The second message in a series has started at the church I attend called “Not a Fan”. This week’s message is titled “Knowledge or Intimacy” and can be watched at this link. All sermons are available by clicking on Pastor’s Podcast at this link: First United Methodist Church Waco.

What I took away from the sermon is how two people can encounter the same experience yet be affected differently.  What makes the difference is courage, holding nothing back, recognizing they need God’s help, and only accepting the best.

In the sermon message, we find out that two people were affected differently after they encountered Christ. One is the immoral woman and the other is Simon the Pharisee. The woman opens up her heart with courage, holds nothing back, and recognized she needed Jesus. Simon knew so much that he couldn’t recognize Jesus and didn’t need any help. He held back and wouldn’t let Jesus into his heart. The woman was transformed into a follower of Christ but Simon simply settled to remain as a fan.

The Meal at the House of Simon the Pharisee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Below is an outline of last Sunday’s message.

1. INTIMACY WITH GOD IS WITH THE WHOLE HEART.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away.” – Matthew 15:8

“But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth. The Father is looking for anyone who Will worship him that way.” – John 4:23 (NLT)

2. INTIMACY WITH GOD TAKES COURAGE.

“A certain immoral woman heard he was there and brought a beautiful jar filled with
expensive perfume” – Luke 7:37 (NLT)

3. INTIMACY WITH GOD HOLDS NOTHING BACK.

“Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped
them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them”  – Luke 7:38 (NLT)

4. INTIMACY WITH GOD RECOGNIZES SOMETHING IS MISSING

“This proves that Jesus is no prophet. If God had really sent him, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner.” – Luke 7:39-bc (NLT)

5. INTIMACY WITH GOD WON’T SETTLE FOR LESS.

“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?’” – Luke
7:44 (NIV)

“I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much
love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only a little love.’ Then Jesus said to the
woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ …and Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you;
go in peace.’” – Luke 7:47 and 50 (NLT)

Related articles

• Fan or Follower? (thisdaywithgod.wordpress.com)
• Words of Jesus – Real Authority (burningfireshutinmybones.wordpress.com)
• A Life of Sublime Intimacy with God (felixcaeliporta.wordpress.com)
• Be Thankful in Every Circumstance (womeninwhite.wordpress.com)