 So what is a stereotype?…
Definition Stereotype: 1. a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing; 2. a relief printing plate cast in a mold made from an original plate. There is a difference between a “Stereotype” and a “Connotation”… Definition Connotation: an idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal or primary meaning. Example: "the word “discipline” has unhappy connotations of punishment and repression” Isn’t it interesting that the example of a negative “connotation” used in the definition is for the word discipline which is the root word of disciple which is what Jesus calls us to be… Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Make disciples… Baptize them… Teach them… I am with you always… Although discipleship, teaching, learning, and commandments may have a negative connotation in this world they are powerful kingdom words describing the blessed experience of the Christian life and what should be Stereotypical of all Christians… Romans 12:2 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. See we have to reclaim the meanings of these words and the emotions and thoughts that these words invoke… The “Stereotype” I want to look at is that of a “Christian”… What do most people mean when they say “Oh I heard he’s a Christian now” or “I heard she gave her life to Jesus”??? How has something so amazing been reduced to a short sentence with a mile long list of negative connotations?… Becoming a Christian today to the world means becoming weak, soft, lifeless, restricted, sad, fake, hypocritical, and judgmental… Part of the reason becoming a Christian has been “stereotyped” this way is because God Himself has been “Stereotyped” and misrepresented and oversimplified… Romans 1:22-23 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man When the incorruptible Holy God is viewed like a mere man with faults the stereotypes placed on Him and the negative connotations are such a perversion of the truth… The other reason Christians have been stereotyped the way we have been is because of our behavior… Acts 11:15-26 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?"18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." 19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. These are literally the “Stereotypes” of our faith… They were first called Christians in Antioch… Remember the second part of our definition for “Stereotype”: 2. a relief printing plate cast in a mold made from composed type or an original plate. Think of original plates for printing money and having the foresight to create a mold from the originals in order to ensure that when they got dull and the money they print began to lose it’s desired clarity and consistency they could replace the plates and have the exact same clarity and consistency from the first bill ever printed… If we have the clarity and consistency of the originals we read about here in Acts we are blessed and it would be hard for people to “stereotype” us the way they do… I want to be like the “stereotypes” of old and I want to be “stereotypical” for those that I lead and those that come after me… They were led by the Spirit to do things they had never done before in their lives… They challenged each other as to why they made the decisions they made and evaluated if their actions were fruitful or not… The fled from persecution but not to hide… The preached the good news wherever they ended up when they had to flee… They established themselves in locations and taught for a year straight making sure people understood the depth of what God had done through Jesus… They were called Christians because they resembled Christ in power and authority and fruit and love and sacrifice… Acts 4:13 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. The Disciples and apostles bore His image and now just like printing molds others were beginning to bear the image of Christ… 2 Corinthians 3:18 we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
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