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Message Notes
Satan is the master of extremes.
“He loves to encourage us to take a part of the truth and make it the whole truth… to take a fraction of the fax and run with them like nothing else exists.” —Chuck Swindoll
1. We Need to Avoid Either/Or Extremes in our Christian Walk.
John 14:11
I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world
John 14:14-15
I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.15 I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
2. How Should We Treat Fellow Christians?
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,
• Love one another
Brotherly Love - Philadelphia – “a love that particularly binds together the children of one father.” —Charles Ryrie
• Excel at loving one another more and more
Sacrificial Love – Agape – “a love that is modeled after the self-sacrificial, others-focused love of Christ.”
3. How Should We Live Around Those Who Are Not Christians?
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
• Live quietly
“To avoid an agitated, excitable and restless preoccupation with things that mark Christians as out-of-step quacks rather than followers of Christ in step with the Spirit.” —Chuck Swindoll
• Mind your own affairs
• Work with your hands
2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies. 12 Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and provide for themselves.
Three Principles Regarding Our Behavior Towards the World
• The world is watching and wondering, so act wisely.
• The world is listening and learning, so speak with grace.
Colossians 4:5-6
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
• The world is filled with individuals who hold great value in God’s eyes, so treat them with dignity and sensitivity.