"Are We Really Too Political, Too Controversial & Too Judgmental?

Questions for Reflection Provided by Rev. Darren T. Galindo

Who in our circle of friends and family do we have the most difficulties with in talking politics and religion? Why is that so?

When Jesus was asked, "Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" He pointed out the portrait and inscription, and said, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's." How can this text be helpful in our discussions concerning religion and politics?

What complaints do you hear most about churches when it comes to controversial issues?

Being faithful to our beliefs is hard. Living by principles is not necessarily the norm where we work or play. Often times we feel alone in our convictions. Who are the people that we can share our beliefs with, without fear of judgment?

Someone once asked Mother Teresa, "How can I be like you?" Her response was, "Find your own Calcutta." So the question for us is not how can we be like other great churches? The question is, what is our Calcutta? In what ways are we meeting people's needs? How does that help define our role in society?

Scripture References: Luke 20:20-26, Matt. 20:28, Mark 1:15

Sermon Quotes:
"If our aim is to engage people, and develop spirituality, and to love God all at the same time, then we need to listen to what others are saying about how the church responds to significant issues of the day." Rev. Galindo
Mother Teresa quote provided by David Kinnaman.
"What impresses me about this congregation is that we don't let our diverse background, politics and beliefs get in the way of reaching out to the needy." Rev. Galindo

Sermon Resources: The Bible Knowledge Commentary, The New Century Bible Commentary on Luke, The NIV Study Bible and the book UnChristian by David Kinnaman.

"It's More Than Just About Joining" January 18, 2008

Questions for Reflection Provided By Rev. Darren T. Galindo

What comes to mind when you hear someone ask the question, "are you saved?"

Does the United Church of Christ believe in salvation?
(See New Century Hymnal #885)

When was there a powerful turning point in your faith?

How has faith (God) helped transform you over the years?

How will your life impact the lives of others due to God's good work in you?


Scripture References:
Invitations to Salvation: Jesus (Mk. 1:15) Peter (Acts 2:38) The Apostle Paul (Acts 26:20).
Transformation: Thinking with the mind of Christ (Romans 12:1-2). Loving God, neighbor, as well as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). Prayer, listening to God's Word and One another (Acts 2:42). Being part of a faith community (Heb. 10:25).

Sermon Quotes:
"To receive salvation means to live changed lives. It means being committed to a process of transformation over the period of a lifetime." Rev. Galindo
"We can accept differences in our spiritual journey and still believe in the same God." Rev. Galindo
"Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God." David Kinnaman.

Sermon Resources: Blacks New Testament Commentary on Mark, The New American Commentary on Mark by James A. Brooks. The Bible Knowledge Commentary, The New Century Bible Commentary on Acts, The NIV Study Bible and UnChristian by David Kinnaman.

"Are We Really That Hypercritical?" January 11, 2009

Sermon Outline Provided by Rev. Darren T. Galindo
1. Righteousness is not primarily a matter between a person and others, but between a person and God. One's acts of faith should not be demonstrated before others in order to seek rewards from them (Mtt. 6:1-2).
2. The point being made here is that giving can be spoiled by theatrics. Matthew 23:5 literally translated means, they live to be seen, they “make theatre.” It’s been said, “The invisible God has a certain affinity for invisible deeds.”
3. How does one fall into the trap of living out one's faith for show? We major on the minors of faith instead of minoring on the majors. We focus on the external appearance of being a Christian and not on having a heart of mercy. (Matthew 23)
4. "Spiritual works are the evidence, not the energizer, of sincere faith. Faith and deeds are as essential to each other as the body and the spirit." Frederick Dale Bruner
5. How do we keep it real in our Christian faith? By doing what we say we are going to do. Hypocrisy means you profess something that you do not really believe. Anyone who says one thing and seems to do another is subject to the label.
6. James 5:16 says,“pray for one another.” Why would this apostle say that? Because he knows we keep falling short of righteousness. Therefore, instead of pretending of having all the answers and acting mightier than thou, choose godly transparency, which is oriented toward helping people stay on track with God.


Resources: NIV Study Bible, Bible Knowledge Commentary, Matthew Volume 1 & 2 by Frederick Dale Bruner, and UnChristian by David Kinnaman.

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"What People Think About Christians" January 4, 2009

· So why would people not come to a church on Sunday? Fear of being judged. Fear of being asked if you are saved. Fear of their being too many hypocrites. Fear of the church being too political, controversial, and fear that the church is anti-Homosexual, and anti-everything else. (Taken from the 2007 George Barna Research group national survey of people outside the church in America ages 16-29)

· So how do we help people get past these fears? We first reflect on what the bible teaches us about who we are suppose to be? 1 Peter 2:9-10 probably gives us the most comprehensive description of God's people known as the church.

· Chosen- 1 Peter says we are a chosen people. Think of the ritual of choosing teams for basketball, dodge ball, playstation or Wii. We anxiously wait for our name to be called or teams to be divided. When God is in charge of choosing, nobody is left out, and we are never picked last. Being chosen means we are handpicked. (Exodus 19:6, Luke 6:12, John 15:16, 2 Thess. 2:13, 1 Peter 2:9).

· Royal Priesthood – The privilege of the church to serve is called priesthood. If translated literally priesthood means a group of kings. However, the church is not a collection of all-star royalty, we are royalty not by our individual deeds but by our work together. To have royalty standing with God we must act or fulfill our service in a priestly manner as part of the body of the Christ. (Eph. 4:11-6, Hebrews 3:11, 5:1-3, 7:22-28, 1 Peter 2:9, Revelations 1:6) We are God’s royalty that likes to treat others like royalty.

· Holy Nation- We are set apart for the purposes of God, therefore, our conversations honor God. It should reflect a manner of holiness. In other words, what we say must honor God and not give God a bad reputation, especially if proclaim to be one of God's own. (Deut. 7:6, 14:2, 21, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2:9) Holiness doesn’t make us perfect, it makes us able.

· A People Belonging to God- Made in Heaven. God’s own people literally means a “people for possession.” When Jesus died for our sins we are reminded that we are God’s people. We are people of many races and nations in continuity with the people of God that have gone before us. (Ps. 139:13-14, Eph. 2:11-13, Galatians 3:26-29, Titus 2:14)

· It is the Barna Research Group's conclusion that one fifth of all people outside the Christian Church in this country had a bad experience in a church or with a Christian that gave them a negative image of Jesus Christ, that's about 50 million people. Why should we be concerned about what people think about Christians? Because what people think about Christians should help us be objective.

· We can't always be aligned with how other churches describe as the marks of a Christian, but this church can do its share by living in a way so that our heavenly creator's qualities are evident in our lives. In the Hymn “In Christ There Is No East or West,” the third verse reads; In Christ is neither Jew nor Greek, and neither slave nor free; for men and women live in God, and all are kin to me. Whether people agree with our faith or not, we must remember, they are all kin to you and me. (Rev. Darren T. Galindo)