Jesus said he wanted us to make disciples. Inviting friends and acquaintances to come to church is a great way to get in the game. After all, Christianity is really helpful with major problems people are struggling with today.

Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus commissioned the church to make disciples of all nations. This is the “game”. Are you in it or on the bench?

Five Problems that Christianity Helps With

1. Plunging Birthrates (Gen 1:28; Prov 17:6; Mark 10:13-14)

Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program: “A considerable body of research has suggested that religious service attendance powerfully affects health and also affects other aspects of flourishing such as meaning in life, character, and close social relationships. Specifically, research has indicated that those who attend religious services at least weekly are about 30% less likely to die over a 10- to 20- year follow-up, are about 30% less likely to become depressed, and are over five times less likely to commit suicide …. Other evidence suggests that religious service attendance is associated with subsequently greater meaning in life, greater social connection and social support, and a 30% to 50% reduction in divorce. See https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/how-to-flourish.

Isaiah 35:5-6 and 42:6-7; Luke 4:16-20 Jesus understood from the Scriptures that he was to heal the blind. However, there was no specific instruction given on how to do it. So how did he know what to do?

Matthew 12:22-23 With the possessed blind and mute man, he cast out the demon.

Matthew 20:29-34 Two blind men cried out to him. Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes.

Mark 8:22-26 Jesus took the blind man from Bethsaida by the hand and led him out spitting on his eyes and laying hands on him. The man was not instantly healed.

Mark 10:46-52 In Jericho, Jesus said, “Go, your faith has made you whole.”

John 9:1-41 He spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle and applied the clay to his eyes. Go wash in the pool of Siloam.

Each incident required its own unique application, so how did he know?

Proverbs 1:20-23 Wisdom calls out everywhere.

Proverbs 8:1-12 Wisdom is readily available all the time.

Proverbs 9:1-6 Jesus understood the availability of wisdom

James 1:5-8 God gives it generously and without reproach.

Proverbs 4:1-12 Accurate knowledge is essential, but by itself it is not enough. We need wisdom, just like Jesus needed it.

Proverbs 15:2; 18:2; 26:11; 13:20

We have a deficiency−the lack of wisdom. However, this can be our greatest asset for it forces dependency and communication with God.

Luke 2:40, 52 Jesus grew in wisdom. Solomon and David lost their wisdom

Eph. 1:17; Col. 1:9 Pray for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.

John 8:32

1 Kings 22:13-18. Ahab wanted to know the truth, but when Micaiah told him the truth, it wasn’t received well.

Galatians 4:12-20. Paul’s concern for the Galatians was grounded in speaking the truth about the good news of Christ. But he was also concerned that they then might make him their enemy because they didn’t want to hear it.

Ephesians 4:11-16. The truth is important for our growth, but how we speak it is just as important as the need for us to speak it.

Ephesians 4:29. When we tell the truth, we must do so with a heart toward building up and strengthening others, not tearing them down.

Proverbs 20:30; 27:6. No one wants their pride/ego to be hurt, but sometimes the truth hurts. But real friends are willing to tell you the truth. And most often, they do it because they care about you. Sometimes we need “tough love” to help us become more mature, more disciplined, and more Christ-like in our lives.

Self-control is the ability to tell yourself “no” when you’re tempted to do something wrong and “yes” when you don’t feel like doing something right. Jesus provides us with sterling examples of what godly self-control looks like in the real world. Rather than fleeing pain and pursuing pleasure, we should develop our self-control muscle so that we can live like Jesus.

Proverbs 25:28 Self-control is limiting your spirit—your impulses. It is exercising dominance over your desires. It is telling yourself “no” when you’re tempted to do something wrong and “yes” when you don’t feel like doing something right.

Proverbs 16:32 Anger is an area where self-control is extremely important. Uncontrolled anger is one of the most self-destructive forces in the world.

1 Corinthians 7:5, 9 Lust is another area where you must exercise self- control. This applies both to those who are married as well as singles.

John 6:11-15 Jesus resisted the temptation of fame and power when he fed the 5,000. Although his PR agent might have had disagreed, Jesus knew that the mob was fickle and untrustworthy.

Mark 14:55-61; Isaiah 53:7 When facing the false accusations about destroying the temple, Jesus remained silent before the high priest.

Mark 15:29-32; Matthew 26:51-54 On the cross, suffering in agony, Jesus was continually mocked and falsely accused by his opponents. They dared him to come down and prove he was the Messiah. Jesus had to control himself the whole time.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Like with athletes in training, self-control requires persistence and intensity. It’s like a muscle strengthened through use.

Some translations render the eighth fruit of the spirit as “gentleness”, while others as “meekness”.  With Jesus, we see both manifested, with meekness as the most outstanding. Meekness is receptivity to God and the things of God. His words in the garden, “Not my will, but Yours be done”, are the bravest words ever spoken, the most loving human act ever performed, the ultimate expression of meekness.

The Greek word prautes encompasses two distinct meanings and can be translated as either “gentleness” or “meekness”.

Mark 14:32-34 He was very distressed, troubled, and deeply grieved to the point of death.

Matthew 26:39 “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Isaiah 50:4-9 God will help him endure the physical abuse, the suffering, and humiliation.

Isaiah 52:13-15

ESV Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonished at you–his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind–

REV Isaiah 52:14 Just as many were appalled at you (his appearance was marred beyond human resemblance, and his form beyond that of human beings).

Isaiah 53:1-12 Jesus knew what the “cup” meant.

Psalm 22:7-8, 16-19; 69:20-21

John 5:19 and 30 Jesus was always meek to the Father’s will.

Philippians 2:5-8 Be humble and meek like Jesus.

James 1:21; 3:13

Ephesians 4:1-3 Meek to others with boundaries

Galatians 6:1-11 Help others with gentleness

2 Timothy 2:22-26

1 Peter 3:15

How do humans define kindness?

How does humanism define kindness?

What is kindness in Hinduism?

What is kindness in Islam?

How does the Bible define kindness?

Kindness in the scriptures is acting in benevolence with no obligation to do so.

God does not define kindness as just being nice.

The kindness of Christ culminated on the cross.

In the Bible, “good/goodness” is more than just describing someone or something as being helpful, nice, or pleasant. Rather, being “good” (i.e., having “goodness”) deals with having moral excellence, righteousness, and integrity.

“Goodness” is a quality that we are to seek to exhibit in our lives in abundance.

Jesus was said to be heavily invested in doing “good”.

So then why did Jesus deny being “good”?

God is the only one who is truly good. All goodness points to God and reflects His character.

Moses wanted to see God’s glory, and so God said He would have all His goodness pass in front of Him.

What does it mean for us to be “good”?

Even from childhood, Jesus was about his Father’s business (Luke 2:41-52). He always did the Father’s will (John 5:30; 6:38; 8:28-29; 14:31). Humility is the key to his faithfulness. The Christian life isn’t about you. It’s about God and the work God is doing. When we humbly join God in his work, we discover a life of adventure, just as the life of Christ was filled with great adventure. Faithfulness to God isn’t easy. It requires sacrifice, and sometimes suffering. However, when we suffer for our faithfulness to God, there’s joy in the suffering, because we know it’s not in vain, and we have great hope for the future. God invites us to join him in his work because he loves us and wants a relationship with us. Will we be faithful to do the work God calls us to do? The choice is ours.

“Faithful” is defined as “loyal and steadfast in allegiance”, “reliable”, “constant and unwavering.”

The sun, moon, and stars always move as God ordained (Psalm 8:3-4; 19:1-2). Faithfulness to God produces peace, order, and harmony. Disobedience produces chaos, disorder, and strife.

Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus was tempted as we are, yet he never sinned.

Luke 2:41-52 – Even from childhood, Jesus was always about his Father’s business.

Jesus always did the Father’s will, glorifying the Father, not himself (John 5:30; 6:38; 8:28-29; 14:31). Humility is the key to faithfulness.

The Christian life isn’t about you. It’s about God and the work God is doing. God is at work in the world. He invites us to join him in his work.

Luke 4:1-8 – Satan offered Jesus the kingdom without the cross, but Jesus remained faithful to God’s plan.

The life of Christ was full of adventure. There is no greater adventure than joining God in his work.

Luke 22:39-46 – “Not my will but yours be done.” Jesus was faithful even to death on a cross.

Faithfulness to God isn’t easy. It requires sacrifice, and sometimes suffering. But there’s joy in the suffering. See Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 5:8-9, John 16:33, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 4:17, Romans 8:18, and 1 Peter 4:12-16.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – For the joy set before him, Jesus endured the cross.

God invites us to join him in his work because he loves us and wants a relationship with us. Like a gentle and loving father with a little child – that’s how God is with us.

Jesus embodied patience through his gentle teaching, forgiveness, and endurance of human weakness. He corrected his disciples with kindness, bore their misunderstandings without frustration, and showed mercy even when betrayed or denied. His patience was demonstrated as he willingly suffered for humanity while waiting for them to fully understand and follow him.

Matthew 14:23-33 When the disciples struggle against strong winds on the sea, Jesus walks on water to them. Instead of immediately calming the storm, he patiently reassures them.

Mark 9:33-37 Jesus patiently corrects his disciples when they argue about who is the greatest. He does not rebuke them harshly. Instead, he waits until they arrive at their destination and asks what it was they were discussing. Knowing their pride, he takes the opportunity to teach them an important lesson, patiently explaining that true greatness comes from humility and service.

Matthew 26:36-46 Jesus asks Peter, James, and John to stay awake and pray with him in the Garden at Gethsemane because he is very troubled. Instead, they fall asleep on him not once, not twice, but three times. He doesn’t react with anger or frustration, but rather patiently corrects them. Jesus’ patience in the face of extreme distress and disappointment is an inspiration for all of us.

Luke 22:56-62 After Jesus was arrested, a servant girl and others recognize Peter as one of his followers, but he denies knowing Jesus three times. Jesus does not rebuke or reject Peter, even after his repeated denial. Instead, he patiently allows Peter to come to his own realization of his actions, later restoring him with love and grace.

The fruit of the spirit, peace, as seen in the ministry of Jesus is viewed with practical suggestions on how to maintain peace throughout life’s complexities. The Prince of Peace gives us peace via the holy spirit.

Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Despite facing continuous immense temptations and challenges, including persecution and crucifixion, Jesus maintained inner peace and faith in God’s plan. He also brought peace to humanity, peace with God and each other. He is the perfect example.

Mark 3:1-6 Jesus had a long nose.

ESV Mark 3:21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”

31-35

Matthew 11:21-30 To maintain peace, Jesus prayed and focused on those that did believe. He was thankful for what he had rather than continuing to lament what did not have. He rallied in the relationship with God his Father.

Matthew 26:36-46 When faced with torture and death, he prayed, and God sent an angel.

62-64 Jesus kept his eyes on his hope.

John 14:26-31; 16:32-33 We have peace as a fruit of the spirit.

Philippians 4:5-9 1) Remember the Lord is always with you; 2) pray; 3) focus on what you have, not what you do not have; 4) rally in your relationship with Yahweh and Christ; 5) be thankful; and 6) focus on the hope.