Read Hebrews 11: 24 - 27
Being ill-treated as God's disciples rather than enjoy pleasures of sin for a short time.
Pleasure
Sin does offer pleasure - otherwise we wouldn't be tempted to do it (I can't remember the last time I was tempted to eat broccoli - because it's horrible. Or kippers!)
Things like smoking, drinking, looking at dodgy magazines, drugs and sex all have their appeal. So do things like pinching a bit of money when noone's looking or lying to get out of an awkward situation. They may seem to offer pleasure and benefits and in the world's eyes that's OK.
Hedonism (Philosophy of pleasure - pleasure is the main good) Do what feels good.
Skunk Anansie - 'Hedonism' "Just because it feels good, doesn't make it right"
[Show Overhead]
Problem
Sin causes a breakdown in relationship between you and God. All sin is a rejection of God's authority in your lives. Damages you, others and relationship with God. God wants us to have good stuff - wants us to have fun. Sometimes we think God's a killjoy - that he wants us all to sit round in woolly jumpers singing Kum-by-ah and swapping knitting patterns (Apologies to anyone who enjoys that!) God doesn't want to stop us having fun, he just doesn't want us to hurt ourselves and others because he loves us. (If your Mum sent you out to play chase on the central reservation of a motorway you'd start to doubt whether she cared about you)
[Show Overhead]
Priorities
Short--term v long-term. What's more important - instant satisfaction or developing into a better person over a period of time. What God thinks or what your mates think? How serious are you about being a Christian? Are you just a Christian in theory? Is it just a name tag? If you think of your life as a war against the devil, it's not one giant battle, it's lots of little battles. You can't win the war if you let the devil win all the battles.
[Show overhead: "Which way do the scales tip in your life?"]
Persecution
Fortunately we're not likely to be put in prison or killed for our faith, but persecution can come in many forms. People having a go at us because we're Christians. People leaving us out or rejecting us. Jesus said that we can expect to be persecuted, but he gives us the strength to rise above it.
[Show overhead: Hebrews 12: 3 "Consider hin who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart"]
Perseverance
Stick at it. Athletes in training. Strict diet (that double choc-chip cookie may look nice, but it won't get them any nearer to Olympic gold). Strict exercise regime (go out in all weathers - Linford Christie didn't say "I can't be bothered going running today, cos it's raining. I think I'll watch Eastenders instead). Discipline.
[Show Overhead: "Looks like someone skipping towards a giant wine glass with ears!" Read Philippians 3:14 "I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus"]
My encouragement to you is to: Be different. Be amazing. Be radical disciples of Jesus - the people God created you to be. Refuse to fit in to how the world tells you to live. Eternal life starts now and lasts forever.
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