***Messages in this series are based on Andy Stanley’s book “Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed for the World”
Old vs New
“New things don’t generally bother us until we realize it means letting go of old, comfortable things.” (Irresistible, page 71)
We become resistible when we choose
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my CHURCH, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. —Matthew 13:16-18
Ekklesia - assembly, gathering
“Jesus did not predict a place. He predicted a people, a new assembly signaling a new movement.” (Irresisitible, page 76)
Christmas surprise - Passover became about Jesus and the “new covenant”
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. 15 And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”
17 After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among you.18 For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. —Luke 22:14-20
Old covenant =
New covenant -
Testament means “covenant” - there’s an
-Everything that came before Jesus was necessary but temporary.
We stay
when we try to mix-and-match the old and the new.
We become
when we embrace the new
Jesus initiated.
Maybe no one told you how
Maybe we should try again…this time in a new way…
(more on that next week)