Bret Hammond

Most of us learned how to serve from our mothers. The way they sacrificed for us was our first experience with what Jesus taught in Luke 22, "I am among you as one who serves."

What do those of us who aren't mothers look like when we take Jesus' example seriously?

Ephesians 2 tells an amazing story about you, and it does it only 6 words. It starts with four words in verse 1, “And you were dead.” Without life, without power, without motivation, without any means of changing yourself or your circumstances. This would have been the end of your story if not for one thing.

Two words in verse 4, “But God.” Those are the two most important words in your story. Without them you would still be dead. With them you have been transformed—recreated.

But for what purpose? Why did God recreate you?

Easter came with a declaration of victory. So why does the Church always seem to feel defeated? Maybe it's time we took a close look at where our strength is found.

It Is Finished! Every hurt, every pain, every failure and every loss are met in those three words. They mean your debt is paid, you’re forgiven and you belong to Him forever! They also mean that no matter what tomorrow brings NOTHING changes the truth of the empty cross and the empty tomb. It Is Finished!

One of the great joys we have as Christians is the ability to be the answer to someone else’s prayer. When someone is sick, we can bring them comfort, food, and healing. When someone is down we can bring them encouragement. In so many ways God uses his own people to bless each other and show them that he hears their prayers.

In John 17 Jesus prayed to the Father. In a very real way you and I are the answers to his prayer. It’s so amazing that God can use us to answer the prayers of His Son!

In John 12 some people come to the disciples with a simple question, “We wish to see Jesus.” Not, “We want to see a miracle” or “entertain us!” but simply “let us meet Jesus.”

People still come to His disciples simply wanting to see Jesus in us. They want a glimpse of authentic faith and real commitment in our lives. They want to see Jesus. Can we show them that?

Jesus promised “an hour is coming” when everything would change. But sometimes it seems like we forgot to tell our hearts and our heads. Instead we live like nothing has changed, like we’re still just as oppressed and beaten down by our sin as we ever were. But in the end Jesus says, “It is finished” not “you’ll get better.” His solution was a cross, not a crutch.

Someone once said that of all the lies we tell the worst are the ones we tell ourselves. What happens when Jesus sees through our lies and sees who we really are? I'll tell you what happens--worship!

Under the right conditions and the guidance of a master, over a period of time grape juice can be transformed into a fine wine. However, there is no natural process that will ever instantly change water to wine. That requires the touch of a different Master.

The same is true of fallen, sinful, broken and damaged people like you and me. We long for transformation. We wish for it, we work for it, we even pay for it. But all it truly takes is the touch of the Master.

For all of the heavy stuff we've waded through in Romans, when we get to the last chapter it all comes down to verses 19 and 20:

"I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."

Does that sound like a promise you need? No more cowering in fear, no more feeling defeated. Instead, your greatest enemy crushed beneath your feet! I want that!