February 2022

Forgive Like Jesus

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Forgive Like Jesus

Text:  Luke 23:32-43

Jesus forgives freely….

  • The criminal….
    • Fears God
    • Recognizes his own guilt
    • Knows Jesus’ own salvation is through death, not in avoiding it…
  • “Today you will be with me in Paradise….”
  • Romans 5:8
  • Ephesians 2:8-9

Jesus brings life!

  • John 1:4
  • John 10:10
  • In keeping with God’s purposes
    • Psalm 30:4-5
    • Proverbs 13:12

We have a tremendous obligation and privilege!

  • We forgive without limit…
    • Matthew 18:22
  • Our actions and inactions are tied to eternity….
    • Matthew 18:18

Pray Like Jesus – John 17

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Pray Like Jesus

Text:  John 17

Emphasizes the glory of God and Jesus

  • Glory used 9 times in chapter 17.
  • It is something we speak about….
  • It is something we bring about in our actions!

Jesus’ prayer shows concern for His own….

  • The connection among those who follow Jesus….
  • “In your name….” We belong to the same name!
  • Protection as we strive to share with others – v. 15
  • To make and to keep holy….

Jesus thinks in the long-term….

  • Prays for the world….
  • Jesus had us in mind….
  • Do we think long-term?
    • II Kings 20:17-20

Be Sure Like Jesus

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Be Sure Like Jesus

Text:  Mark 3:20-35

When you do the right thing, you will face opposition

  • Genesis 39 – Joseph and Potiphar’s wife
  • Acts 16:16-24 Paul in Philippi
  • John 15:18-25 “The world hates the disciples”

Jesus was sure what He was about:  Mark 5

  • Some called Him crazy
    • Defied normal convention – attracting crowds, couldn’t eat.
  • Some attributed his actions to dangerous or wicked origins or purposes

Jesus challenged both claims:  Mark 5

  • Redefines relationships and priorities: v 31-34
  • Calmly sets out the facts: v 23-30
  • Leaves ego out of it (Mt. 12:32, Luke 12:10)
  • Gives sufficient warning to where the real danger lies. Jude 9, Romans 12:19

Be Intentional Like Jesus

By / February 17, 2022

Title: Be Intentional Like Jesus

Text:  Mark 5:21-43

Jesus does not lose sight of His mission…

  • Just returned from healing the demoniac in Gentile territory
  • The good news is for all….
    • Jairus – the synagogue ruler with status
    • An unknown, unclean woman

Jesus calls us to see His mission

  • The woman – Faith cannot be anonymous
  • Jairus – God works in His time
  • The crowd – we won’t see God’s glory if we refuse to see it

Change Lives Like Jesus

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Change Lives Like Jesus

Text:  John 5:1-15

Jesus changes the whole person – Romans 5:12ff

In body….

  • Healed the man… John 5:8-9
  • We are not to ignore the physical….
    • James 2:14-17
    • II Corinthians 8:1-15
    • Romans 15:26

In mind….

  • Changed the man’s world-view…
    • True healing comes from God
    • Don’t hold to presuppositions (Mark 3:4, Luke 6:9)

In spirit…

  • Jesus required repentance from the man – John 5:14
  • Everything we do needs to point to the spiritual!
  • Mark 8:36

Explain Like Jesus

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Explain Like Jesus

Text:  Luke 7:18-35

Jesus attracted attention:

  • The righteous
  • The needy

Jesus placed Himself in context….

  • John and the prophets….
  • What is our context?

Jesus encouraged right thinking….

  • The lost are worth weeping over….
  • The gospel is worth celebrating!

Inspire Like Jesus

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Inspire Like Jesus!

Text:  Matthew 14:22-43

What they saw Jesus do made them want to do likewise!

  • 14:28
  • Acts 4:13
  • I Thess. 1:6

Encouraged action when Peter wanted to act!

  • 14:29 – don’t be too hard on Peter – he’s the only other one to walk on water….
  • Another example: Acts 18:27

Jesus rescues when we are in trouble!

  • 14:31
  • Jude 1:23

Be Compassionate Like Jesus

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Be Compassionate Like Jesus!

Text:  Matthew 14:13-21 – Feeding the 5,000

Jesus met the needs of others in times of His own need

  • Jesus saw the need for solitude, did not get it. How did He react?
    • Not with impatience
    • Not with resentment
    • Not dismissively
    • With compassion

Jesus calls others to see the need!

  • We are the hands and feet of Jesus….
  • Jesus can do amazing things through us!

All our resources belong to Jesus!

  • Time is His….
  • They didn’t waste the abundance….

Be Strong Like Jesus – The Temptation of Christ

By / February 17, 2022

Title:  Be Strong Like Jesus

Opening text:  Matthew 4:1-11

Know where your nourishment comes from….

  • Matthew 4:4
  • Deuteronomy 8:1-3
  • Matthew 6:25-26
  • John 6
  • Philippians 3:17-21

Know who you are….

  • Identity Crisis:
    • Matthew 4:3, 6-7
    • 6:16, Ex. 17:1-7
  • Who are you in God’s sight?
    • Matthew 3:16-17
    • 139:13
    • 1:5

Give God His due….

  • Matthew 4:8-10
  • 6:13
  • 50:9-12
  • Jesus did it God’s way….

Be prepared!

  • 4:2
  • I Tim. 4:8
  • II Tim. 3:16 -17
  • I Pet. 3:15

Be Flexible Like Jesus

By / March 15, 2022

Title:  Be Flexible Like Jesus

Text:  John 2:1-11 – The Wedding at Cana

Relationships are Key!

  • Jesus and the wedding party
  • Jesus and his mother
  • Jesus and the servants
  • The servants and the master of the banquet
  • Jesus and his disciples

Anchored to Principle…

  • The message in His method….
    • Hour: 2:4, 7:30, 8:20, 12:23, 12:27, 13:1, 17:1
    • Wine: John 6:53-56, Luke 22:20
  • Ceremonial cleansing vs. the cleansing of Jesus’ blood:
    • Heb. 9:11-14, Rev. 7:14-17
  • “The best for last” – an eschatological reality:
    • Rev. 21:9, 22:17

The Takeaways….

  • There is time to enjoy life….
  • Not everything goes according to plan….
  • It is always time to do the right thing!
  • Infuse every moment with meaning!