Session 3

SESSION 3: AN UNSHAKABLE LIFE • Jesus is the author of life and he invites us in to experience it to the fullest. Not only is He the way to eternal life, He is the hope for the life that we live in the here and now. In this session, we will explore what a life with Jesus is all about.

House example: Source or hook up to water and power

John 14:6 (NIV) “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

This is all great to know Jesus is the way and to build upon him according to his standards but this is all just dead religion without the life. This is why Jesus is so sufficient. He is not just the foundation and the standard for building but he connects the house to the life. Like a hook up to water and electricity. If you don’t have that its basically like you are camping in a massive permanent tent.

John 6:32-40 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

Vine/bread/water depend on me Jesus uses hunger and thirst as metaphors for dependance he desires.

They dont want Jesus. They just want what he can do for them and that doesn’t yield results. Jesus says feed on ME! Thats what he wants. Did you know that? Way too many of us are in love with the product of life with Jesus but have no interest in life with him. Some important stuff to know: Jesus will not be used for your purposes. He will use you for his. And you will be blessed because its actually for your good. But he is not a pushover that can be hijacked for your agenda, preferences, or purposes. You can try but you will fail to be blessed and full.

The New International Version (Chapter 15)

John 15:1-5 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

After you get saved you are trying to do it yourself. Trying to white knuckle obedience but your life demonstrates no dependance. Thats why you dont have fruit. Thats why you dont have life to the full.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 10:7-18 (NIV) Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Others of us would say tonight Jackson you dont know man. You dont know what I have done. What I have seen. The guilt that I carry. And you feel such shame. Such distance that is insurmountable. We cant even talk fruit because you know you dont belong in this story. Can I affirm you. Your right. You have no place in this story… BUT GOD showed up in the person of Jesus. And this is what he did:

Came that you would have life. You and me who dont deserve it.

Came to give his life for you because he loves you so much. The plumbline is still intact he wont change the standards for you. So instead he meets the standards on your behalf buy taking the penalty of your error. So that you could have what he deserves: Everlasting life.

I know. Its too good to be true. This is how good our God is. SO STOP running tonight! Please. Stop trying to pay for your own guilt tonight. Stop attempting to justify yourself. Collapse into his arms tonight and find a God who has been sprinting after you and loves you enough to die for you to protect you.