The Jesus Way: Loved People, Love People
Pastor Brian Schafer
January 12, 2024
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“What comes to mind when you think about God is the most important thing about you.” - A.W. Tozer
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The clearest picture the world has ever seen of what God is like, is the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross, unjustly accused and yet still forgiving His enemies.
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Take your own notes here…
The big idea today: Hurt people, hurt people. LOVED people, LOVE people.
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Luke 3:15-18
Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the wheat with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, gathering the wheat into his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire.” John used many such warnings as he announced the Good News to the people.
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“Good News” = Euangelion (in Greek)
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“Augustus has been sent as a savior for us, and for those who come after us, to create order everywhere. The birthday of a god (Augustus) was the beginning of the Good News (euangelleon) that has come to men through him.” - Ancient birth announcement for Caesar Augusts
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Luke is taking a word that was used to deify Caesar and he’s giving it to
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Ancient Roman Coins had this inscription: “Caesar is Lord.”
The earliest Christian Creed was: “JESUS is Lord.”
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Take your own notes here…
Luke 3:21-22
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
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Do you truly believe that God looks at you, in Christ, and also says, “You are my child, whom I love. I am well pleased with you!”?
Take your own notes here…
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What is it that enabled Jesus to be so full of compassion and love and grace and Truth?
Answer:
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6 Counter-Habits of Jesus:
1. Love your enemies.
2. Pray for those who persecute you.
3. Bless those that curse you.
4. Go the extra mile.
5. Turn the other cheek.
6. Give the shirt off your back.
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How does Jesus fulfill these 6 Counter-Habits on the Cross?
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“Love keeps no record of wrong.” - 1 Corinthians 13:5
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The opposite of record-keeping is GRACE.
Are you keeping records of wrong in your marriage, or home, or work, or any relationship?
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One way to throw away the records: Instead of complaining, pray for the people who get under your skin.
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The most powerful force in the world for leading people to a relationship with Jesus is to show other people the same GRACE that Jesus has shown us.
God is working today! What action steps is the Lord leading you to take today, in response to what you heard today?
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