They Think It Strange
A. SHOULD WE CARE WHAT OTHERS THINK?
1. What they think should not influence us to do wrong or disobey.
2. It’s important because of our ability to influence (Matt. 5:13-16).
B. PAUL UNDERSTOOD THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPRESSIONS (2 Cor. 8:18-21).
A. JESUS WARNED ( Luke 6:26; John 15:18-20).
B. PETER’S DEVOTION (Acts 5:29). Not just empty words!
C. HYPOCRISY AND PEER PRESSURE (Matt. 6:1; 1 Cor. 15:33).
D. STRIVE TO BE RIGHT – READY TO BE DIFFERENT (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 6:14 - 7:1).
E. 1 Pet. 4:4. “SPEAKING EVIL OF YOU.” A PECULIAR PEOPLE (1 Pet. 2:9).
A. BECAUSE OF THE CHANGE IN US (1 Pet. 4:1-4).
1. “The time past” č What was it like?
a. Dead in sin (Rom 3:23; 6:23; Eph. 2:1-3, 12).
b. Gross immorality (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
c. A worldly walk (Eph. 4:17-19).
2. The WORD transforms us as we obey (Rom. 12:2; 1 Cor. 6:11; Titus 2:11-12).
B. BECAUSE OF OUR DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE (1 Pet. 4:2).
1. What is most important to us? (Matt. 6:19-21).
2. We have a preoccupation that effects everything (Col. 3:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:16-18).
3. Our aspirations and behavior are misunderstood (1 Cor. 2:14-16).
4. New goals produce a new vision (Phil. 1:27).
C. BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM OF SIN.
1. Sin is hard on the sinner (Prov. 13:15; 4:19).
2. Sin dishonors God’s creation (Rom. 1:24).
3. It separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2).
4. Sin must be answered for in judgment (2 Cor. 5:10).
5. Sin will answer to justice (Rom. 6:23; Ez. 18:20).
6. Jesus is the solution to sin (1 John 2:1-2).
D. BECAUSE YOU RUN NOT WITH THEM.
1. We follow the light (John 8:12) and reflect it (Matt. 5:13-15).
2. We must not fellowship the darkness (Eph. 5:6-11).
3. Beware evil influences (1 Cor. 15:33).
E. BECAUSE SOME DO NOT BELIEVE.
1. To some the word of the cross is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18; Acts 26:24-25).
2. God’s witnesses (Rom. 1:20; John 20:30-31; John 5:39).
A. ARE YOU READY FOR THE JUDGMENT?
B. STRIVING TO BE RIGHT, READY TO BE DIFFERENT?
C. WHO DO YOU WANT TO PLEASE?