What is a Christian? Part 2
Two weeks ago I asked, “What is a Christian?” I pointed to some obvious examples of people who wrap themselves in the faith while spewing hatred, fear, and division. And I pointed out that what Jesus asks us to do is follow him.
So what does following Jesus look like? Last September I led a workshop on identifying the value of Jesus because following Jesus means living out the values he lived out, doing the kinds of things he did, treating people the way he did. Most of the people at this workshop were lay folk. What follows is a verbatim of what they found in some key New Testament stories.
Take a look. Notice especially what things show up again and again. Live these things out. That’s what it means to be a Christian.
The Values of Jesus
9/17/22
Mark 4:26-29
Prodigality (excessive seed sowing)
Trust in the power of the seed
Patience
Mark 6:32-44 (feeding of the 5,000)
Compassion
Generosity
Meeting Needs
Power of prayer
Trust that God will provide
Matthew 4:23
Traveling-meeting people where they are
Teaching
Supporting religious tradition
Sharing good news
Healing
Matthew 5:1-12 (Beatitudes)
Saw people
Teaching
Healing
Blessing for those we don’t consider blessed
Reward
Joy
A place in heaven
Not alone
Matthew 5:38-48
Turn the other cheek
Love your enemies
Choosing grace not retaliation
Seeing everyone as equal
Giving love freely and unconditionally
Abundance in world of scarcity
Matthew 7:1-5 (Plank in eye)
Self-awareness
Acknowledging your own mortality
Choosing curiosity rather than judgement
Grace
Don’t be stuck in judgement of self either
Freedom to acknowledge you are not perfect
Luke 10:25-37 (Good Samaritan)
What is goodness
Reach beyond comfort zone and show love for all
Luke 15:11-32 (Lost son)
Forgiveness
Value relationships over things
Humility
Peace,
Pastor Mark Walters
