Fun Compartment
Steve Coad
Part of UNPACKING: Thinking Differently About How Jesus Fits in Your Life
April 30, 2023

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Message Notes:


OUR GOAL:

These would no longer be compartments separated from Christ, but each one would be saturated by the influence of Christ.


John 12:23-25
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. (Go to the cross) 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world (Fully surrender it to God) will keep it for eternity. NLT


What do you do when you are bored? Who do you call?

How do you act with friends, family, or even by yourself to relax and refresh?

What elements do you add to your fun time? Games? Food? Drinks? Movies?

What does a party look like for you? What do you need to have a good time?

What makes you laugh? Who are you when the wall is down?


Are there things you do that if your close Christian friend, pastor, mentor or even Jesus himself showed up at you would be embarrassed by?


John 8:34
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. ESV


Statement of a fun compartment still separated from Christ:

I love Jesus. But I also love having fun. Those two things are often in conflict with each other.

I feel like my church friends know a different me than my non church friends.

I often feel if people knew the real me…they would see I am a hypocrite.

My choices are usually between having fun or following Christ.


Romans 14:5; 12-15
(whole chapter addresses this tension of different convictions regarding grey areas: Food, Drink, Holiness)
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced (God-convinced) that whichever day you choose is acceptable….12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. 14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. NLT


Main Idea:

Before Christ, I thought I knew what I needed to have fun.

Because of Christ, I have found a healthier and better way.


Fun God’s way is full of light.


John 8:12
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ESV


1 John 1:5-6
5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. NLT


Fun God’s way is wholesome.


Phillippians 4:8
Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. NCV


Fun God’s way stays connected to the vine, not separated from it.


John 15:5
I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. CEV


I can have fun in a Godly way.

God shows me if the fun I am having is healthy.

Fun God’s way is light, wholesome, and connected to Jesus.


Main Idea:

Before Christ, I thought I knew what I needed to have fun.

Because of Christ, I have found a healthier and better way.


Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ESV


CHALLENGE QUESTION:

What are some fun areas of your life that you need to die to and ask God to show you a better way?


If you prayed the prayer to start fresh with God today text “startagain” (one word) to 97000 so we can connect with you and help you take the next steps in this amazing decision.


My Notes:


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