“Whatever”

  1. Introduction
    1. “Whatever” can move us from irritation to anger to despair or it could be an indicator of hopelessness.
    2. The “Whatever Attitude” crosses generational lines.
      1. All of us can feel hopeless.
    3. We have too many who are not on the road to maturity and fulfillment BUT on the road to “whatever”.
  2. Cultural Causal Factors to Whatever
    1. Inversion of responsibility
      1. We are leaving kids on their own to make good choices.
      2. It is the responsibility of parents to guide and set boundaries!
      3. Unfortunately, when parents don’t set boundaries and enforce them, the kids are plunged into a world of confusing choices and they learn by trial and error.
    2. Contingent worth
      1. Too often, worth is determined by performance.
    3. Intolerance of transgressions
    4. Rejection of nurturing
  3. Scriptural View of the Whatever Attitude
    Romans 13:8–14

    Love, for the Day is Near

    8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,”[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

    11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.[c]

    Footnotes:
    a: Exodus 20:13–15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
    b: Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
    c: Romans 13:14 Or the flesh

    1. Inversion of Responsibility
      vs. 8–10

      8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,”[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

      1. Paul tells us Galatians that keeping the law is impossible!
        1. Moral perfection is not going to happen.
      2. Good News: Jesus kept the law for us.
      3. Our responsibility is not to be perfect but be faithful in love.
        vs. 9b–10

        “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

    2. Contingent Worth
      v. 10

      10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

      1. Our worth is measured by God’s love for us not our performance.
    3. Intolerance of Transgression
      v. 11–13

      11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

      1. The Church of Jesus needs to understand:
        1. People are valuable.
        2. We are to serve (care for) people…now.
        3. We are not perfect.
        4. We are just instruments of God’s love.
    4. Rejection of Nurturing
      vs. 12–14

      12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.[c]

  4. Conclusion
    1. We can be “Whatever Christians” or we can become “whatever it takes” Christians.
      1. What will we look like?
        1. Look for opportunities to care for others.
        2. Love others not rules.
        3. Make a difference wherever we are.
        4. Awaken to the new vision of love.
        5. Deliberately clothe yourself in Jesus.

    We are the Church of “Whatever It Takes”!