The Central Moment

Jesus’ mission on earth is not first and foremost pursuing social justice or advocating for the oppressed or advancing political ideologies or even bettering people’s living conditions. It is above all a proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ by which people are turned from the power of Satan to God. Everything else flows from that!

In the consumerism that marks much of contemporary Crhristianity, too many people seem satisfied to associate with Jesus but never really serve him in a way that costs them something. That is not normal Christianity! Watch, though, what happens when Jesus appears and the supernatural becomes the missional.

They are the 3 Deadly D’s -- Denial (there is nothing wrong with me), Delusion (I can handle things on my own), Defiance (no one is going to tell me what to do). They are deadly because they represent barriers to change in our lives. But one of the greatest conversions in church history reminds us that those barriers melt away when a person comes face to face with Jesus.

Have you ever wondered what to do about your past? Have you gone too far to ever find forgiveness or hope? Are you too sinful for God to ever save? As someone who hated Christians to the point of even killing them, the Apostle Paul’s answer will be a resounding “No!”

It’s not a shame to suffer for Christ. In fact, the suffering of the first Christian martyr was accompanied by a vision of the glory of God himself. It was also the seed that was planted in the heart of a Jesus-hater who was later converted and changed the world.

What is the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament? Does the Old Testament apply in any way to us now that Jesus has come? In his genius, God has orchestrated an amazing answer!

If you had to come up with a last prophetic pronouncement of the Old Testament before the coming of the Messiah, what would you say? Of course, more importantly, what would God say? Well, Malachi tells us clearly -- remember and anticipate!

In the last few verses of the Old Testament, Jesus is prophetically pictured in a powerful, life-giving way. In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared himself to be the fulfillment of both the law and the prophets. As such he has become our Savior and our healer!

Even in times of spiritual decline and deep division, God has always had a people who stay true to his heart. He remembers them, records their names in his scroll, and promises a future and hope for them.

Have you ever wondered whether serving God is worth it? How has serving God benefited you? Are the sacrifices that you have made worthwhile? Or are those even the right questions to be asking?