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Victory Sermon Series - Unmasking the Christian Atheist

the big idea:

Do you consider yourself someone who believes in God, but in reality you live as if everything is still up to you? Do you say you believe in the power of prayer, yet hardly ever pray? Do you call yourself a Christian and yet you can’t seem to let go of past guilt and shame? It’s a phenomenon that’s been called Christian atheism—believing in God, but living like he doesn’t exist.

Jesus calls it “forsaking your first love.” Paul expresses this inner struggle when he says, “The good I want to do I do not do!” There are so many different situations that can arise in our lives that lead us down the path to Christian atheism. But how we got there is not as important as recognizing the real problem, repenting, and turning to Christ alone for both forgiveness and the strength to change through the gospel.

This sermon series will be a frank conversation about our Christian atheist tendencies and sins so that with Christ’s forgiveness and God’s help, we can throw off lackluster expressions of faith and lead more authentic, God-honoring lives.

the breakdown:

June 26: When I Believe in God But Am Ashamed of My Past

Paul speaks of forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. God assures us over and over again through his Word, through the sacrament, through confession and absolution, that we are forgiven. Why is it so difficult to let go of our past guilt and shame?
Scriptures: 2 Samuel 13:3-20; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; John 18:25-27; 21:15-19; Psalm 51b
Sermon Text: Psalm 32

July 3: When I Believe in God But Pursue Happiness at All Costs

God wants me to be happy, right? Wrong—especially when our pursuit of happiness puts us at odds with God and his will. We were not made for the things of this world. We are spiritual beings created for relationship with God. Until we not only believe this is true, but also live like this is true, we will never be truly happy.
Scriptures: Genesis 13:1-13; 1 Timothy 6:6-12; Luke 15:11-32, Psalm 1
Sermon Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-12

July 10: When I Believe in God But Won’t Forgive

“Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.” We pray the prayer, yet so often we don’t want to forgive, can’t forgive, have good reason not to forgive. What we don’t realize is that our inability to forgive hurts us and our relationship with our forgiving heavenly Father more than we imagine.
Scriptures: Genesis 50:15-21; Ephesians 4:25-32; Matthew 18:21-25; Psalm 130
Sermon Text: Matthew 18:21-35

July 17: When I Believe in God But Don’t Think I Can Change

Paul says “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” And yet we excuse our sinful behaviors again and again saying, “That’s just the way I am. I can’t change now.” It is true, we cannot change—by our own power. When something in your life truly needs to change, tap into the power of Christ through holy baptism.
Scriptures: Acts 9:17-28; Romans 6:1-14; Luke 19:1-9; Psalm 119b
Sermon Text: Romans 6:1-14

July 24: When I Believe in God But Still Worry All the Time

God has made all kinds of incredible promises to us. Yet, so often we live as though none of those promises exist and everything depends on us. Sure, some things we can control. But there are many more that we cannot. God help us recognize the difference, do what we can, and leave the rest up to him.
Scriptures: Proverbs 3:1-6; 1 Peter 2:4-10; Matthew 6:25-34; Psalm 62
Sermon Text: Matthew 6:25-34

July 31: When I Believe in God But Don’t Share My Faith

As Christians we boldly profess that there is both a heaven and a hell. Yet, if we truly believe in life after death, as well as the eternal ramifications of dying without Christ, what in the world would keep us from sharing through both word and deed the one thing that can keep people from an eternity in hell?
Scriptures: Daniel 12:1-3; 1 Peter 3:8-15; Luke 16:19-31; Psalm 67
Sermon Text: Luke 16:19-31

August 7: When I Believe in God But Not His Church

So many Christians don’t believe in God’s church because they do not know what it really is. We don’t go to church. We are the Church. We are broken people, rescued by the love of Jesus Christ, using that same love of Jesus Christ, to rescue more broken people.
Scriptures: Acts 2:38-47; Romans 12:1-8; John 17:20-26; Psalm 84
Sermon Text: Romans 12:1-8