Tag Archives: Jesus

Different

Posted on by

0

One of the things that I know Jesus calls us to is to be different.  We, as Christians, are just supposed to be different.

Different from our culture.  Have a different set of views, a different set of eyes, a different purpose.

As I said in my sermon Sunday, as Christians we are to live a life that makes those all around us say – hey, I want that!  I want what they have!

Now, that life is not perfection. That life is just, well, different.

Ok, what does that different look like?  Here’s what Jesus said today in Matthew 20

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus says it must be different among us. As Christians, whoever wants to lead, must serve.  To really show what a great Christian you are, we don’t pound our chest, we don’t see who can quote the most verses, we don’t try to “out holy” each other.

We do what our Savior did.  We serve.

We care.

We forgive – others and ourselves.

We love.

We help.

We are called to be different. We are called to be a little weird. In the world, it’s about power and fame and wealth.  In the faith, it’s about Jesus. It’s about service.  It’s about love.  It’s about humility.

It’s not about seeking our way. It’s about seeking His way.

That way of loving God and loving our neighbor.

Today, are we different? Are we living different from our culture? Are we living in a way where those around us say, hey, I want what they’ve got?

Today, as Christians, may we be different. And, in doing that, may we bring glory to our awesome God.

Go and Tell

Posted on by

0

I like to brag on those that I love.  I like to tell folks about my kids, my wife, and my family.

I like to tell folks about my church and what God is doing at Asbury Church.

I like to talk about good experiences I have at difference places.  I like to go and tell others about the things of that I’ve experienced that have brought me joy or happiness or was just a good experience.

I like to go and tell others about the good things that I’ve seen in my life.

Namely, Jesus.  He is the best thing I’ve experienced and the best thing that I’ll ever experience. And, I want to tell others about Him.  Listen to what happens today in Mark 5:

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

Jesus had healed this man of many issues. He had made Him whole.  He had changed this man’s life forever.  And this man wanted to follow Jesus.  He wanted to get on the boat and follow Jesus.

Jesus said – this is how you will follow me.  Go and tell.  Go and tell others about me. Go and tell others about what I’ve done.  Go and tell others about what change has come to pass in your life.

Go and tell.

Sometimes to go and tell others means you have to go far away. Sometimes it means you have to you have to stay in your own family. Whatever it looks like, each of us are called to go and tell.

Go and tell what Jesus has done for us. Go and tell about His salvation and His hope.  Go and tell about His life. Go and tell.

Go and brag on Jesus like you do your family. Or your favorite restaurant. Or your favorite pair of shoes. Or your favorite hunting spot. Go and tell. Go and tell others what He has done in your life.

Go and show His mercy in your life.

Go and brag on what He’s doing in your life.

Go. Go and tell.

Don’t You Care If We Drown?

Posted on by

0

If there is one thing we know about Jesus, it’s that He loves people.  That’s one of the main points of the entire Gospel.

His loves His disciples.  He loves the crowds that follow Him.  He loves the sinners and tax collectors He meets along His journey.  He even loves the Pharisees.  He loves His family.  He loves the entire world.

That’s kind of the point of John 3:16 – God loves the world.  Through Jesus, we see God’s love for the entire world.

We can argue about a lot in faith. But, we all agree on this.  Jesus loves people.  There is no doubt about that.

Watch what happens today, through in Mark 4:

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

There’s a lot in this passage. But, one of the things that always sticks out to me is this. The disciples asked Jesus, don’t you care that we are going to drown?

They are afraid. This huge storm has blown up all around them. It doesn’t look good.  The boat could sink. They could drown. They could die. That’s a scary, scary thing.

So, out of their fear, they ask Jesus, don’t you care that we are going to drown!  Don’t you care that we are going to die!

In short they are asking, aren’t you going to save us? Don’t you love us?

Each one of the disciples knew that Jesus loved them.  They had seen His love. They knew His love.  They had felt His love.

But now they were scared. They were worried. They didn’t know what was going to happen. And so they questioned. They questioned His love. They questioned His help. They questioned Him.

Do you not care if we drown?

Of course He did. But, in their fear, they lost sight of that. In their fear, they lost sight of God’s love.

Today, no matter what you are going through, God loves you.  God loves you in your storm. God loves you in your life. God loves you no matter what. God loves you.

Don’t let the storm you are going through take your eyes off of God’s love. Don’t let fear cause you to doubt God’s love.  God loves you more than you’ll ever know.

Don’t let the storm of today take your eyes off the love of God.

 

How Far Will You Go?

Posted on by

0

How far will you go to share the love of Jesus Christ today?

How far are you willing to go in this day to share with others, through your words, your actions, your expressions, through everything, how far are you willing to go to show others Jesus today?

How much of your routine are you willing to change? How much out of your comfort zone are you willing to get?

How motivated are you to show that love of Jesus to others?

See, as Christians, I believe what we know is the hope of the world. The hope of the world is Jesus Christ. Through relationship with Him, people are find their true purpose in life, find they are loved, and experience the power of peace, joy, and life.

How far will we go today to show that love?

Listen to this story in Mark 2 today:

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Ok. Let’s think about what really happened here. Forget what you’ve heard and the stories you knew from the past.

These four dudes cut a hole in someone’s roof.  WHAT?!?!?!?!

They cut a hole in someone’s roof.  Literally. They cut a hole in roof of someone’s house and lowered their friend down.

Because they wanted him to meet Jesus.

Wow.  That’s how far they would go to make sure that their friend met Jesus.

Today, how far will we go?  Will we witness about Jesus with our words?  Our actions? Will we talk in a way that reflects His grace? Will we share about our faith? Will we invite someone to church?  Will we show Jesus to others with all that we do.

These folks when a long way to show Jesus to their friend. Today, how far will we go?

Work to Do

Posted on by

0

I love the Gospel of Mark. All the Gospels are great, but I really enjoy Mark’s Gospel.

Each Gospel has a different viewpoint or appeal. Matthew is written to Jewish audience, so there are a ton of Old Testament quotes and references.  Luke is written to a non-Jewish (Gentile) audience so there are lots of first hand accounts from witnesses to what  happened.  John is a book of theology, seeking to answer not who, what, when, and where, but why.

But I like Mark maybe the most. In Mark, probably written to a Roman audience, Jesus is always on the move. He’s always on the go. He’s always doing something.The word immediately is mentioned over and over and over again throughout this Gospel.

You can almost see Jesus getting a cup of coffee and taking off, ready to defeat the powers of evil that day.  For some reason, that appeals to me 🙂

But, listen to what Jesus did first. This is from Mark 1:

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus knew what He was called to do. That is why He came.  He had a calling, to reconcile the word to God, to call each of us into a relationship through Him with God the Father by the power of Holy Spirit.  He knew His purpose and His calling upon the earth.

And He knew that accomplish that, prayer was essential.  He knew He had to pray.  He knew He must pray.  He knew that His prayer life was vital to His ministry.

And He was Jesus.  You know, the very Son of God. And prayer matter to Him.

How much should prayer matter to us?  How vital must prayer be to us?  How important should it be in our lives?

Yes, we’ve got work to do. There are things God is calling us to. There are things that God has before us today.

But, the most important work to do is prayer. Today, before we can do anything for God, we must take time to pray.  To listen. To search. To seek.

Today, may we do the work set before us. Today may we pray.

Unchanging

Posted on by

0

We live in a world with a lot of change. We live in a world where nothing seems to stay the same over night.

We wake up daily to change.

We read the newspaper in the morning, and what we read is already old news. The rate of change, the pace of information, all these things are growing exponentially.

And we can fill overwhelmed by it all. We can feel like things are just going too fast sometimes.

Thankfully, not everything changes. Not everything is uncertain. Not everything is unstable. Listen to what the author of Hebrews says today:

So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Jesus Christ is the same. He is constant.  He is unchanging.  No matter what.

No matter what changes in life, Jesus is the same.

No matter what changes in your life, Jesus is the same.

No matter how uncertain your future, Jesus is the same.

No matter what may change today, Jesus is the same.

He is unchanging.  He is constant.  He is true. And you can trust Him.

Today, and each day. Things change, yes. Things are different,  yes.  Jesus it the same, day after day after day.

And you can trust Him. Today, and each day.

An Anchor

Posted on by

0

I don’t do water. Anyone that’s ever been around me at a water park, or the beach, or really anywhere with water has learned that I don’t do water. I’m glad if water works for you, but just not my thing.

So, I’m not going to lie to you, I know nothing about boats, water, deep-sea fishing, or sea creatures. Other than the fact that I like most sea creatures fried.

But, in reading about ships, boats, and sailing, one of the things I’ve learned to appreciate is an anchor.

Now, you sea folks may correct me, but from what I’ve read and learned, it is that anchor that keeps the ship stable and in one place in the water. The anchor allows the ship to stay where it is and not be moved. And when a storm blows up, that is incredibly important. This anchor will keep the ship safe, unmoved, and undamaged.

This anchor will allow a ship to survive a storm.

Listen to what the author of Hebrews says this morning:

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Storms are coming. There’s no doubt. There will be troubles. There will be trials. There will be tough times. There will be tears. Storms are coming.

But, remember, when the storm comes, and even when the water is smooth, you have an anchor. You have something to keep you anchored and safe. You have something you can trust.

Or, some one you can trust.

Jesus. He is your anchor. When the storms come, He is your anchor. When the wind blows, He is your anchor. When trials and temptations affect you, He is your anchor. You can trust in Him. And He will be with you in all that happens in your life.

He is the anchor for our lives. He is the one that we can count on. He is the very truth, heart, and love of God. And our lives must be anchored in Him.

Today, when the wind blows, may we find our anchor in Jesus. And may we know that no matter what blows up around us, we are safe and secure in Him.

Go

Posted on by

0

I’ve heard it said before that each Gospel in the Bible, when taken together, paints a complete picture of who Jesus was and is. I’ve always like that understanding, and I think that the Gospels really do that. We see, by reading them who Jesus really is.

And, because of that, each Gospel will speak to us in different ways. And, being a little spastic and ADD, I’ve always like Mark’s Gospel.

Why?

In Mark, Jesus is always on the move. He’s always going. Doing. Teaching. Moving. The word immediately is used over and over again in Mark’s Gospel. And, for someone who doesn’t sit still well, I’ve always liked that.

One of the passages I’ve read today is from Matthew’s Gospel, but it could really fit into what Mark emphasized about Jesus. Except in this passage from Matthew, it’s not talking about Jesus. It’s talking about us.

Listen to this well-known passage from Matthew:

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

This is the Great Commission. And it starts off with that magic and important word.

Go.

Go to all nations. Go. Go to them. Don’t wait on them.

For far too long we, as the church, and as Christians, have waited on “them” to come to us. The time for waiting over. We are called to go.

Go to them. Go to the hurting. Go to the lost. Go to the least, the last, the weak, the sick, the sore.

Go to the ones needing to hear about the grace and salvation of God.

Go to the ones that are in need of knowing that God loves them and that there is a Savior who died for them.

Don’t wait on them to come to you. You go to them. You take the first step. You make the first move.

But, I can’t you might say. I can’t do it. I’m afraid. I’m scared. I’m worried. I can’t.

Yes you can. You can do it. You have more strength and ability then you’ll ever know. You can.

How? Remember what Jesus told us.

I’ll be with you, even to the end of the age.

When you go, He goes with you. Where you go, He goes with you. You don’t go alone.

He goes with you.

Today, who is God calling you to go to? Where is God calling you to go?

Today, no matter where that is, may we each do it. Today, may we Go.

Don’t Stay Locked Up in Fear

Posted on by

0

Fear is a great motivator.  Some of the greatest athletes in history were motivated by a fear of failure and of letting people down.

Fear, when channeled, can be something that pushes us and drives us and causes us to achieve a goal or do something great. Fear, when channeled and used for good, can be a great motivator.

But, for many of us, that is not the role that fear plays in our lives.  Instead of motivating us, fear can cripple us.  Instead of driving us, fear can break us.  Instead of pushing us down the road, fear can stop us from moving.

For many of us today, we live our lives out of fear. And we don’t like the results. We live in fear of the past.

Of the future.

Of the present.

Of the known.

Of the unknown.

Of what we can control.

Of what we can’t.

For many of us today, we live a life that is dominated by fear.  Listen to what happens to the disciples in John 20 today:

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.

They were hiding behind these locked doors because they were afraid. They were hiding away from people because they were fearful.

And Jesus comes to them and says – Don’t hide. Go. Don’t stay locked up here. Go.  Go out. Be faithful.  Preach, teach, love. Don’t stay locked up in fear.

Go.

How can they go when they are afraid?  He is with them. And He will give peace.  No matter what. No matter what they face. He will give peace.

Today, don’t stay locked up in fear.  Don’t stay afraid.  No matter what you are facing God is with you.  No matter what you are up against, God is with you.  No matter what fear wells up in your soul, God is with you.

Today, do not be afraid. God is with you.

You have nothing to fear.

Nothing Compares to Him

Posted on by

0

This week between Palm Sunday and Easter is called Holy Week. Each day of this week, Jesus was drawn closer to the cross, closer that day that won our redemption and our victory. But each day is a day closer to the emotional and spiritual pain of His betrayal, and closer to physical pain and death of cross.

Each day is one day closer.

And each day this week, we will remember what He went through. I was talking yesterday at Asbury, to truly understand how amazing the empty grave of Sunday is, we must stop and remember the pain and hurt of the bloody cross.

Today on this Monday of Holy Week, John 12 tells us what happened to Jesus:

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

There are lots of different thoughts at to the significance of the perfume Mary used. Some say could have been part of the dowry for marriage.  Some say it could have been part of a family tradition.  I’ve heard lots of stories and sermons about what all the perfume represented, and I don’t know the answer to it.

But I do know this.  This perfume was the most valuable thing Mary owned. This was worth more than anything she owned or could have owned.

And she willing laid it at the foot of Jesus. Literally.  This perfume of great worth only found in its true worth in being used to anoint Jesus.

Today, what is that thing of great worth in your life?  What is that prized possession?  Is it of more worth to you than Jesus?  Or course, publicly, we’d all say “Of course not!” But what about privately?  What about when no one is looking? What about when’s it just us and our thoughts?

Today, Mary showed us an example.  Nothing was worth more than Jesus to her. Nothing.

May we see that example, and may we follow.  Jesus laid everything down for our sake and for our salvation.  May we lay it all down for His glory.

He is our greatest prize and possession.  And nothing compares to Him.