What happens now?
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Intro and Tension
Intro and Tension
Just been Christmas | May have heard story 1st time | 100th time | I wonder, anything has changed in you? If Birth of Jesus sparked revelation?
and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
All through Jesus’ ministry, Those who believed those and embraced JC as Saviour - Lives changed forever…not just saw - Believed & Embraced.
All month = “New Birth” | Today = “New Perspective” - What a new perspective on Christmas may mean for you = If you embrace Jesus Christ.
Christmas over, lights come down soon, but what happens now we’ve heard the best news in the world?
Title: What happens now?
**Pray**
Where we going today? Look at some perspectives to Jesus in Gospels | What changed for them after they ‘embraced’… The risen Jesus.
For you | See if God prods sometihng & see yourself in one
Please hear me | God wants to peel back layers heart today | Insecurities, pride, arrogance, doubt - in attempt to get your heart.
In love - Let’s go there.
You’ll find today in these people = They had a perspective - Changes when meet Risen Jesus | Hopefully today - Your perspective may change of Risen Jesus
Definition of Perspective; a particular attitude towards or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Water - The water is Clean - Perspective based on Information - Perception is not just way we see it - informs our behaviour;
*Make water dirty* - Would you drink it now? Why not? Cause it’s dirty..
How else perception informs behaviour?
Do we see things the way they truly are?
What else?
Perception of Jesus | Baby | Man | King of Kings | Lord of Peace
Your perception of Jesus will determine your commitment to let Jesus change your life.
Because regardless what your perception is, there is truth - Regardless of what your perception is, the Truth will set you free. **Balls Picture**
Are we living with lines over our percetption of Jesus.
Let’s dive in;
James = Half brother | Someone around at birth | In the house of Jesus | borcolli to choc etc.
Imagine Mary’s talks to james - he big deal
and yet; he wouldn’t have anything of it - He dismissed him;
Time when Jesus did some healings, miracles, great crowd- What did family do?
And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
“Crazy Pills - Get him inside”
A time they told Jesus go to Jerusulem = Arrested. Why?
For not even his brothers believed in him.
James’ Perception = He clearly not…Son of God = Dismissed him.
I wonder how many of us - been in the house 30 years | Heard Christmas story 50 - and yet = dismisses his power
Doesn’t matter if 30 years - Christmas story 50 times - if dismissed his power to change your situation.
Jesus says - Come like little child.
and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Why? Nate - 6 years old - every morning - hugs me - hasn’t lost awe and wonder - until he gets to smelly teenager
Reason Jesus says this - Cause kids have awe, and wonder, every time.
Do you have awe and wonder, every time you hear christmas story or have you dismissed Jesus’ power.
What changes for you?
Next Perception.
Peter | Jesus Best friend on Earth | First
to recognise Jesus = Son of God | Might say = Pretty awesome.
and yet - Peter had problem with Pride.
Just before Jesus crucifiction | after last supper | takes disciples to mount olives - Tells them what’s going down | Jesus says - When I Die, Sheep will scatter- but will be reunited
Peter says…nope - Jesus talks to him directly;
Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.
JC telling Peter What’s up | When JC says something = Better listen
Peters perception; He was stronger than he thought - Knew more than he did = Pride
What are we learning?
Listen - Jesus doesn’t despise your weaknesses - Actually quite opposite
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What hurts us - is when hide our weaknesses from Him - why?
He wants to work through your weaknesses for His Glory
You remove the cross’s power if you think we don’t need him
I wonder, how many of us, like peter - went through Christmas, and we call Jesus our best friend - yet we are hiding a weakness from him.
**Mask Prop** Living behind mask of pride - need to admit, maybe I don’t have it all together.
Pride misses the power that Jesus can have on your situation
3rd and last perception
Thomas | Disciple | Wasn’t at first encounter of resurrection | His reaction;
Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
Sometimes called “Thomas the doubter” - not enough credit - FLAT OUT DID NOT BELIEVE, and yet - He wanted to.
remember - Jesus came down from Transfiguration and boy with unclean spirit, and his father says to Jesus;
“I believe, help me with my unbelief.”
I believe Thomas, was in same place here Why? He waited and did not leave.
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Might be you - See miracle of Jesus birth - think “Man this must be real”
but not real enough to solve your issues - heal your body -
We need perception shift.
don’t believe yet? - just don’t leave - Cry out to God.
Don’t get trapped thinking “Turning up is enough” - Well Jesus didn’t come through, so what’s the point.
*Pill* - doesn’t matter how close you get - if you don’t believe it will save you.
Don’t become religious for the sake of becoming religious;
Learn to turn your doubt into desire
So what happened to these 3?
Well Thomas, had an encounter
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
touched holes of Jesus and became a worshipper;
James - Met the resurrected Jesus;
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
James went from scoffer, dismisser, to what? Proud to be his brother? Nope…
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
A servant…why? Because he had encounter, that lead to an embrace…
Peter? Jesus Appeared on beach | What did Peter do? Jumped in from boat | had to see his saviour |
What did Peter become?
Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
A servant…of Jesus Christ…why?
He had an encounter - Saw Jesus on the beach - wasn’t enough - had to have an embrace…
Some of us need to;
Take a step of faith, to embrace…Jesus as Lord.
And your life…will change forever…
Some of us standing on boat | With Jesus on shore | Pointing - Saying - Man, Jesus can change your life if you just hear this christmas message
Listen
Jesus can change your life if you just hear the christmas message..and Embrace him as your everything.
Drop your pride | Give him your weakness and Have faith… That the name JESUS holds POWER…
**Drink Water**
don’t worry = not grass, not dirt - Super greens and protein - Good for me - just because that was your perception…
What happens if your perception of Jesus changes today??
Here is our point;
Your life will change when you choose to embrace Jesus and make it all about His life.
How? - January, we are going to explore this.
To Close today:
YouVersion bible App | Most Downloaed/searched;
fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
People still searching for Hope.
Just went through Christmas where we examined Mary embracing Jesus -
But what are we learning today?
God wants to embrace you - And his arms are out - He has done what He needed to do | Came down - Went to the Cross - Defeated Death - You just gotta make choice to fall into his arms today;
Not just if you don’t know him - but if you do know him.
Will you make the choice, to embrace Jesus…today?
*Prayer*