What If They Don't Follow Us?

Jesus Is King is the ninth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on October 25, 2019, through GOOD Music and distributed by Def Jam Recordings.

The album follows a Christian theme, with West describing it as "an expression of the gospel."

West had formed his gospel group the Sunday Service Choir in January 2019, performing gospel songs and covers of songs from West's discography.

Yusef- “They hate us out there”

According to Wren Graves of Consequence Of Sound Online Magazine

Kanye West is apparently in the midst of a religious awakening. He’s stopped cursing and asked those around him to do the same and has even instructed his inner circle to refrain from premarital sex — a request that seems strange coming from the creative director of the 2018 PornHub awards. West’s Christianity has pervaded his music since “Jesus Walks”, but then again, even between the calls for salvation, that track was punctuated with profanities. One of the biggest artists of our time is having a Moment, and it’s feeling much less like Dylan going electric and much more like Snoop Dog saying, “Call me Snoop Lion.”

Whether West’s newfound religious commitment will last for the rest of his life, or merely this promotional cycle, his ninth album, Jesus Is King, is a sincerely religious work. It blends hip-hop with Evangelical gospel traditions to create a vehicle for praising God.

Andrew Chow of Time Magaine on November 1, 2019 wrote an article titled: “How Kanye West's Controversial ‘Jesus Is King’ Is Dividing the Christian Community”

On Jesus Is King, Kanye West depicts himself as a lonely martyr barred from the Christian kingdom.

Do you believe it?

“They’ll be the first one to judge me / Make it feel like nobody love me,” he says of Christians in “Hands On.” In another track, “Selah,” he compares himself to a Biblical patriarch: “Before the flood, people judge / They did the same thing to Noah.”

West has certainly received a fair amount of backlash for his hard turn toward spiritual music. On Twitter, blog posts and published articles, black Christians have frequently accused West of hypocrisy and commodification — especially given his support of Donald Trump and his eyebrow-raising comment that slavery “sounds like a choice.”

But West has also received a groundswell of support— particularly from gospel artists themselves. Many of these musicians believe that no matter what they think about West’s politics, it’s more important that a prominent artist with an enormous reach is relying on gospel traditions to talk fervently about God.

The church has at a minimum responded with skepticism to Kanye West and his “Jesus Is King” album:

Is Christ really at the Center?

It has to reach the young people

His view on politics is different from mine—and that’s fine

But more often than not the response has been one of derision and dismissive- with many pastors and church goers expressing contempt or ridicule.

Well this is not a new issue for the church...

And more often than not dismissive response)

dismissive and derisive response

(expressing contempt or ridicule.

(In our text today, we find…)

Illustrate: Kanye West’s “Jesus Is King”

It has to reach the young people

Jesus Is King is the ninth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West. It was released on October 25, 2019, through GOOD Music and distributed by Def Jam Recordings. The album follows a Christian theme, with West describing it as "an expression of the gospel." West had formed his gospel group the Sunday Service Choir in January 2019, performing gospel songs and covers of songs from West's discography.

Mother- “They hate your brilliance”

His view on politics is different from mine—and that’s fine

A Gospel Proclaiming Kanye who does not follow the crowd

The disciples finding fault with those who follow Jesus but do not follow their way of following Jesus

The disciples named Peter wants to build & maintain buildings, I mean tents or tabernacles, places of worship

Whereas those who do not follow them are casting out Evil spirits in the name of Jesus

A faithless generation & Non-praying Disciples are powerless

Mark 9:30–32 ESV

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Disciples arguing about who is the greatest instead of focusing on serving

Disciples receive one such child in Jesus name receives him who sent Jesus

The father wants us to receive those who show child like faith- total dependence on God the Father though His son Jesus Christ

Transition To Body: In A Gospel Centered Church

Context of .

In A Gospel Centered Church

Ministry Matters More Than Buildings

Mark 9:2–13 ESV

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

The transfiguration and Peter thinking it being good that the 3 disciples and Jesus remain there with Moses & Elijah and build 3 tents

The disciples named Peter wants to build & maintain buildings, I mean tents or tabernacles, places of worship

Healing Power Comes Through Prayer

A faithless generation & Non-praying Disciples are powerless

Disciples lack power because of their either nonexistent or anemic prayer life

Whereas those who do not follow them are casting out Evil spirits in the name of Jesus

Jesus‘ Followers Practice Cruciform Living

Illustration: The plain sword used by knights, distinctive due to the flat bar used as a guard. The overall shape of the sword when held point down is that of a cross.

It is believed this shape was encouraged by the church to remind Knights of their religion.[citation needed] It was however very popular due to the protection it offered to the hand and certain attacks that rely on the cross to trap the blade of the enemy.

Jesus teaching, saying He will be killed and the disciples not understanding the saying and afraid to ask questions

Disciples arguing about who is the greatest instead of focusing on serving

Disciples receive one such child in Jesus name receives him who sent Jesus

The father wants us to receive those who show child like faith- total dependence on God the Father though His son Jesus Christ

Greatness Is Secured Through Service

Disciples arguing about who is the greatest instead of focusing on serving.

Disciples receive one such child in Jesus name receives him who sent Jesus

The father wants us to receive those who show child like faith- total dependence on God the Father though His son Jesus Christ

Accepting God Equals Accepting The Powerless

Disciples receive one such child in Jesus name receives him who sent Jesus

The father wants us to receive those who show child like faith- total dependence on God the Father though His son Jesus Christ

Mission Matters More Than Insiderism

The characteristic behavior of insiders

Attitudes or behavior which are preferential to insiders

Body- Mission Matters More Than Insiderism So

lit. to move behind someone in the same direction, come after

to follow or accompany someone who takes the lead, accompany, go along with

Us= ego

lit. to move behind someone in the same direction, come after

to follow or accompany someone who takes the lead, accompany, go along with

Us= ego

Our Faith Overrides Ego (v38)

Mark 9:38 ESV

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”

He was not following us

lit. to move behind someone in the same direction, come after

to follow or accompany someone who takes the lead, accompany, go along with

They do not follow us

Us= ego

Factionalism is a class spirit which will sacrifice the interest of the whole to the interest of the class.

(IVPBBCNT): Sectarian attitudes were common in Judaism, as the Dead Sea Scrolls testify. (Some Jewish groups would break away from others over such issues as the correct day for Passover.)

The Troubles

Illustration: The Troubles (Irish: Na Trioblóidí) were an ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland during the late 20th century. Also known internationally as the Northern Ireland conflict, it is sometimes described as an "irregular war" or "low-level war". The conflict began in the late 1960s and is usually deemed to have ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. Although the Troubles primarily took place in Northern Ireland, at times the violence spilled over into parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and mainland Europe.

The conflict was primarily political and nationalistic, fuelled by historical events. It also had an ethnic or sectariandimension, although it was not a religious conflict. A key issue was the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Unionists/loyalists, who were mostly Protestants, wanted Northern Ireland to remain within the United Kingdom. Irish nationalists/republicans, who were mostly Catholics, wanted Northern Ireland to leave the United Kingdom and join a united Ireland.

(So Our Faith Overrides Ego, yet)

Our Power Glorifies God (v39)

Mark 9:39 ESV

39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me.

(IVPBBCNT): 9:39. Merely recognizing Jesus’ name is one thing, but having the faith to do a miracle in that name indicates that this man was not just a typical exorcist trying to use a more powerful name to accomplish miracles, as exorcists often did ().

(So Our Faith Overrides Ego,)

Our Power Glorifies God, but)

Our Allies Follow Jesus (v40)

Mark 9:40 ESV

40 For the one who is not against us is for us.

(So Our Faith Overrides Ego,)

Our Power Glorifies God,)

Our Allies Follow Jesus, and)

Our God Remembers Everything (v41)

Mark 9:41 ESV

41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

Genesis 8:1 ESV

1 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided.

Genesis 19:29 ESV

29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.

Genesis 30:12 ESV

12 Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.

Genesis 30:22 ESV

22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.

1 Samuel 1:19 ESV

19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the Lord remembered her.

Transition To Close- Only What You Do For Christ Will Last

You may build great cathedrals large or small, you can build skyscrapers grand and tall, you may conquer all the failures of the past, but only what you do for Christ will last.

Remember only what You do for Christ will last. Remember only what you do for Christ will last, only what you do for Him will be counted at the end; only what you do for Christ will last.

You may seek earthly power and fame, the world might be impressed by your great name, soon the glories of this life will all be past, but only what you do for Christ will last.

Remember only what You do for Christ will last. Remember only what you do for Christ will last, only what you do for Him will be counted at the end; only what you do for Christ will last.

Though your armies may control each hemisphere, and your orbits out in space cause men to cheer, your scientific knowledge may be vast, but only what you do for Christ will last.

Remember only what You do for Christ will last. Remember only what you do for Christ will last, only what you do for Him will be counted at the end; only what you do for Christ will last.

Though your song and prayers are heard and praised by man, they've no meaning unless you've been born again, sinner, heed these words, don't let this harvest pass, for only what you do for Christ will last.

Remember only what You do for Christ will last. Remember only what you do for Christ will last, only what you do for Him will be counted at the end; only what you do for Christ will last.

Close- And you ought to rejoice when Jesus Did Not Follow the Crowd

Close: And you ought to rejoice when Jesus Did Not Follow the Crowd

Mark 9:1 ESV

1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

“And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power."”

Romans 14:17 ESV

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/mrk.9.1.esv

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/rom.14.17.esv

Because On One Friday

They hung Jesus High on a cross

John 12:32–33 ESV

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die.”

ESV

So Look to Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 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.

“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.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/heb.12.2.esv

Heaven Rejoices When Jesus does not follow the crowd

Luke 15:1–2 ESV

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

John 15:1–2 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Joy Over One Found Sheep

Luke 15:7 ESV

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15

- Joy over a found sheep

Joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance

- Joy over a found lost coin

Joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents

Luke 15:10 ESV

10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

- It was fitting

Do All To the Glory Of God

1 Corinthians 10:31-33

It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found

1 Corinthians 10:31–33 ESV

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”

ESV

For The Sake Of The Gospel

1 Corinthians 9:22–23 ESV

22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

https://www.bible.com/59/1co.10.31-33.esv

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/1co.9.22-23.esv

Gospel Centered Church is a church on Mission for Jesus Christ

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

“And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."”

ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/mat.28.18-20.esv

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