People and the Cross
The Shadow of the Cross • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 7 viewsNotes
Transcript
Text
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
Introduction
Ultimately, Jesus’ journey would lead him to Jerusalem and the Cross.
From the perspective of the crowds, Jesus’ purpose was to heal their diseases.
From Jesus’ perspective, the ultimate healing was a restoration of people to their relationship with God—which would necessitate His death on the Cross (explain why).
Sometimes what people wanted and what Jesus needed to do would come into conflict.
The way of Jesus was the fulfilling of His purpose of being the sacrifice—and dying on the Cross—and nothing (even what people wanted) would get in the way of Jesus accomplishing the will of God.
There is something to learn about the way of Jesus and our relationships with people.
Transition
When studying the Scripture, one can find numerous life-changing principles that guide behavior and decisions toward others.
The key question I want to answer today is: How can we maintain healthy relationships and, at the same time, fulfill the mission of God?
First Point
Our Love for God shapes our love for others.
Our Love for God shapes our love for others.
Engaging life with people is complicated. Unless your a hermit on an island in the middle of nowhere, you will face all kinds of people—those that are emotionally healthy and those that are toxic.
Illustration: Positive relationships.
Illustration: Negative relationships.
So, how can we love others without it damaging our core relationships (God, marriage, parenting/family)?
Let’s look at a very important principle in God’s Word.
37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
38 This is the great and first commandment.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
When you carefully examine these words of Jesus—where he quotes from the Old Testament—an answer to how we appropriately deal with people is revealed.
Verse 38: “This is the great and first commandment.” What is? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all you mind.”
To love others properly, we must first love God properly. Loving others proceeds from loving God.
We begin to see a boundary develop—a definition that helps shape the way we love.
Loving God involves trust, obedience, worship—a full alignment with God’s purpose and plan working through us.
Therefore, our love for others is defined and managed in light of that trust, obedience, and worship of God.
In other words, when our love for people comes into conflict with our love for God—our love for God wins out! (By the way: this is not an excuse to NOT love people)
It is through a biblical love for God that enables us to effectively love others.
Transition
Last week we learned that we have a choice—with regards to humbly submitting to the authority and way of Jesus.
Jesus said:
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
That word from Jesus impacts EVERY aspect of life—including how we serve and minister to others.
Second Point
The Believer’s Compassion keeps the Cross in view.
The Believer’s Compassion keeps the Cross in view.
Christians are called to be compassionate people. In light of God’s compassion for us (salvation, forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, patience, etc…), we are motivate to be compassionate toward others (friends and strangers).
But the way we demonstrate compassion is always governed by Jesus, what He did for us (his cross), and our purpose/mission in life (our cross).
Jesus never did anything that would hinder His journey to the Cross.
We need to learn from Jesus.
No one questions the love and compassion Jesus demonstrated—but He also did not allow anyone to prevent Him from fulfilling His redemptive purpose.
Jesus knew that anything that would attempt to hinder was ultimately motivated by the enemy (Satan).
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.
22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”
23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Although Peter thought he knew best—he was actually coming against the plan of God.
Jesus set clear boundaries with people.
You discover with Jesus how to maintain healthy relationships with people—even the toxic ones.
Set boundaries that protect your core relationships: (order is important)
God.
Spouse.
Children.
Family.
Open your heart to connect with people (even difficult ones), but set and maintain boundaries.
If your emotional heath is becoming strained, establishing margin (placing limits, saying “no”, and referring).
Prayer becomes essential in maintaining your emotional health and experiencing people engagement as a spiritual benefit rather than a spiritual attack.
Transition
Engagement with people as a believer in Christ IS A BIBLICAL CALLING! We are all called to connect with people.
At the heart of our fellowship and service to others is what Jesus did in our lives.
Third Point
Love for others is ultimately demonstrated through the Message of the Gospel.
Love for others is ultimately demonstrated through the Message of the Gospel.
We are all called to tell others about Jesus.
Use your testimony.
Use words and your godly example of living.
Give glory to God.
Conclusion
Questions for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion