Love Revolution

In the story of Rip Van Winkle, he walked past a portrait of King George III before his 20-year nap.  The next time he walked by the tavern there was a one of Washington. He had slept through a revolution! Jesus demonstrated his love on the cross and started a Revolution of Love – don’t miss it!

He is not merely a way but the Way! The Great news is Jesus is available to everyone – no matter what you’ve done, where you’ve been, or how you’ve lived your life so far. The Bible promises that if you “Call on the Name of the Lord – you will be saved”.

God says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

What do you need to call upon the Lord about today?

He is faithful and will walk you through life’s valleys. Amen?

True Religion

In the story of the Good Samaritan there are three people who have the opportunity to rescue the man beaten in the ditch. The first two looked but didn’t stop to help, but the Samaritan saved the man.

What happened here?

Priest -There are chores about the house but the work is in the fields.

Levite - Time to look but not concerned, caring, or moved to act

The Samaritan was busy but had compassion He was concerned, and acted. This represents God’s love in action.

Who are you?

It’s good to be religious, but are you just acting, practicing or applying it? Remember that Religion that costs you nothing is worth nothing –dead faith (James1:17)

Jesus said to, “Live a life for Jesus, go in faith, and do God’s will always.

Amen?

Half-Dead People

Jesus had a teacher of the Law who was trying to trick Him with a question about eternal life. Jesus got him to answer according to Scripture. We are to love God with all we have and our neighbors as ourselves. Then came the eternal question: Who is your neighbor?

The answer is everyone, but sometimes we just can’t get involved. Some of us are too busy, don’t want to get involved, or just don’t care. People in distress need us to get involved even if they could be described as “half-dead” in their current circumstances. We see them around us every day – if we are willing to look.

Let’s pick up the story in Luke 10:29-37 – But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’  “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The truth is half-dead people still have possibilities – they can be nursed back to health. We need to show compassion and love for our neighbors. Amen?

Loving Jesus

My sermon title for Sunday was; A Good Neighbor in a Bad Neighborhood. In question form it could be; How can you be a good friend in today's ungodly culture? Let's start by taking a look at, The Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-29

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

Jesus said the greatest thing you could do was love God and then love your neighbor as yourself. This was the key to inheriting eternal life; Love Jesus (make Him Lord) and be faithful (live in obedience) to His teaching. Do this and you will live. Amen?

Majestic

Consider the song of David today. May it inspire you to have open eyes and heart to see God's creation and presence all around you.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:

all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Amen?

Disciple Making

Three Things to Remember About Disciple Making:

1. Witnessing(Go): Teaching someone about personal relationships

1 Peter 4:10: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Corinthians 9:22 (LB): “Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ, and let Christ save him.”

2. Mentoring(Make): Teaching someone to do what you do.

When Jesus called the disciples, He said, “Come follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

3. Investing(Teaching obedience): Teaching someone to be what you are, and that is a continual process. It’s not about a small circle of people – it’s about everyone.

1 Timothy 1:15a: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners …

John 3:16a: “For God so loved the world …”

1 John 2:2: He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 Timothy 2:5–6: … the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men …

Go and make disciples. Amen?

Friends

Today is Bring a Friend to church Sunday. Thousands of churches across the United States will be welcoming visitors. Many people like their churches just the way they are. Why would someone want to invite another to church? In order to be obedient to the Great Commission we must. We are told that we should share the love of God even with our enemies and those in sin.

Let’s look at John 1:12–13, Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

 People who have been touched by God are so moved by him that they want to introduce everyone to him, including their enemies. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. Let's remember that when we are considering who to ask to church - not just today but every Sunday.

Amen?