Identity, judgment, and how Jesus treated sinners
- Am I what I do - does my behavior define my core identity?
The hosts work through the leaver's point 3. A host argues identity is bigger than behavior (a murderer analogy: condemning harm is naming truth), and asks when 'the real you' shows up. They agree the church does extremes poorly: it regurgitates 'love the sinner, hate the sin' without living either, while Jesus never equivocated on sin yet sinners loved being around him. They argue religion has hijacked Christ's work: instead of introducing people to Jesus, the church assaults identity with a moral list, and pulls Christ's words out of the context of Christ. A host closes by charging listeners to be Bereans and verify everything against scripture.
More on Evangelism
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Church, emotions, and the self-focus of affluence
- How do you help people in an affluent, self-focused culture see that they need Jesus?
Ben revives a question from two or three shows back: are church services and worship tunes postured toward certain personality types — predominantly emotions and dealing with emotions?
From No. 603 · Found Out
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Confetti and lasers: what should God's people be known for?
- Do we want to be known as the confetti and lasers people?
- What should God's people be known for?
Ben redirects to the docket's denomination question: when someone hears Silas's church described as 'the confetti and lasers people,' should that sting?
From No. 598 · Emphasis | Accountability, Worship and Praying with Strangers
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Dear LFTP: the $600 lawnmower and buying them a mower
- My nephew's wife took my $600, lied about it, and is avoiding me. Should I say something or let it go?
Mike reads a letter from someone who gave a nephew's wife $600 for a self-propelled lawnmower; she spent it, never bought the mower, and now avoids them.
From No. 587 · Coffee After Sunday
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Maintaining hope for people who won't choose Jesus
- How do you maintain hope for someone who keeps rejecting Jesus when God won't override their free will?
The episode's centerpiece: Mike's pre-show question about how to maintain hope for people who reject Christ when God won't override their free will.
From No. 579 · Wanted: Paul and Hope | Paul’s Persecution of Christians and Radical Redemption