Learning How to Follow Jesus

Series

what do we do? beliefs are not internal; intellectual; following Jesus is not inward; yes, man looks on the outside, but God looks on the heart; but our beliefs are revealed by our actions; practice what we preach

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Why? Wrong uses of the Bible

heart of the UMC - not exclusion, hatred (although history tells us we aren’t immunte to this); biblical interpretation

weapon; tool to badger; win the argument

Knowing God; withstanding storms; sustaining ministry

2 things: hear and put into action

how many people built their own houses.

I”m seeing this as gradual, not a quick storm

need a foundation? no

pilings/piers/stilts. Think of the way a pier or deck is built. Posts are planted in the ground and joists are attached. Look at houses built in major flood plains or coastal areas, where the house rests well up and off the ground. These houses are not built on foundations, but rather stilts/posts on pilings.

yes

hold a house above ground. It also keeps out moisture, insulates against the cold, and resists movement of the earth around it.

compliance with building codes

Matthew 7:24 NIV

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

2 applications: Finding God in Scripture and withstanding storms

Bible is misused in a few ways:

tool to badger

Challenge: Get close to the Words of God; God is in there!

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 NIV

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

what i told you that you can find God in the Bible - because He’s in there; get close to these words;

underline; post it notes; audio; ..;get close

epilogue - sustain us in ministry

start but can’t