Tag: Jesus

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When just following Jesus isn’t enough…

Matthew 26:47–50 (NASB 2020):

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chiefpriests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.” 49 And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him

In v.50 Jesus refers to Judas who just betrayed him as friend. The Greek word used is hetaíros – properly, a companion (normally an imposter), posing to be a comrade but in reality only has his own interests in mind.

Compare that to John 15:15 where Jesus calls those that are part of the true vine friends. The Greek term used is phílos – a friend; someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close bond of personal affection.

In many evangelical churches today the “gospel” being preached is what I call pre-resurrection gospel. The just follow Jesus gospel. Life stressing you out? Follow Jesus. Your marriage is a wreck? Follow Jesus. Your finances are in need of financing? Just follow Jesus. Judas followed Jesus and yet Jesus was only “Rabbi” to him. A wise teacher. Someone he followed with his own selfish intentions in mind. This type of “gospel” has no life change.

The gospel of the Bible doesn’t leave out post-resurrection teaching. The reason for the resurrection. The only way to get grafted into the true vine as John 15 speaks of.

Yes, follow Jesus. But, the following is a response to accepting the gift of salvation and a new kife offered in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Just following Jesus isn’t enough…

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Living in a Kingdom – part 1

Daniel 7:14

14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

It is mid-term election season as I write this post.  People in our country are pre-occupied with exercising their power to elect our nation’s ruling body.  Take away that right and people will protest…no people will riot.  The power to elect our government representatives is paramount to our form of government.

As children of God you become citizens of God’s Kingdom.  God’s kingdom is a absolute monarchy.  As Daniel 7:14 states, in God’s Kingdom His power is sovereign and His rule is everlasting. One of the stumbling blocks for people use to a democratic earthly government is that very fact…as a citizen of God’s kingdom He rules absolutely.  His rules, His way, and it is about Him.  You don’t get a vote and you don’t change how God rules His Kingdom.  Becoming a citizen in God’s Kingdom changes you.

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Faith files… (part 2)

Great Faith

Matthew 15: 21-28

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Christian faith is based on God’s promises, rather than feelings, or things you can see. Great faith holds fast regardless of outward appearances.

Great faith is properly focus, repentant, reverent, persistent, and humble. In the text above you find a Canaanite woman coming to Jesus. This is a Pegan woman whos culture worshiped idols and false gods. Upon encountering Jesus she places the focus on Him. This wasn’t a “pray for me, send good thoughts, send good vibes my way” kind of situation that I see way too often on Facebook (and from Christians I might add…). Jesus was the focus of her request. Jesus was the focus of her worship. Jesus was the focus of her faith.

Great faith is repentant. In verse 22 she cries “…have mercy on me!” Mercy denotes the giving of something that is not deserved. She is coming at Jesus from a stance of unworthiness. Being in a culture that worships idols and false gods her coming to Jesus indicates that she turned from them to God. That is repentance.

Great faith is reverent. Again, in verse 22 she addresses Jesus as “Lord, son of David…”. She calls him Lord. The Greek translation uses the word Kyrios meaning master, or one who exercises absolute authority or ownership rights. She is recognizing Jesus’ sovereignty. She also calls him son of David. That is a Messianic title making reference to His right as King. Her acknowledgement of Jesus’ position is an act of reverence.

Great faith is persistent. In the text you notice first that Jesus doesn’t respond to her. Silence. His apostles finally come to him urging him to send her away because she keeps yelling. This indicates that some time has past. She just kept yelling. This reminds me of my kid’s persistence with the “Daddy, daddy, daddy…”. When Jesus does respond He says “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel”. Not dissuaded she responds “Lord, help me!”. Jesus throws up another barrier by saying “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Not to be denied she responds “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Wow! First Jesus ignores her, then disqualifies her, and then calls her a pet and her response after all that was “even so, help me…” Great faith is persistent.

Great faith is humble. As you read in verse 25 she knelt before Jesus. More accurately translated as kneeling down and putting your face in the dirt. She put her face in the dirt, said no I am not a Jew, I am not of your chosen people, but you are not just the son of David, you are Lord, an I am subject to you. Humble.

There is one other place in the New Testament where Jesus makes reference to someone with great faith (Matthew 8:5-13). Here Jesus is dealing with a Centurion (Roman commanding soldier). A couple of interesting observations about these two instances of Jesus acknowledging great faith. One, their faith was focus on Jesus and their ask was for others. Great faith is not asking and believing in a “financial break through” or that “new car”. Two, the Centurion and the Canaanite lady were non-Jews. Great faith is not steeped in tradition or dependent on culture. It is rooted in faith that is counter-cultural and non-traditional. Great faith is genuine faith.

Have you had a situation where you had to exhibit great faith?

Past Series Posts: Intro Part 1

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Truth Sessions (Part 5) – Worshiping God doesn’t get you to Heaven..

Acts 16:13-15(NIV)

13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized,she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

There are many subjects in the Bible that God choose not to fully reveal the answers to. But, there is one that He has made very clear. In order to have eternal life with God you must accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior. Why isn’t worshiping God enough? I mean, I acknowledge Him as my creator, I follow the 10 commandments, I love people and help the less fortunate, I attend church regularly… isn’t that enough?

The answer is NO it is not. God is holy by nature and infinite. His requirement for living with Him in Heaven is to be holy. Sinfulness​ is the antithesis to holiness. We humans have a sinful nature and are finite. So, there is nothing a person who is finite and sinful can do on  their own to satify a requirement of a being that is infinate with a holy nature. It takes someone who infinate and holy to meet a requirement of someone who is infinate and holy.

God’s word states that forgivesness of sin must come through the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). God provided a way for sinful finite people to meet this by allowing Jesus who is God (infinate and holy) to come down to earth and shed his blood as a remission for all sin. By accepting Jesus’ gift, our sins are forgiven and God sees us as holy. Through Jesus alone has the requirement been met. Worshiping God in and of itself is good but does not get you into Heaven (John 14:6). Lydia is an example of this. Are you Lydia?

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Truth Sessions (Part 4) – People don’t need money…

Acts 3: 1-8 

“3 One day Peter and John2 Now a man who was lame from birth3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,

The Word teaches that there will always be poor amoung us. It also teaches that we should give to and take care of the poor. That is part of our ministry on earth. As a Christian that is not our mission. Our mission is to make deciples (Matt 28:16-20). Often we give money to the poor, which we should, but we stop there feeling satisfied with our “good work” or we don’t give at all because we don’t have any cash on us. Both cases yield the same result…A failure to provide what they need. Wholistic ministry is ministering to the mind, body, and soul. This failure to fully minister bleeds into our everyday walk and becomes a habit in all our interactions. 

People want our time, money, and help but do we give them what Peter did? Peter didn’t walk away because he didn’t have the money the crippled man asked for. He stopped and gave him freedom. He mentioned the name of Jesus and through Jesus the man was healed and began praising God. In this life, the ability to walk represents freedom. Freedom to move. Freedom to live. It is only through Jesus can we experience true freedom. We can’t make disciples by just giving. We must live like Jesus and we must speak the gospel. People don’t need money. They need Jesus. As a Christian you may not always have money but you have an abundance of Jesus. Give abundantly!

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Truth Sessions (Part 1) – People don’t go to hell for not believing in Jesus…

The God of the Universe, the creator of all, is so powerful and grand yet will send His creation to hell for not believing in His son???  Through the ears of non-Christians that makes God seem rather petty.  To be honest, I can’t say that I disagree. Yet, this very message is spouted from the pulpit, the pews, out on the streets, and in the mission fields and it couldn’t be more wrong!

Revelation 20: 12-15 (NIV)

“12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done.14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

John the apostle was very clear in the above passage that people are judged by their deeds and punished, or sent to hell, based on them.  The Bible states that no one is righteous on their own. Every one has sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:10).  Because of this our deeds are evil.  All men and women have broken God’s moral law and the punishment for such an infraction is eternal separation from God or hell in other words.  Sin is the problem. Not believing is Jesus doesn’t send people to hell.  Sin does.

Just as a judge has the prerogative to grant a pardon to whomever they wish, God has exercised His holy prerogative by sending His son, Jesus, to pay the punishment for human’s sin.  Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is God’s pardon offer.  This offer is the only way to get into Heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

This is a very important distinction.  If you don’t understand that and sign on to Christianity under any other pretenses (i.e. to get blessings) you will feel like you were sold a bill of goods.  That is how Christianity gets a bad rap and it all starts with the message. As rough and sobering as it is, it must be told. We all are sinners, we can not do enough good on our own so we are damned, yet God is gracious and He offered us a pardon…that pardon is Jesus!

Either Jesus can pay for your sin or you can.  It’s that simple.

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Ok…what now?

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A very popular and effective tactic in evangelism is to ask the person the question “If you were to die tonight are you sure you would go to Heaven?”  Now let’s say that the person accepts Jesus as their savior and they happen to wake up the next morning.  What are they supposed to do?

Matthew 28:19-20 

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age.”

In this passage, famously known as the Great Commission, Jesus is speaking to the Apostles right before His ascension.  He provides clear instruction as to what His followers are to do until He returns.  Asking the “If you were to die tonight…” question is not bad as we are to be concerned with their soul.  But that question alone is missing the mark.  A second question should be asked as well which is “If you don’t die tonight, what will you do with your life?”  Jesus didn’t command Christians to gain supporters for Him.  He commands Christians to make Disciples for Him.  The Church is filled with many more people who believe that Jesus is Lord than those who believe in Jesus as Lord.

Do you agree?

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Which story do you believe? (Part 2)

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John 19: 28-30 NIV

28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

When Jesus said “It is finished.” He was telling a story. Do you believe it? Or do you believe the many other stories? Stories like:

“I need to clean myself up before I come to Christ”
“I am a self made (wo)man”
“I’m a good person”
“I know how best to live my life”
“I’ve sinned too much. God can’t forgive me”
“There are many ways to heaven”

I could go on and on. Everyday, multiple times a day we are faced with alternate stories. When Jesus said “It is finished”. He meant it. Carrying around guilt and shame for the wrong you have done. Jesus said…It is finished! I took that for you. Trying to figure out life with self help books and seminars. Jesus said…It is finished! I am the light unto your path. Jesus’ story doesn’t have an end. His story is eternal life. What does your story end with?

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Jesus wept. Why don’t I?

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John 11:33-35 (NASB)
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.

I tithe, I give, I serve, I donate to worthy causes. But, I’ve yet to respond to need as Jesus did. I’ve never wept. All the hurting people I pass daily, all the posts on facebook from friends who’ve lost love ones and not one solitary tear. I tease my wife all the time because she is easily moved to tears when faced with someone hurting or in need.  Yet she is the one with the heart like Christ. People’s pain stirs her soul. So much so that she has fashioned her career around helping people. She gets it!

Christ not only came to seek and save the lost but also to heal the brokenhearted. He gave them life. He wept for them. I should to.