Love Actually – What is our Brand?

What are Christians known for?

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Christians: More like or ?

“One of the common critiques leveled at present-day Christianity is that it’s a religion full of people.”

The Barna Group

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“In this nationwide study of self-identified Christians, the goal was to determine whether Christians have the and of Jesus as they interact with others or if they are more akin to the and of Pharisees, the self-righteous sect of religious leaders described in the New Testament.”

The Barna Group

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Attitudes and Actions of Jesus:

• I listen to others to learn their story before telling them about my faith.
• I am personally spending time with non-believers to help them follow Jesus.
• I believe God is for everyone.
• It is more important to help people know God is for them than to make sure they know they are sinners.

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Attitudes and Actions of Pharisees:

• I find it hard to be friends with people who seem to constantly do the wrong things.
• I like to point out those who do not have the right theology or doctrine.
• It’s not my responsibility to help people who won’t help themselves.
• I believe we should stand against those who are opposed to Christian values.

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“This research may help to explain how evangelicals are often targeted for claims of hypocrisy; the unique ‘sin’ of evangelicals tends to be doing the ‘right’ thing but with improper motives.”

Barna Group

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What are Christians known for?

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What should Christians be known for?

• Love, actually!

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“Love is our brand identifier, and it’s the first thing people should think of when they hear the word Christian. They might say, ‘Boy, those Christians believe some crazy things, but their love for people is amazing. They are generous, sacrificial, gracious, and always kind. I may not buy into what they believe, but I would hate to live in this world without them.’ Sacrificial love produces an irresistible influence that draws people to Jesus, which is by design” Jeff Jones, Rebranding Christianity

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John 3:16

For God…

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John 3:16

For God so  the world…

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God the world.

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John 3:16

For God so  the world that he gave his one and only Son… 

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John 3:16

For God so  the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

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John 15:13
¹³ Greater has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

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Romans 5:8

⁸ But God demonstrates his own for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

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1 John 3:16

¹⁶ This is how we know what is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us…

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1 John 4:10

¹⁰ This is : not that we God, but that he us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

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Atoning sacrifice – Jesus takes away our sin.

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1 John 2:2

² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

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The Cross is .

__1 Jn 3:1

See what great  the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 

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Lavished:

To pour out in generous and extravagant quantities.

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To know God is to know .

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1 Jn 4:8

God is .

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1 Jn 4:16

God is .

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1 Jn 3:1

See what great  the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 

Personal Notes: