The Balanced Christian Life

1. The Balanced Christian Life 8/26/2009

2. What is Balance? • A state of equilibrium or parity characterized by cancellation of all forces by equal opposing forces • Equilibrium is a state of balance or adjustment of conflicting desires, interests COLD HOT WARM

3. Christians • We are born into righteousness by accepting the price of the shed blood of Jesus as the payment for our sins • We begin our journey as a new creature, old things are passed away and all things have become new • Has all things really become new? • What has changed about us to make us a new person or a new creature?

4. The change • The answer to this question provides the basis for our Christian imbalance • The expectation Christians have is we are no longer the way we used to be • We are no longer the same person we used to be • Do we still look the same? • Some say we don’t, but in fact we do. The difference may be in how we carry ourselves or how we present ourselves to others • Our facial features are the same • Do we still have the same personality? • Some would say no, but in fact we do • If you were outgoing as a sinner, you are still outgoing as a saint

5. Balance in the Bible • Philippians 4:12 • I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. • Proverbs 30:8-9 • 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:   9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

6. Why is balance so hard? • It is easy to lose focus • Trying to live up to others expectations • Misinformation and misinterpretation • Unwilling to change

7. 7 Dimensions of Balance

8. Physical • Our physical state affects our mental state • Although the Bible says bodily exercise profits little, it does not say it is unprofitable • We must take care of our bodies • This means we must watch what we eat and how much we eat • Leading cause of premature death in African Americans is hypertension • Percent of men 20 years and over with hypertension: 39%(2003-2006) Centers for Disease Control • Percent of women 20 years and over with hypertension: 43% (2003-2006) Centers for Disease Control

9. Physical • We must take control over what we eat • Healthy food can taste good • Eating in moderation is necessary • We should eat to live rather than live to eat • Doing so can keep us out of the prayer line • It is important to exercise • Walk • Play sports • Do something • When the spirit hits you and you dance all over the floor – how do you feel afterwards?

10. Physical • We must take note of how we look • Although the native look was in vogue in the seventies, it isn’t today • There’s nothing wrong with getting a perm • Ladies should be free to fix themselves up • Dab on a little make-up • Put on a piece of jewelry or two • The same thing you did to attract your husband is the same thing you need to do now • Just because you are saved it doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to look at you in that special way • Do it all in moderation (Be temperate in all things – I Cor 9:25)

11. Mental • Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus – Philippians 2:5 • Our minds must be transformed • Our thoughts must line up Christ • Our ideas must line up with the Word • Attitudes are outward indications of inward thoughts • If we are Christians then we must think like Christians • If we think like Christians then we will act like Christians

12. Mental • Sometimes things go wrong with our thoughts • When they do, we need to seek help • It is okay for Christians to seek counsel • Professional Counsel included • God wants us to have a healthy mind • If our mind is sick, it needs healing • Mental illness is not demonic possession! • Most people just need a tune up • Pastoral counsel

13. Social • Men/Women are social beings • We like being around other people (most of the time) • Church is a society • A group of baptized believers in Christ • We need to socialize in some fashion • Activities, sports, games, hobbies, etc. • Interacting with people with common interests is healthy

14. Social • Examples of social behavior • Dinner parties • Book clubs • Knitting clubs • Bike clubs • Social club membership • Kiwanis, Rotary, etc • Going out on the town with another couple • Dinner and a movie • Bowling • Putt Putt

15. Social • Indulging in such surroundings could meet a void that if left unfulfilled could lead to unhealthy behaviors • If we want friends we need to demonstrate friendly behavior – Proverbs 18:24 • No holier than thou mentality

16. Work • Our goal should be to do a good job • 5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;   6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;   7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: • Our focus is to perform our work to the best of our ability • Veto Mediocrity • Respect our bosses • Good or bad • Be genuine in our performance

17. Work • We do so not expecting anything more than what was promised when we were hired • Raises are a bonus not a guarantee • Matthew 20:1-16 • Others promoted ahead of you • Continue doing a good job • Continue showing respect to your boss • Don’t be defined by your work • Work is a means to an end

18. Financial • We could spend all night talking about this portion of our lives • We need to be good stewards of the resources God entrusts unto us • We must learn to live within our means and not beyond our means • We must learn to give to God and to others • Tithes • Offerings • Malachi 3:8-12

19. Financial • Debt is an enemy to good financial stewardship • Examples of bad debt • Credit cards • Furniture • Computers • Small equipment – riding lawnmowers, etc. • Jewelry • Clothing • Examples of good debt • Home • Maybe a car • Shouldn’t buy home or car you can not afford

20. Financial • If we have money and don’t give, then we are out of balance • If we say we can not afford to pay our tithes then we are out of balance • Saints should not seek to be rich but we should manage our finances so that we are able to pay our bills and help others • Saints should rarely spend time in the prayer line over finances • If we have been faithful in fulfilling our obligation then God will uphold his part of the bargain

21. Family • Ephesians 5:22-33 governs the relationship between husbands and wives • Husbands must love their wives as Christ loved the church • They must demonstrate a sense of security and safety to their wives that will free her to give her full self to him • Wives in turn must submit themselves to their husbands and obey them • They must do this as unto the Lord

22. Family • Popular culture has created an imbalance • Wives are ruling the home because the husband is either absent or too weak to rule his own household • Wives are not willing to submit to the husband’s leadership thereby creating conflict and turmoil • Husbands are not willing to submit themselves to their wives and receive counsel and an alternative viewpoint • Husbands are not acting as the priest of their homes and leaving it to the wives to do so

23. Family • Ephesians 6:1-4 governs how parents and children should interact • Fathers should not provoke their children to anger • Children should honor their parents based on the commandment of God • The popular notion today is husbands and wives can attend separate churches • This creates division and is not God’s way • Another popular notion is to separate the finances • Again this can create division and conflict • Our goal is to be one family with the same goals

24. Spiritual • I have already touched on this but I will mention a couple of other things • As we separate ourselves unto Christ, we must know that we belong to him 100% • However, God does not expect us to pray 100% of the time • We must have a prayerful heart and prayerful spirit, but the practice can not be to pray all the time (Men must always pray……)

25. Spiritual • Our challenge is to be like God without distancing others from us • We can be saved and still have acquaintances that are not saved • We can be saved but still show kindness and love to those who are not saved • Christ asked us to go into all the world and preach • If we have not lived a life worthy of being heard, then we will not be heard

26. Spiritual • Our most effective witness is the life we live • When we demonstrate to the unsaved that we have proper balance in all phases of our lives then they are more proned to hear us • Some key things to remember: • Spend time with God • Read and study the Bible • Attend Church services, including Bible study • Have a teachable spirit • Learn the word of God

27. Conclusion • The balanced Christian life is not one dimensional, it is multi-dimensional • The balanced Christian life is not a destination we reach, it is a journey • The balanced Christian life takes time and dedication • If we are too hot – we will soon burn out • If we are too cold we will distance ourselves from God • We must learn to be temperate in all things so the power of God can rule in us to make us fit for the Master’s use