branches

We live in a culture that loves to win.

Win the argument. Prove your point. Convince the other person that you’re right.

But following Jesus isn’t supposed to be about winning through domination.

The way we treat people puts something on display about the God we worship. How we listen, disagree, show compassion, and love our neighbors tells people something about what we believe God is like.

So if our faith makes us mean-spirited toward others, we have to ask: What kind of God are our lives putting on display?

Acts 17:22–31

If you found out your new neighbor practiced a different religion, what would your first response be?

“How can I convert them?”

Or:

“I’m going to love them because Jesus loves them.”

Following Jesus isn’t about proving that Christians are better than everyone else. If Christianity means “I’m in, you’re out; I’m right, you’re wrong,” that’s not the kind of faith Colin is describing here.

Jesus’ way isn’t domination. It’s love, humility, and sacrifice.

Acts 17:22–31

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What happens when Christians become more concerned with being right than understanding the people around us?

Throughout history, Christianity has sometimes carried a “you can’t sit with us” attitude toward people who believe differently.

In Acts 17:22–31, Paul doesn’t begin by dismissing the people of Athens. He pays attention. He listens. He meets them where they are.

Loving our neighbor requires more than waiting for our turn to tell them what we believe.

Colin is still out of the office, so Katrina decides she’s leading the worship meeting.

Carrie has some concerns.

Marcel and John? They think every single thing Katrina says is a GREAT idea. 😂

Something feels suspicious…

Episode 5 of The Office, But Church: The Prank 🎬

Sometimes Christianity gets presented like this:

Behave the right way → believe the right things → then you belong.

But what if we’ve gotten the order backwards?

Galatians 5 shows us that a transformed life is the result of walking with the Spirit, not the price of admission.

You don’t change your life so you can be with Jesus. Being with Jesus is what changes your life.