Red Letter Blueprint: Jesus’ 52 Rules for Joy

How did we get to be the kind of people who take each other to court so frequently? I believe we are the most litigious culture that has ever existed. What does Jesus think about that? Can you imagine Jesus suing somebody because they treated him wrong?

Jesus said, “Why can’t you decide for yourselves what is right? When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. And if that happens, you won’t be free again until you have paid the very last penny.” - Luke 12:57-59

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭30‬

Jesus promises us rest! That sounds great, but there are challenges here: For one, Jesus says to come to him. Our burdens are very visible, and Jesus is invisible. So, how do we do this? Two, he says he’s got a yoke and a burden for us to take. Do I really want a new burden?

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vbTMCMGwAck

Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” - ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Will I be judged by God or man? Or both? And does Jesus really teach us to never judge people, or be introspective when we judge? What about our role in judging in the next life? 

Jesus said, “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.” - Luke 12:4-5

What does it mean to fear God? How is it possible to love God while fearing him? How would the fear of God affect my prayer life? Why is it important to God that we not fear people? I asked these questions and more to former pastor Andy Ludlum. His insights are invaluable!

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” - Matthew 21:21-22

I used to think it was unfair for Jesus to blame his disciples for lacking faith, since faith is a gift of God. So if faith is a gift of God, how can Jesus blame the disciples for lacking it? We explore that and why some of us have more faith than others in this episode. 

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:34

This is a tough one! Sometimes I do worry about tomorrow, don’t you? If I’m worried about tomorrow, is that a virtue or a vice? Is it a sickness? Or is it a habit? The 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon said: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” So whatever else worry is, it’s an obstacle to joy. Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/sDuqMPmhUDQ

Jesus asked this rhetorical question: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” - Luke 12:25-26

What are you worried about? If you’re like most people, it comes down to the fear of losing control. Usually, that’s wrapped up in uncertainty. You just don’t know what to expect! It is also often connected with the fear of being judged by others. But is worry always bad? I mean, doesn’t being concerned help keep us out of danger?

One measure of freedom is how much stuff we have. Having stuff gives us freedom, right? Or does the stuff become a tyrant? Jesus said, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” - Luke 12:21 Even more radical than that is when he said, “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” - Luke 14:33

(I apologize for the parts of this episode where the wind disrupted the sound.)

Some will say, “Oh, I was born again many years ago.” Where does the Bible tell you to only be born again once? Where does it say to stop being born again? Come to Jesus like a child, try to unlearn what you know so you can hear him fresh!

Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.” - Matthew 18:3

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