This weekend I’m talking about Jesus… the rebel.
Believe it or not… Jesus was considered a rebel by the religious environment of His day.
- He chose forgiveness where they chose judgment.
- He chose to welcome sinners where they chose to walk away from sinners.
- He chose eat with sinners they chose to talk about sinners.
His decision to regularly choose “The sick” over “The healthy” ultimately cost him his life.
Jesus was willing to lay it ALL on the line for the sake of bringing lost people to His Father = SALVATION!
His number one concern was the salvation of the lost, and the religious leaders didn’t get it… they thought He was a rebel, an instigator, a troublemaker…
A great few words that cost Jesus some “credibility” with the religious leaders… “I tell you that… there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent” (Luke 15:7 NIV).
Church, invite your unsaved/unchurched friends this weekend! They’re gonna want to hear about Jesus the rebel!
PRAY!
I have invited family and friends. I am praying. I am specifically praying for: (1)Wisdom – for Northgate’s leaders, (2) humility – as we all do our best and give God our best, I am praying He will use us in unexplainable ways! All will know and see the power of God,(3) obedience – let us only go forward with a vision, ministry, planned sermon, connection, invitation, etc. if we are willing to be used and confident in God’s leading, (4) Trust – for the people of Northgate; as we go to God in prayer for the ministries of Northgate, we will know and trust that it is God leading our leaders.
Paul,
You must be exhausted today…I have felt like that when I have taught three classes in a row full of unruly 9th and 10th graders! ( I hope we weren’t unruly.) I am praying that my son who came with us to church is thinking about what you said and recognizing his need to recommit his life to the Lord he has always learned about from his earliest days and one time obeyed.
BTW, once when he was a toddler I locked him (inadvertently) inside the car on a hot summer day WITH my keys inside AND the windows rolled up in a hot parking lot AND with him buckled into his car seat that he could NOT unbuckle himself and I had to go get help too…and this back in the day before cell phones…poor darling was very hot and crying but praise the Lord unhurt besides that when he was rescued….God is good to us!