29/05/2005 The Barbaric Way

29/05/2005
"The Barbaric Way"
Erwin McManus
CiftLife Church Sunday 9am

Matt 11:1-6
v.3 "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?"
John had the choice to live a normal civilised life or to follow a barbaric Christian life.
John knew Jesus was the one, but why did he ask?
He asked because Jesus wasn't what he expected: he began to doubt. "Why doesn't He come through for me?"

A life following Jesus doesn't guarantee freedom from pain or suffering. But it is purposeful - everyone's life is unique. For some it may involve death - like John's.

It's not about God making life safe, but about God making it significant.

Why does it seem that today's Christians seem like average nice people - blending into society?

God isn't about standardising you; He's about unleashing your uniqueness.

Christianity is more than just what we see. We serve a passionate God. When we start to live a barbaric life - because God's Kingdom is forcefully advancing. We need to run with it. We cannot settle for mediocrity.

We need to be as passionate as a crash of rhinos. They can run up to 30mph but can only see up to 30 feet. Although we cannot see the whole path ahead, we can still run regardless and trust God to take us to our destination.

“It’s not enough just to live for myself: I need to live so I may save as many as possible. This is what God has called me to live."