The Jesus Sessions: Different
10-20-2013
VIDEO: Apple 1997 ad campaign: Think Different.
1998 Emmy Award for Best Commercial and the 2000 Grand Effie Award for most effective campaign in America.
Jesus teaching was different. He came into the world to set things right. Which means that things are NOT right. “I have come that they may have life.” This means they currently do not.
Sometimes in our desire to speak in a language people understand we stay away from the fundamental truth that our world is broken.
Jesus message is that we can be made whole, forgiven, and truly see.
Apart from Jesus, we remain in darkness.
We remain in slavery to sin, blind, and lost.
We can’t fix our world with good intentions, political systems, social justice, or non-profit relief efforts. These things are not bad, they’re just insufficient. You can’t change the world until you change the hearts of people, because the world will always be full of them.
The religious leaders of his day focused on adding restrictions. Jesus was about taking them off. His focus was liberation from sin and death.
The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath
What comes out of the mouth is more important than what goes in
You tie heavy burdens on people that you yourselves can’t even bear.
The tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus response to slavery and bondage was not judgment, but compassion.
They were like sheep without a shepherd.
Disciples of Jesus:
Think differently.
Live differently.
Speak differently.
Example: Paul
1 Timothy 1
The Lord’s Grace to Paul
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength,that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
WE HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT MESSAGE
Different from the current Christian culture.
We refuse to relegate the message of Jesus to the walls of a church building or a “Christian” subculture. We are intentionally incarnating into the broader culture to be agents of change.
We are encouraging followers of Jesus to pursue art, music, science, literature; to use their gifts to bring glory to God in everyday life.
We take the notable risk of opening up the floor to discussion and even debate every Sunday night, because we’re convinced that just passively listening isn’t quite enough.
Different from the general culture. We embrace the teachings of Jesus, who taught us God’s intent for a full, complete, whole life. American culture embraces empty substitutes and fake cures.
You have heard that it was said…
Worry – replaced with faith. Fear replaced with trust. This is perhaps the greatest power of faith. Fear is the ultimate bondage.
Death – we do not mourn as those who have no hope – death is beaten.
Money, wealth – money is a tool, but loving it is the source and seed of all evil. Love people, use money.
Sex – sex is a sacred gift, a facet of the image of god in us, to be celebrated, honored, and protected. As the ultimate human expression of intimacy, it’s use has the power to create wholeness, its abuse has the power to create ultimate brokenness.
Power – the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, but it is not to be so with you.
Work – in working with all our might, as unto god, not men, we find true fulfillment and purpose. The worker who curses his boss behind his back and works only when he is looking, who does the bare minimum, has forgotten who he is working for.
Love, enemies, and revenge – love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
Questions
Worry, death, money, sex, power, work, love, enemies, revenge.
What else would you add to this list?
Expand on one of the ideas in this list – how has Jesus changed your view of the world in this area?
Have you ever had an opportunity to explain why you think differently on any of these topics? How did that go?
One more thing…
“You’re a good person” – I want to give reason to that belief – why is he a good person? Jesus.
Jesus came to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
You will have a moment this week where you can say or do something very different. Maybe not very easy, but very different.