we demonstrate Christ to people by making sure He is Lord of our lives, as we defend the reason for the hope that we have, and as we disarm people by our attitude of gentleness and respect, God will use us to clear the way for people to see the central message of the Cross of Christ.
Once the barriers crumble, our friends will be more prone to hear the message in a way they can understand and embrace.
I’m going to ask you to please close your eyes and reflect on these words:
You call me Master and obey me not,
You call me Light and see me not,
You call me The Way and follow me not,
You call me Life and desire me not,
You call me Wise and acknowledge me not,
You call me Fair and love me not,
You call me Rich and ask me not,
You call me Eternal and seek me not,
You call me Gracious and trust me not,
You call me Noble and serve me not,
You call me Mighty and fear me not,
You call me Lord and surrender not. Amen!