Facebook Christians

1
Facebook Christians

• Computers, Social Networks, the Internetand
  Christians

2
Introduction

• For those who don't know Facebook
• Sign up with a log in and password
• Find friends
• Post a comment and all your friends will read it
• Quick way to communicate with many at once
• Average user 130 friends (I have 300)
• Average user spends 55 minutes a day here

3
Introduction

• Facebook is a wonderful thing
• Keep in contact with friends around the world
• I have several Russian friends on Facebook
• Many I have not seen for 25 years or more
• Facebook can help families and churches keep in
  touch
• There can be a down side - like any good thing,
  it can be abused and cause harm

4
Introduction

• This sermon is not about computers, the internet
  or the dangers of them
• I am going to ask some questions to help us be
  who we should be on Facebook
• Not on Facebook? The application is the same for
  personal contact (phone, mail, or in person)

5
What if Jesus sent you a friend request?

• This is how Facebook works.
• You choose who to invite to be on your friends
  list.
• You send them a request
• They can choose to accept or reject that
  invitation

6
What if Jesus sent you a friend request?

• Would you have to clean up your page first?
• Embarassing photos of a party?
• Profanity, dirty stories?
• Where you got angry at someone and told them off?
• Harsh, critical, spreading gossip?
• NEWS FLASH Jesus is already there. He already
  knows about those photos and angry, harsh language

7
Am I being careful about my influence?

• Facebook can be a tool for evangelism
• I use it to share my sermons, Power Points and
  class materials
• I use it to communicate with family and friends
• I use it to plan my trip to Russia
• Any of the 700 million Facebook users in the
  world can see what I write THINK ABOUT THAT!

8
Am I being careful about my influence?

• Facebook can be a tool for evangelism
• Are there things on your Facebook page that are
  inconsistent with what you are professing as a
  Christian?
• Are you using this tool to encourage others,
  teach them, and bring them to Christ?
• Are you using this tool to demean, be critical,
  and cause trouble?

9
What if I see somethinginappropriate on your
page?

• Hebrews 1023-24 23 Let us hold fast the
  confession of our hope without wavering, for He
  who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider
  one another in order to stir up love and good
  works,
• Galatians 61 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in
  any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such
  a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
  yourself lest you also be tempted.

10
What if I see somethinginappropriate on your
page?

• You do not have to harsh in your rebuke
• Just send them a private message
• Let them know that you are concerned about how
  others will view their claim to be a Christian

11
How much time are youspending on Facebook?

• Average user is on Facebook 55 minutes each day
  7 days a week
• When you consider sleep, eating, work, school,
  social life, church activities almost an hour a
  day a lot of time
• I am not opposed to Facebook I am on it
• Like anything else it can consume our time,
  energy and life.

12
How much time are youspending on Facebook?

• Here is the point -
• Some don't have time to study the Bible
• Some can't attend Wednesday night
• BUT they spend an hour on Facebook
• Matthew 633 But seek first the kingdom of God
  and His righteousness, and all these things shall
  be added to you.
• What is more important in your life Christ and
  His church OR Facebook?

13
Conclusion

• Final thought What would happen if I asked Jesus
  to be my friend?
• John 1514 You are My friends if you do whatever
  I command you.
• Our CLAIM does little good if our LIFE is not
  according to His will.

14
Conclusion

• Matthew 721-23 21 "Not everyone who says to Me,
  'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
  but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
  22 Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord,
  have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out
  demons in Your name, and done many wonders in
  Your name?' 23 And then I will declare to them,
  'I never knew you depart from Me, you who
  practice lawlessness!'

15
Conclusion

• Do you want to be the friend of Jesus?
• I am not talking about Facebook
• I am talking about life here and in eternity
• As we sing the invitation song here is the
  question for you to answer
• AM I A FRIEND OF JESUS?