THE BARBARIAN WAY: Part 1

INVASION
June 4, 2006

OPENING:
v William Wallace: Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you'll live…at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!
v This is NOT a male only series.
v This is about getting you to choose a dangerous path of FAITH.
v Robert the Bruce says of William Wallace: “Uncompromising men are easy to admire.”
v The Barbarian Way is the way of UNCOMPROMISING Christians.

Unleash Your Faith
l Erwin’s Daughter
l Who in this room has faith in God?
l Hebrews 11:1-2 “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot see. God gave His approval to people in days of old because of their faith.”
l Hebrews 11:33-38 By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.
l Hebrews 11:38 (NIV) ~ The world was not worthy of them!

Untamed Faith
l Tragedy to civilize our faith. (Rev 2:1-5)
l John the baptizer tells of Jesus’ different kind of life: Holy Spirit and with fire is in all four gospels (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1, Acts 2).
l Jesus’ Invitation: the call is not to ‘come and listen’ but to “Come and Follow Me!” The BW is about love, intimacy, passion and sacrifice

Challenge
l Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;* then you won't become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
l The BW risks life itself for the freedom of others.
l CHALLENGE: compromised/complacent sheets
] REWRITING WALLACE: Yes, live the Barbarian Way and you may lose friends, respect or even your job. Sit still and you'll be comfortable…at least for a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance to start over and tell our enemies, our family and our friends that they may have good lives, but there will never, ever be anything like the freedom we have in Jesus!