1) Jesus Taught Forgiveness of sins
- That is radical… forgiveness, mercy, and grace.
2) Jesus Taught Love and acceptance
“For God so loved the world…” John 3:16a. The most radical thing about Jesus was His love. He loved everyone, even those who hated Him and betrayed Him. His love was never dependent on what someone did for Him. He loved and still loves because that is who He is.
- There is nothing more radical than the
3) Jesus Taught Healing
- God’s healing is still radical today! Most people just can’t understand it or accept it though it is still needed today as much as ever.
Our God still heals today!
They are available for you and through you!
The Revolution Requires True Worship
John 4:19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
A few days into the war with Iraq, our troops were knocking on Bagdad’s door and crowds of people packed the streets to cheer for Sadam Hussein.
Sadam stood atop a vehicle with a rifle (shotgun) in his hand shouting and stirring up the people who were apparently oblivious to missiles, bombs, and gunfire around them.
If people can be so ecstatic for a moment in the spotlight that looks like a victory before the fight began, how much more could we
The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem gives a snapshot of the radical worship people gave him – and he accepted.
It is the same kind of radical worship we should give him today – and he will accept it.
The Revolution Requires True Worship
1) True worship requires radical
as preparation
Mark 11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”
4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. 7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
“Hosanna![a]”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b]
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
The disciples were required to do something that required faith.
- They had to go to an unknown house
- They had to retrieve an unknown colt
- They had to have an answer for an unknown person
- They only have one thing to go on, “Jesus’
The Bible has many stories of radical obedience.
- Noah built an ark
- Abraham had a child at 100 years old
- The children of Israel leaving Egypt
- Moses parting of the Red Sea
- Mary receiving the word from the angel
- The woman with the issue of blood
- Water turning to wine
Just think for a minute about the children of Israel…
- They knew they were the chosen people!
- Over and over they were told they couldn’t leave
- They ate a special meal for the road
- They painted their doorframes with blood
- Their sandals did not wear out
- They had
Radical obedience today is still required.
WE must live as if we are living for the King of Heaven & Earth
Prepare your hearts through the Word… First Hand Encounter!
- Prepare with daily worship, praises, & blessings
Follow in faith
You may be required to step up when others won’t… may have to talk to people with whom you ordinarily wouldn’t talk.
- Be ready to bring a Christ answer.
You may have done something you haven’t done before.
o If you want something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
o If you aren’t ever getting out of your comfort zone then you probably aren’t being radically
2) True worship requires radical sacrifice (vs. 7-8)
Whenever there is a conflict or war that requires military action there is almost always somebody in the military who decides the cost is too high for the cause.
- There will always be people that will try to talk you out of what God has for you.
Sergeant Camilo Mejia joined the US Army and was assigned to the Infantry Brigade whose main job is to fight on the front lines.
Despite almost ten years of service in the Army, this guy became one of 600 soldiers who went AWOL during the Iraq war.
He decided that the goal was not in his best interest nor worth the sacrifice.
- I believe there are people who claim Jesus as their King are much like SGT Mejia, they wear the uniform but are unwilling to make the
Worship requires radical sacrifice personally and corporately.
To radically worship you must be willing to radically sacrifice your time.
o Worship Team…
How much time do you give to God in personal worship?
o Some will give just an hour on Sunday.
o Some a little more
o Some a lot more
o You must live each of these moments for Christ Jesus your King
To radically worship you must be willing to
- You must radically sacrifice your time, talent, and resources.
The disciples and the crowds radically sacrificed for Jesus.
- They threw their cloaks on the ground or on the colt’s back.
o The cloak was a status symbol.
- It was decorated and made from fine material.
Some would have rich ornaments of metal, precious stones, or embroidery.
The people that were poor would use the cloak as a bed sheet.
- They were willing to cast their bedsheets under the hooves of this colt.
3 True worship requires radical praise. (vs:9-10)
The crowds praised with all their might.
1. They shouted
2. They danced
3. They went before
4. They followed behind
5. They blessed the Lord
6. They sang his praises
2 Sam 6:14-16 (NIV) David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets. As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart.
What did David do?
He danced with all his might as he was leaping and dancing before the Lord.
Just maybe, if your focus is the Lord… He might
In 2023, worship still requires radical praise.
- Yes, It is vocal… sometimes load, soft, but audible.
- Blessing & praising God for who He is.
- Declaring & Speaking praise into the atmosphere.
Yes, it is physical
- Lifting your hands
- Leaping
- Jumping
- Standing
- Dancing
- Bowing
- You might even sweat a little
Yes, it is spiritual
- It is for God we do these things
- It goes to God (though you can’t see it).
- It allows you to come in
True worship requires radical expectation, preparation, and sacrifice.
Come into worship expecting the King to walk down your row and come into your heart.
Prepare for Him throughout the week.
- At home
- At work
- On vacation
- In your business dealing
- In your personal private time.
RWO, our calling card (Identity) is worship.