To Be, or Not To Be? pt3
Notes
Transcript
To Be, or Not to Be? Commitment to self, or commitment to Christ?
To Be, or Not to Be? Commitment to self, or commitment to Christ?
Prayer:
God, show me the way to the cross.
It is still hard to understand why the Son of God would let mortal men condemn Him to such a horrible death. What love you demonstrated in that act!
Show me how to demonstrate that same love to the world’s needy. Give me your power…to do your work…as I set out on your mission.
Help me to understand who you are. Help me to be and do what you want me to do. Give me eyes to see the world…to see people…as you see them.
I will take up my cross and follow you…even into death. Amen.
MP — Commitment to Christ is more than simply “believing” in Jesus, it is faith that leads us to a life that astounds normal human life, and leads us to the lowest places, for the Glory of God.
Through this series, we are discussing what it means — what it looks like — to “live out” that commitment to the Cross.
We have been looking at....asking ourselves…that question: “To Be, or Not To Be?” To “Be” committed to Christ, or not to be.....
Let me begin with this question — “Do we invite Christ into our lives, or does He invite us to come to Him?” — Ken Heer
Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,
by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen.
Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.
Luke presents us with kind of an odd little insert here.... What does Herod have to do with anything going on right here in the narrative?!
I mean… Luke has told us about the sending of the twelve, and he is going to tell us about their return, but.... sandwiched right here — in between — is this little statement about Herod......
What is Luke’s purpose? Why tell us about Herod?
You see, this almost seems not to support the narrative, — in fact, most commentators and preachers just sort of overlook this part — but Luke does have a point....
Look at what is going on.... The disciples have gone out, they are traveling, preaching, healing, casting out demons....all the stuff Jesus has been doing and empowered them to do.
Jesus is still doing the same! There is no indication that He sent them out, and then went a took a break!
He didn’t say, “Okay, you guys go… I’m gonna take a vacation!” NO! He kept working!
Herod has been hearing about this..... About what the disciples are doing, about what Jesus is doing, and he gets curious.... He might have even been feeling a bit guilty....
You see — the people were saying that Jesus was John the Baptist returned, or maybe Elijah, whom the Prophet Malachi promised would return....
Remember Jesus’s question to the disciples in —
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
But, Herod had killed John, so…Who was Jesus?
This is where Luke just kind of leaves us.... With Herod wanting to see Jesus....
Why?
To figure this out we are going to have to compare this story with another person who “wanted to see Jesus.”
He entered Jericho and was passing through it.
A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich.
He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature.
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.
When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”
So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him.
All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.”
Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham.
For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Zacheus also wanted to see Jesus. He wanted to see Him so badly, to “see” who He was.... That he set aside his dignity and climbed a tree!
Can you picture this? Here’s the wealthiest man in the area (for argument’s sake).... in all his finery....up in a tree like a little kid! What a spectacle!
And all just so he could get a look at this man…this common man…whom everyone was so excited about....
You do realize Jesus wasn’t rich, right? He wasn’t powerful.... He wasn’t a superstar.... He wasn’t even a good looking man..... Yet, He was causing a stir.
So, Zacheus wanted to “see” who He was!
Herod, wanted to see who He was.
Yet, the stories tell us that Zacheus got to “see” Him, in fact, Jesus went to Zacheus’s house for dinner.....
But Herod, didn’t get the same privilege.....
What is the difference?
What is the deal with Herod?? Why did Zacheus get to see Jesus, while Herod — the King — couldn’t?
I mean, even the disciples and the crowds got to see Jesus....
On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida.
When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed to be cured.
This almost seems crazy! Jesus has welcomed all who came to Him, He welcomed the Apostles back, He welcomed the crowd, He even intentionally welcomes Zacheus......
So, why not Herod? Why didn’t Herod see Jesus?
“Selfishness!!”
Notice — The Apostles....the crowd…Zaccheus.... ALL went to Jesus....
Yet, Herod expected Jesus to come to him!
I get a picture of most “world” leaders....they don’t go to the people they want to meet, they send people to bring them to them....
Look at
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.
This is after Herod has put John in jail.... Herod kept him alive because John entertained him....
That’s what he wanted from Christ! He had lost his entertainment in John, and he wanted to see if Jesus could fill that role!
Don’t believe me?
look at — (when Herod finally does meet Jesus)
When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign.
You see — Herod wanted Jesus to entertain him by “performing” for him.... BUT.... if you look at the rest of the story, you find out that Jesus does not do that, which angers Herod.
You see, Herod wanted Jesus to be his puppet....his amusement....
Do we do the same thing?!
Are we guilty of considering Jesus to be an entertainer.... someone whom we come to when we “need” something..... Need comfort....Need my spirits lifted.... Need to “feel” good..... Need.....?
Many people are!
Herod was like many people today..... He was selfish.... Greedy.... Prideful.... Anyone he felt was “beneath” him was seen as “entertainment”....
Consider this — Why did Herod put John in jail?
Herod had married his brother’s wife..... and John was VERY outspoken about the “legality” of that act..... That is why Herod had him jailed, and his wife wanted him dead!
You see..... they wanted “permission” to live life “their way”..... They didn’t want anyone telling them they were wrong!
Sound familiar?
There are many people today who think the same.... There are ideas…false teachings…going around the church today that have the exact same selfish…self-serving....prideful motivations...
Think about it — People are confronted with scriptures that call something a sin.... What is their response?!
“That’s not the God I want!”
Usually followed by --
— “God is Love! He would judge like that, that’s a man’s biase.”
— (God speaking)
I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant, and lay low the insolence of tyrants.
— the very basis of the gospel is God’s judgment on sin....
— “God accepts me just the way I am.”
— this is true and untrue at the same time! Yes! God accepts us right where we are.... No! He does not accept the sin. He demands we change.... The point of the Gospel is that God Himself makes us clean, but that only happens when we accept the need to rid ourselves of sin!
— “God is love, so He wouldn’t send anyone to hell.”
— True. God does not send anyone to hell, our choice does.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
— God provided the way.... He has condemned sin… We can be free from the consequences of sin.... but we have to choose it!
— we could continue to add to this list......
Do you see what all these ideas have in common?
They all seek to give permission to our lives..... To allow us to live however we want.... and expect Jesus to come to us..... That is not Biblical!!!!!
Church — God calls us to Holiness! Holiness is not permissiveness!
for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
We cannot expect Jesus to come to us, as if we are THAT important!
We must humble ourselves and go to Him.....
“Do we invite Christ into our lives, or does He invite us to come to Him?” — Ken Heer
Look at the difference between Herod and Zaccheus.....
Herod was to important to go to Jesus, instead, he felt Jesus should come to him...... and he didn’t see Jesus.
Zaccheus was the opposite..... He didn’t feel he deserved to see Jesus, but his desire to “know who He was” drove him to overcome every obstacle to “seeing” him....
“Those who want to see Christ.... who truly desire to know Him.... will overcome ALL obstacles to see Him.”
That is what Zaccheus did! And as a result, Zaccheus welcomed Christ and was welcomed by Him.... Zaccheus fed Christ, and was fed by Him..... He entertained Christ, and was taught by Him..... He lodged Jesus and received a Home in the Kingdom....
Do you see the difference?
Herod “wanted” to see Jesus..... Zaccheus “needed” Jesus....
“We talk about ‘finding the Lord,’ but who finds whom in the area of salvation?”
“Do we invite Christ into our lives, or does He invite us to come to Him?” — Ken Heer
I think we often get it backwards..... I think the church has even mistaken this at times....
We say.... “Jesus comes into your life.” We pray “Jesus, Come into my life....” When we should be praying “Jesus, thank you for inviting me into Yours.”
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
That abundant life is His.... not ours! It is not the life we have right now, it is the life He intends for us to have, and He invites us into it!
Let me tell you — You do not need Jesus to come to you.
He ALREADY has!!!!!
That’s what He did on Calvary! That’s why He came to earth..... Immanuel! God with us!!!! Jesus has already come to you..... Before you even knew it!!!
But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.
Jesus sees us.... He sees you and He sees me.... and He says to us....
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
That is an invitation!
“To Be, or Not To Be?”
Will we accept His invitation into a New Life, or will we not?!
Let me tell you — We cannot come to Jesus expecting a “genie in a lamp”.... to “fix” things without effort, and to entertain us.... We must come to Him humbly....expecting nothing but Him.....
I promise you..... When we do that.... When we take that step..... When we remove every obstacle and do whatever it takes to move towards Him.... Jesus steps the rest of the way to us!
But… He will not respond to selfishness....
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
“To Be, or Not To Be?”
Will you make that choice? Will you lay down your pride…your selfishness…your greed....in order to find true life?
(invitation)