1 Thing Matters

"HARD TRUTH" Series

Everyone knows that humility is a positive trait and pride is a negative one. So, why bother talking about what we already know? Because in spite of that knowledge, we still helplessly fall into the trap of pride. We cannot help but think that our ascent to the exalted status we desire is our responsibility. We even take our exaltation into our own hands, either by treating poorly those we believe we can stand on top of or by showing favoritism to those we believe can provide us with upward mobility.

Rather than minimizing pride as a sin that is common or harmless, Jesus’ words today confront us with this hard truth. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled by God. But Jesus also gives us the promise we need to be freed from pride’s trap. Our exaltation doesn’t need to be our responsibility because Jesus has already made it his. Those who humble themselves Christ will exalt.

"HARD TRUTH" Series

When it comes to the difficult and uncomfortable topic of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell, it is natural to want to avoid the issue. One way we do that is to direct our attention to theoretical questions. “What is heaven like?” “How old will we be there?” “Are there really baby-faced angels wearing diapers and shooting love arrows?” Today, someone asks Jesus that same type of question: “Lord, are only a few going to be saved?”

Jesus brushes these questions aside. Instead, he answers the question we should be asking. Rather than talking about how many will be saved, Jesus explains how to be among the saved. What he teaches today through his Word is a hard truth. The doorway into heaven is narrow. Scripture consistently teaches that those individuals who are certain they will be first through that door are more likely to be last, if they make it through at all. Instead, the one who believes he is the last one God should let into his kingdom and that his only chance of getting in is through the grace of Christ will enter first.

"HARD TRUTH" Series

Ask others and you’ll find that most people want peace, but they want it on their terms and as they define it. That is well and good, that is, until someone else comes along with different terms of peace or an entirely different understanding of peace altogether. How likely is it that peace between those two individuals or groups will be achieved? Not very.

So what happens when Jesus comes along and claims to bring peace, but on his terms and as he defines it? Division happens. What are we to do then? We have two choices. We can either dig in our heels and demand peace on our terms, or we can humbly open our ears and hearts to receive the peace that Jesus brings.

In a sense, prayer comes naturally to us. We want so we ask. We hurt so we cry out. We are frustrated so we vent. We are blessed so we give thanks. So we sometimes define prayer as “speaking to God from the heart.” Seems so easy.

What does not come naturally, however, is the focused prayer God wants for us. We need focus when it comes to the basis of our prayers - the unique and unearned relationship with have with our Father - and we need focus when it comes to the content of our prayers.

Yes, we can speak from the heart and ask for anything we want. But our Father invites us to pray specifically for the things he wants to give us. Prayer is the opportunity to bring our will into conformity with God’s will, not the other way around. We have much to learn about prayer! So, along with Jesus’ disciples, we say, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).

Jesus wants focused followers. However, one of the things that can most easily get in the way of our focus is our earthly possessions. It is no surprise, therefore, that Jesus’ words so frequently focus his followers on wealth. Jesus’ followers don’t reject earthly wealth or despise it. They can be grateful for every good gift that comes from the hand of God - while also being on guard against greed. Focused followers don’t give earthly wealth a role in their lives it will never be able to fill.

"God's Words Possess God's Power" Series

Jesus not only gives us his powerful Word, but also pastors who proclaim it. Those entrusted with the care of Jesus' flock are expected to shepherd that flock just as He would. So they share Jesus’ words, not because of what they might gain from the flock, but because of what the flock might gain from Jesus. When Jesus’ shepherds minister to Jesus’ flock, the flock is also equipped to minister to each other and to the world with Jesus’ powerful Word, so that God’s kingdom might advance among us.

"God's Words Possess God's Power" Series

There are different types of followers: the half-hearted versus the committed. Jesus is uninterested in half-hearted followers who shoehorn him into their lives only when their other pursuits provide time for him. Jesus wants followers who are all-in… who love him above all things… who would be willing to leave everything else behind if that’s what it takes to be with him.

Where will he find those kinds of committed followers? He won’t. They can’t be found; they can only be made, and Jesus’ words alone have the power to do just that. Through his Word, Jesus creates in us the very commitment that he seeks.

"God's Words Possess God's Power" Series

We are born into this world on the side of the evil one. Unless and until God intervenes, we are enslaved to Satan and bent only toward sin. But God’s powerful Word has intervened! His words possess the only power that can promise freedom from the enemy. Just as Jesus’ words freed one man from the devil’s demons, so do his words set us free today. So powerful are his words still today that when his words leave our lips, they free others from Satan’s spiritual stranglehold, too! God’s words possess God’s power - the power to give freedom!

Even after Jesus had gone up into heaven, he still did what he does best: kept his promise! The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the fulfillment of Jesus’ parting gift and promise to his disciples at his Ascension. Where man had left Babel in confusion, the Spirit brought clarity at Pentecost. Today the Holy Spirit continues his work of scattering and gathering, and for the same purpose: to bring clarity through the gospel as only the Spirit can.