Imagine that Jay Leno of some other late night host walked through town microphone in hand asking passersby, “What is Christianity?”  What answers do you think he would get?  I am certain these would be among the answers:

1. Christianity is one of many philosophies of life.
2. Christianity is one way some choose to understand existence.
3. Christianity is one of many superstitions people lean on to cope with life.
4. Christianity is a way of life.
5. Christianity is The Way of Life.
6. What would your answer be?

Would you agree with the following three part answer:

1. Christianity is a Life of Surrender

• Lk 22:42
• Jn 6:38
• Heb 5:8
• Jesus surrendered to the will of God
• He surrendered His life on the Cross.
• He chose to die.
• He could have refused but He surrendered leaving us an example to follow.
• We must learn a Life of Surrender.
• There is a great spiritual paradox taught in Scripture: “We are most filled when we empty ourself to serve others.”
• Jesus said it this way, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.

2 Christianity is a Life of Love

• 1 Jn 4:8 – God is Love.
• 1 Jn 4:19 – God first loved us.
• Rom 5:8 – God shows His love for us . . .
• What does this mean?
• How do we return such a great love? – 1 Jn 5:2-3.
• We live in a world of counterfeits: Fake tans (air brush tans); Fake ID’s; and Fake Christianity
• Authentic Christianity demonstrates Loving Surrender.

3. Christianity is a Life of Self Denial

• The only way to surrender and to truly love.
• Mk 10:21.
• Learn to distinguish between: Trivial, Important, All Important
• A stain on my tie is trivial.
• Supporting / loving my family is important.
• Faithfulness to God is all important.
• Too often we ‘Major in what is minor and Minor in the major” or “We worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship.”
• Focus Again on What is All Important – Matt 6:33-34.