Biblical But Not Christ-like | A.R. Bernard

last week I had 20 minutes. last week I had 20 minutes. This week I've got 14 minutes. Okay, let's go for it. Okay, let's go for it. >> No, I don't need a chair. I won't have a >> No, I don't need a chair. I won't have a >> No, I don't need a chair. I won't have a chance to sit down. Just bring the chance to sit down. Just bring the chance to sit down. Just bring the board. board. board. Just bring the board. Just bring the board. Just bring the board. And Pastor Jamal is a stickler for time. And Pastor Jamal is a stickler for time. And Pastor Jamal is a stickler for time. So, I got to make sure I end at a So, I got to make sure I end at a So, I got to make sure I end at a certain time. Is there a mic? Is there a mic? Please don't make it available. How many heard of a guy named Charlie How many heard of a guy named Charlie Kirk? Kirk? Kirk? Raise your hand if you if you heard of Raise your hand if you if you heard of Raise your hand if you if you heard of him. Wow. Wow. Wow. So you know what has him. Wow. Wow. Wow. So you know what has him. Wow. Wow. Wow. So you know what has happened to him.

happened to him. happened to him. >> All right. >> All right. >> All right. >> And you know it's interesting because we >> And you know it's interesting because we >> And you know it's interesting because we thought about our campuses especially in thought about our campuses especially in thought about our campuses especially in Atlanta which is the hot bed where Atlanta which is the hot bed where Atlanta which is the hot bed where Atlanta is blue and Georgia is red. And the fact that And the fact that the church has been positioned not in the church has been positioned not in the church has been positioned not in the intersection of the intersection of the intersection of faith and culture as much as faith and culture as much as faith and culture as much as caught in the culture wars. caught in the culture wars. caught in the culture wars. And it's because Christianity has been And it's because Christianity has been And it's because Christianity has been politicized, politicized, politicized, nationalized, nationalized, nationalized, and even culturalized. So here are we in the fire of all of So here are we in the fire of all of this this this and political parties are pointing the and political parties are pointing the and political parties are pointing the fingers at each other. Both sides, look fingers at each other. Both sides, look fingers at each other. Both sides, look folks, both sides are guilty of this folks, both sides are guilty of this folks, both sides are guilty of this and we're we're losing our humanity and we're we're losing our humanity and we're we're losing our humanity because one of the most important parts because one of the most important parts because one of the most important parts [clears throat] of humanity is empathy.

And we're we are suffering from a And we're we are suffering from a deficiency of empathy. >> How do I say something to you? Because I >> How do I say something to you? Because I I was going to make a statement, I was going to make a statement, I was going to make a statement, you know, about this you know, about this you know, about this today because of that horrific today because of that horrific today because of that horrific murder. That's what it was, the taking murder. That's what it was, the taking murder. That's what it was, the taking of a life. of a life. of a life. But I didn't make a statement But I didn't make a statement But I didn't make a statement when the Democratic when the Democratic when the Democratic elected officials were assassinated in elected officials were assassinated in elected officials were assassinated in in Minnesota. in Minnesota. in Minnesota. [applause] H I've got to be fair. I've got to be H I've got to be fair. I've got to be Why? And this one seems to have taken on Why? And this one seems to have taken on Why? And this one seems to have taken on a whole a whole a whole identity in and of itself. identity in and of itself. identity in and of itself. And it's bringing out the worst in And it's bringing out the worst in And it's bringing out the worst in people. people. people. So, I'm going to present something very So, I'm going to present something very So, I'm going to present something very quickly. And how many of you are were at quickly. And how many of you are were at quickly. And how many of you are were at our staff meeting this past Saturday, our staff meeting this past Saturday, our staff meeting this past Saturday, last Saturday? Raise your hand. Raise last Saturday? Raise your hand. Raise last Saturday? Raise your hand. Raise your hand high. Raise your hand high.

your hand high. Raise your hand high. your hand high. Raise your hand high. Okay. In order for me to do what I'm Okay. In order for me to do what I'm Okay. In order for me to do what I'm about to do, I need you all to stand about to do, I need you all to stand about to do, I need you all to stand down. down. down. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Don't respond. Don't react. I need you Don't respond. Don't react. I need you Don't respond. Don't react. I need you to look stoic like this. like you have to look stoic like this. like you have to look stoic like this. like you have no idea what I'm about to talk about no idea what I'm about to talk about no idea what I'm about to talk about because I think it plays into where we because I think it plays into where we because I think it plays into where we are in society are in society are in society and that's with this. So I'm going to do and that's with this. So I'm going to do and that's with this. So I'm going to do this quickly this quickly this quickly and I think it says a lot and I think it says a lot and I think it says a lot in terms of instruction for us as in terms of instruction for us as in terms of instruction for us as Christians. You know what Christian Christians. You know what Christian Christians. You know what Christian means? Christ follower. Jesus said, "I means? Christ follower. Jesus said, "I means? Christ follower. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." am the way, the truth, and the life." am the way, the truth, and the life." And often he said he said no man comes And often he said he said no man comes And often he said he said no man comes to the father but by me and often we to the father but by me and often we to the father but by me and often we cast that in the context of exclusivity cast that in the context of exclusivity cast that in the context of exclusivity religious exclusivity which simply means religious exclusivity which simply means religious exclusivity which simply means that so he was saying he is the only way that so he was saying he is the only way that so he was saying he is the only way to God and there is absolutely to God and there is absolutely to God and there is absolutely theological merit to that but I want you theological merit to that but I want you theological merit to that but I want you to look into the text in John 14:6 in to look into the text in John 14:6 in to look into the text in John 14:6 in what he was saying because he said this what he was saying because he said this what he was saying because he said this to disciples who he said to them, you to disciples who he said to them, you to disciples who he said to them, you know the way.

know the way. know the way. >> That's what he said to them. You know >> That's what he said to them. You know >> That's what he said to them. You know the way. the way. the way. And their response was, well, And their response was, well, And their response was, well, how do we know the way? how do we know the way? how do we know the way? And then he responds by saying, I am the And then he responds by saying, I am the And then he responds by saying, I am the way. So, he was talking more talking way. So, he was talking more talking way. So, he was talking more talking about more than religious exclusivity. about more than religious exclusivity. about more than religious exclusivity. He was talking about his life, his He was talking about his life, his He was talking about his life, his ministry, his works, his teachings. He ministry, his works, his teachings. He ministry, his works, his teachings. He said, "Follow me said, "Follow me said, "Follow me and I'll make you and I'll make you and I'll make you fishers of men." fishers of men." fishers of men." He said, "Learn from me, for I am meek He said, "Learn from me, for I am meek He said, "Learn from me, for I am meek and lowly." and lowly." and lowly." So, he was pointing to his character. So, he was pointing to his character. So, he was pointing to his character. So when he said I am the way and I'm not So when he said I am the way and I'm not So when he said I am the way and I'm not negating the exclusivity of Christianity negating the exclusivity of Christianity negating the exclusivity of Christianity that's another theological conversation that's another theological conversation that's another theological conversation but I am pointing to the context where but I am pointing to the context where but I am pointing to the context where he said learn from me in other words he said learn from me in other words he said learn from me in other words I am the way I am the way I am the way look at what I've done look at how I look at what I've done look at how I look at what I've done look at how I have you've witness me interact with have you've witness me interact with have you've witness me interact with people Jews and Gentiles rich and poor people Jews and Gentiles rich and poor people Jews and Gentiles rich and poor for the marginalized and the power for the marginalized and the power for the marginalized and the power elite.

elite. elite. I showed you the way this is supposed to I showed you the way this is supposed to I showed you the way this is supposed to be done. be done. be done. >> He said, "I am the truth." In other >> He said, "I am the truth." In other >> He said, "I am the truth." In other words, what I've spoken, what I've said words, what I've spoken, what I've said words, what I've spoken, what I've said is the measure, the standard by which is the measure, the standard by which is the measure, the standard by which all other truth claims should be all other truth claims should be all other truth claims should be measured. measured. measured. >> He said, "I'm the life." If you're going >> He said, "I'm the life." If you're going >> He said, "I'm the life." If you're going to live a life that exemplifies me and to live a life that exemplifies me and to live a life that exemplifies me and be a Christ follower and call yourself a be a Christ follower and call yourself a be a Christ follower and call yourself a Christian, then you must be Christlike. Christian, then you must be Christlike. Christian, then you must be Christlike. >> And I've shown you what that means. >> And I've shown you what that means. >> And I've shown you what that means. >> So, we have the four gospels. >> So, we have the four gospels. >> So, we have the four gospels. [snorts] So, it was more than just [snorts] So, it was more than just [snorts] So, it was more than just stating an exclusive religious position. stating an exclusive religious position. stating an exclusive religious position. It was an expression of what he had It was an expression of what he had It was an expression of what he had demonstrated to these men. so that they would continue his message so that they would continue his message and his example. Very important.

and his example. Very important. and his example. Very important. So, here's the thing. it means it's rooted in the text. it means it's rooted in the text. It means you go to the scripture It means you go to the scripture It means you go to the scripture and it's right there in the text. and it's right there in the text. and it's right there in the text. That's essentially what biblical means That's essentially what biblical means That's essentially what biblical means because the Bible, the text, the because the Bible, the text, the because the Bible, the text, the scripture itself becomes the authority. scripture itself becomes the authority. scripture itself becomes the authority. It becomes the foundation, the platform It becomes the foundation, the platform It becomes the foundation, the platform upon which you build upon which you build upon which you build your reasoning, your thought patterns. your reasoning, your thought patterns. your reasoning, your thought patterns. So to be biblical So to be biblical So to be biblical is to root what you're thinking and is to root what you're thinking and is to root what you're thinking and saying in the text saying in the text saying in the text in the scripture. is to be rooted is to be rooted in the character in the character in the character of Jesus of Jesus of Jesus who demonstrated who demonstrated who demonstrated boldness, confidence, authority, power, boldness, confidence, authority, power, boldness, confidence, authority, power, love, compassion.

So, if you're going to be Christlike, So, if you're going to be Christlike, you must reflect >> the Jesus of the scripture. >> the Jesus of the scripture. >> How many understand WHAT I'M TALKING >> How many understand WHAT I'M TALKING >> How many understand WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? That's why it's there. That's why ABOUT? That's why it's there. That's why ABOUT? That's why it's there. That's why he left us four witnesses. Matthew, he left us four witnesses. Matthew, he left us four witnesses. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are Mark, Luke, and John. These are Mark, Luke, and John. These are witnesses. [snorts] And he said, "You witnesses. [snorts] And he said, "You witnesses. [snorts] And he said, "You will be witnesses." Why? Because of how will be witnesses." Why? Because of how will be witnesses." Why? Because of how you live out this faith. Christlike Christlike and he's called us to be Christlike. and he's called us to be Christlike. and he's called us to be Christlike. But here's the challenge we're presented But here's the challenge we're presented But here's the challenge we're presented with in the time that we have a little with in the time that we have a little with in the time that we have a little bit of. You can be and and again rooted You can be and and again rooted in the text So here's a here's a problem. Here's the So here's a here's a problem. Here's the tension. You can be biblical and not and not >> Christlike. [applause] >> Christlike. [applause] >> Christlike. [applause] How many you understand what I'm talking How many you understand what I'm talking How many you understand what I'm talking about here? [applause] about here? [applause] about here? [applause] You can be rooted in a text. In fact, You can be rooted in a text. In fact, You can be rooted in a text. In fact, because the Bible is a library of because the Bible is a library of because the Bible is a library of writings from which we can extract writings from which we can extract writings from which we can extract whatever we want to say whatever we want

whatever we want to say whatever we want whatever we want to say whatever we want >> to justify whatever we want >> to justify whatever we want >> to justify whatever we want >> and we can champion it and call it >> and we can champion it and call it >> and we can champion it and call it biblical. Well, I'm in the Bible. biblical. Well, I'm in the Bible. biblical. Well, I'm in the Bible. >> It's got to be Bible. >> It's got to be Bible. >> It's got to be Bible. Like one guy put, he said, "What do the Like one guy put, he said, "What do the Like one guy put, he said, "What do the scriptures say?" scriptures say?" scriptures say?" I'll leave that one alone. I'll leave that one alone. I'll leave that one alone. But we can be rooted in the text But we can be rooted in the text But we can be rooted in the text and not Christlike. In John 5:39, and not Christlike. In John 5:39, and not Christlike. In John 5:39, speaking to the religious leaders who speaking to the religious leaders who speaking to the religious leaders who were rooted in the text, he was speaking were rooted in the text, he was speaking were rooted in the text, he was speaking to scar to Pharisees, to scribes, to to scar to Pharisees, to scribes, to to scar to Pharisees, to scribes, to Sadducees. He said, he said, "You search Sadducees. He said, he said, "You search Sadducees. He said, he said, "You search the scriptures because you think that in the scriptures because you think that in the scriptures you will find eternal life." you will find eternal life." you will find eternal life." But these scriptures that you study, But these scriptures that you study, But these scriptures that you study, that you search, testify of me, that you search, testify of me, that you search, testify of me, [applause] [applause] [applause] >> but you won't come to me >> but you won't come to me >> but you won't come to me >> that I could give you eternal life.

>> that I could give you eternal life. >> that I could give you eternal life. >> In other words, for them, the text, the >> In other words, for them, the text, the >> In other words, for them, the text, the scripture was the end. To Jesus, the scripture was the end. To Jesus, the scripture was the end. To Jesus, the scripture is a means to the end. scripture is a means to the end. scripture is a means to the end. >> The end is him. Cuz if you're reading >> The end is him. Cuz if you're reading >> The end is him. Cuz if you're reading the scripture and you're rooted in the the scripture and you're rooted in the the scripture and you're rooted in the text, but you're not Christlike, text, but you're not Christlike, text, but you're not Christlike, >> then you miss the whole purpose of the >> then you miss the whole purpose of the >> then you miss the whole purpose of the text. [applause] The Pharisees were biblical. The Pharisees were biblical. They were rooted in the text. They knew They were rooted in the text. They knew They were rooted in the text. They knew the Torah. They studied it. Two two the Torah. They studied it. Two two the Torah. They studied it. Two two schools of thought in Jesus's day. Hel schools of thought in Jesus's day. Hel schools of thought in Jesus's day. Hel Gambalo. And they will debate. They were Gambalo. And they will debate. They were Gambalo. And they will debate. They were rooted in the text. But Jesus rebuked rooted in the text. But Jesus rebuked rooted in the text. But Jesus rebuked them and called them hypocrites. >> Blind >> Blind leaders of the blind, leaders of the blind, leaders of the blind, >> placing heavy burdens on men's back, procilitizing and making the results of procilitizing and making the results of that proilization.

individuals individuals more hellbound more hellbound more hellbound than they were themselves. than they were themselves. than they were themselves. [snorts] They would strain out a knat [snorts] They would strain out a knat [snorts] They would strain out a knat and swallow a camel. >> He called them hypocrites. >> He called them hypocrites. >> John the Viper, John the Viper, John the >> John the Viper, John the Viper, John the >> John the Viper, John the Viper, John the Baptist called them vipers. This was the religious establishment This was the religious establishment that was biblical and they prided that was biblical and they prided that was biblical and they prided themselves in being biblical. themselves in being biblical. themselves in being biblical. >> But they were not. >> But they were not. >> But they were not. >> IN FACT, BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BIBLICAL, >> IN FACT, BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BIBLICAL, >> IN FACT, BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BIBLICAL, they couldn't even see in their own text they couldn't even see in their own text they couldn't even see in their own text the Jesus that it came to reveal. the Jesus that it came to reveal. the Jesus that it came to reveal. [applause] >> Satan >> Satan was biblical. He said in the temptation of Jesus, He said in the temptation of Jesus, took him UP TO A HIGH PLACE AND SAID, took him UP TO A HIGH PLACE AND SAID, took him UP TO A HIGH PLACE AND SAID, "Throw yourself down, "Throw yourself down, "Throw yourself down, for it is written."

for it is written." for it is written." >> And he quotes from the Psalms. >> And he quotes from the Psalms. >> And he quotes from the Psalms. He's given his angels, the father has He's given his angels, the father has He's given his angels, the father has given his angels charge over you to given his angels charge over you to given his angels charge over you to protect you, to bear you up, lest you protect you, to bear you up, lest you protect you, to bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone, lest you dash your foot against a stone, lest you dash your foot against a stone, lest you experience hurt and harm. Satan was experience hurt and harm. Satan was experience hurt and harm. Satan was biblical. He was quoting texts, but he biblical. He was quoting texts, but he biblical. He was quoting texts, but he sure enough he was tempting Jesus to use his power, he was tempting Jesus to use his power, authority, and influence recklessly. authority, and influence recklessly. authority, and influence recklessly. >> And we can't have people in power and >> And we can't have people in power and >> And we can't have people in power and authority and using it recklessly. authority and using it recklessly. authority and using it recklessly. [applause] It is not Christlike. [applause] It is not Christlike. [applause] I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU CALL YOURSELF I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU CALL YOURSELF I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU CALL YOURSELF a Christian a Christian a Christian [applause] [applause] [applause] BECAUSE I'M JUDGING YOU BY THE STANDARD.

THE ONE THAT SAID, "I'M THE WAY. I'M the THE ONE THAT SAID, "I'M THE WAY. I'M the truth. I'm the life. Every other way, truth. I'm the life. Every other way, truth. I'm the life. Every other way, every other truth, every other LIFE MUST every other truth, every other LIFE MUST every other truth, every other LIFE MUST BE JUDGED BY MY STANDARD." BE JUDGED BY MY STANDARD." BE JUDGED BY MY STANDARD." >> [applause] >> [applause] >> SO DON'T TELL ME HOW CHRISTIAN you are, >> SO DON'T TELL ME HOW CHRISTIAN you are, HOW MUCH OF A FOLLOWER OF JESUS you are HOW MUCH OF A FOLLOWER OF JESUS you are HOW MUCH OF A FOLLOWER OF JESUS you are [applause] [applause] [applause] and you're engaged in in in activity and you're engaged in in in activity and you're engaged in in in activity that marginalize, that marginalize, that marginalize, disenfranchise, disenfranchise, disenfranchise, strip and leave people in poverty. No, strip and leave people in poverty. No, strip and leave people in poverty. No, no, no. Don't you tell me [applause] that is not the Jesus that is not the Jesus of the text. of the text. of the text. [applause] The Apostle Paul said this. [applause] The Apostle Paul said this. [applause] He said when those who don't know the He said when those who don't know the He said when those who don't know the law law law >> do those things that are written in the >> do those things that are written in the >> do those things that are written in the law.

law. law. >> Come on. >> Come on. >> Come on. >> Which you can means YOU CAN BE >> Which you can means YOU CAN BE >> Which you can means YOU CAN BE CHRISTLIKE AND NOT EVEN BIBLICAL. CHRISTLIKE AND NOT EVEN BIBLICAL. CHRISTLIKE AND NOT EVEN BIBLICAL. [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> But when they do those things that are >> But when they do those things that are >> But when they do those things that are WRITTEN IN THE LAW, THEY PROVE THAT WRITTEN IN THE LAW, THEY PROVE THAT WRITTEN IN THE LAW, THEY PROVE THAT THERE is a universal law, a higher THERE is a universal law, a higher THERE is a universal law, a higher standard [clears throat] standard [clears throat] standard [clears throat] written on every human heart. [applause] [applause] >> So, we've got people throwing scripture >> So, we've got people throwing scripture >> So, we've got people throwing scripture at us, at us, at us, justifying their activities justifying their activities justifying their activities because they find and support it with because they find and support it with because they find and support it with the text. the text. the text. >> But there's only one judge that I have. >> But there's only one judge that I have. >> But there's only one judge that I have. [applause] Are you rooted in the character of Are you rooted in the character of Jesus? [applause] It's not either or.

It's not either or. >> It's not one or the other. >> It's not one or the other. >> It's not one or the other. >> It's both. And >> It's both. And >> It's both. And >> because you could be Christlike without >> because you could be Christlike without >> because you could be Christlike without the text, which means you have no guard the text, which means you have no guard the text, which means you have no guard rails. >> And your Christlikkeness can become >> And your Christlikkeness can become sentimentality sentimentality sentimentality that is in violation of the character that is in violation of the character that is in violation of the character and nature of God. and nature of God. and nature of God. So you need the text. So you need the text. So you need the text. >> BUT THE TEXT is to SUPPORT CHRIST >> BUT THE TEXT is to SUPPORT CHRIST >> BUT THE TEXT is to SUPPORT CHRIST LIKENESS. [applause] LIKENESS. [applause] LIKENESS. [applause] >> They work together. And I'm not going to judge you by your And I'm not going to judge you by your music. I'm not going to judge you by music. I'm not going to judge you by music. I'm not going to judge you by your symbols.

your symbols. your symbols. >> I'm going to judge you by the standard. >> I'm going to judge you by the standard. >> I'm going to judge you by the standard. [applause] >> You can't politicize my Jesus. >> You can't politicize my Jesus. [applause] [applause] [applause] You can't nationalize my Jesus. You You can't nationalize my Jesus. You You can't nationalize my Jesus. You can't culturalize my Jesus because at can't culturalize my Jesus because at can't culturalize my Jesus because at the end of the book in Revelation, John the end of the book in Revelation, John the end of the book in Revelation, John says, "I saw a multitude of people from says, "I saw a multitude of people from says, "I saw a multitude of people from every nation, from every language, from every nation, from every language, from every nation, from every language, from every culture." [applause] And that was a picture of the kingdom of And that was a picture of the kingdom of God. God. God. I hear music. [applause] I hear music. [applause] I hear music. [applause] I hear music. And I understand the I hear music. And I understand the I hear music. And I understand the symbolism. symbolism. symbolism. [music and applause] [music and applause] [music and applause] So I'm going to say yay and amen So I'm going to say yay and amen So I'm going to say yay and amen right here. God bless you family.

[applause] [applause] [music]