Audio from Associate Pastor Josh Carpenter on Sunday morning April 30th, 2017.
1 John 2:3-6 NIV
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
When we neglect God’s word, we embrace man’s way.
Galatians 1:6-7 NIV
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
My own personal Jesus
What does this 'Jesus' do for me?
- He protects my will
- He gives priority to my happiness
- He shields me from consequence
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Another term: Idolatry
Isaiah 44:13-20 NIV
The carpenter measures with a line and makes an outline with a marker;he roughs it out with chisels and marks it with compasses.He shapes it in human form,human form in all its glory,that it may dwell in a shrine. 14 He cut down cedars,or perhaps took a cypress or oak.He let it grow among the trees of the forest,or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow. 15 It is used as fuel for burning;some of it he takes and warms himself,he kindles a fire and bakes bread.But he also fashions a god and worships it;he makes an idol and bows down to it. 16 Half of the wood he burns in the fire;over it he prepares his meal,he roasts his meat and eats his fill.He also warms himself and says,“Ah! I am warm; I see the fire.” 17 From the rest he makes a god, his idol;he bows down to it and worships.He prays to it and says,“Save me! You are my god!” 18 They know nothing, they understand nothing;their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,and their minds closed so they cannot understand. 19 No one stops to think,no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,“Half of it I used for fuel;I even baked bread over its coals,I roasted meat and I ate.Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?Shall I bow down to a block of wood?” 20 Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him;he cannot save himself, or say,“Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?”
Deception and Truth will collide
The Jesus
- He is the only way to the Father
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
- He offers a life transformation
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Matthew 16:24 NIV
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
- He confronts man's will with the Father's mission
John 6:38-39 NIV
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
- He grants us a new identity
John 1:12 NIV
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
Our response to The Jesus
- Respond immediately
Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
- Respond with unity
John 17:21 NIV
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.
Our response Is the message we will pass on to every generation looking at Jesus.