Main Idea || For our faith to be irresistible, we Christians must turn our faces outward and join Jesus’s movement of loving people, places, and things back to life. What are we to make of a world that still seems… “more tired than energized, more hurting than whole, more sick than healthy, more life-sucking than life-giving, more divided than united, and more bent toward decline than toward progress?” ~ Scott Sauls, Irresistible Faith Who can fix the world & how can they do it? Jesus’s answer is his ambassadors. 1 Corinthians 1:26–28 (NLT) 26 Remember dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. Matthew 5:13–14,16 (NLT) 13 “You are the salt of the earth…14 “You are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop ...16 …let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Jesus’s approach focused on the everyday rhythms of life and ordinary ways to “leave it better” than you found it. Luke 10:33–37 (NLT) 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” “Christians…are called to serve the world as engaged servants where they live, work, play, and worship, fully present and always looking for opportunities to leave people, places, and things better than they found them.” ~ Scott Sauls, Irresistible Faith How can I remain focused on Jesus’s mission? John 18:36 (NLT) 36 Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Be alert to the ongoing kingdom distortions & . Trusting & relying on partisan political force. Jesus’ method was to win the world through the persuasive power of interpersonal compassion & neighbor-love. Prioritizing our own individual material kingdoms. Matthew 6:21 (NLT) Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. what you have, since you have all you need. Luke 12:48 (NLT) …When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. All Christians are satisfied in Jesus filled with the Holy Spirit’s power, endowed with the Father’s wisdom through Scripture, energized by the love of Jesus. “God uses whoever you are, wherever you are, with whatever you have.” SO WHAT IF CHRISTIANS BECAME KNOWN FOR BEING. . .? Generous givers Hospitable hosts Life-giving family Attractive workers Grace-giving friends Thriving couples Most favorite people CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: 1. After all the advances in technology and research, what are we to make of a world that still seems more tired than energized, more hurting than whole, more sick than healthy, more life-sucking than life-giving, more divided than united, and more bent toward decline than toward progress?” a. Do you agree with his assessment? What’s the answer? 2. In the Christian world view, a universal Christian job description is “leaving people, places, and things better than they found them.” a. Can you think of some ways we’ve succeeded or failed to do that? 3. What if Christians were known for their life-giving parties, generosity, insightful discourse, quality workers, thriving marriages, grace-giving communities and love for their enemies — a. How might we be able to salt & light the world with that reputation?