No tolerance for alcohol / drunks What would you say to him?
| 1. |
He has no tolerance for alcohol / drunks. |
| 2. |
He works fulltime in LAW enforcement. |
| 3. |
He is non-churched / He is spiritually dead. |
| 4. |
He had a child hit head on by a drunk driver. |
| 5. |
His child died. It was his only child a young 24 year old daughter with 2 children. |
QUESTION What would you say to him?
In Luke 15 Jesus shares one story - with 3 different snap shots.
Sheep - Coin - Son- 3 different cases - 3 different conditions
Do you know where you are? Do you know where your friends are?
Do you know where your neighbors are?
GOD Knows! GOD Cares! GOD is concerned
We should know - We should care - We should be concerned.
In Matthew 11:2-6 Jesus is asked a question? A heart felt question?
The question was - Are you really THE ONE?
Now when John in prison heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples, and said to JESUS, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. "And blessed is he who keeps from stumbling over Me."
What would you say to John the Baptist? What would you say to Johns disciples?
5 simple principle thoughts that we need to HOLD ON to
1. Following Jesus is Costly. V. 2
Matthew 16:24 the Message - "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how to LIVE.
Why was JB in prison? Read Mat. 14
For years - I was not willing to count the cost! I wanted to do things my way!
2. God is not threatened by your questions. V. 3
Jesus was not what the Jews expected - He spoiled their idea of a Messiah.
Jesus was not working the way John had anticipated - He suspected the Kingdom to be established here and now. Things were definitely looking fuzzy to John.
John was a man of the desert - yet he was confined to indoor / solitude.
John was appointed to preach - now he was persecuted and silent.
So now comes the question ??? Are you the EXPECTED ONE? Are you truly the MESSIAH?
Jesus while hanging on the tree . . . cried out - God where are you?
3. The blind-see, deaf-hear, lame-leap, lepers-cleansed, dead-raised to life V. 5
Ephes. 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us
Do you try and box God in? How BIG is your GOD? Is HE able to do?
4. The Gospel is for ALL people. V. 5d
The poor are cut in on the deal. Dogs of no pedigree are given choice meals.
Romans 9-11 therefore 12:1 . . .
Do you have parameters placed on who GOD can reach?
5. Happy - is he, who is not offended with how GOD operates. V. 6
God says - dont gripe at how I run My business ; dont complain at my coaching.
Mt. 20 - those who labored in the Vineyard. |
