Salt Week 2

Have you wondered about God?

Have you ever wondered how things work?

What is something that you are interested in that you want to know more about how it works?

For me, I’m blown away by our bodies.

It’s crazy to me how subconsciously our lungs just work.

Right now, I have no control over this, but my body takes in air, it filters the oxygen and exhales the Carbon dioxide.

Then it carries the oxygen to our blood which our blood then disperses it throughout our bodies.

I mean what?

I have no control over that. How does that happen and work?

The over-simplistic answer is that God created our bodies to do that and that’s true.

But isn’t that just too simple?

I mean, it’s fascinating to know Why… And to dig deeper into that.

Maybe you like cars.

Maybe you like plants.

Maybe it’s just sports for you and trying to understand the game deeper that you play and love.

What is something that you are interested in that you want to know more about how it works?

What about the fact that there has never been a time God didn’t exist?

He’s always been there.

Isn’t that a wild thought?

Can someone read Colossians 1:15 and Colossians 1:20 for us this morning.

Colossians 1:15 “15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

Colossians 1:20 “20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

What does Paul say in this passage about how we get to know the invisible God?

What specific things do these 2 passages we just read tell us about Jesus?

What is Paul saying here about how we get to know the invisible God?

There are 5 clear things just through these 2 verses that we can know about God.

He is Pre-existent - He was before Creation.

He is supreme - He is over all of creation.

He is reconciler - You can’t be right with Him without Him.

He has offered peace to all of us.

He sacrificially went to the cross for us.

Aren’t those 5 things amazing?

We don’t have to wonder about God.

Sometimes I feel like I do.

“God where are you right now in this horrible situation?” I might say.

But then I remember, whatever the situation and no matter how horrible, God’s story is bigger than this part of the story I’m experiencing right now.

So what does this mean to us personally?

What does knowing Jesus look like?

What does “knowing Jesus better than you currently do” look like?”

Is knowing Jesus about more than just filling your head with facts about Jesus?

Jesus didn’t primarily die on the cross so that you could go to heaven when you die.

Did you now that?

He died to restore the relationship with you that was broken in the garden.

Wouldn’t it be weird to show up at your house today after church and you walk in and you don’t know anybody that’s there?

It’s just 7 strangers and they all say “Welcome home!” as you come in the door.

Lunch is on the table.

Everything looks perfect in the house.

Even your stuff is still there. But everyone there isn’t your family. You don’t know any of them.

What would be weird about that?

Why then do we think God would give us heaven without a relationship with him?

Wouldn’t that be like showing up at home to a bunch of strangers?

Home is home not because of the stuff inside, but because of the relationships among those who live there.

Heaven is home, not because of the stuff that’s there waiting for us, but because of the relationship we have with an almighty, gracious, merciful, wonderful God.

So let’s end today with some relationship statements Jesus made in the gospel of John.

I am the bread of life. - Jesus satisfies my spiritual needs

John 6:35 “35 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.”

I am the light of the world - Jesus shows me how to live

John 8:12 “12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.””

I am the way the truth and the life . No one comes to the Father except through me. - Jesus restores my relationship with the father.

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

I am the vine. - Jesus lives in me and empowers me.

John 15:5 “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.”

Which of these I am statements stick out to you the most?

We can take those 4 things with us today.

Do you know that about Jesus?

That he satisfies, gives life, restores our relationship and empowers us by living in us?

We have that. May we all live from that.

Let’s pray and head across the street this morning.