1 Thing Matters

Series: Undivided Attention

In recent weeks we learned that everyone who has seen the grace of God will, whenever the opportunity arises, serve as a witness for Christ. However, Scripture teaches that there is also a need for individuals for whom gospel proclamation is their full-time focus. There are many different terms for these workers: shepherds, pastors, teachers, ministers, missionaries, etc. These workers are called by God himself through the Church to proclaim law and gospel in some public capacity. Called workers carry out their calling, not because of what they might gain from the flock, but because of what the flock might gain from Jesus through public ministry. Since Jesus taught there will always be a need for the privilege of such work, we want to give this matter our undivided attention.

Series: Undivided Attention

There are different types of fans. There is the type of fan who follows his team if they make the playoffs. Then there is the type of fan who, regardless of his team’s record, watches every game and knows the stats for every player.

There are also different types of followers: the half-hearted versus the committed. Jesus is uninterested in followers who pay attention to his Word and will only when their other pursuits provide the time. 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 would take to be with him.

A father doesn’t typically take his lead from his son. Doing so could be disastrous! A son lacks the necessary experience and wisdom to know what’s in his best interest.

But in one area - which also happens to be the area that matters most! - fathers need to take their lead from the Son. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and as he works in perfect harmony with the Father and the Spirit, the Triune God equips fathers with everything they need to give their children what matters most.

SERIES: Because He Lives

Jesus’ ascension marked the fact that his work was complete. However, in another sense, it also marks that his work is just beginning. Through the Church, Jesus now proclaims forgiveness of sins throughout the world. This is our mission, as we saw last week.

But, since the Church consists of people like us who are often timid and weak witnesses, Jesus promised to send us his Spirit to give us the power to carry out his mission, as we’ll see this morning on Pentecost. Equipped with both the mission and the means to carry it out, we boldly take the gospel to the ends of the earth. And we do so with the full confidence that the One ascending and sending is the One who lives and reigns over everything for the benefit of his Church.

SERIES: Because He Lives

Jesus’ ascension marked the fact that his work was complete. However, in another sense, it also marks that his work is just beginning. Through the Church, Jesus now proclaims forgiveness of sins throughout the world. This is our mission, as we see this morning.

But, since the Church consists of people like us who are often timid and weak witnesses, Jesus promised to send us his Spirit to give us the power to carry out his mission, as we’ll see next week. Equipped with both the mission and the means to carry it out, we boldly take the gospel to the ends of the earth. And we do so with the full confidence that the One ascending and sending is the One who lives and reigns over everything for the benefit of his Church.

SERIES: Because He Lives

If someone saved you from a horrible death, what would you do to thank them? Probably just about anything they asked, because that’s how grateful you would be!

Jesus not only saved us from eternal death in hell, but he won for us an eternity in paradise. What shall we do to thank him? He asks for just one thing: love. He asks us to demonstrate to others the same selfless love he has shown to us. That is how we thank him - we lead with love.

SERIES: Because He Lives

“Listen to your mother.” Whether those words are spoken as a soft encouragement or a stern warning, they are words of wisdom. When children ignore their mother, they often learn lessons the hard way. When they listen, they are usually blessed because of it.

What is a general truth regarding mothers is an absolute truth when it comes to our Good Shepherd. Listen to his voice. Always. His voice not only provides direction for this life, but more importantly, it also provides us with the truth for eternal life. He laid down his life and took it up again for our salvation. Listen to his voice and be sure of it.

SERIES: Because He Lives

Doubt can serve us well. In scenarios that involve uncertainty, doubts cause us to pause and consider the possible risks and dangerous outcomes of our actions. Such doubts can keep us from making a poor decision.

But doubt can also cripple us, causing us to freeze up with fear and fail to move forward. Too much doubt can stifle progress and limit us in life. Doubt, especially long-term, long-held doubt, can damage our relationship with Jesus and slowly allow our faith to erode. But we have something to counter and crush that doubt: the Resurrection. Jesus lives! There is no doubt about it, and because he lives, we don’t need to drag out doubt.

SERIES: Because He Lives

If Jesus remained dead, all he would provide is an example of a beautiful life. Therefore, if Jesus remained dead, the mission of his followers would simply be to share advice. “Here is how Jesus would want us to love one another. Or “Jesus would want us to think about money like this.” Or “This is how Jesus would pray.” 

But because he lives, his followers now have a meaningful mission. It is not to share advice, but to testify to what we have seen and know to be true. Christ has risen! Thus, Jesus is not a standard, but our Savior. Jesus is not primarily an example for this life, but the doorway into eternal life. His resurrection to glory will be the resurrection of all who put their faith in him. Sharing that good news is our mission – don't miss it!

SERIES: Because He Lives

In the darkness before dawn, the women walked to the tomb with heavy hearts. Jesus was dead. His mission was over. In their mind, they were feeble followers of a failure. All that was left to do was finish embalming the corpse and then try to move on. Yet, Jesus wasn’t dead. And because he lived, they were not followers of a failure at all. They were disciples of the one who had conquered sin and defeated death.

It is as simple as this. Because he lives, we have a whole new identity: not sinners, but redeemed saints; not rebels, but God’s chosen nation; not doomed, but saved; not only servants, but sons and daughters of God Almighty; not losers, but victorious, because Christ gives us the victory. The living Lord has given us a whole new identity. It is all because of him. It is all because he lives.