How to Become the Type of Christian This World Needs
Pastor Bill Brennan shares profound insights on what it means to be the kind of Christians the world desperately needs today. His message emphasizes the importance of an encounter with God, the role of education in faith, and how to respond to adversity. This blog post delves into the key points from his sermon, encouraging believers to embrace their calling and reflect God’s love in their communities.
The Power of Encountering God
Encounters with God can dramatically change the course of our lives. These encounters can be significant, like a miraculous healing, or subtle, such as a word of encouragement from a friend. Regardless of the form, the key is to recognize and nurture this relationship daily.
Pastor Brennan stresses that God speaks to us in various ways: through scripture, prayer, dreams, and even through the testimonies of others. It’s crucial for Christians to remain open to these encounters, as they often lead to profound transformations in our hearts and lives.
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He also notes that the church, especially in America, often structures itself in ways that keep people in a state of immaturity. This realization sparked questions in him about how to change this culture and lead people to maturity in their faith.
The Need for Revival
Pastor Brennan addresses the moral and spiritual decline in society, noting that true revival is necessary for flourishing. Revival is not just about individual conversions; it’s about changing hearts and minds to turn back to God. He explains that God’s love for humanity drives His desire for revival, as He wants us to flourish and live in a way that reflects His character.
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The foundation of revival lies in education. The pastor emphasizes that effective Christian education can empower individuals to become strong, confident, and loving citizens. This education should be rooted in a biblical worldview that teaches discernment between good and evil.
Education and Its Role in Maturity
Education is not merely about acquiring knowledge; it’s about forming the whole person in the image of God. Pastor Brennan believes that the church should focus on developing character alongside knowledge. When children are taught to embrace their identity in Christ and to see the value in education, they become empowered to face life’s challenges.
He shares a story about a child who learned resilience through swimming. After facing defeat, the child was encouraged to persevere and ultimately became a top swimmer. This lesson in resilience should be mirrored in classrooms, where students learn to try, fail, and try again.
Expectations of Maturity
One of the main issues facing today’s church is the expectation of immaturity. Pastor Brennan challenges the notion that Christians should remain dependent on church leaders for their spiritual growth. He emphasizes that every believer has the potential to grow into maturity and should be encouraged to take responsibility for their faith.
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He illustrates this point by discussing the biblical figure of Joseph. Joseph faced numerous trials and adversities, yet he remained faithful to God. His journey exemplifies how challenges can lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Through his experiences, Joseph learned to forgive and love his brothers, even after they wronged him.
Responding to Adversity
How we respond to adversity is crucial in shaping our character. Pastor Brennan highlights that trials are inevitable and should be approached with joy, as they refine our faith and produce perseverance. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to consider it pure joy when facing trials, knowing that these experiences are essential for growth.
The pastor also references 1 Peter 1:6-7, which discusses how faith is tested by fire, leading to praise and glory. This perspective helps believers understand that trials are not random but are part of God’s plan to mold us into the type of Christians the world needs.
Understanding Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a recurring theme in Pastor Brennan’s message. He emphasizes the importance of accepting God’s forgiveness fully. Many Christians struggle with this concept, often feeling unworthy of grace. However, true maturity in faith comes when individuals accept the forgiveness offered by Christ and extend that same grace to others.
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Joseph’s story again serves as a powerful example. Despite being wronged by his brothers, he chose to forgive them and express love and compassion instead of seeking revenge. This response exemplifies the type of Christian the world needs—one who reflects God’s heart of mercy and grace.
Becoming a Pillar of Strength
Pastor Brennan concludes by calling believers to become pillars of strength in their communities. The world is in desperate need of Christians who can stand firm in their faith, love those who oppose them, and be a source of hope and light in dark times. He encourages everyone to step into their calling and reflect God’s love through their actions.
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As we seek to grow into the type of Christians the world needs, let us remember the vital role of education, the importance of responding to trials with joy, and the transformative power of forgiveness. By embracing these principles, we can become agents of change in our communities, shining brightly for Christ in a world that desperately needs His light.
Final Thoughts
In a world filled with challenges, the call for mature, responsible Christians is more urgent than ever. Pastor Bill Brennan’s message serves as a reminder that we are all capable of rising above our circumstances and embodying the love and grace of God. Let us commit to this journey of growth and transformation, becoming the type of Christians this world needs.
The Type of Christian the World Needs
Preaching Outline
- How an encounter with God can give direction to your whole life
- The dreams I had from my early days of following Jesus. – City, babies on life support, etc.
- Psychology of educational success
- Education – asking about what has helped prepare their kids for life…swimming…
- Bringing these ideas into the classroom
- Many are concerned about what they are calling a “snowflake generation” but could the problem have begun in the church?
- Creating dependency rather that mature soldiers of Christ. – THE TYPE OF CHRISTIANS THE WORLD NEEDS
- John 5:19 (NKJV) — 19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
- We should reflect how God raises His children
- What maturity can look like – there are many examples in scripture and they are all beautiful and they all follow the same pattern – how we respond to adversity.
- Genesis 50:15–21 (NKJV) — 15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17 ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ’ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. 18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
- The Sons of God
- How we respond to adversity is the key to how we grow up in Christ.
- How God deals with His children
- Choices and responsibility
- Letting them struggle through adversity.
- How God deals with His children
- Asking for help
- Not always making things clear.
- Psychology of success, loved, accept forgiveness. Security and identity. Mature to love.
- Maturity and responsibility, feed me vs feed my sheep.
- Scriptures often help us frame the experiences of our lives to cause us to grow
- James 1:2–4 (NKJV) — 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
- 1 Peter 4:12 (NKJV) — 12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;
- 1 Peter 1:3–9 (NKJV) — 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) — 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. THE LORD’S PRAYER
- When thinking about the future, I was asking God about the future or America in light of the fact that we have a church structured for immaturity.
- Eliya’s Dream
- Daniel 11:32 (NKJV) — 32 Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.
- The type of Christians the world needs
- God does not command blind obedience.. “God does not deal despotically with His creatures.” If He sought no more than mindless submission to the divine will, He would have created robots, machines, or genetically programmed people who responded automatically to commands as dogs to Pavlov’s bell. God wants us to be mature, deliberative, to do His will because we understand or because we trust Him when we do not understand. He seeks from us something other and greater than obedience, namely responsibility. Noah’s end – drunk, disheveled, an embarrassment to his children – eloquently tells us that if you save yourself while doing nothing to save the world, you do not even save yourself…When it comes to rebuilding the ruins of catastrophe, you do not wait for permission. You take the risk and walk ahead. Faith is more than obedience. It is the courage to create.[1]
[1] Sacks, Jonathan. Genesis: The Book of Beginnings (Covenant & Conversation 1) (p. 48). Kindle Edition.
