Unapologetic

Dr. Tony Evans shows the Lord finds little you followers won't stand up to represent me. This is the alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, author, speaker, seen pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas Texas and president of the urban alternative when we done something wrong.

The right thing to do is apologize when we've done something right. Like confessing our allegiance to Christ, Dr. Evan says it's a different story.

Today he explains what it means to be an unapologetic Christian loyal to Christ even when it cuts across the grain of our culture. Let's turn to Matthew 10 as he begins. You and I are living in a day of no shame.

Evil being publicly prorated. It should be clear. The day that Christians have lost a home field that we are the visiting team culture no longer soon as we have said a Judeo-Christian ethic as normative is been rejected, and all the systems of the culture at varying degrees.

There is no place to run and no place to hide.

There was a time when you got tied around your religion, or in church but today you and I are being called out because the standards have been rejected across the board has become crystal clear that whatever remnants of a Christian nation that we had no longer exist. Now we are at the stage where the one entity that was designed to hold the line crumbles to and so I want to call on me. You and us to make the decision to be unapologetic Christians because that is what's needed today. This is not a day for Christianity like Jesus says in verse 32. Everyone who confesses me before men, I will also confessing before my father was an epic battle ever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my father who is in heaven. He brings up the issue of confession. He's not talking to non-Christians when he talks about confession and denial stuck into his so-called followers to confess means to publicly identify with. We live in a day of no say you see things on television, you would never have thought you would see on television. You hear language that you never thought you would hear.

You see, parades you would never thought you would see because there is no and I don't hear anybody apologize. In other words, what they're saying to everybody else's adjust because this is the way Jesus says I want you to confess me before men, the same way that a married person wears a wedding ring to give visual identification of a relationship and other committed saying don't take off the Christian ring when you go to work. Don't take off your Christian ring when you're in the neighborhood. Don't take off your Christian ring when you're around non-Christians to placate their rejection. If you confess me before men, why won't we do that so many of us because we like the phone spoken about in St. John chapter 12 verse 42 and 43 look at what it says. Nevertheless, maybe even of the rumors believed in him. They became Christians, but because of the fallacies they were not confessing him for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue, for they love the approval of men rather than the approval of God. He says no that's off of people outpace your field goal says they believed only if they can't say, but they didn't want to be rejected by people then want to lose their popularity. I didn't want to lose that public acceptance. Today we live in a world of political Christians. Christians who use politics and wrap the Christianity of the flag. We live in a day of cultural Christians who wrap for Christianity in the subject of race, rather than in the primacy of Christ we live in a day of convenient Christians who want to use God for their blessing, but you don't want to represent him in the culture unless they're in church, Jesus says, unless you confess me before men, he's talking about public identification noticed. You must confess him not just his father but was saying God won't cut it. That's vague Christianity is, you must confess him Jesus Christ.

Why because Jesus Christ has been assigned by the Trinity to represent the Godhead on earth in history you become a Christian by faith alone in Christ alone, apart from works.

But once you become a Christian, you have not entered into the realm of discipleship. The whole idea of following Christ is to be like you, attitudes and actions character and conduct. It means that your reflecting how he thinks reflecting what he says, reflecting how he feels because you becoming like him a disciple to become like his teacher Jesus sets the standard we emulate that standard in the culture the same way he reflected the standard of his father. We are to reflect the standard of our state so are you Larry confessing Christian meeting publicly identifiable before midnight six. What's the issue here of confession, the unsettled issue is the issue of the Lord ship peers of lordship to show you what I mean from Romans chapter 10 he says in verse nine if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead will be say, but with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, but with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. So guess what he thought about you opening your mouth notice when you believe you are made righteous. You get saved in the way we use it. One way to have, but he says with your mouth that is, public identification is where you get deliverance, God through Christ will always join you in history. If you're not ashamed of you not apologetic about if you hide behind the word of God.

So you have to deal with the inconvenience of Jesus.

When a person joins the Army. It's free. You have to pay to join the Army but once you're in the Army as a whole. Another way of operating is not a civilian anymore. First of all, you are easily identifiable based on the branch of service. We can look at your tire and maybe the Army Air Force. We can look at because you are publicly displayed where you are this visible. They have the rights over your life send you here to go there gonna relocate here because they have become a part of your existence, you got in their free but once you get in there. They become Lord and when you don't allow the services to become Lord you able to operate in the dinks program. God has many Christians on their way to have a more AWOL owner because I don't want they don't want to put a beautiful that one being the Army of the Lord functioning like a civilian. Ephesians 122 and 23, declares that all things have been placed on the Christ is to become fast. Romans 1489 says, for if we live, we live for the little and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore whether we live or die. We although for to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be little bones of the dead and of the big I told you about the soldier who went to work.

When asked for permission from is superior to go to a wedding present.

Just got back about 10.

He said but Sir a bit wedding doesn't begin till eight that I heard you but you got to bed by 10 result is that what I'm in the wedding was a pretty said no you in the Navy. I know the culture is pulling us this way and that way we come up with excuses for why we don't take our stand for Jesus Christ. Crisis in the kingdom you belong to me. Now yes you are in the world and I don't expect you to be a hermit somewhere I expect you use your time and talents and your treasures in this world of under my authority and with full confession of me, lordship of Jesus Christ is over all of life is not a buffet you go to a buffet you choose. I want this to work better with this level without knowing says no I'm Lord of all, there is no such thing as secular you change jobs nor the new management what you do not all company was when you wrote to them in new management now. We were transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of life. You and I are under new management.

Now, so we don't allow our sympathy to adjust God's standards. We don't allow our political allegiances to adjust our standards were not committed ultimately to a person or a party or a system recommended to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Philippians 210 and 11 makes it clear covering these go bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, you can do it voluntarily now mandatorily later. Everybody is going to do that in his Lordship recognizes DNase Titus chapter 2 verse 13 says he is Savior and God. John 20 verse 28, the apostle says my Lord my God is the recognition of Jesus is not just some nice human figure that ought to be respected is the sum of the living God who want to be worshiped. So where do we go from here with Dr. Evans will be back with the answer for us when he continues her message shortly.

Stay with us. The thing about serving an infinite God is that no matter how much you know there's always more to learn. So, with your brand-new descriptor or an experienced ministry professional.

There's something for you with Tony Evans training to find online courses covering core concepts working at your own pace and schedule digging deep into the historical context of the book uncover the key teachings and learn how to apply them in real situations. There's lots of exclusive content from Dr. Evans to keep you interested and motivated, and an online form where you can ask questions and answers can collaborate with other students. The more you learn, the more you want to try the Tony Evans transaction discovered in time, anywhere. Get information on the Tony Evans training center@tonyevans.org. Today's message simply titled unapologetic comes from Tony's brand-new teaching series bold believe the Bible has a lot to say about boldness and in this engaging series.

Dr. Evans unpacks those biblical truths helping you learn how to respond to God's call be filled with his peace and power live a life free from fear empowered by his spirit living inside you for a limited time where making available a special double offer that includes his entire 10 lesson bold belief series on CD or digital download along with a copy of Tony's uplifting book God is up to something great this Bible is our gift to you and thanks for your donation to help support the ministry of the alternative. It's our way of showing appreciation for the continued support of listeners like you who make this program possible. Get all the details online@tonyevans.org or call our 24 hour resource request line at 1-800-800-3222 and let one of our team members help you number again 1-800-800-3222.

I'll repeat that information for you after part two of today's lesson. Here's Tony opposition to Christ must be reflected by the Christ as we grow in our relationship with Christ. So how do you know whether you have made the Lordship decision. You know that you measure that because anybody can say Jesus is Lord of my life.

That sounds evangelical. He accurate back and save let me tell you how Jesus says you can know whether the Lordship issue has been addressed in your life.

Luke 646. He says this. How do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say how to use the term, and you called me Lord and then you telling me you doing some opposite to what I say. I say this about a man you sent something else I say this about a woman usually set Mel's confidence about marriage you say some else I say this about finances will save some keep saying what I say you keep coming up with all the stuff you say and mingle.

Call me Lord, Lord, Lord, and don't do what I say, Lord, that means you adjusted live in a world where Christians asking God to adjust so we can make folks happy in the coach sure we are to be sensitive sure we are to be kind and compassionate, loving, not do that is also not to do, but you do not do that by jettisoning truth to placate a society that is already rejected your site, but what you must understand is a simple print is pointed out in St. John chapter 2 verses 24 to 25 says Jesus knew what was in man and he would not commit himself to them and is talking about those who believe the says they believed in him, so they became Christians, but he wouldn't commit himself to them because he knew what was in there and put another way, Jesus doesn't have the same commitment equally to every Christian were all equal children, but he's not equally committed to every child because of you are ashamed of him and says he would not commit himself even though they believed we understood that our failure to confess Christ keeps him in a long distance relationship with us like a marriage where there legally together but they not connected, you can be legally connected to Christ, but not be together. Romans 1013 says no you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord says cup to fix it says you will be delivered by delivered there. He's not talking about going to heaven as he said you get that by the righteousness is talk about God's involvement with you on earth you can see that in Romans chapter 5 verses 8 to 10 God demonstrated his love toward us while we were sinners, Christ died for us, but then he says, having been justified by faith. You say he says we shall be saved or delivered by the governing say but you involvement with you in history is tied to your confession of many says in Romans 1013 says anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. The problem is, or what people know is the only time that phrases used in the New Testament of calling on the name of the Lord is by Christian non-Christians. In other words, you can call if you can confess you can confess, don't bother to pray.

First Corinthians 1 verse two talks about the same to Karen call upon the name of the Lord. Acts chapter 7 verse 59 it says when Stephen was ready to die.

He called on the name of the Lord and saw Jesus standing on the right-hand side of that if you welcome fast, don't bother to call because he has no obligation to folks who denied him know I have to tell you the whole story because Matthew 10 makes it inextricably clear about the price tag about the price tag of confession.

So I know you hear about blessed and blessed is blessed that I got another lesson that that's true that's true because she says you can call but he also wants you to know verse 34 not think that I come to bring peace on the earth did not come to a peaceful sword. I set a man against his father.against his mother, daughter, log into mother-in-law's enemies will be the enemies of his household and explains what he means. Verse 37 he loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me and he loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Okay, let's talk about the sort of confession. Once you are willing to appropriately, lovingly, compassionately, all that but clearly he identified Jesus Christ will create in the because there is the public denial of any will even happen says in your own family because when you want to those who reject me will reject it happen at work In the neighborhood it will happen in the pool. The cost to take your stand on God's word to take your stand on Jesus is perspective on the issues of our day that so many are about to take your stand there will create a conflict and so you met this talking noisy saying I'm telling you upfront. It's going to create a conflict not because it is you're trying to access your confessing my bed the night and not the problem.

But then he goes on to say you found life are starting to lose it, and with loss of life for my sake will find he says when you lose because in your confession, you win when you will is there is a division as a rejection because you have been publicly identify with me, you lose in terms of what the deniers assay with them, but you just want with me in the life you lost, you find unless you believe that question believe that you will find it. You will be more concerned about losing them, losing him to take a stand for Jesus Christ. Relationships are affected. I love the way Luke 14 puts it. Verse 25 now large crowd was going along with Jesus with him and he turned and said the one who comes after me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters just and even his own life he cannot be by the site, go to heaven, being his disciple won't hurt me, says anybody who charms me you lose me, and I don't care how much you love them. A woman's first commitment is not to her husband's to her Christ. A man's first commitment is not to his wife to his Christ parents first commitment is to the Christ. Children's commitment is to the Christ. He said that if you don't do that you can have me you cannot be my disciple. So we have a lot of Christians. In fact, the majority of Christians, I would say who are not disciples because Jesus keeps losing. If you want to build a tower verse 28 Cal because verse 29. Lay the foundation of the building you want to calculate so you can finish it. Verse 30. This man began to build and was not able to obtain those in the battle he sets out to meet another want to battle verse 31 is a strong enough to consider the costs when you're building a building you consider the cost when you going to battle, and the question you're asking is cannot finish what I just got read a lot of Christians were bailing out orgies you know what we barely know we are told the whole story. So with built-in suffering, or difficulty or problems they bail.

The blessing part. Yes, the lost part two mini comes with this concluding for in Luke 14. Therefore, verse 34.

Salt is good, but if even Saul has become tasteless with what will it be salted all season.

It is useless even for the soil.

All will apply its thrown out to you as it is to hear many thoughts about Saul is no longer something is lost in space. Guess what is usually so soft is not something you have to do anything with it. You don't taste is lost its seasoning power only stomach, people anything. I got a lot of useless Christians they go to church when push comes to shove, they did not be the get so compromised by the world and want to make the world happy. They do it at my expense and I can use because I want to satisfy the populace not represent me with love with clarity with compassion but with sincere confession says that useless to me. For me, for you is are you ready to confess that we not talk about your belief in God we talking about the Lord Jesus Christ's. If you need a reminder of what Jesus Christ did for you never fully heard about or understood his sacrifice on your behalf.

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When you accept and embrace it. That's the Jesus link on the homepage of Tony Avenue and start or Tony will come back with a closing comment for today's message in just a moment but first, what we been listening to today as part of his brand-new series called bold belief and for a limited time we are offering the full-length version of all 10 lessons in this series on CD or digital download along with Tony's popular book God is up to something great. They're yours with her. Thanks when you make a donation to help us continue this ministry to the world desperately in need of the good news of Jesus Christ. Call us right away at 1-800-800-3222 our resource request line is always open, so don't wait.

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The roller coasters are designed to be scary is the nature of the row, but they also designed to give you the thrill of a lifetime. Third, about becoming a disciple and confessing Jesus Christ. But once you get this thrill because the life you thought you lose you get so it's time to cast your vote will you take your stand so that God can do a divine reset in a culture of Christ be not, because without a divine reset. This nation is going to hell and back divine reset will start with his church. We're not perfect on the person you're not perfect. We have flaws.

That's why he created repentance so that we could get realigned cast of the alternative with Dr. Tony have brought to you by the made possible by the generous contributions of listeners like you