Sermon Notes: IMPERSONATORS AND IMITATORS

“IMPERSONATORS AND IMITATORS!”

1 Corinthians 11:1

I. INTRODUCTION

Torrence Hatch Jr., whose stage name is “Boosie,” is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and executive.  Boosie is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who began his rapping career in the 1990s before launching his solo career in 2000.  Boosie recently came under fire when he was spotted at the Houston Rockets-Atlanta Hawks basketball game on January 8, wearing a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. sweatshirt, just three days after the organization celebrated its 109th anniversary on January 5.   He later posted photos on social media in the sweatshirt.  On its face, this seems innocuous, right?  However, Boosie did not “pledge” or join the fraternity (undergraduate or graduate)!  To wear paraphernalia or impersonate being a member of an organization for which you are not a part violates all Greek codes of decency and order!

Boosie’s action created a plethora of responses!  Everything from hate to humor and everything in between!  Some members of Kappa Alpha Psi went as far as to speak with Boosie and tell him “do’s and don’ts,” while others tried teaching him the organization’s hallmark dance, “The Shimmy.”  Listen!  This is not about the Kappas nor any other Greek organization!  Rather, it’s about Christ and the Kingdom!  Yet, if Boosie’s actions created this kind of reaction in a secular setting, how much more should Christians respond when we see each (believers and non-believers) acting like they belong to God’s Kingdom when they don’t?  The children of light can learn from the children of darkness.  Today’s sermon shifts the focus from the secular to the sacred.  We will learn the importance of being an imitator versus an impersonator of Jesus Christ!  Which are you?

II. YOUR CLOTHES!

1. Clothe yourselves in Christ!                                      Romans 13:14
2. God never instructs us to undress!                          Ephesians 6:14-17
3. Wear gentleness and a quiet spirit!                           1 Peter 3:3-4

III. YOUR CHARACTER!

1. Exhibit the character of Christ!                                  Galatians 5:22-23
2. Perseverance produces character!                              Romans 5:4
3. Are you known by your love?                                      John 13:34-35

IV. YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS!

1. 1. Where are your thoughts?                                Colossians 3:2
   2. Have the mind of Christ!                                 Philippians 2:5
   3. Embrace transformational thinking!              Romans 12:2

V. YOUR COMMITMENT!

1. Be “all in” for Christ!                                                    Deuteronomy 6:5
2. Hang on until the harvest!                                          Galatians 6:9
3. Follow God no matter what!                                      Joshua 24:15, 24

VI. CONCLUSION

The children of light can learn from the children of darkness!  Christians can learn from the Boosie situation!  The primary lesson for Christians is how God expects us to hold one another accountable for living the Christian life!  James 5:19-20 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” Our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  One way for us to do this is to IMITATE DON’T IMPERSONATE Jesus Christ!

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