Galatians 5

Our minister was recently on vacation, which required me to fill in for him for two weeks at our Sunday morning service.  In the past, I have not been a very good speaker, but I think that I am getting used to it because I was pretty proud of the first sermon.  In the sermon, I did some research on what people who are not Christians think of people that are.  Here is the list.
The number one thing that the church is known for by non Christian young people is being anti homosexual.


Number 2 is judgemental

3 is hypocritical (saying one thing and doing another)

4 too involved in politics

5 out of touch with reality

6 old fashioned

7 insensitive to others

8 boring

9 not accepting of other faiths

10 confusing.

Wow, we are a loved group huh?!  Sadly, it is understandable with the way the church has sometimes behaved.  It makes me so sad that the number one thing that the followers of Jesus are known for is hating a group of people. 

Galatians 5:22-26 (New International Version)


22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Does anyone see a difference between the 2 lists!  Love and Joy do not go with judgemental and insensitive!