Jesus warned that the world would hate us - And for good reason

[St. SteVen]

It seems that Christians make a career out of being completely unlovable.

Not all Christians, but way more than there should be.
And this has not gone unnoticed.

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi


The Sunday Lunch Crowd is the Worst, Take it From Your Server

I’m a Christian currently working in the food industry, so I’m writing this article because it’s extremely important that the church understands how critical the restaurant experience is during Sunday lunch. Several individuals I work with are unbelievers, and what they say about the church crowd is gut-wrenching. They talk about how they hate the church crowds because they are the rudest, most demanding people of the week and don’t tip well.

Shane Pruitt, a Christian Post contributor, interviewed restaurant servers to examine their points of view on the church crowd. His question was, “Generally speaking on Sundays how were you treated by people who had just come from church?” Below are five answers from his article, “When Christians Mistreat Restaurant Servers Right After Worshipping God.”

1. “No one ever wanted to work Sundays because of the church crews. I never understood how they could go to church, but less than 20 minutes after leaving be the worst example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.” – Katie

2. “I absolutely hated working on Sundays having to deal with the church crowd. They were always the loudest, most demanding and rudest people, especially when they came in as a group. They would run you like crazy, then leave the most pitiful tip and gospel tract.” – Richard

3. “They did not tip well. You just knew that when you worked the Sunday lunch crowd that you weren’t going to make much.” – Ashton

4. “The neighborhood that I worked in was a wealthy area, and I was a college student at the time and not a believer. When I look back at those Sundays now as a believer, I think there’s not anything in my mind that made the church-goers stand out in a good way. Nothing about them made me want to say, ‘Hmmm . . . maybe I should see what this Jesus thing is all about.’” – Alexis

5. “They never leave the payment until right before darting out only to have the server come to realize they received a low tip, especially for the amount of people, and how long they occupied the table afterwards. On top of that, they’d leave a church flyer or gospel tract behind for the server. This would usually end with the server getting upset and venting to EVERYONE in the back about how crappy church people are and HECK NO none of us will ever go to your church or event!’” – Elizabeth

These are strong words and the two things that stick out are that we’re treating servers like servers and we’re not generous with how we tip.

Continued at Source - link in article title
Make my day by complaining that I didn't leave the link here. Thanks.

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[St. SteVen]

WE’RE TREATING SERVERS LIKE SERVANTS

The worst thing we can do is treat a server like a servant. We need to treat them as humans instead of objects. These are people with thoughts and feelings, and when we talk at them like they are objects to serve our needs, we are undermining the reality that they are made in God’s image just like we are and should be treated with dignity and respect.

We don’t know their story because we don’t ask, and we don’t pray for them because we don’t care. This mindset needs to change. We need to see them as opportunities to love them and introduce them into the redemptive story of Jesus by how we lovingly treat them and engage them where they are.

In fact, here’s something you probably don’t know. Servers talk trash about their customers ALL the time. I know because I work in the industry. If you’re being rude then your server is probably going back to the kitchen and talking all kinds of trash about you to the rest of the crew. Then what do they do? They come back to your table with a smile and you never knew a thing. Watch your tone of voice and your words when speaking to servers. Your tone needs to be warm and loving, and our words need to be respectful.

Paul says in Colossians, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

WE’RE NOT GENEROUS WITH OUR TIPS

The second thing that sticks out is that we leave lousy tips. A lousy tip, whether we like it or not, does not glorify God and in fact works against our witness which can take a lot of time to overcome for an unbeliever. The church should be known for radical generosity, and the moment to tip is the moment to share the love and blessings that God has given us. We’re demonstrating our priorities when we tip well. There’s no way we can be greedy and have a positive effect on someone.

Tipping also communicates love. Servers have to work really long hours, and the hours they work are horrible for balancing work and life. Think about it, are they at their dinner table with their family? No, they’re at your dinner table waiting on you and your family. They would give anything to be at home with their families. Trust me, I know.

In addition, servers typically don’t make much money. While it may true that they “need to get a better job” it still doesn’t change the fact that God has placed them right in our path for us to love them. Maybe they can’t get another job. It’s hard to find a good job and we don’t know their story. So, saying “They need to get another job” is a judgmental way of looking at their situation.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians, “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

If you’re a Christian you should view where you eat on Sunday as your mission field. Filled with grace and seasoned with love, your conversation with your server needs to be the very thing that points them to (not detracts them from) Christ. You’ve been entrusted with the message of the gospel and you’re preaching with your words and actions every time you sit down at a restaurant table.

Your server likely already has a bad view of the church, so be sure and exercise as much love and wisdom as you can with your conversations and, yes, with your tip.

Copyright © 2020 Lifeword.org.

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[Stash]

I’m only giving you a 10% tip
You talk too much and complain too much
And talk behind our backs when we’re trying to get extra napkins. Lol

Maybe I’ll just eat at home that will solve both our problems

 

[Jack]

Since gays are not Christians, He certainly wasn't referring to gays.

I Cor 6 Gays will burn in Hell FOREVER!

 

[Windmill Charge]

seems that Christians make a career out of being completely unlovable.

Yes there Those who make the name Christian loathsome.
Many non Christians have been treated appalling by Christians.

We all have a duty to be loving in how we treat others.

But no matter how badly we behave, that does not alter the truth of the gospel, sinners need a saviour,
Just as Christians need to live like their saviour.

 

[Ritajanice]

Let us stand before God and represent the Fathers Love from within our hearts...open my heart Lord,so that the world can see your heart of Love ,through your children....fully surrender your heart to God, he will then open our hearts to reveal more of himself.
In Jesus Name!...Amen!.,

Short commentary.

What does the Bible say about Jesus' heart?
But the crowning attribute of Christ was this: His heart was spiritual. His thoughts reflected His intimate relationship with the Father. “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me,” he stated (John 14:11). His first recorded sermon begins with the words, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me” (Luke 4:18).

 

[Ritajanice]

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi

The Born Again are being conformed into the image of Christ.,,,,the heart is being changed from within us, by the power of the Spirit ,who indwells our spirit... for me, it’s taken 33 years, and still he continues to work in our hearts.

The fruit of the Spirit takes imo,a long time for some of us, to ripen in our hearts and come to fruition,all by Gods power and all in his timing..
I call it, the opening of our hearts to fully surrender to the heart of the Spirit...I feel like putty in his hands, so in love with God, it makes me giddy!.
That imo doesn’t happen over night..,from being a child of the world....to suddenly being all Christ like.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Ritajanice]

Another thing..we don’t know who are the Born Again, as Jesus said, many false prophets will come in my name.

Have you ever listened to a preacher who just recites word after word from the Bible, it’s like dead preaching, no spirit of life in his words.. it’s just like he/ she are speaking from a script..imo,

They know of God from what they read,,which is God confirming to us all about himself and his Living Spirit..,that is what the Bible does, gives us confirmation on who we are in Christ.Sons and heirs with the Living God..

Which comes by divine heart revelation .....yet their hearts seem to lack the knowledge, that God is a Living Spirit.,.they think that the Bible is the Living. God... very sad and imo pretty dangerous..imo.my thoughts.

We must know God in our heart, first and foremost ,without that ,they are merely leading themselves through scripture...intellectually.

 

[St. SteVen]

Have you ever listened to a preacher who just recites word after word from the Bible, it’s like dead preaching, no spirit of life in his words.. it’s just like he/ she are speaking from a script..imo,

There are career preachers out there. Some are very frustrated.
At one point they felt a calling on their life which they pursued through education.
Four to six years later they are looking for a church.

They have spent the time and money (student loans) to get to this point, and now have to
face the reality of leading a congregation under the authority of a denomination.

I meet these people out there. Former pastors who are now without a church. It just didn't work out.
There can be a wide variety of reasons for this loss of a Pastor role. From personal failure to circumstance.

God has given me ministry opportunities to men who are living with failed relationships.
Typically through marriage, but occasionally through lost, or completed ministries.
I am currently friends with a retired missionary who is a widower. (10 yrs older than I)
We give him a ride home from church on Sundays. (after coffee and donuts at church)

My ministry to these disenfranchised folks is merely to be a friend.
I don't talk about their past unless they want to. Which means being a good listener.
No advice is offered unless they ask for it. I want to create a peaceful space where they can
be themselves without a thought of their haunting past. I'm not trying to fix them.
I provide a safe and loving solace where they can find peace.

[

 

[Ronald Nolette]

It seems that Christians make a career out of being completely unlovable.

Not all Christians, but way more than there should be.
And this has not gone unnoticed.

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." - Mahatma Gandhi


The Sunday Lunch Crowd is the Worst, Take it From Your Server

I’m a Christian currently working in the food industry, so I’m writing this article because it’s extremely important that the church understands how critical the restaurant experience is during Sunday lunch. Several individuals I work with are unbelievers, and what they say about the church crowd is gut-wrenching. They talk about how they hate the church crowds because they are the rudest, most demanding people of the week and don’t tip well.

Shane Pruitt, a Christian Post contributor, interviewed restaurant servers to examine their points of view on the church crowd. His question was, “Generally speaking on Sundays how were you treated by people who had just come from church?” Below are five answers from his article, “When Christians Mistreat Restaurant Servers Right After Worshipping God.”

1. “No one ever wanted to work Sundays because of the church crews. I never understood how they could go to church, but less than 20 minutes after leaving be the worst example of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.” – Katie

2. “I absolutely hated working on Sundays having to deal with the church crowd. They were always the loudest, most demanding and rudest people, especially when they came in as a group. They would run you like crazy, then leave the most pitiful tip and gospel tract.” – Richard

3. “They did not tip well. You just knew that when you worked the Sunday lunch crowd that you weren’t going to make much.” – Ashton

4. “The neighborhood that I worked in was a wealthy area, and I was a college student at the time and not a believer. When I look back at those Sundays now as a believer, I think there’s not anything in my mind that made the church-goers stand out in a good way. Nothing about them made me want to say, ‘Hmmm . . . maybe I should see what this Jesus thing is all about.’” – Alexis

5. “They never leave the payment until right before darting out only to have the server come to realize they received a low tip, especially for the amount of people, and how long they occupied the table afterwards. On top of that, they’d leave a church flyer or gospel tract behind for the server. This would usually end with the server getting upset and venting to EVERYONE in the back about how crappy church people are and HECK NO none of us will ever go to your church or event!’” – Elizabeth

These are strong words and the two things that stick out are that we’re treating servers like servers and we’re not generous with how we tip.

Continued at Source - link in article title
Make my day by complaining that I didn't leave the link here. Thanks.

[

Sad but true. but we are all sinners saved by grace and growing at different levels and are at different levels of maturity. Having said that, some believers are still downright ornery! And we have the weeds mixed in with the wheat.

But make no mistake. While we are supposed to live at peace as much as possible with the world and be loving, it still won't make a difference in a hardened heart. OUr bad behavior is wrong, but it just another reason why an unbeliever refuses to accept Christ.

 

[Aunty Jane]

There are career preachers out there.

What is a “career preacher”?
I am bemused by this expression…..some years ago I can across a man who wanted to be a minister but changed his mind when he saw how little the salary was, so he decided to be an architect instead.
I never forgot that, because his service to God was dictated by money. What happened to “you received free, give free”?

Some are very frustrated.

For a lot of reasons…..sometimes it’s because they can’t do or teach what they want….they are hamstrung by the religious system that trained them…or the particular denomination who employs them.
Since when is being a teacher of God’s word something that carries a salary?
Even the apostle Paul worked as a tentmaker so as not to be a financial burden to his congregation.

The Money contributed was meant to assist the poor, not to enrich the minister. Who said he should be provided a house, a car and all expenses paid? Not Jesus. “You received free…give free“ has been lost.

At one point they felt a calling on their life which they pursued through education.
Four to six years later they are looking for a church.

They have spent the time and money (student loans) to get to this point, and now have to
face the reality of leading a congregation under the authority of a denomination.

Again, why does it cost money to attend a educational facility in order to teach the Bible? What these education facilities do, is teach religion….big difference. Did Jesus charge the apostles money to teach and train them?

In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees attended the schools that taught “the doctrines of men” which Jesus said made their worship invalid. (Matt 15:7-9) Don’t we see the same today?

I meet these people out there. Former pastors who are now without a church. It just didn't work out.
There can be a wide variety of reasons for this loss of a Pastor role. From personal failure to circumstance.

In the first century there were no “pastors” or “ministers” who single handedly cared for the flock. There was a body of elders who shared the load, and made sure that congregations were kept small so that no one could be ‘lost in the crowd’ so to speak. A congregation was in a local area where everyone knew each other as families should. If one was missing for any length of time, everyone knew, and help would arrive to make sure that their absence was accounted for…sickness? depression? family problems? to let them know that they were not alone.…that help was always available….but never forced.
Having a body of older men provided a shepherd when one was needed. Not a single man who could not handle multiple problems among a whole congregation. God knows that no single individual could split himself so many ways and still retain his balance with his own family responsibilities.

God has given me ministry opportunities to men who are living with failed relationships.
Typically through marriage, but occasionally through lost, or completed ministries.

There are always opportunities to give spiritual or material assistance to those who are struggling….and in these last days….who is not struggling with some major problem or another? Christians are under obligation to help their own first….and to assist others as circumstances arise, as the parable of the “Good Samaritan” illustrated.

My ministry to these disenfranchised folks is merely to be a friend.
I don't talk about their past unless they want to. Which means being a good listener.
No advice is offered unless they ask for it. I want to create a peaceful space where they can
be themselves without a thought of their haunting past. I'm not trying to fix them.
I provide a safe and loving solace where they can find peace.

It’s a shame that there are not more like you in these churches, instead of those who concentrate on their own worries and forget about everyone else.

All Christians are under obligation to help those who need it, but at the same time we do not want to create dependence, because that just perpetuates the problem. We need to give them a “hand up”, not always a “hand out”. The old story rings true….’don’t hand the man a fish…teach him how to fish’. Give them the dignity of being responsible for their own well being.

This is where I have found my own brotherhood to be outstanding. We have no paid clergy, as all our elders are self-funded. No one is paid to do the Lord’s work.…..And every dollar that goes in the contribution box, goes to someone in need, disaster relief, or to expanding our teaching facilities, where students go to learn to be genuine disciples, teachers and missionaries, without cost.

All our meetings are designed to promote sound Bible knowledge, brotherly love, and self sufficiency. We are by no means perfect, but neither were the apostles, so we try as best we can to our imperfect ability.

 

[St. SteVen]

It’s a shame that there are not more like you in these churches, instead of those who concentrate on their own worries and forget about everyone else.

Thank you.
This scripture has really stuck with me.

Philippians 2:3-5 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Thank you.
This scripture has really stuck with me.

Philippians 2:3-5 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

There is actually quite an art to learning how to listen to others.
It means shutting my mouth and hearing what they say. And NOT switching the subject to me.

If I listen to the other, there will be more questions to draw them out.
People LOVE to talk about themselves. And you can do considerable good by hearing them out.
I develop deep relationships this way.

Drives my wife crazy. I will do it in line at the store checkout. - LOL
I can make friends anywhere.

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[St. SteVen]

New topic:

Clyde Pilkington - Christ's Successful Work

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[Lambano]

I think 1 Peter 2:20 applies here. It's one thing when the world hates you for doing what's right for Christ's sake. It's another thing when the world hates you because you're being an &$$h01ε. Make sure you know the difference.

 

[St. SteVen]

New topic:

Why doesn't your "whole Bible view" include Universalism?

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[TheHC]

It’s a shame that there are not more like you in these churches, instead of those who concentrate on their own worries and forget about everyone else.

Yes, I agree.

St. SteVen is a thinker, and has an appetite for spiritual things.

 

[St. SteVen]

Yes, I agree.

St. SteVen is a thinker, and has an appetite for spiritual things.

Thanks to both of you.
I wanted @Lambano to see this post. He was questioning the use of the word spirituality in the Christian context.

[ cc: @Aunty Jane

 

[Aunty Jane]

Thanks to both of you.
I wanted @Lambano to see this post. He was questioning the use of the word spirituality in the Christian context.

[ cc: @Aunty Jane

What is “spirituality”? And can something or someone be “over spiritualized” as one poster keeps suggesting when the “spiritual” aspects of things overshadow their “under spiritualized” world view?

How can we strike a happy medium in this? (not beating up happy fortune tellers)
If God is anything...he is perfectly balanced. His justice will prevail and he always maintains his position allowing mercy to be exercised in some cases but never on sentiment. Mercy is extended based on circumstances. Penalties for transgressing God’s laws and principles were never withheld on sentimental grounds.

So how is “spirituality” involved in our decisions? The spiritual view should always prevail over the carnal one. We can not justify transgression on any grounds, but as imperfect humans we can have lapses in judgment that will make us regret certain conduct. This is what sin does to us.....it’s no excuse to sin however, because we have the Bible to teach us how to manage this “spiritual” affliction that we all suffer. It’s a terminal condition and none of us can prevent our inevitable death......but God teaches us how to manage it, but only if we listen to him, and do as he tells us.

Those us us who find themselves aware of the Creator have usually done so with instruction from our parents or others just by observing nature and creation itself....it screams of an all powerful Creator, but most have no idea why we are here. The churches have not kept up with what science has revealed (what science knows as opposed to what they assume) and stick to an old misunderstanding about how the Universe came to be. They still claim that it was all accomplished in 6 literal 24 hour days.....the Bible does not corroborate that idea at all.
From what is taught in schools concerning the formation and evolution of life on this planet, the churches are now viewed as unscientific and gullible in their beliefs about a Creator, who sounds more like a magician.

Original word studies reveal a lot if we bother to check these things for ourselves. So our view of God and his activities, (based on what he revealed about himself to the nation he chose to bring his Savior into the world) can give us clues as to what he will tolerate and what he will not tolerate....and why.

Are all religions acceptable to this Creator? If not, then why not?

Universalism is what I would call a ‘panacea’ religion......it placates people who have sensibilities regarding the punishments that God meted out to his wayward people at times. But if we use these accounts in the Bible to understand why God chose one nation (descended from one individual) and recorded his dealings with them exclusively, we can see that bad examples were perhaps more numerous than the good examples that they provided in their history. God never gave his laws to any other nation and these were bound by that law from birth...they had no choice in the matter. The law condemned them from the day they were old enough to make their own decisions. No matter how good they were, they could never live up to a perfect law, given to imperfect people.....it served as a constant reminder that they needed the savior that was to come.

What was always the fly in the ointment?......TIME.
For us finite beings, time is critical for all things......for an eternal God, dealing with the first rebel (and thereafter others that joined him) in a timeless realm, everything has its Universal timeframe, but it’s an entirely different way to how we experience time......it all seems to drag on for an eternity...or as long as our life lasts in this world, and nothing much changes apart from things getting progressively worse for us.

What does all that tell us?...about God?....about time?....about the future?...about human accountability?.....about our sinful state? And why the world would hate us just for obeying Christ?
Are God’s expectations of us too demanding?
What is the long term solution? Where are we in the stream of time?

From your perspective, how would you answer those questions?

 

[St. SteVen]

What does all that tell us?...about God?....about time?....about human accountability?.....about our sinful state? And why the world would hate us just for obeying Christ?
Are God’s expectations of us too demanding?
What is the long term solution? Where are we in the stream of time?

From your perspective, how would you answer those questions?

The first few are loaded questions. Moving on...

Human accountability? Absolutely. But with the purpose of correction and restoration.

Are God’s expectations of us too demanding?
"... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God..."
That pretty well sums it up. We are expected to be like him.
Except we can't, because he is God.

Not sure about a long term solution. I suppose those that call themselves Christian
had better shine the light of Christ into the lives of others. This common attitude in the
church of being hateful toward those outside the church needs to stop.

My personal solution is to be out in the world and embrace the people
around me, showing an interest in them and their well-being.
I'll look at you and smile as I go by. Most people are hungry for this.


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