Strange Conduct

Sermon Outline:

Introduction

• Bullying (2:12, 19; 3:9, 14)
• While Good Works will Evidence the Believer’s Faith in Christ (James 2:18), which brings Joy to Other Believers, the Unbeliever does not Always Receive it in the Same Way

The Response of Unregenerate World to that Certain Mindset (vs. 4-6)

• How the Unbelieving World Responds to Christian’s Faithful Conduct in this Life (v. 4)

• Thinks it “Strange” – New and Unusual Conduct (cf. v. 3)
• “Dissipation” – “Incorrigibility” – Incapable of Being Corrected/Impossible to Control
  • The Believer May Become Discouraged and Look on the Prosperity of the Unbeliever with Envy (Psalm 73:1-9, 13-14)
  • All Men will give an Accounting given to God (v. 5; Matthew 12:36-37)
  • Jesus Christ Appoint Judge of all Mankind (John 5:22; Acts 10:42; 17:31; 2 Timothy 4:1)
  • The Ultimate End of the Bully will be Far Greater Suffering than Any Suffering He Can Inflict on the Believer (Psalm 73:16-20)
  • But the Person Who Has Tasted God’s Goodness and Grace by Fall Back into A Worldly Mindset will Suffer Even Greater Judgment than the Unbelieving Bully (Hebrew 10:28-29; 1 John 2:19)
  • The Hope and Comfort of the True Believer is Reassured (v. 6; Hebrews 10:36-39)
  • “The Dead” – Physically Died
  • The Estimation of Man - the Death is a Judgment and Punishment
  • But According to God The Believer Continues to Live in the Spirit (John 11:25-26)

Conclusion/Application

• Let’s Not be Discourage (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21)
• Remain Steadfast in the Lord Serve Him in Righteousness and Not Look with Envy at the Prosperity of the Unbeliever - 1 Peter 4:1-6; Hebrews 10:26-39; and Psalm 73:21-28