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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/20/2009 8:38:02 PM
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DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1779
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quote:
very dangerous time to admit Jesus is the Son of God and King.
It still is in many countries around the world. Christians are killed for their belief, imprisoned for years because they choose Christ.
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The church was spreading and growing by the hundreds daily. A different time all together.
Your point? We are exempt from living like the disciples because it was a different time?
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What does being "radical" mean? I've hear that term so many times and still have no clue as to what it means. I hate using worldy terms to define my walk with Christ.
Call it worldly if you like. Radical is living very different from the norm, extreme in other words.
Can you say that you live for Christ in that way? I haven't been, but I'm hoping to get there.
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Sorry, if I seem to be a downer, but so many times we blame the "church" for the ills of the world instead of putting the blame where it belongs.
Who's blaming the church? Radicalness, is about our choices and our heart condition. It's individual, not collective.
Do you get excited at all talking about Jesus? Are you in a place where there is nothing new under the sun? Have you been a Christian so long that there is nothing new for you to learn?
I'm afraid the attitude that you are displaying is all too familiar within the church. People are "stupid" if they question something that has been repeated over and over.....
People are applying worldly words to excited Christians and then they are told to expect this kind of thing because it's a sinful world.
I think it's just rhetoric that is conducive to complacency.
"There's no reason to fight, it's just the nature of the world"......
Our fight is spiritual-complacency falls into that category. It's just as damaging to the body as the "sinful acts" of the world.
Again, it's about our daily choices.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/20/2009 8:53:25 PM
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stampinlady
Posts: 2574
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: Northern IL
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quote:
Radical is living very different from the norm, extreme in other words.
What do you mean by 'radical' and 'exteme'?
Am I to leave my husband and children to go live in the slums of the inner city to be considered "radical?" How about moving to China? Isn't my living a Godly life as a mother and wife enough?
I've been through my share of "radical and extreme" preaching and it's all about "ME!"
_____________________________
Deb
"In my opinion, we don't devote nearly enough scientific research to finding a cure for jerks."
Calvin and Hobbes
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/20/2009 9:05:30 PM
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DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1779
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quote:
Isn't my living a Godly life as a mother and wife enough?
It's not enough for me. He has called me and you and everyone else to go into the world and preach the gospel.
We can get into a place where we are satisfied and never move from that spot. Do you really believe that God is pleased with that? I, personally don't.
I have been in a complacent spot, He told me that's where He doesn't want me to be.
Just for the record here is an example of what we deem as extreme but God tells us that our reward is eternal:
Mat 19:29 "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name's sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.
Mat 19:30 "But many {who are} first will be last; and {the} last, first.
We can't seem to fathom that God would call us away from our loved ones, yet He did the disciples. He hasn't changed, so why wouldn't He do that now if it served His purposes?
We just don't think like that. It's almost unbearable to consider the thought of leaving our children, our husbands, our wives, etc. So, in our minds, He just wouldn't ask that of us......
Extreme-the Christians living in communism where Christianity is illegal. Where Christians have to hide, where bibles are banned. Where they are stood up and told to renounce Christ or die.
We face nothing like that here. The most we suffer are people making fun of us. Big deal....
Yet the above, is the exact thing the disciples faced. I mean really, He died on the cross for us and we struggle with getting out of our comfort zones?
How does that even make sense?
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/21/2009 6:16:44 AM
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DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1779
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quote:
Coming in to add: Dd I don't mean to squash anyones emthusiasm, but we need to be careful and not squash those who are just trying to live a Godly life. Life is busy when you have a family and it takes alot just to teach you kids how to live let alone live your own life pleasing to God. Hunny, I've been to my share of churches over the years and I don't buy into much of the radical extreme teaching because I don't believe it follows along with the history of the church. Like Eccleciastes says, there is a season ..... .
I hear what you are saying. 
God took this complacent Christian, sent me overseas, allowed me to think I was going to change hearts and minds in others. What happened was that the exact people He sent me to, changed me! God changed the way I view things, my whole perspective. He stripped me while I was there, purged me and rebuilt me. all in one trip!
When I was leaving, I was broken hearted, I did not want to return home. I got home and the world was different. I saw here, the same lost, the same broken hearted, same circumstances. He opened the door to a ministry I never saw coming.
I didn't see the trip any longer as way for "me" to change anyone, but a way that God separated me from the things around me, just to do a work in me, for His purposes here at home. Of course, I can't wait to go back in July, just to see what He is going to do next!
The one thing I am so thankful for, has been, over that past year, since God told me I was to go, my husband came to believe. I had been praying about that for years! The ministry now, involves my husband and daughter! Which, I think is really cool.
My point to this thread, is that there is so much more out there that Christ is willing to give and show people! But, people have to be willing to stretch a little and get out of there comfort zones.
I'm not sure if I buy the whole seasons thing....I'll have to think on that some more. I really think it can be used as an excuse to not do things or even to do things, that people want rather than what God desires.
I also think it could be more rhetoric used without it really being considered in it's context. I know there are so many Christian books out there that promote theses ideas and I've just about come to the conclusion that they promote more "self-centeredness" that they spur on the fire of Christ.
Anyways, I didn't want to "squash" you or even intend to do that. I was hoping that it might have encouraged you.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/21/2009 11:32:20 AM
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cposey
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I don't think it really matters where or what we are doing, as long as we are where God has called us to be. No matter where you are at, if you live by the Spirit it will be radical to the fallen world around us. The catch is if you live by the Spirit. There are a lot of Christians who would rather be passive adn people pleasers. They blend in with the world. We as Christians are not to be chamelions(hope i spelled that one right). Radicalness is found in being as we are called to be, set apart for God. We should be the light of the world, not just another light switch, being turned off and on depending on the mood or setting.
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/21/2009 1:38:07 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5585
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
quote:
Radical is living very different from the norm, extreme in other words.
What do you mean by 'radical' and 'exteme'?
Am I to leave my husband and children to go live in the slums of the inner city to be considered "radical?" How about moving to China? Isn't my living a Godly life as a mother and wife enough?
I've been through my share of "radical and extreme" preaching and it's all about "ME!"
For me...living radically means doing things that are not the stereotypical Christian thing and not necessarily radical in our culture.
Here's an example...and no, this is not to bring attention to myself but I think this is a prime example of what I'm talking about.
A local church received a call from a lady who was on dialysis, lived in a trailer and was waiting on her social security check to go buy some necessities. She contacted a local area church to ask for help until she got her check. Without asking what she needed, they turned her down. She then called another...and another...and one of them finally sent out a broadcast email to all the churches (including our little house church) to see if anyone was willing to assist this lady.
I answered the email that we would care for her. Imagine my utter astonishment at her request....a gallon of milk and some toilet paper. Not ONE single CHURCH in our area could handle that request. Not one. Nobody could be bothered by this woman.
Unbelievable...that's what I mean by radical. And after taking her the items and meeting her, the context of her story was even more dire than originally thought. So I was so happy, humbled and tearful that God allowed me to be used to care for her in such a small way.
That's the kind of radical that Christians should be known for imo.
eta: to remove unkind comments and such 
< Message edited by doinkdom -- 10/21/2009 1:44:29 PM >
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/21/2009 5:00:56 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5585
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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Yes, it was sad...Christians (in general) should be ready (at least in their hearts) to care for others and not feel like doing this kind of stuff is an inconvenience.
I guess I do not want to be the stereotypical Christian who brings you the milk/bread, but also wants to invade your home for an hour or so with tracts and forced prayers, devotions, etc.
We need to love and serve those who are far from God. God will be glorified in our actions of love.
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/21/2009 5:06:38 PM
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DeliveredDarling
Posts: 1779
Joined: 8/30/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: doinkdom
quote:
ORIGINAL: stampinlady
quote:
Radical is living very different from the norm, extreme in other words.
What do you mean by 'radical' and 'exteme'?
Am I to leave my husband and children to go live in the slums of the inner city to be considered "radical?" How about moving to China? Isn't my living a Godly life as a mother and wife enough?
I've been through my share of "radical and extreme" preaching and it's all about "ME!"
For me...living radically means doing things that are not the stereotypical Christian thing and not necessarily radical in our culture.
Here's an example...and no, this is not to bring attention to myself but I think this is a prime example of what I'm talking about.
A local church received a call from a lady who was on dialysis, lived in a trailer and was waiting on her social security check to go buy some necessities. She contacted a local area church to ask for help until she got her check. Without asking what she needed, they turned her down. She then called another...and another...and one of them finally sent out a broadcast email to all the churches (including our little house church) to see if anyone was willing to assist this lady.
I answered the email that we would care for her. Imagine my utter astonishment at her request....a gallon of milk and some toilet paper. Not ONE single CHURCH in our area could handle that request. Not one. Nobody could be bothered by this woman.
Unbelievable...that's what I mean by radical. And after taking her the items and meeting her, the context of her story was even more dire than originally thought. So I was so happy, humbled and tearful that God allowed me to be used to care for her in such a small way.
That's the kind of radical that Christians should be known for imo.
eta: to remove unkind comments and such
Yes, Doink, this is exactly what I am talking about. A few weeks ago we had some very strong storms that came through our area. Many trees were downed on houses and lots of people lost power. Our church assembled a disaster relief team called the chainsaw gang.
Calls rolled in from people in the surrounding areas requesting assistance. Our team went out. What they reported back, floored me. People had called their own churches and couldn't get help! Many stated that just because our team came out, they wanted to see what our church was like!
Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things, all to the Glory of God.
Maybe we could make a new term for this kind of serving--subtle radicalness 
These seemingly small acts can be life changing.
_____________________________
"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed: but he puts it on a lampstand, in order that those who come in may see the light."
Luke 8:16
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/21/2009 5:07:52 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5585
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deliveredarling
Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things, all to the Glory of God.
Now that's radical!!!!!
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 10/22/2009 12:32:40 PM
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RJR_fan
Posts: 1169
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: RTP, in sunny NC USA
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quote:
Some of the communes became highly authoritarian.
See this conversation on "Christian cyborgs".
quote:
Jesus people often viewed churches, especially those in the United States, as apostate, and took a decidedly counter cultural political stance in general. The theology of the Jesus movement also called for a return to simple living and asceticism in some cases. The Jesus people had a strong belief in miracles, signs and wonders, faith, healing, prayer, The Bible, and powerful works of the Holy Spirit.
Many still feel the same way -- but have selected a different "church" to dismiss with a sneer. See this conversation on "Real Reformation!"
BTW -- I was there, in 1970-71. It was, with all its weird excesses, a real move of God, a supernatural receptivity to the gospel in one distinct subculture, the hippies. Then, as quickly as it had popped up, it disappeared, just about the time that Kent State took the fairytale romance out of the protest movement -- and the retreat from Vietnam deprived the counterculture of its most energizing rationale. For many of us, it was a magical "Narnia" year, set apart from routine life. For some of us, it was a temporary fad. Me? I found it harder to settle down to routine Christianity, and spent decades researching the moves of God, in revivals and in reformations. At age 58, I'm seeking grace to incorporate those insights into a doctoral dissertation. After all, I'm only at the BEGINNING of the second half of my adult life! If the first half began with such fireworks, what might God have in mind for now?
< Message edited by RJR_fan -- 10/22/2009 12:51:51 PM >
_____________________________
Blogging my way through the Turkish New Testament
Meet my beloved mentor, RJR
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RE: radicalness in Christians - 11/7/2009 4:03:57 AM
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souljaboy
Posts: 23
Joined: 11/3/2009
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The founder of our faith was a radical. He challenged the status quo amongst the religious leaders.
The apostles were radicals because they preached one God and proclaimed the Messiah.
Martin Luther was a radical because he challenged the might of the Roman church.
Wesley was a radical because he believed that priests were not necessary to hold a meeting.
The Anna Baptists were radicals because they insisted that baptism was for believers by immersion.
Hudson Taylor was a radical because he was knocked back by every mission society he applied to so he went on his own and dressed like the chinese.
David Du Plessis was a radical because he said the baptism of the Spirit was for everyone, not just pentecostals.
Michael Harper was a radical because he pioneered the charismatic in the Anglican church.
John Wimber was a radical because he brought the gift of healing centre stage.
Toronto were radical because they brought relationship with the father centre stage.
Today, the status quo is being challenged by radicals who are leaving the institutional church and meeting as they did in the new testament, in homes.
Whenever you get a breakthrough in revelation, it is always opposed by those who have the most to lose, namely those in power in the organised church.
When the charismatic move descended on the historical churches in the UK in the 60s their biggest opponents were the pentecostals, who thought they had a mortgage on the gifts.
If you want to know what God is doing, just look at who is being opposed by whom.
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I'm sure this happens all the time and it shouldn't. This should be how we(the church) should step up. I'm reminded of the "sheep and the goats." Keith Green has a ver moving song about that.