Some of the stories in the Bible sound weird. Now, if you’ve grown up in the church as I have, you forget how weird they sound to people who haven’t heard them a few dozen times. And this is one of the weird ones. It’s a wild, weird story … to people who aren’t used to the wild, weird stories of the Bible. And they read it, and they’re like … “Really?! Do you actually think that happened … literally? Do you actually think it happened … that way? I mean, there are so many head-scratchers in it, right?”

It's a story of a skirmish between this “God-man” Jesus … and this supernatural being they called “Satan.” According to the Jesus stories in the New Testament, Jesus is young … about 30, maybe … just kicking off his “ministry” on earth, and he’s kind of tossed into this cage match with the devil, Lucifer, “the prince of darkness,” Beelzebub, Mephistopheles … you know, the guy we picture with red skin, teeth like some vampire, horns, a serpent-like tail, and, holding this pitchfork … for some reason. … Really?

We're going start unpacking some of the most famous verses in the Bible ... deservedly so ... and I think all of us need to lean in. Because they are not only some of the most famous verses in the Bible, but they are also, I think, some of the most misunderstood. And if you actually listen to what Jesus was actually saying this is really, really important stuff. So, if you want to follow along, open your Bible or your Bible app to Matthew chapter 5. The verses will be on screen as well. These are the opening verses to what is called "The Sermon on the Mount." Ever heard of it? The Sermon on the Mount, from the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7. Here's how it starts.

"If you have submitted yourself to Jesus, and if you are a part of this family here, you are now an ambassador to God’s brand. What you do and say reflects the perceived values of CapCity. And of God himself.

Again, you don’t have to agree with me. You don’t have to like this news. This isn’t information just for Jesus followers. But it is true. It’s true for all people in all circumstances. What you do and say is constantly telling others something about who you are and who you represent.

And if you are a Jesus follower, this verse should be pretty important to you: 2 Corinthians 5:20 – “And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (God has decided that the way his message will go throughout the world will be through us – and his message is reconciliation). We are, therefore Christ’s ambassadors (we represent his message and his brand – that makes us ambassadors) as though God were making his appeal through us. (I hate that phrase “as though.” It’s not there in the Greek and the idea isn’t present in this passage. It isn’t “as though,” some passive “could be.” It is exactly this way. God is making his appeal through us. It is his plan. It is his strategy. And, again, our message:) We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.'"

It's easy to complain. It's easy to diss and mock and attack. What's harder is to show them something better. Which is kind of our job, right? as Jesus-Followers? To show them something better? And we don't think that it is better because we are smarter than they are. We don't think it is better because we think our ideas are superior to their ideas. We think it is better because we are trying to live out God's ideas...we think. And we think God, our Creator God, is way smarter and way better than we are. We think He kind of proved it...in Jesus.

Well, this morning I am going to unpack these ideas in the context of money. Now, if you’ve been around CapCity for a while you know that I’m not much of a preacher, I’m more of a teacher. And this morning I’m going to teach. In fact, it may feel like trying to drink from a firehouse. But in this series we are in … “Skill Set” … the stuff we do as Jesus followers, I’ve got one week to talk about how we view and handle our money … as Jesus followers. So here goes …

Now, I’m actually going to give you one “long” sermon in three parts. Part one today, and part two next week, and part three the week after that. But they are all connected; they all flow out of the same big ideas. Four big ideas. Here they are:

• Big idea #1: God owns it all. It’s all his. Everything we have, everything we can do, how we live, what we live for … it’s all his. We think it’s ours, when, in reality, it’s all his … whether we acknowledge it or not. Because he is God, right?

• Big idea #2: The big G God is lavishly generous, he’s amazingly generous. Whether you are a Jesus follower, or not, God has given you so incredibly much! Do you buy that? It’s all grace, guys!

• Big idea #3: With gifts comes responsibility. How did Spiderman put it? “With great power comes great responsibility.” Well, it’s the right idea: “With great gifts comes great responsibility.”

• And, Big idea #4: If you live these 3 big ideas out, you’ll have a better life, and you’ll be better at life. It’s all his; he’s extravagantly generous; but he expects you to use what he gives you in a God-honoring way. Living that way will be better for you, and for everyone around you. … Because we have a very good, and a very wise God, right?

There is something true and the physical, mental, and emotional state of man in this statement: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” It isn’t good physically, mentally, or emotionally. That is what these studies have shown.

But most importantly, it isn’t good spiritually. In the last couple of weeks, Doc has made this point: Spiritual health is more important than physical health. And, potentially, the greatest area of health that suffers when we are isolated and lonely is our spiritual health.

"Now, if you are a mature Jesus follower, there’s a good chance that what I’m going to talk about this morning will make you pretty uncomfortable … it does me! And, if you are not a mature Jesus follower, there’s a good chance you’re going to hate it. In fact, you’ll might think something like, “If he’s right, I’m not even sure I like God much.” And if you are not a Jesus follower at all, this stuff is probably going to sound flat out weird to you, and you may be tempted to push this God even further away. But … I think the story we’re going to unpack this morning is in the Bible for a reason. It’s a story that I go back to from time to time, because it is so … … Bottom line, for most people it is at least … problematic. In fact, it’s one of those stories people point to to justify their rejecting the God of the Bible. Because it exposes a side of God that is at least confusing, and, for some, terrifying. In fact, I think this is one of the most counter-cultural stories in the Bible … and there are boatloads of them.

But, I’m going to unpack it anyway because it kind of points to the end of our discipleship path. You see, we don’t think our job is done when someone accepts Jesus as their Savior. We think that’s just the beginning. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations (In other words: help people get started on the path; go and make Jesus followers), baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (But don’t stop there! Then,) Teach these new Jesus followers to obey all the commands I have given you.” (Matthew 28.19-20) All of them. In other words, it’s not just about believing that Jesus is your Savior, it’s about learning to surrender to Jesus as your Lord … an absolute, unconditional surrender. So, are you there, yet?"

"A lifetime ago, when I was a professor at Kentucky Christian, one of my colleagues, my pastor at the time, and our basketball coach for a time … he drilled this into his players. Over and over, Dick said: Remember who you are and what you stand for. It makes a difference: Remember who you are and what you stand for. And guys, I think it will make a difference for you. If you are a Jesus follower, remember who you are and what you stand for … every day. This series is all about some of the weird things we do because we are Jesus followers. It’s not just about what we believe; it’s about what we do because we are Jesus followers. And we do this stuff to remember who we are and what we stand for."

"But listen, guys; God doesn’t just want you to “believe” in Jesus; he wants you to “follow” him. It’s easy to “believe” it takes guys to “follow.” Do you know where’s he leading you? How do you know? So, to help us get it right, God inspired this book, this guidebook, this instruction manual. Have you ever tried to put something together without reading the instructions? You can do it with simple things, maybe. But with really, really complex things … good luck. Well, into which category do you put your life? Simple or complex? Have you ever messed up your life … badly? Well, a lot of Jesus' followers try to get it done without reading the instructions.

And even when we consult the book, the guidebook, the instruction manual, a lot of us are like … “Really? That’s what God wants? I must not have read that right. Did God really say … that? It must not mean what it sounds like. Did God really mean … that? That’s just weird.” Or, “That may work for some of you, but that’s not going to work for me. And it’s my call, right? After all, it’s my life.” And with stupid thoughts like these, we blow God off."