It's About Him - Not What. Sermon by Gerry Gibbs, September 7, 2024
There is a Cradle Roll poster with a scene of Jesus and youth laughing together. I wanted to be aprt of that picture.
Paul's conversion process was profound. He already knew God. His conversion was a change in His perspective of Jesus.
Paul and Barnabus were teaching Jews. Paul shared his about Jesus. He attracted people because he was teaching message that was good, full of compassion, love. This was something the people had not heard. They were invited to return.
The religious elite were not impressed as this interfered with their teaching. The people sought to hear Paul's message of love for them. The bulk of the message they heard was you better do this or.... .
Paul taught who, not what. Jesus had also talked about who, not what. Jesus did not use God's wonderful law as a weapon but as a message of love.
The law had been used to make people fear and obey, as if God was just waiting to throw a lightening bolt at you.
People were attracted to Jesus' and to Paul's and Barnabus' message. Jesus was focused on what was good about the law. Paul and Barnabus did the same.
The religious leaders developed a plot to take Barnabus down. Paul and Barnabus go separate ways. The people are not listening. Paul changes direction and goes to teach the Gentiles.
WHAT!?! Jews do not eat with Gentiles!
Paul's message was about Christ and Christ first.
Tradition can be a big barrier when talking about Jesus. Talking to relatives about spiritual matters can be hard when they are more focused on their tradition than Christ.
The Pharisees taught that people were saved through circumcision.
Spiritual circumcision separates God's people from others. Paul's message was that God was for everyone. He put his teaching in action. Paul was lead to to this and did not fear. The Holy Spirit came upon him. His audience hears about God and Jesus in the light of love, compassion and healing.
Paul suggested the spiritual circumcision happened when you accepted Christ in your life.
Traditions became mixed up in spiritual realm, mixed up with Bible and scripture. We cannot push people away because of their or our traditions. The Holy Spirit will do this work. We cannot expect people around us to come to God without the work of the Holy Spirit.
I came from spiritual tradition, more laden with tradition than the Word of God. I believed for example when you die you go straight to heaven. Don't discount another's traditions because of your belief. We cannot use traditions as a target. I am grateful that did not happen to me. My friends shared Jesus with me. My father-in-law talked about Jesus for hours.
Do not put others traditions in front of them. A man I worked with was a Christian Adventist. His mentality was his beliefs against mine. He judged me and told me I would go to hell because I did not worship on Sabbath. He used his faith as a weapon. Later on after I had been introduced to the love of Christ I remet him and he heard me preach. He shared with me he could not believe I had become an Adventist.
No one lives in a box. Don't put God in a box. Don't demand everyone fit in your box. There is nothing in scripture that says to abandon people who are not like you. When the Spirit leads it is for God's purpose.
Our mission is to go forward and love people.
We have all we need to live in a wonderful life despite sin because we have a God in our life. We are not meant to live without God with us.
So many people are depressed, anxiety laden without hope. Many have no inking of spiritual matters. Many have no hope nor irreplaceable love.
We are creatures of God. We have a space in our heart that can be filled by God. Ask anyone who has found Jesus. Let's not judge who is worthy.
When we find Jesus our outlook on life changes so much. I know 60 professional wrestlers who became a Christian all because of one wrestler.
Paul was about sharing Christ.
People can leave church if they don't feel they fit the mold, even if they have accepted Christ. Don't reject people because they differ in some way. We all have differences. We are all individuals. The resurrection is personal , between God and you and no one else.
It is important for people to learn the love of God. Jesus looked at the criminal on the cross when the criminal said "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." Jesus replied "“Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Do not use your beliefs as a weapon. Let God do the His work. Show love.
David lied down and repented. He pleaded with God to heal his son. His son died. He got up, gets cleaned up and praises God. David talks about his commitment to God even in tragedy, even when joy turns to sorrow as sorrow will turn to joy.