Application Guide: “Are You A Pagan?” Part 2 (Mt. 5:43-6:34)

 

May 1st, 2005: Pastor Kimber Kauffman, Senior Pastor of College Park Church, continued his message on the remarkably contrasting lifestyle Christians ought to have compared to the pagan. He spoke, mostly in review, concerning how pagans love, greet, do acts of mercy, give, pray, practice disciplines, and worry. He finished up by challenging us to be people who “store up their treasures in heaven” (6:20). In contrast to the pagan who is always thinking about himself and the present moment, we need to be people who are looking to God and thinking about the great Day of Judgment.

 

  1. We all say we’re better Christians than we really are…
    1. Where is the proof that we are sons of God? What are ways that we act pious, and yet do not practice “true religion” (cf. Js. 1:27)?
    2. How should the command to “love your enemies” affect your relationship with your spouse? Neighbors? Co-workers who are not Christians? The people you run into at the grocery store? The way you drive?
    3. What are specific instances you need to grow in loving your enemies?

 

  1. Kimber noted that how we do our “acts of mercy” is a direct measure of how we live out our faith. By “serving” in order to impress others, we, in effect, say that we are walking by faith. Conversely, doing things in secret reveal that we are walking by faith, that we believe that God is truly watching (cf. Heb 11:1-6; 2 Cor 5:7).
    1. How can you tell you are serving with the right motives?
    2. How do you know when you are serving just to impress others? Consider these:

                                                               i.      Do you do “ministry” in hopes of being mentioned in the bulletin?

                                                             ii.      Do you only do certain types of ministry, acting as if certain acts are “below” you (e.g. “That’s not one of my spiritual gifts…”)?

                                                            iii.      Do you create a hierarchy in your mind regarding what acts of ministry are more spiritual than others (with yours close to the top, of course)? Do you act like certain parts of the body of Christ are more important to God?

                                                           iv.      Do you talk about yourself and ministry, especially to people with “significant” titles? Do you associate with these “prestigious” people, rather than serve the “lowly,” hoping they will recognize all you do?

 

  1. Do you worry like the pagans, who are frantically preoccupied with the things of this life?
    1. Why do we worry? What is the cure for it? How can we become people who, rather than worrying, are consumed with a “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7)?
    2. How do you know you are seeking first the Kingdom of God? What ways can you measure if the desires of your heart are in line with God’s desires?

 

  1. There are only two places we can attempt to store up treasures – on earth or in heaven.
    1. What is the mindset of the pagan towards God, life, and possessions (cf. Ps. 10:1-11; 36:1-4; LK. 12:16-21)? Should our goal in life be to retire early and spend the rest of our lives on vacation (cf. Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper)? 
    2. How should Christians view the time we have on life if we are to store up treasures in heaven, if we are to do what is right out of love, fear, and reward?
    3. Where is the balance between enjoying the world that God has given us and denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and living for others?