Resolved…Resolved…

““I hereby renounce my I hereby renounce my allegiance to the world. allegiance to the world. Today, I will quit trying Today, I will quit trying to fit in with the world, to fit in with the world, quit trying to gain the quit trying to gain the approval of people who approval of people who don’t share my faith and don’t share my faith and honor my Lord. Today, I honor my Lord. Today, I resolve to be different, resolve to be different, even if that means that I even if that means that I am regarded as strange am regarded as strange and peculiar by others.”and peculiar by others.”

The Joy of Not The Joy of Not Fitting InFitting In

Romans 12:1-2; I Peter 2:9, 11Romans 12:1-2; I Peter 2:9, 11A Difficult Goal — What is most A Difficult Goal — What is most

important to people?important to people? MoneyMoney FriendsFriends FunFun LaughterLaughter Getting what you want (satisfaction)Getting what you want (satisfaction) ApprovalApproval

Most are conformists…Most are conformists…

But we are different!But we are different!Luke 6:20ff.Luke 6:20ff.

1.1. Jesus clarifies the characteristics of a Jesus clarifies the characteristics of a ChristianChristian

2.2. Jesus gives instructions that are anti-Jesus gives instructions that are anti-culture and counterintuitive. culture and counterintuitive.

““If you are really a Christian, you look If you are really a Christian, you look like this: you’re poor, hungry, cry a lot like this: you’re poor, hungry, cry a lot and most people don’t like you.”and most people don’t like you.”

I.e., if we are going to be full of joy, we I.e., if we are going to be full of joy, we must find our joy in places the world must find our joy in places the world does not even recognize.does not even recognize.

Character traits of Character traits of ChristiansChristians

Poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3)Poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3)Always hungry (I Pet. 2:2-3)Always hungry (I Pet. 2:2-3)Cry a lot (Lk. 18:9-14)Cry a lot (Lk. 18:9-14)

Character Traits of Character Traits of Christians Christians

Poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3)Poor in spirit (Mt. 5:3)Always hungry (I Pet. 2:2-3)Always hungry (I Pet. 2:2-3)Cry a lot (Lk. 18:9-14)Cry a lot (Lk. 18:9-14)Unpopular (Lk. 6:26, 22-23; Unpopular (Lk. 6:26, 22-23;

John 5:44)John 5:44)

Have you found the joy of not Have you found the joy of not fitting in?fitting in?

Luke 6 — Verdict & RewardLuke 6 — Verdict & Reward ““I approve those of you who are poor and I approve those of you who are poor and

give YOU the kingdom.”give YOU the kingdom.” ““I approve those who are willing to cry now; I approve those who are willing to cry now;

you will laugh in eternity” (I love that idea!)you will laugh in eternity” (I love that idea!) ““I approve those of you who have hunger I approve those of you who have hunger

pangs now… you will be satisfied beyond pangs now… you will be satisfied beyond your imagination; just be patient”your imagination; just be patient”

““I approve those of you who are made fun I approve those of you who are made fun of, mocked and scorned.” of, mocked and scorned.”

Embrace the Joy of Embrace the Joy of Being OddBeing Odd

Quit trying to fit in with a world that Quit trying to fit in with a world that cares nothing about your Lord and cares nothing about your Lord and

MasterMaster