Unlike most rulers, Jesus did not have security guards to shield him from the people. Rather, He came low to bend His ear and share His words with ordinary people. A man with diseased skin, a woman with fever, violent homeless men and a grieving father all received visit, experienced a conversation and were changed by Jesus. In this message we discover that the One who is exalted at the Father’s right hand still comes near, converses with and can change our lives forever.
Sermons by Dean Wertz (Page 26)
Today we begin a new series entitled, Listening to God: The Way of Jesus in a Distracting World. In our noisy world it can be difficult to sustain attentiveness to anyone or anything. Yet, the way of Jesus is the way of listening to God and others. Throughout His life, Jesus remained in tune with the voice of His Father. So, all of us who have signed on to be His apprentices can learn from Him how to hear God’s voice in the midst of a busy and distracting world.
Why does Jesus call us to follow Him and abide in Him? Some people assume we should follow Jesus so we can be with God when we die. While this is a significant part of a disciple’s hope, Jesus has a vision for our days between when we become His disciples and when we breath our last breath. He summons us to follow Him in order to give us a purpose. The reason He calls us to follow and abide is so He can work in and through us as we join Him on His mission to love and serve our hurting world (i.e. become “fishers of men”). He empowers all of His disciples to pray, to serve and to testify wherever we go so that His kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. Now that’s discipleship. That’s living!
“Disciple” is the word Jesus used to describe His followers. “Disciple” is used over 270 times in the Bible to describe those who live a Christ-centered life. So, what is a disciple? In this 3-week series we are reviewing Jesus’ 3-fold description of a disciple according to Matthew 4:19. Last week we learned that a disciple “follow Jesus.” In this message we discover that a disciple also “abides in Jesus.” If you want to honor God, experience His presence in your daily life and join Him in His mission to heaven-ize the world, this message will encourage you whether or not you would presently describe yourself as a disciple of Jesus.
Throughout history the word used to describe those who worship and center their lives on Jesus is disciple. The New Testament describes Christ followers as disciples over 270 times. The mission Jesus left to His church is to, “make disciples of all nations.” So, what is a disciple? In this 3-week series you will discover Jesus’ 3-fold description of a disciple according to Matthew 4:19. If you long to honor Jesus, live with Jesus and ultimately join Jesus in His mission on earth, this messages will guide you whether you or not you would presently describe yourself as a disciple of Jesus.
The teacher is in a boat, the students are on a shore and the lesson is about a farmer. Before the story begins the crowd hears a one-word summons, “Listen!”, and after the story is over they receive a one sentence appeal, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” We were created with ears to hear. Yet, with our world’s increasing level of noise and expanding access to so many voices, it can be hard to actually listen. In His training from the boat, Jesus acknowledges the reality of distractions and He declares to those attentive enough to listen that there is great reward for those who engage their ears to hear His voice.
Your steaming coffee left on a counter will always cool. A dropped pencil will always fall down. The speed of light is always 186,000 miles per second. The earth always rotates from west to east. 2 + 2 is always 4. And God always satisfies those who look to, long for, enjoy, receive from, meditate upon, love, worship, honor, submit to, obey, forsake distractions for, and rejoice in Him through delighting in His Word. Like the laws of nature God’s blessings, according to the first song in the Hebrew hymn book, are consistent and tangible in this life and the life to come for those who delight in His Word. Therefore, let’s be among those who embrace God’s law of gravity, God’s law of mathematics and God’s law of blessing.
Dreams, whispers, visions, open doors… How do you hear from God? While God communicates in numerous ways, He primarily reveals Himself, His will, His promises, His grace and His vision for our lives through His written Word which the Apostle Paul calls, “the sacred writings.” In this message we are encouraged, equipped and inspired to go beyond reading God’s Word to encountering its Author by listening for His voice as we read, meditate, memorize and apply His Word.
Difference makers are not typically masters of many things but those who have been mastered by one thing. What has mastered you? What is your one pure and holy passion? For the past several months we have come to know the Apostle Paul as we have journeyed through the book of Acts. As we come to the close of this book we…
After the Denver Broncos won this year’s Super Bowl they returned home to a celebratory parade. How do we celebrate and love missionaries when they come to town and when they are far away? As Paul approached Rome, some from his Christian family walked 40 miles to meet him and escort him into their city. The hospitable love Paul received after a sacrificial missionary tour encouraged him and moved him to worship God. In today’s message we are encouraged to honor, love and pray for those who have followed God’s voice to leave their home land, familiar foods and native language for the name of Jesus to be known among all nations.