Cynic to Sold Out - Jason Duke
Jason Duke
Part of This is Our Story
July 3, 2025

This is Our Story

Cynic to Sold Out
July 6, 2025
Jason Duke, Campus Pastor, Vista Ridge Campus

Mark 3:20-21 (CSB)
Jesus entered a house, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. When his family heard this, they set out to restrain him, because they said, “He’s out of his mind.”

John 7:1-5 (CSB)
After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since he did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill him. The Jewish Festival of Shelters was near. So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” (For not even his brothers believed in him.)

Definition of Cynic
Cynic - motivated purely by self-interest, distrustful of a person’s sincerity and integrity

James 1:1-4 (CSB)
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

Doulos
The Greek word here is “doulos” which implies a voluntary and devoted servitude, NOT one who is under forced labor.

Three Questions

What does this teach me about God and Jesus?
What does this teach me about humanity and our need for Jesus?
How does this apply to my life today?

  • What does this teach me about God and Jesus?
    • Jesus welcomes my questions and doubts.

  • What does this teach me about humanity and our need for Jesus?
    • You can be around Jesus, talk w/ Jesus, and still not follow Jesus.

Proximity to Jesus does not equal a relationship with Jesus.

  • How does this apply to my life today?
    • Spiritual Transformation leads to a right perspective of self.

Acts 17:28a (CSB)
For in him we live and move and have our being … .

James 3:17-18 (CSB)
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.