Jesse Boyd's 10/28 Teaching

We’re Supposed to be Different

My teaching continues on the themes of recent calls. As a side bar I can say I really appreciate what you guys are bringing to the calls. It’s really got me thinking.

A few weeks ago on one of our ACCs during a discussion Anthony Powell made a comment that stuck with me as did Frank Thomas’ message about doing your best and giving of yourself to others. If you recall, Anthony made a comment about being frustrated at times with the behavior of Christians because he thought they should know how to act. At the time I disagreed. I thought that it made sense that Christians would be frustrating because of the myriad of life circumstances that would bring people into relationship with Christ. My feeling is that people can be basically pretty messed up and why would they be any different than anyone else anyway? But reading a recent teaching from John Maxwell has given me a different perspective on Anthony’s comment.

The scripture reference that affected me is from Leviticus 18:4-5

You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them. I am the Lord.

Here’s the kicker. God calls His people to live at a standard higher than the unbelievers who surround them. In Leviticus chapters 18, 19 and 20, God reviews His higher standards regarding relationships, religion, and the rights and responsibilities of community members.

2 Questions:

1. Why the higher standards?

2. Why must we keep faithful in keeping higher standards than the rest of the world?

1. God intended Israel to be a light and a standard for the rest of the world, and Israel's leaders to be a light and a standard for the Jewish nation. God expects the same of leaders today.

2. To make us qualified for ministry. To be like Jesus. To guarantee God's blessing on our life.

Those who choose to pursue life at God's higher standard are characterized by the following things:

They adopt godly values.
They care for the interests of others.
They live with integrity.
They keep their word.
They develop their gifts and potential.
They manage time and money well.
They pass on to others what they have received.

This is at the heart of what Koop is trying to do with The Alliance. We should look at our association as more than just supporting each other and holding each other accountable but also putting emphasis on raising our level of living to impact those around us to the glory of God.