Monday, May 6, 2013

Casual Christianity

I wanted to share this excerpt from yesterday's sermon on "Foundations":

George Barna, in his book The Seven Faith Tribes talks about how most people seem to be viewing discipleship…being a follower of Jesus. He calls it “casual Christianity.” Barna writes:


“Casual Christianity is faith in moderation. It allows them to feel religious without having to prioritize their faith. Christianity is a low-risk, predictable proposition…providing a faith perspective that is not demanding. A Casual Christian can be all the things that they esteem: a nice human being, a family person, religious, an exemplary citizen, a reliable employee – and never have to publicly defend or represent difficult moral or social positions or even lose much sleep over their private choices as long as they mean well and generally do their best. From their perspective, their brand of faith practice is genuine, realistic and practical. To them, Casual Christianity is the best of all worlds; it encourages them to be a better person than if they had been irreligious, yet it is not a faith into which they feel compelled to heavily invest themselves.”

Is that what Jesus really expects? Is that the right foundation? Do you think that’s what He died on the cross to produce in us as His people? When Jesus called His first disciples He said, “Follow me” (Mark 1:17, NASB). When Jesus was describing a lifetime of being His disciple He said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, NIV).


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