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Stott, John - Keeping the Right Company

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Keeping the Right Company
by John R. W. Stott
Text: Mark 2:13-17
Topic: What Christian mission looks like
Big Idea: Jesus' example of befriending sinners is the model for Christian mission.
Keywords: Evangelism; Friends; Mission; Pursuing sinners; Sinners

Introduction:
  • We often assume people are like the company they keep.
  • Yet many people choose to be with others they hope to influence.
  • Jesus befriended sinners.
    - Mark 2:13-17
  • Jesus' example of befriending sinners is the model for Christian mission.
Levi Matthew invited his "sinner" friends to Christ.
  • Christianity is a religion for the disreputable, like Matthew.
  • Levi Matthew couldn't invite his friends to meet Jesus until he'd met him himself.
  • Illustration: Ten-year-old Jillie answered the question "Who have you brought to Jesus?" by rightly responding, "Myself."
  • Illustration: A paragraph-long quote from former Archbishop of Canterbury William Temple argues that evangelism can only be an invitation to come (not "go") to Jesus from the voice of a forgiven sinner.
  • New converts should be encouraged to invite first their friends and family to Jesus.
The Pharisees' mistake was separating themselves from sinners.
  • The Pharisees mistook separatism for holiness.
  • Holiness is not a matter of company, but a matter of the heart.
Christ came to sinners to save sinners.
  • Christianity is a rescue religion.
  • The Incarnation was evidence of God's philosophy of getting involved with sinners.
  • The extension of the Spirit is likewise a mission to be involved with sinners.
    - Illustration: Stott quotes Temple again, arguing that when the Spirit is present it necessarily overflows to others.
    - Illustration: Stott quotes Harry Boer, who argues that the Spirit's work in the church is evidence of God's character of mission to sinners.
Conclusion
  • Do you keep non-Christian friendships?
  • Is our church penetrating the secular world around it for Christ?
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