1. Mud Pies or The Real Deal February 12, 2011 Mud Pies or The Real Deal February 12, 2011

2. If you were to ask the people you know that don’t go to church, “What does it mean to live a Christian lifestyle?” what answers do you think you would get? If you were to ask the people you know that don’t go to church, “What does it mean to live a Christian lifestyle?” what answers do you think you would get?

3. You might get answers like…

4. “I don’t know. Do Christians live differently than anyone else?”

5. “Christians seem to cope better with life’s ups and downs.”

6. “They say one thing and do another. They’re a bunch of hypocrites.”

7. “You can depend on Christians. If they give you their word, you can take it to the bank.”

8. “Christians think they are better than everyone else.”

9. The problem with defining the Christian lifestyle is that Christians live in a variety of ways. Even most Christians today would have difficulty describing the Christian lifestyle. The problem with defining the Christian lifestyle is that Christians live in a variety of ways. Even most Christians today would have difficulty describing the Christian lifestyle.

10. People often define Christianity by a set of rules. Rules are easier for people to understand. People often define Christianity by a set of rules. Rules are easier for people to understand.

11. There are many false beliefs that people attribute to the Christian lifestyle.

12. Common False Beliefs: I am only as good as what I do. I must have everyone’s love and approval. Life should be fair. I must be perfect to please God. People are basically good. Common False Beliefs: I am only as good as what I do. I must have everyone’s love and approval. Life should be fair. I must be perfect to please God. People are basically good.

13. Here are some false beliefs of our culture today: My unhappiness is someone else’s fault. If my marriage is so tough, God must have intended me to marry someone else. Here are some false beliefs of our culture today: My unhappiness is someone else’s fault. If my marriage is so tough, God must have intended me to marry someone else.

14. Depression, anger and anxiety are signs of a weak faith. Pain and suffering are a result of sin in my life. God can’t use me unless I am spiritually strong. Christianity is a lifestyle of self- denial. Depression, anger and anxiety are signs of a weak faith. Pain and suffering are a result of sin in my life. God can’t use me unless I am spiritually strong. Christianity is a lifestyle of self- denial.

15. C.S. Lewis wrote: “The New Testament has a lot to say about self-denial, but not about self- denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately C.S. Lewis wrote: “The New Testament has a lot to say about self-denial, but not about self- denial as an end in itself. We are told to deny ourselves and to take up our crosses in order that we may follow Christ; and nearly every description of what we shall ultimately

16. find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion crept in from the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. find if we do so contains an appeal to desire. If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion crept in from the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith.

17. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us.

18. Like an ignorant child who wants to make mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday by the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Like an ignorant child who wants to make mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday by the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”

19. Tonight, I want to challenge you to consider that most Christians seem perfectly content to settle for living the illusion of a Christian Lifestyle when the genuine thing is available. Not only is the genuine Christian Lifestyle available and attainable, it is worth our effort to pursue. Tonight, I want to challenge you to consider that most Christians seem perfectly content to settle for living the illusion of a Christian Lifestyle when the genuine thing is available. Not only is the genuine Christian Lifestyle available and attainable, it is worth our effort to pursue.

20. So many Christians settle for mud pies when we have access to the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.

21. Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling. And my message and my Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn't use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God's message. For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling. And my message and my

22. preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom. Yet when I am among mature Christians, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom. Yet when I am among mature Christians, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that

23. belongs to this world, and not the kind that appeals to the rulers of this world, who are being brought to nothing. No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. belongs to this world, and not the kind that appeals to the rulers of this world, who are being brought to nothing. No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began.

24. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

25. But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets. No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone, and no one can know God's thoughts But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets. No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone, and no one can know God's thoughts

26. except God's own Spirit. And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world's spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the except God's own Spirit. And God has actually given us his Spirit (not the world's spirit) so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you this, we do not use words of human wisdom. We speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the

27. Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't Christians can't understand these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. We who have the Spirit understand these Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren't Christians can't understand these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. We who have the Spirit understand these

28. things, but others can't understand us at all. How could they? For, “Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?” But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2 things, but others can't understand us at all. How could they? For, “Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?” But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. I Corinthians 2

29. The Christian Lifestyle is absolutely the most exhilarating way to live life. Yet, so many Christians have reduced Christianity to living by a set of rules – mud pies. The Christian Lifestyle is absolutely the most exhilarating way to live life. Yet, so many Christians have reduced Christianity to living by a set of rules – mud pies.

30. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)

31. It is not uncommon for Christians to settle quickly for an imitation lifestyle. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians about this very problem. It is not uncommon for Christians to settle quickly for an imitation lifestyle. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians about this very problem.

32. Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ's death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross. Let me ask you this one question: Oh, foolish Galatians! What magician has cast an evil spell on you? For you used to see the meaning of Jesus Christ's death as clearly as though I had shown you a signboard with a picture of Christ dying on the cross. Let me ask you this one question:

33. Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law? Of course not, for the Holy Spirit came upon you only after you believed the message you heard about Christ. Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to

34. become perfect by your own human effort? You have suffered so much for the Good News. Surely it was not in vain, was it? Are you now going to just throw it all away? I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law of Moses? Of course not! It is

35. because you believe the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 3:1-5 (NLT) because you believe the message you heard about Christ. Galatians 3:1-5 (NLT)

36. How does one develop a real Christian Lifestyle? I Timothy 4:6-16 How does one develop a real Christian Lifestyle? I Timothy 4:6-16

37. “If you explain this to the others, you will be doing your duty as a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, 1) Be willing to explain how to have a relationship with Christ to others. “If you explain this to the others, you will be doing your duty as a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, 1) Be willing to explain how to have a relationship with Christ to others.

38. one who is fed by the message of faith and the true teaching you have followed. 2) Be nourished by the truth of God’s word. one who is fed by the message of faith and the true teaching you have followed. 2) Be nourished by the truth of God’s word.

39. Do not waste your time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. 3) Don’t validate myths and godless ideas by arguing about them. Do not waste your time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. 3) Don’t validate myths and godless ideas by arguing about them.

40. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 4) Train yourself at being Godly like an athlete trains his body. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. 4) Train yourself at being Godly like an athlete trains his body.

41. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe. 5) Be willing to suffer for the truth but don’t give up your sense of hope in Christ. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe. 5) Be willing to suffer for the truth but don’t give up your sense of hope in Christ.

42. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 6) Teach others by example, living a life of integrity. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 6) Teach others by example, living a life of integrity.

43. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 7) Teach others by example, loving others, living by faith, and watching your conversations and speech. Be an example to all believers in what you teach, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 7) Teach others by example, loving others, living by faith, and watching your conversations and speech.

44. …focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 8) Read the scripture, encourage others to follow what the Bible teaches. …focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. 8) Read the scripture, encourage others to follow what the Bible teaches.

45. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 9) Give your best effort in the tasks that you undertake. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 9) Give your best effort in the tasks that you undertake.

46. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you. 10) Be consistent in your private and public life. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Stay true to what is right, and God will save you and those who hear you. 10) Be consistent in your private and public life.

47. Why do we settle for making mud pies when we can taste the real thing?

48. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! Psalm 34:8 (NLT) Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! Psalm 34:8 (NLT)

49. Prayer Time