Jesus & the Three
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Relational: Jesus & the Three
We are in Week 4 of our series “Relational”.
Our vision as a church is for every person to Be Found, Be Changed, Be Known, and Now Go.
Be Found: We want you to found in Jesus’ grace. Lost but now Found
Be Changed: We want you to experience the freedom only He can give.
Now Go: We want you to make a Kingdom difference in this world.
But today, we’re focusing on that third one: Be Known.
You can’t “Be Known” from the seat you’re sitting in right now. You have to make time to slow down, get in a room, get in a circle in a SMG.
*Explain relational SMG model. (both and):
• Invite ppl – Be Found
• Serve each other and others together
• Apprentice: Grow into a Leader
Last week: Interest form / QR code: 8
Plug for: Practicing the Way SMG features eight sessions of teaching, guided conversation, and spiritual exercises designed to lay a foundation for lifelong apprenticeship to Jesus.
• Coming back to faith / Or newer to the faith
The Challenge: We are too busy doing to many things. We’ve traded intimacy for activity. Let’s admit it, most of us are exhausted from the go, go, go. – Which cost us our growth and connectedness.
But if we look at the life of Jesus, He lived His life by slowing down and spending most of His time in intimate circles.
Jesus connected with the masses, but connected more deeply as the number of people and connectiveness grew smaller.
• Jesus loved and taught the masses (The 5,000) They heard his teachings and hundreds followed.
• Jesus trained leaders (The 70) and they were commissioned.
• Jesus discipled the (The 12) and they were his constant companions. His top 12 movement leaders.
• But Jesus shared His every part of His life with (The 3). Three were his close confidants and the future point leaders of His Kingdom movement. – Big Three in NBA
Miami Heat: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green
Jesus didn’t give everyone the same level of access as His Big 3: Peter, James, and John. We all need a Big 3.
Why just Three for Jesus? Because intimacy is a math problem. Jesus just like us had a limited amount of time and emotional energy. If you try to go “deep” with everyone, you’ll end up being “shallow” with everyone.
1. Jesus shows us that deep relationships require intentional investment. (Bulletin & Slide)
Let’s look at three moments where Jesus pulled “The Three” aside, because these three moments show us exactly why we need a SMG.
Jesus loved everyone, but He trusted a few with greater access.
In Mark 5, Jesus is going to heal a little girl. The house is full of noisy people, skeptics, and mourners.
37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.
Vs 37: He did not let anyone follow him except the little girls’ parents and the “Big 3” Peter, James and John.
He literally kicked the crowd out so He could bring the inner circle in. Why? Because the environment of a miracle requires an environment of faith.
Your inner circle protects your environment. (peace, family)
There are things God wants to do in your life that He won’t do in front of the crowd. He waits until you’re with people you trust.
Access is earned, not given. It takes time to trust and find them.
Jesus loved all the ppl there, but He didn't invite them into the room. You have to be careful who you give a front-row seat into your life. If they aren't helping you get closer to Jesus, they shouldn't have inner circle access.
Ill: Think of your relationships like a safety net under a trapeze artist. The crowd is there to watch you fly. But the Three are the ones holding the safety net ropes. When you fall and we all fall, the crowd gasps, but the inner circle catches.
2. Deep relationships require vulnerability. (Bulletin & Slide)
1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
Now, fast forward. Jesus takes the same three guys up a high mountain. He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun.
They saw Him for who He really was.
Up until this point, they saw Jesus the Teacher, Jesus the Healer. Now, they see Jesus the God-Man. This was a moment of extreme vulnerability. He showed them His glory.
You can’t grow if you’re wearing a mask. – Be Known
The reason many of us aren't growing is that we are coming to church with our Sunday best masks on. We’re “Fine”. Everything is “Good.” But in a SMG, the mask is safe to comes off.
Truth: Real life-change happens at the intersection of honesty and transparency. – If you really knew me.
I was taught you are only as healthy as the secrets you keep. Jesus had no secrets from the Three.
3. Deep relationships require presence. (Bulletin & Slide)
Presence in the chaos
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
Jesus is overwhelmed with sorrow. Ever had a night like that?
He tells them, stay here and keep watch with me. – Presence!
The Madison / Michelle Phifer / M: Calls “Are you, my friend? Think real hard before you answer.” A: You’re my best friend. M:Get on a plane, I need you! A: text me the address I will be there first thing tomorrow.
Deep relationships are forged in the fire.
• Forged shaped metal made by heating and hammering
• Famous ppl who lose everything see who their true friends are.
Notice Jesus didn't just “happen” to be with them. He took them with Him. He was intentional.
You have to schedule your support system.
If you wait until you’re in a crisis to find a SMG, it might be too late. You don’t build a levee during the flood; you build it when the sun is shining. Deep relationships are an investment you make today for a return you’ll need tomorrow.
Ill: Sand bags being filled early or to later. 1997–1998: El Niño
If the Son of God needed people to “watch and pray” with Him in His darkest hour, what makes us think we can do life alone? You need a SMG, you need your Big 3!
4. Deep relationships require, encouragement, and accountability. (Bulletin & Slide) You can do it! / You are better than that!
In a SMG, you get three things you can’t get anywhere else:
People who Know you: Not just your name, but your struggle. (Be Known).
People who Encourage you: Who remind you of God’s best version of you when you’re tired and struggling.
People who Challenge you: Who love you enough to tell you when you’re being a jerk or drifting from God.
Action: The "Be Known" step: As we wrap up, I want you to look at our vision one more time.
You’ve been Found by God’s grace. You’re being Changed by His Spirit. But are you Known?
If you were to disappear tomorrow, who would notice? Who would pray? Who would show up at your door with a meal and encouragement?
5. Deep relationships require sacrifice.
SMG Sacrifice: Schedule it, Attend it, Grow, and Give back to others.
The Big 3 understood sacrifice:
• James was the first of the Twelve to be martyred, providing the church with its first example of ultimate sacrifice.
• The bible tells us Peter was crucified / Some believe he pleaded to be crucified upside down. – Not in the Bible
• John boiled in oil and banished to a remote island.
SMG’s aren't just “another program” at our church. It is our purpose. Our Sunday services are where we celebrate God together, but SMG’s are where we do life and grow together.
The Challenge: This week, I’m asking every one of you to take a step. Don't just be a face in the crowd. Be a person in a circle.
Prayer: Lord, I pray for every person under the sound of my voice. I pray they would have the courage to be vulnerable, the intentionality to invest, and the joy of being truly known. Help us move from the crowd to the circle. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
