• We Are A Strange And Peculiar People
• The Bible teaches that Real Christians will be considered strange.

• INTRODUCTION
• Peter, in 1 Peter 4:3-4 tells Christians they have already wasted enough time serving the devil, participating in the sinful practices of the world.
• It is time for them to change their lives and spend the rest of their time (however much time remains) doing the will of God.
• But in doing so the world will “think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you”
• Why is it that living the Christian life is considered to be “strange” to the world?
• The people of the world have lived so long in sin and their consciences have become so desensitized by sin that they have lost all sense of truth and righteousness.
• So, when they see Christians no longer practicing the immorality and wickedness they enjoyed in the past this seems strange to them.

• Real Christians Are Different
• True Christians do not think and act like the world around them for they are God’s own special people 1 Peter 2:9.
• They have a different allegiance.
• They now follow, serve and obey Christ, rather than man Acts 5:29.
• They follow a different creed (belief, faith), one that comes from heaven (the New Testament)
1 Thessalonians 2:13,
• They do not follow the words and traditions of men Mark 7:6-9.
• They now worship a different God John 4:23-24, whose ways are not those of man Isaiah 55:8-9.
• They also have a different hope for the future Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-3.
• So, they are naturally seen as different and strange from the rest of the world since they don’t follow the mainstream of society morally or religiously.
• They do not let the world define and set the standards of right and wrong.
• They have been transformed into a new life in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1-2.

• Some Refuse To Be Different
• Even though the above things define the characteristics of true Christians, there are many who claim to be Christians that will not practice them since they don’t want to be thought of as strange.
• People find it difficult to be different.
• When seen from a human standpoint it is not easy to be different.
• To be different means you will be in a minority, and human nature doesn’t like that.
• Generally, those in the minority are considered outcasts, rebels, unpopular with friends and neighbors.
• The human desire is to be able to agree with people and retain their good will.
• So when one varies from the norm socially, morally or religiously he can expect to suffer some unpleasantness.
• Not being in the mainstream is very unpleasant because it constantly puts a person on the defensive, always having to defend what and why one does or does not believe and practice certain things.

• Why Be Different?
• What would justify people wanting to be different socially, morally and religiously?
• Certainly it should not be just for the sake of being different.
• Some want to be provocative in their appearance and behavior.
• Some are trying to make a statement to the world.
• Some are just rebelling against, parents, society, the normal, etc.
• Spiritually speaking, these differences come because they involve matters of truth, righteousness and faith which are diametrically opposed to and sin, error and human opinion.
• Those who have strong convictions about truth, righteousness and faith will always be unalterably opposed to error, sin and opinion.
• The two sides are totally incompatible and the line between them must be drawn sharply and distinctly 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; Amos 3:3; Matthew7:13-14.

• Some Do Not Want To Be Different
• Today this line has become blurred because the world has infiltrated the thinking of many of the members of the Lord’s church.
• They want to be recognized as Christians, but they don’t want to be considered “strange” or different from their friends in the denominational world.
• The religious world, in general, offers convenience, popularity and entertainment to attract and keep members.
• They are religious, but not overly concerned about being scripturally correct.
• They have a form of godliness but deny its power
2 Timothy 3:5.
• So, to keep from being considered “too strange” some members of the Lord’s church follow the path of least resistance.
• They imitate practices that are popular but cannot be justified by scripture.
• The use of contemporary music (spell it entertainment), family life centers, fluff sermons, etc.) may attract people to the building, and keep the members from being thought strange by the world, but they are still unscriptural and will keep them out of heaven unless they change their attitudes (and their ways).

• Preachers Are Not Immune
• For many preachers, their preaching has contributed a great deal in blurring the line of separation between the world and the church with indistinct preaching of “smooth words and flattering speeches” Isaiah 30:10; Romans16:18.
• They allow unscriptural practices because they are more concerned with money, prestige and popularity than preaching the truth that saves John 17:17; John 8:31-32.
• They shun to declare “the whole counsel of God.”
Acts 20:27
• Sin is condoned rather than condemned Jeremiah 5:30-31; 2 Timothy 4:1-5.
• Many churches, claiming to be of Christ, have developed a country club appearance, offering a cafeteria style religion.
• Religion becomes entertainment rather than worship to God John 4:23-24.
• Notice some of the churches in Revelation 2, 3.
• The scripture remains true, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” Colossians 3:17.

• Do Not Let It Bother You
• You have something worth more than the praise of men.
• So, please don’t be afraid of being thought strange by the world.
• If you are really a Christian, you will be living a life that is radically different from the rest of the world.
• Christians are considered strange because they are different.
• But they are not being different just for the sake of being different.
• They are different because they have been called to a much higher standard.
• Jesus taught “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” Matthew 5:20.
• They want to be God’s unashamed workmen
2 Timothy 2:15.
• They know God has called them out of the world to be His own special people 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14;
• We are commanded to separate ourselves from the world. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18;
• We are to be different. 1 Peter 2:9-12;
• We have been purified by God for a reason.
Titus 2:14,
• We are called to be holy as He is holy
1 Peter 1:12-16.

•Conclusion
• Even though we are in the minority here, with God we are really in the final majority Romans 8:31-39.
• We can rejoice in the knowledge that we don’t differ with God, only with those who oppose Him.
• Christians will be victorious along with Christ Revelation 17:14; 1Corinthians 15:57.
• So go ahead and be proud to be considered strange or peculiar.

By Carey Scott from an outline I found somewhere I don't remember

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