Take A Good Hard Look At Jesus

Introduction

Taking a good hard look at what and who we glorify.

Because things and people both let us down and disappoint us.

Illustrate: iPhone glitches with voice to text

Even sometimes within the church we are disappointed because even though we are preparing one another to do the work that God has called us to do, we have not yet been perfected and we make mistakes.

It is by the grace of God that we are who we are and we do what we do

What are you looking at today?

What did you come to do today?

Who did you come to serve?

What did you come to see or receive today?

I encourage you, today, to take, a good hard look at Jesus Christ.

Transition: In our passage today God is calling the church to be united in remembering what has been accomplished through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and God is calling the unbeliever too, while you are looking at various options for your faith and spiritual life, to take a good hard look at Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 3:1 The Message

So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe,

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Look From The Proper Perspective

We are holy (Christian) siblings (friends)

We are called to be Holy as God is Holy!

God’s holiness is demonstrated by God’s:

Goodness- no evil or darkness in God

Love- unconditional

Mercy- forgiveness

Grace- unearned free gift

And through the Holy Spirit we are called to be Christlike and consequentially reveal Jesus Christ to the world

Different from the world

Illustrate: Division in the world vs. Unity within the body of Jesus Christ on occasions such as today at Church in the Park

We Are In Spiritual Family

Families stick together

We have a heavenly call (mission/assignment)

Earth cannot accomplish what God the Father has completed through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, burial, & resurrection

Illustrate: Division in the United States & world vs. Unity within the body of Jesus Christ on occasions such as today at Church in the Park.

Government of the people ought to bring unity and more equitable laws, right?

But fallen humanity cannot do what only Jesus can do

What the world needs now is Jesus!!!!!

And we work together

We share the burden together

We partner together

We fellowship together

We hang out with one another

Illustration: An associate vs. employee in an enterprise or undertaking, companion. Our enterprise is the Kingdom of God

Transition 1: Remember what connects us together. What are the ties that bind each and every believer, every local congregation represented here at Church At the Park today! Why do we show up on occasions such this. What unites us together?

Transition 2: After we look with the proper perspective

Now Take A Good Hard Look At Jesus!

Jesus is the messenger

Mark 1:1 ESV

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Philippians 2:4–8 ESV

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:4-8

John 1:11 ESV

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

And Jesus is the message which we confess

Confess- to express openly one’s allegiance to a proposition or person

To express openly one’s allegiance to a proposition or person

Jesus is the center piece

Jesus is the main and only attraction!

Jesus the author (initiates) and finisher (concludes) of our faith

John 1:29 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world

John 3:16–17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Hebrews 3:2 ESV

who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.

My beloved be Holy as God is holy!

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:

Confess

To express openly one’s allegiance to a proposition or person

1 John 3:1–3 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

This is the message which we confess!

Hebrews 3:2 ESV

who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house.

God, Jesus Christ, is faithful

Jesus Christ is trustworthy

Even when we are not faithful, God is still faithful

It was on a good Friday a long time ago

Jesus died on an old rugged cross

Right about now, some of you may be wondering why was it a Good Friday when Jesus died?

Then they put Jesus in a borrowed tomb

That’s not good news!

But early, three days later, Jesus got up with all power and authority.

Do you know Jesus today?

Have you tried Jesus?

Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Have you tried Jesus, He’s alright?

Ain’t he alright!!!!