"17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
​25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
35 Jesus wept." John 11:17-35

Storms in life -- the panic, the loss we feel in these times. Jesus has compassion. Jesus will be with us.

Why?
If God is all powerful....
If God is all loving....

Why does He allow suffering and pain?
Free will allows capacity for pain. 
choices have consequences. We are not robots. Sin was brought into the world by us. We brought it all into this world. We are going to have to deal with all this.

"12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned— 13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:12-19

Faith says we trust Him no matter what.

Saith must be applied -- Faith is hard when it gets personal.

World is not without pain for anyone.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

David -- the man after God's own heart, said, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Psalm 13:1

Absolute Truth vs. Feelings. Jesus feels our pain. God is always at work!

Absolute Truth #1: God holds us always.

"Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:28-29

Sometimes there are storms.

 "Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Mark 4:36-40

Fear overtook what they knew. 

What part don't you get yet?  says God to us at times. Be strong and courageous!

Absolute Truth #2 -- He Has Plans for us.

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

God promises to meet our daily needs.
And Jesus gives us hope.

9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

This is mercy. We are given another opportunity to increase the kingdom.

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1

"what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?" Psalm 8:4

"As a father has compassion on his children,
    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
    he remembers that we are dust.
15 The life of mortals is like grass,
    they flourish like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
    and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children—" Psalm 103:13-17

God understands how mortal we are -- how we will be forgotten.

Absolute Truth #3: The End

"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:1-4

Faith Changes Everything!!

​"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'" Ephesians 5:25-31

In the beginning God began humanity with family.

"So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
                                                                                                                                                  Genesis 1:27-28

The family is the first institution God ever put together.

"23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
    for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." Genesis 2:23-24

Families have a lot of important roles to play.

Family:

"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body." Ephesians 5:25-30

We are members of Jesus's Body.

Children:

"Start children off on the way they should go,
    and even when they are old they will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

'Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.' Psalm 127:3

The Inseparable Family -- God's plan:

6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:6-9

The Family of God: All Believers:

Jesus is our Savior and Brother.

49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:49-50

From the very beginning God wanted us back.

"12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
                                                                                                                                                          John 1:12-13

God laid out the natural family to help us understand the spiritual family.

Live as a family:

Spend time together; give each other the benefit of the doubt.

"14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name." Ephesians 3:14-15

Children of God: 
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure."
                                                                                                                                                        1 John 3:1-3
Treat Each other like family:


"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." 1 Timothy 5:1-2

We are the Family, the Household of God:

 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10

"And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands." Deuteronomy 26:18

The world likes to tell you you aren't good enough, but we don't get our value from the world. We get it from God. God says we are because He loves us. 

Plenty of people felt unworthy in the BIble:

Moses:
"12 And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you[a] will worship God on this mountain.”13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘ What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”" Exodus 3:12-13

Jeremiah:
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:6-8

It's easy to look from the world's point of view -- we always hear the "not good enough" message.

Our worth is not set by the world but by God

"And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands." Deuteronomy 26:18

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

You are Chosen by God!

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:6

God loved us first. Don't take this light. You are chosen. You are chosen.

"4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:4-6

Before the beginning of time He knew I was going to mess up and sin and do wrong things and there would be no way I could be with Him. That wasn't acceptable to God!

Nothing can separate us from God.

"37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

Nothing and no one conquers God! God is The Conqueror of all!

It's hard to accept love sometimes because we think we don't deserve it. Love isn't about deserving love. That is called work/employment. Love is about love.

Know the Source

"17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people," Ephesians 1:17-18

"31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

Children of God

Every person is a creation of God and every person is loved by God. But we aren't children of God until we believe in Jesus.

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:1-2

 "12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." John 1:12-13

Our Father

"32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

"15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”" Romans 8:15

Live as Children of God
Stop doubting yourself. Go to God for strength. Live in the environment of heaven within.

"16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." Romans 8:16-17

The world doesn't know God. The world can't understand God.

Live like a child.

"Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God." Matthew 5:9

The world needs peacemakers. The world needs us to be peacemakers. The entire world is yelling and no one is listening. God doesn't want this. Be a peacemaker.

Family resemblance. We should look like Jesus.

"1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Respond to people as Jesus did/does.

"But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35

We are not meant to be misers -- be lavish in your love toward others.

The prayer and desire of Jesus for you and me:
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-- 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23

The world needs to see Jesus through His people. The world needs the light of Jesus in us.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

The American love for being a rugged individual, a person who "pulls himself up by his bootstraps" or thinking a person is a "self-made man (or woman)" is not Biblical. We are not on our own. A self-made person is impossible.....

Folly of thinking we can do it all ourselves

"Those who trust in themselves are fools,
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe." Proverbs 28:26

"There is a way that appears to be right,
    but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 14:12

We can lead ourselves astray (and others) when we go on ourselves without God's guidance.

It is Either/Or. Either God or the World. 100%

"The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit."
1 Corinthians 2:14

Even if we are Believers we can dampen the Spirit's voice. We can ignore His voice. We can even shut Him up when we refuse to follow His leading. This is a very dangerous thing to do.

"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so." Romans 8:5-7

What God says is always the right thing to do.

Where do We Start?

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
    but fools[a] despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7

This is just the beginning. We have to be learning the Word. Grow or die.

"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’" Matthew 4:4

Carry On, Forward

"Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:17-18

Grow in grace -- this is the next step. You're either growing or you're dead. You gotta study the Word.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Either conform to the World or be transformed by God's word. Will you conform or be transformed?

We are not called to be combating people! People are not the enemy. Refuse to do this. Refuse to take sides. This kind of behavior is conforming to the world's ways. Grow in the Word; distance ourselves from the world. Without knowledge your faith might wobble. 

Remember

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Let God drive or let the world drive. Lean on the Spirit -- now more than ever.

'But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Everyone who follows their own wisdom thinks they are right. The world is speeding up in downhill descent.

Follow God or Follow the World

Where we are:

 "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." 1 Corinthians 1:25

Absolute Truths -- Hold On
 "Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

He wants  you. He is the Door. He is giving you another option -- you don't have to choose to go to hell. Choose Him.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose." romans 8:28

In the end the Believers will be standing.

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:12-13

​Have compassion not anger toward those who don't follow Jesus. You gotta get into the Fight with the Sword.

The greatest adventure is to live a life for Jesus Christ. It is a daily adventure. 

"a dangerous place of vulnerable compassion"

When we dare to do what we could never do without Christ. We have been called to adventure. Think of Abraham, Jonah, Ruth, Moses and the Disciples. We have also been called to adventure. You can watch but unless you get off the couch you aren't living it. Be a doer. 

You have been called!

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

God tells us to Go! And we aren't to stop until the end of the age.

We were made for this!

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

God has a job for you to do.

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12

Fight! Take hold!

Ready
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33

Set
"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:26-27

Go!

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24

"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12:26

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

You gotta push through the resistance or you won't get stronger. 

Don't be surprised by challenges
How you deal with challenges is the point.

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4:12-13

Our race will be challenged. The world and the devil don't like us following Jesus. Don't be surprised by troubles. 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

When you have resistance push through it. This is the way you grow. To get better you have to do something hard -- grow. 

Challenges

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,"
2 Timothy 3:12-14

"That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

If you aren't feeling resistance, you aren't pushing hard enough.  Be a threat to satan and the world system. If I don't feel push back I need to push harder.

Strength

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"You have been a refuge for the poor,
    a refuge for the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the storm
    and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
    is like a storm driving against a wall" Isaiah 25:4

"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”"
Matthew 19:26

Jesus has already broke open the path for us. We just need to follow Him.

Fear not!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”" Joshua 1:9

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Stand firm...

"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:57-58

Commit!

Don't hesitate. We will not be effective if we aren't committed. We must be all in. 

Never separated, always conquerors!
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35-39

Why not Go when God says go?

"Trail magic" God has some for you!

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope." Romans 15:1-9

We are called to be servants like Jesus Christ.

"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:12-17

Jesus is clear. We are called to be servants.

The Time is Coming...

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Some of the people in our society who have the biggest titles and most fame or worldly success could be described by the above passage. We can't follow world thought or embrace what the world embraces.

Actions of Servants:

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." Romans 15:1

"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22

There is a revival going on right now in India with the "Untouchables." They are the caste in India society that Mother Teresa worked with. What happens when these people get saved? They immediately ask what they can do to share what they just received. They are blessed in lacking in material goods but having great faith.

We need to seek out the "untouchables" in our society, the ones on the fringes of society; the ones the world says don't "deserve" people's time and attention; the ones who are lost and hurting and desperately want to fit in and be accepted by someone. People need us to look them in the eye and notice them.

"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:4

We are here to fulfill the law of Christ. Jesus didn't wait for people to come to Him. He went to where they were. He sought the "untouchables." 

"Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant," Matthew 20:25-26

Again, Jesus is clear. 

"Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up." Romans 15:2

We are not here to please ourselves. 

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:19

edification: building each other up.

The Place of Servanthood:

"No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." 1 Corinthians 10:24

"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." 
1 Corinthians 10:32-33

God said it doesn't matter what we eat or drink or whatever -- but don't cause others to stumble in your freedom. You have to know someone well to know what will make them stumble.

Single-mindedness of the Servant:

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."
1 Peter 3:8

We're not meant to be conceited. We are here to carry the burden. Keep knocking till someone answers.

​"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

This is opposite of what the world promotes.

Let Servanthood be Your Joy:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

(If you want a copy of the study we do on Monday night that relates to the sermon from the Sunday before, click here and I will email you a copy.)

Reckless -- acting without thought to consequences; rash, audacious

"18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . .

"22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles," 1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-23

The world says the way God loves us, the sacrifices He has made, the actions He has taken in loving us is stupid. None of it makes sense to the world.

Reckless Love has 3 characteristics:

1. ACTION

"16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

2. UNREASONABLE

 "God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

3. CARELESS

    "there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God." Romans 3:11

No one was looking for God. Jesus was a surprise. People didn't ask God for the sacrifice of Jesus. God did it any way because He wants to be in relationship with all of us.

The Apostle Peter -- impulsive, brash, really right and really wrong. 

"Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[a]
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” 34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” 35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same." Matthew 26:31-35

Peter's the one who says it. Peter is the leader. Pete's the front guy. He has pride issues.

Just 6 hours later:


"54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57 But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58 A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59 About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly." Luke 22:54-62

​Ground shaking! It's one thing to follow Jesus; another thing to watch Jesus beaten and killed. Jesus looked straight at Peter. It must have been soul splitting to be in Jesus's gaze.

Peter comes back because of Jesus's crazy love.

Fallout of pride and Denial

"Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing." John 21:1-3

Peter screwed up so bad he just decided to quit and go back to his old life. Jesus has other ideas. This becomes a reset for Peter.

"4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water." John 21:4-7

Peter was in the worst part of his life. Jesus repeats the miracle of the fish he did for Peter when Jesus first called Peter. This is the reset. In John 20 Peter is not mentioned in the two times Jesus appears to the disciples. Possibly Peter was staying the background, avoiding Jesus. And Jesus allowed this. The work within Peter needed time to fully come about. Then in the above verses Peter wants to come back to Jesus so bad. He remembered! He wants to regain what he has lost. He didn't want to abandon Jesus. Jesus knows this. And Jesus wants him back. Jesus was the one who made the first move in this relationship.

"15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep." John 21:15-17

The first two times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him Jesus uses "agape." Peter answers using "philo."
The last time Jesus uses "philo."

Agape is loving fully like God loves us.
Philo is loving like a brother.

Jesus is being incredibly gracious to Peter and Peter knows it. Jesus is God. He cannot be our brother until we also acknowledge Him as God.

"18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”" John 21:18-19

"Follow Me!" is a demand, a command. To follow Jesus we have to recklessly love. Like Jesus does. Like Hosea did with his prostitute wife Gomer. Love and don't worry about it. No matter if the other responds you still keep loving.

But then Peter shows us one last shot of pride...

​"20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”" John 21:20-21

Jesus put a firm end on their conversation here. It doesn't matter what others do or say, we need to follow fully and love recklessly. Love like God does, not like the world does. Romance is easy. God's love is so big.

 "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." Philippians 2:1-2

Whatever you got, give it out. If you've received it give it out to others. Assume everyone is your friend.

A "works-based guy" comes to Jesus:

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”" Luke 10:25-39

This guy is testing Jesus. When he asked who his neighbor was he was looking for a loophole. If we're trying to get out of something God tells us to do, we're wrong.

Compassion -- show mercy.

THE PARABLE

Context -- Who is my neighbor?
Setting -- Road to Jericho. It was 18 miles downhill. It was known as "The Way of Blood" because it was so dangerous.
Characters -- Priest, Levite, Samaritan, Jewish victim

"31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side."

The priest was supposed to be the person closest to God. He avoided the victim. This priest was born into ministry. The Levite was also born into ministry. Levites served priests. Both were leaving Jerusalem so both had time. 

Actions vs. Appearance.
Compassion vs. Self-interest.

The "expert in the law" didn't object to the priest's and the levite's actions in the story. It is like he almost expected them.

"Charity is more popular than compassion. Compassion has a cost, and charity is tax deductible." Anonymous

Compassion costs.

What cost? 

33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’" Luke 10:33-35

The costs:

Emotional -- Samaritan took pity on the victim. He's traveling. There is a risk to the Samaritan for him to just go over to the man. Intention -- went to the victim
Effort -- bandaged his wounds. Took time to take care of the man.
Resources -- oil and wine. These weren't cheap. Oil for softening. Wine for disinfecting.
Labor -- Lifted him and put him on his riding animal. This took a lot of strength.
Money -- brought him to an inn and paid for his care.
Personal Responsibility -- long-term care if needed.
Time -- this hadn't been the Samaritan's plan at all. He put aside his own agenda and served this man.

Compassion is an action 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

God led us through an action -- God didn't hold back. 

"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Go out and do. Do what I did. You will be able to do more than I did.

Henry Durant. Born 1828. Started 1st chapter of YMCA (Young men's Christian organization) in Switzerland when he saw how many boys and young men needed help and guidance. Durant had a successful career. One day he had a meeting with Napoleon III. As he was going to see him he saw 40,000 men wounded and dead in a field. No one was helping them. He convinced a local church to set up a makeshift first aid station for the soldiers. For the next several weeks he stayed and helped heal the soldiers. When he returned home he wrote letters to many country leaders and this brought about the First Geneva Convention. At this convention they decided doctors, nurses and ambulances were off limits that is how the Red Cross started. This was prior to WWI.

When you say, "Somebody should do something" maybe you are the somebody who is needed.

​Give as we have received.

"We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do and more in the light of what they suffer." Diedrich Bonhoeffer

If someone is suffering, help. We need to value people and not why they may be suffering.

Everything God has given us we can give away -- Go and do. 

Am I doing something?

Feeling and saying don't help the receiver. Do what I've asked you to do. When we have the ability to help, that is a gift from God to help. HELP.