Pastor’s Notes
For our citizenship is in heaven.”
This week’s text mirrors the famous text shown in Matthew 7 when Jesus speaks of the “Narrow Way.” In this week’s scripture Paul is showing the difference between those who call themselves followers and those who are actually following Christ. “I Never knew you,” Jesus says in Matthew 7, to where as Paul would say through tears coming down his face, that these false followers of God will end in destruction.
Paul is describing people who are apart of the church, not outspoken non-believers. We don’t know if these are people who have left the church or people who are just obvious fakes, but Paul is pretty clear that we should not follow these imposters. However, Paul steps forward and says follow me as I follow Christ!
In a day where it is hard to be a Christian and to live a radical and faithful life, focus your attention on the rare few who are. Paul’s life example draws us upward. His faith draws us towards a closer view of the goodness of God. We must take notice of this.
Now for some, this could be heard as prideful or unwise to point anyone towards man and not Christ, but this is not what Paul is doing. More, Paul is pointing towards God by shining light on His powerful work in man through transformation. This is what our children and youth need so desperately, living examples to imitate! In today’s culture, the need for Godly men and women to step forward and say, “Follow me and as I follow Christ,” is still very much in need. Like Paul, we need radical believers standing out among the crowd and paving the way for those who are seeking answers and young followers. No matter the age, sex, and background, we need more willing Pauls!
Scripture to go along with the message
Read Matthew 7:13-23
Highlight in your Bibles
Highlight verse 20-21 in this week’s chapter.
Questions to Consider
1) Are you living a life for other believers to imitate?
2) Who in your life lives a faithful life worthy to imitate?
3) What characteristics in that person do you admire and draws you closer to Christ?
