
The path to life comes through death… To find your life you have to lose it. (What does that mean?)
Walk In: “In the Name of Love” U2
Will (Adam) Unless a seed falls in the ground and dies.
What to expect when following Christ
Cycles of life and death
God works best in impossible situations (Resurrection)
Lazereth as an example
John - Reputation
Reputation (Philippians 2:7…but made Himself of no reputation, disciples we’ve left everything to follow you)
Video of Jesus reputation and community…
(Spiritual leader about to get in his car)
Interviewer - Pardon me… As one of the spiritual leaders in the Hendersonville community can you give me some insight on Pastor John McLendon?
Spiritual leader - (about to get in his car) It’s well known among the Hendersonville Religious community that he is heretical, who openly perverts the Word of God, he’s a drunkard, among other excesses, he identifies with the baser people in our community and proclaims them “children of God” it’s shameful. (starting to get in the car, but adding…) It would be hard to imagine anyone looking to him for spiritual guidance. I’ve Got to go…
If this was the general view of the Religious Community, would you want to be identified with GodWhy and with me as your pastor?
(Self Sacrifice my reputation) And the reason I ask is this is how the Religious community view Jesus in his day. He was viewed as heretical, violating the law and rejecting the clear, teaching of scripture.
Matthew 11:18-19 … The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.’
Philippians 2:5-9 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in his very nature God, did not consider equal with God something to be retained, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death on a cross. (NKJV/TNIV)
Matthew 5:11-12 ‘Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.
Are we willing to risk our reputation when we get our feelings hurt on criticism on social media?
The Pharisees were desperately to be recognized and honored, Jesus was willing to be despised and rejected to reach people like us. And he’s asking us to have that same self sacrifice so that every person can experience the love of God.
Oh, good guys.
Matthew 16:23-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Song: “Lose Control” Colony House
(Lead Singer) - Jennie
Relationships (Adam) -
As you follow your heart and grow, relationships may dwindle and new ones will likely emerge
Following God’s plan is not always easy
God’s plan for our life is not always others plan
This can cost relationships
Religious leaders and Judas don’t understand and walk away, one betrays
Song: Against All Odds” Phil Collins
(Lead Singer) - Lauren
My Life (John)
Speaking of transformed lives.
Ezekiel Valley of dry bones.
Ezekiel 37:2-3 The Lord led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Sovereign LORD, you alone know.’
Ezekiel 37:11-14 Israel says, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off…
‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel… I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.
Can what is dead and gone live again?
Can all these dead bones live?,
Lost lives, broken hopes and dreams both emotional and relational, shame, fear, emptiness, anxiety, bitterness, or depression.
If we could ask Mary Magdalene, the woman at the well, thieves like Matthew and Zacchaeus, the woman caught in adultery and the list could go on.
His message was not… if you will do… You can be accepted.
It is you are now accepted!
This is what angered Jesus critics and what angers our critics today proclamation that people are accepted NOW!
Life change and growth beyond that… Are also a part of God’s grace to give us the fullness of everything God desires in our lives… But we are accepted long before those changes come.
It is the same for every person in this room this morning?
And needs to be taken from this room to the people beyond these doors so they can see them loved back to Health as Jesus did 2000 years ago.
I hear the sound of those dry bones rattling, the impossibility becoming reality, life returned, hope restored, purpose renewed, lives changed. This is what the resurrection is all about.
Take Away/Change: Rattle: Elevation Worship Song
(Lead Singer) - Gina