English: (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The fifth message in a series called “Not a Fan” was presented at the church I attend this past weekend. The message is titled “Wherever, Whenever, Whatever”. The sermons can be listened to or watched by clicking on the link called Pastor’s Podcast on the page at this link: First United Methodist Church Waco.
Below is an outline of the message. The words in black were prepared by the church staff and the words in blue were notes I included as I listened.
1. FOLLOW FOR A PURPOSE.
“And He said to them, ‘Why did you seek Me? Did you not know
that I must be about My Father’s business?’ ” – Luke 2:49 (NKJV)
Joseph and Mary thought Jesus was lost and they went back to Nazareth. They find Him in the Temple teaching. The purpose of a mother bird is to protect their young. They will stay at a next even if a person walks up near. Jesus knew His purpose on earth and He took risk to carry it out.
2. LATER CAN MEAN NEVER.
“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up
his cross daily and follow Me” – Luke 9:23 (NIV)
Slogans define products with just a few works. What is the slogan for Christianity? The verse above Luke 9:23
3. GO WHEREVER JESUS ASKS YOU TO GO.
“As they were walking along the road, a man said to Him, “I will
follow You wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and
birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay
His head.” – Luke 9:57-58 (NIV)
It’s not all easy. Carrying the cross takes courage, self discipline, and hours of work.
4. RESPOND WHENEVER YOU HEAR THE CALL.
“He said to another man, ‘Follow Me.’ But the man replied, ‘Lord, first
let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury
their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ ”
Luke 9:59-60 (NIV)
There are many excuses to why we can’t respond to the call but with Jesus we respond right now.
5. BE WHATEVER JESUS ASKS YOU TO BE.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they
put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Matthew 5:14-15 (NIV)
Jesus hands His light to us to be the light to the world right now. We are where we are for a purpose.
6. A COMPLETELY COMMITTED FOLLOWER SHINES.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see
your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
“…Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts….”
Hebrews 3:15 b, c (NIV)
It’s about how you live your life and what you say for it is through us that people understand what God is like.
Rejoice this day for it is the day the Lord has made for us to use our gifts and let them shine to glorify Him.
