The Challenging Christ, Are We Listening?

CHRIST OFFERS A CHALLENGE TO THE HUNGRY.

Jesus challenges the hungry to come to Him, Matthew 22:4 “So he sent other servants to tell them, ‘The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’

Jesus challenges the hungry to come without price or payback: Isaiah 55:1 “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free!

Jesus challenges to a life free from hunger; John 6:35 “Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

JESUS OFFERS A CHALLENGE TO US THAT ARE THIRSTY.

Jesus challenges the thirsty with everlasting life; John 4:14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

Jesus challenges the thirsty with another promise; John 7:38 “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”

Jesus challenges the thirsty by the church; Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.

JESUS OFFERS A CHALLENGE TO THE WEARY. (ANYONE WITH US TODAY WEARY???????)

Jesus challenges the weary to come to Him; Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Our Jesus challenges with the promise of peace; John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus challenges with the promise of eternal rest; (ANYONE LOOKING FOR ETERNAL REST?????) Revelation 14:13 “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from their hard work; for their good deeds follow them!”

JESUS OFFERS A CHALLENGE TO THE BACKSLIDER. UH OH!!!!! ANY BACKSLIDERS WITH US TODAY? A CHALLENGE FROM OUR Lord???????

Jesus challenges US to repent.

Jesus challenges us to return to the way we loved Him when we first loved HIM! Revelation 2:4–5 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! 5 Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

Our Lord challenges us with a promise of forgiveness; 1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”

JESUS OFFERS US A CHALLENGE TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

He challenges them to remember God; Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

Jesus challenges us to live for Him; Philippians 1:20–23 20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

Jesus CHRIST OFFERS A CHALLENGE TO HIS SAINTS (To Us). Now Jesus is telling us of what we are to be doing. Are we doing the WORK?

We are challenged to be a witness to Jesus; Matthew 28:19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus is challenging us to pray;

Matthew 7:7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Luke 18:1 “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”

Jesus is challenging US to surrender and change our lives for HIM; Romans 12:1–2 “1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

JESUS OFFERS A CHALLENGE TO PREACHERS, ME.....So, am I doing the WORK?

2 Timothy 2:15 “15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 2 Timothy 3:14–17 (NLT)14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

Jesus challenges the preacher to preach the Word; 2 Timothy 4:1–4 “1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”

3. He challenges the preacher to a consecrated, well lived, Holy life; 1 Timothy 6:11–12 “11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.”

So, in closing we see and have been instructed by Jesus on what we must be doing. I have laid out specific scripture that tells us what we are to be doing. You can get a hard copy of this sermon, just ask.

AMEN