Live Like It’s Real

Today I want to cover three big things, and I divide up the passage into this.

So in the first two verses, I want to talk about this idea of practical Christianity.

Then in verses 14 through 16, I want to talk about positive steadfastness.

And lastly, I want to end with this idea of personal joy.

So as we look through verses 12 through 13, this idea of practical Christianity, there's something I want to caution us of first.

There are times that verses like this can be misconstrued or misused if taken out of context.

Verses that say, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Based on maybe how you were brought up, or maybe circumstances you found yourself in, you could read this verse with a lot of anxiety and view it as a checklist item, instead of an opportunity to receive God's grace.

I have a friend, Zach Stevens.

who's a pastor in Groton, Connecticut, has this phrase.

He says, Jesus is king, but context is queen.

And what he means by that is that we truly do believe Jesus reigns over every word in this book.

That all scripture is God-breathed, useful for teaching, rebuking, and training in righteousness.

But if misused and used in the wrong context...

it can actually cause a lot of harm.

It can be misconstrued.

And so, I want to give an example of this.

Maybe you've seen this piece of decoration before.

Life is short, like the bowl.

Many of you maybe have had it in your home, maybe you've seen it at Hobby Lobby.

It's a cute little phrase.

The problem with this sign is if you accidentally put it in the wrong room...

People start to really question your judgment.

See, it's interesting.

It's the same words, different contexts, have completely different meaning.