Three ways ...

that are sure fire to get a congregations attention and no this does not involve anyone removing anything while standing in front of them.  Although, I saw a Missionary from Greece, or was it Holland, I don't remember exactly, throughout his sermon, take off his coat, shoes, etc until he was standing before us barefoot with his sleeves rolled up.  It sure did get our attention and made his point by the way.

No, nothing so dramatic as that until you say it.

1.  Tell the women in the congregation that they are sons rather than daughters of Christ.  It confuses them.  Now, so you know I have no problem being a woman or being called a daughter, after all I am one.  However, when you're talking about matters of Spirit Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are predestined to adoption as sons.  That means that when I stand before the throne, I am a SON and joint heir with Jesus.  Words of triumph and positive but still gets people going a bit.  Usually we counter this one by telling the men that they are the bride of Christ so really...it all works out.

2.  Say the words "we are more than just sinners saved by grace".  This is a big one.  We mean no disrespect in it and really the words themselves are true.  We were sinners and we were saved by grace but that's as far as it goes.  See number 1.  We are joint heirs with Jesus.  We are fellow inheritors.  We are Christ to the world.  We are saints.  We are HIS.  We are more than the sum of our past.  Stand upright you Bride of Christ and walk head held high toward your bridegroom who is the Light of the World.  Ephesians 1, and yes we have heard teachings on this for years and have been teaching on this for months, says that we are HOLY and BLAMELESS in Christ.  That finishes it doesn't it?  We are not worms, we have 24/7 access to the throne room because that's where we live.

3.  This is really the big one.  Tell people that sin is no longer on the table for the Christian.  Now to balance that, and we always do, that doesn't mean that we don't mess up.  Please, I'm the poster child for that one.  But once again, we are more than the sum of our past.  We are more than what we were before Christ.  When you came to a saving knowledge of Christ everything you would have been died at the altar and you raised Christ.  A new creation, literally a new species.  The world has never seen anything like you before.  When Christ died for the world, He took on Himself all the sin that had been, all the sin that was, and all the sin that would ever be.  It's covered.  HALLELUJAH!  This a freedom point and yet we are so wrapped up in ourselves and what we were that we miss it. 

When Ephesians says we are predestined to adoption as sons it means everyone.  Free will is the opposite side of the coin.  To be adopted all we have to do is come to a saving knowledge of Christ.  They're not mutually exclusive.  Isn't that wonderful?  The entire world all who have been, all who are, and all who will be are predestined as sons.  But how will they know unless we tell them?  How will they know if we haven't figured it out yet?  How can we show the world that being a Christian is more than just the can't dos and the be goods?  How can we show them they can be forgiven of their sins if we don't walk free from ours?

Just a thought.

Blessings in Christ,

Mike and Tina