Leith Anderson
February 4, 2003
10:30 am
Message Summary
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…” (I Peter 2:9). As a young boy without a lot of athletic ability, Leith Anderson recalls the elementary school trauma of being chosen for a team at recess. The only time he knew he would be one of the first picks was if one of his friends was choosing teams. In the same way, God chooses us, not because of our abilities, but because of our relationship with Him. However, our call to holiness is not just a matter of recognizing who we are in Christ, but also what we do.
The Roman Empire in the times of Nero was an immoral, filthy, dangerous and ungodly environment; the church was a seemingly insignificant threat. Yet the Christians in Rome were set apart and they lived Christ in complete opposition to their world. As they remained faithful to God and His Word, and to living lives of holiness, Christianity grew. In A.D. 50, Christians were the majority as pagans “saw their good deeds and glorified God” (I Peter 2:12b).
Leith Anderson brought the message closer to home as he looked at statistics of evangelicalism today. The long-term effects of Christianity are seen through lower abortion rates, fewer divorces, and thousands being added to the community of believers’ daily. But is Christianity a passing trend? Is it only skin deep?
To answer this Anderson looks to the wounds of tragedy. In the midst of deep hurt there are more testimonies of Christ than in times past. We have such an opportunity to speak out for Christ and to live out a life of being a chosen child of God. “May you live such a holy life,” stated Anderson, “that you enhance the reputation of Christ in a pagan world.”
Anderson then noted one of the greatest sermons of all times that clearly proclaimed Christ. Acts 7 gives the account of Stephen preaching and then being stoned to death. Yet as Stephen looked to Heaven he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father waiting to welcome him into eternity. The challenge came strong as Anderson concluded, “May we live such holy lives that we see Jesus standing to welcome us into heaven.”
Student Response
Hearing this message caused me to reflect on the world around me. God has chosen me and placed me in this world for a specific reason and that is to live a life of holiness. It seems like a cliché thought, but how am I practically doing that? Am I truly living Christ in my daily activities? Attending a Christian college I am surrounded by fellow believers, but do I get easily annoyed or do I respond to them in a way that encourages them in their walks with Christ? As I work in a non-Christian environment, do I remain silent as they mock righteous living and the personhood of Jesus, or do I enhance the reputation of Christ and give them a better understanding of the holy God to whom I belong? Rome changed dramatically as Christians stuck by the decision to live holy lives. Am I living Christ in such a way that I can change the world around me?
—Allison Hlad, Senior, Communications/Print Media major