Show video: Jesus vs. Christians (4:26) (click here for sample)

What is the world’s perception of you?
What do those around you think of you as a person?
If you didn’t tell anyone that you’re a Christian, would they know?
If they know you’re a Christian, what do they perceive about Christ as a result of your life?

These are all questions we should be asking ourselves. It’s not enough to know that we’re “Christians” but Jesus calls us to be salt and light to the world. We’re representations of Him.
John 13:34-35 – They’ll know you’re my disciples in that you love one another (read f/ msg)

Illustration:
Two competing candy stores had the same prices; neighborhood kid’s preferred one store over the other. When asked why, they said, “Because the person in the ‘good’ store always gives more candy. The girl in the other store takes candy away.” True? Not really. In the good store, the owner would always make sure to put a small amount of candy on the scale, and then keep adding to it. In the “bad” store, the owner would pile a heaping amount of candy on the scale, and then take it off until it hit the right weight. The same amount of candy was sold, but the kids thought (or perceived) that they were being cheated.
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The world see’s the same Jesus don’t they? How can some perceive Jesus to be the true Son of God and others perceive Him to be a myth or just a “good teacher?” The answer is staring us in the face every morning when we look in that mirror. We’re Christ’s representation here, on earth. The church is His body.

Let’s take a quick look at Paul, did he care how those he was ministering to perceived him?
1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 – Paul’s Conduct was blameless (msg)
1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 – He worked his fingers to the bone to as not to burden those he was preaching to (msg)
Paul didn’t want those he was preaching to, to think (or perceive) that he had some hidden agenda or ulterior motive for preaching the Gospel.
He cared about their perception of him, not for his sake, but for the sake of the Gospel.
We see the same thing in 1 Corinthians and in Acts. Paul works to provide for his needs rather than receiving anything from the believers he was preaching to.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Mahatma Gandhi
Philippians 1:27-28 – conduct yourselves worthy (NKJ & comments)
Philippians 2:14-15 – we must shine as lights in a crooked world (msg)