"Are You a Non-Resident Alien?"

The Christian way is different…Christ says, “Give me all. I don’t want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don’t want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don’t want to drill the tooth, or crop it or stop it, but to have it out. Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the ones you think wicked – the whole outfit.” C.S. Lewis

“We may do well to recognize what seems to be the consistent thrust of the whole Bible—that unless and until...the future of the world becomes more important than the future of the church, the church has no future. As Jesus put it, the most dangerous thing you can do is seek to save your life . . .” Ralph Winter

1. Jesus is much more than a good hunch, so make the choice - lose everything, for the King (1 Peter 4:1, 11; John 12:27-28).

Vigorously expurgate sin and sinning (1 Peter 4:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

3. You can forget paying back the opposition. Those who inflict suffering will be judged by God (1 Peter 4:5; 2:23; Romans 12:19; 1 Thessalonians 1).

4. Live on! (1 Peter 4:6).

5. Pray - this will all end someday (1 Peter 4:7).

6. Love! Love again and again. Each other. Love so that the offense becomes secondary and your words become graciously life-giving (1 Peter 4:8; Ecclesiastes 7:20-22; Proverbs; 1 Corinthians 13).

7. An open heart means an open home: open your houses to each other - at home, in your home - and don't grumble about it (1 Peter 4:9).

8. Find some people to serve and serve them well. In the same fashion as you would serve a King (1 Peter 4:10-11).

9. Live so that God is esteemed as a good and awesome King by all who observe (1 Peter 4:11).

Life Group Discussion Guide

1. If we had a hunch about Jesus, how would we then live?

2. Why is taking vengeance bad for you? Why is thinking about it so much fun?

3. T or F Drunk people don’t pray. (What do I mean by saying “drunk people? Alcohol?)

    T or F Open hearts result in open homes.

    T or F Love means never having to say you are sorry.

4. How would you serve another member of TACC if they were a king or queen? If they had mistreated you?

5. How does love cover sin? What thoughts should go through your mind when another believer sins against you?

6. Do you pray enough? Why not? What steps can you take to pray more with other Christians? Does our church have a monthly prayer time? When is the next one? Will you come?