Before we begin ... CHURCH LUNCH TODAY AS A CONSUMER - I’d like to thank those who faithfully feed me on the second Sunday of the month. I’d also like to thank e musicians - as a person with no musical ability whatsoever – I am impressed with their skills, But even more impressed by their HUMILITY AND SIMPLICITY COMBINED.

How can you tell someone is a Christian? This is our question for today

How can you tell someone is a Christian? EXTERNAL MARKS? Clothes? Symbols? (wearing a cross?) Clean? Smile? INNER ATTITUDES? People have tattoos – (Lately I learnt that the practise of sailors having tattoos began when the sailors on Capt. Cook’s ship The Endeavour stopped in NZ and the sailors saw the tattoos of the Maoris!) LENT – on Ash Wednesday, some Christians have ash on their foreheads as a sign of repentance In the 70s or 80s, some wore WWJD wrist bracelets – What would Jesus do? SMILE – a church secretary who stood at the front to give the announcements – and would talk of “how good it is to see your smiling faces” But – there is a sense in which Christians should look sad at all the troubles in the world!

on the charge of BEING A CHRISTIAN – If you were arrested on the charge of BEING A CHRISTIAN – ANOTHER QUESTION FOR US

would there be enough evidence to convict you? Years ago I started to write a short play where someone is brought on trial on this charge

Paul said (Gal 6:17 NIV) Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. Paul would write “finally” and go on for much longer. What did he mean by “the marks of Jesus”? Did he have “stigmata”? – nail-prints in hands? Probably he meant the scars of the beatings he endured for preaching the gospel Paul was beaten for being a Christian – a REVOLUTIONARY!

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 "...in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; Paul is BOASTING Claiming he is not, as some would say "a false prophet” So he lays out his credentials – a list of what he has suffered as Christ’s ambassador

2 Corinthians 11:23-27 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." BEAT THAT!

The Marks of a Christian Sometimes are scars, But usually QUALITIES OR ATTITUDES Many mentioned in the New Testament Today we look at Philippians 4 verses 4-8 for EIGHT “marks of a Christian” Paul in prison – chained to a Roman guard Under threat of death But he writes this great little letter

The Marks of a Christian? Bible Reading Philippians 4:4-8

Philippians 4 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Philippians 4 (NIV) 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4 (NIV) 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4 (NIV) 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Rejoice Be gentle Be aware of Christ’s nearness

“He is nearer than hands and feet Closer than breathing” Ancient saying “He is nearer than hands and feet Closer than breathing”

Rejoice Be gentle Be aware of Christ’s nearness Don’t be anxious Be thankful Have peace Focus on great things

Our prayer Dear Lord, Help us to be more like Jesus. Forgive us that we seem to be the same as the world. Inspire and empower us to have the mark of Jesus about us, that we can be CHRISTLIKE wherever we go. Amen