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Reality Check

Reality Check. What a new generation really thinks about Christianity … and why it matters. Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com PowerPoint download , www.cordovachurch.com/reality. Last week - hypocrisy.

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Reality Check

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  1. Reality Check What a new generation really thinks about Christianity … and why it matters Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com PowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality

  2. Last week - hypocrisy • Current perception: Christians say one thing but live something entirely different. • Goal perception: Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second. • Recapping last week • Hypocrisy may be seen as a means to an end • Christian lives don’t match Christian beliefs • We set ourselves up for failure by prioritizing “being good”

  3. You can’t handle Jesus • If lifestyle is the primary way we measure our faithfulness, it’s easy to make the prideful assumption than an inability to live virtuously is what’s keeping people from Christ • This attitude seems particularly arrogant given last week’s data on how well Christian living matches Christian beliefs • John 8:2-11 • Nobody is capable of living “right enough” to not rely on Christ

  4. The Good-O-Meter

  5. This is hard; let’s change the rules • For a new generation of Christians, it may seem easier to compromise morality than to appear a hypocrite. • Re-shaping the rules is a quick solution in an increasingly morally relativistic society.

  6. Radical transparency • Christian transparency can disarm an “image is everything” generation • Young people value authenticity: Don’t pretend to be something you’re not; be open about your faults • Being transparent about our own brokenness reinforces our reliance on Christ • Transparency simply means admitting what the bible says about us: Romans 3:23-24 • Be transparent, but with boundaries & considerations • Use details with caution; resist self-centered motivation; focus on restoration; accept unconditionally

  7. Hypocrisy – call to action • Goal perception: Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second. • Re-assess your priorities; don’t measure faith by avoidance of sin • Mark 12:29-31 • Strive for real-time transparency about our flaws, challenges & motivations • Romans 7:21-25 • Live your beliefs; Jesus is your role model • Ephesians 4:22-24

  8. Get saved!

  9. Get saved! Christians are too concerned with converting people. They are insincere. All I ever hear is “Get saved!” I tried that whole “Jesus thing” already. It didn’t work for me before, and I’m not interested now. Shawn, age 22 • Current perception • Christians are insincere & concerned only with converting others • Goal perception • Christians cultivate relationships & environments where others can be deeply transformed by God

  10. Always Be Closing • Christians are seen as pushy salespeople, and even our genuine interest in peoples’ wellbeing is seen as “fake” • Just 1/3 of outsiders think Christians really care about them; while 2/3 of Christians feel their efforts would be perceived as caring • Outsiders are skeptical & savvy; our interest in them has to go farther than getting them to a bible study

  11. Next week • Finishing up “Get saved!” • Introduce anti-homosexual • Feedback & resources • Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com • Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com • PowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality

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