MVMNT | EDGERS

I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Ps 122:1

I am so thankful to join you in the house of the Lord today and want to offer my welcome to all of those joining us online and in the house today. I thank God for you and for the gift of our church. I rejoice with you everytime we gather - whether in times of joy or sorrow - I rejoice with you because Jesus made a way for us back to our Father and gave us his Spirit to overcome!

Any overcomers here with us today? Amen!

Ever hear the phrase: “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God!”

A missionary named William Carey spoke these words at a missions conference in England in 1792. Less than a year later, filled with unstoppable passion and vision, Carey and his family set sail for Kolkata, India.

In their first years, Carey’s family endured tragic losses. His mission partner betrayed them and stole their first year’s mission wage, and his wife and youngest son died of illness. Yet, somehow in the face of great opposition, Carey persevered and followed the movement of Jesus amidst terrible hardship. After his 5 year old son, Peter, passed away, he wrote in his diary:

Psalm 122:1 NLT

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

“This is indeed the valley of the shadow of death to me... But I rejoice that I am here, notwithstanding; and God is here, who not only can have compassion, but is able to save to the uttermost.” Carey’s joy amidst such agonizing sorrow bears witness to the white hot mission of Jesus that drove his vision. Following these tragedies, Carey founded Serampore College to prepare men and women in India for ministry, which is still in operation to this day. He translated the complete Bible for the first time into the 6 major languages of India. In addition, he also translated the New Testament into 29 regional dialects. He also founded the Baptist Missionary Society, which continues to this day with missionaries serving in 30 countries around the world. When historians reflect on Carey’s work, they attribute the rise of modern Christianity in India and Indonesia to his missionary leadership, along with the societal changes that led to the end of widespread infanticide, widow burnings, and assisted suicide. You may not know the name William Carey or care much about this man, but his obedience to the movement of Jesus resulted in over a billion people gaining access to God’s Word in their native language. Ordinary obedience to an extraordinary God.

That’s what builds a movement. The witness of Carey's life raises the question for all of us: What is driving your life? Because something is driving all of us, so what drives you? Maybe a harder question to ask is: Do you even know? This day, the Sunday before Easter, is traditionally called Palm Sunday and commemorates the day when Jesus entered into Jerusalem for the final time. On this day, men and women hailed him as Lord and Savior, waving palm branches and crying out ‘Hosanna, Hosanna,’ which means, “God save us,” but less than 5 days later on a day that we solemnly call Good Friday, Jesus would hear the cries of people shouting ‘crucify him, crucify him’ and die on a Roman criminal cross. Palm Sunday gives us an opportunity to reflect on what drives us because on this day in Jesus’ life, he showed us what drives him. Over these last couple of weeks, we’ve been studying through select passages in the Gospel of Mark and letting him teach us how to move with Jesus here and now. In the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus calls you to follow him to:

Go to the people, for the people Act as a servant leader Overcome sin Embody Christ’s salvation in your life Lead with character and humility Live free and sober minded Admit your need Take time outs to rest with Jesus Show and tell the good news And, stay aware of your emotional health God moved to the people, for the people in Christ Jesus.

In the second chapter, Mark shows how a group of friends modeled the characteristics of people on the move with Jesus through:

Determination Care Faith Love Brotherhood Friends bring friends to Jesus.

Now, as we fast forward through the next few years of Jesus’ public ministry, Mark invites the reader to experience how Jesus moved on mission when the pressure mounted and the heat turned up! About a day or two before Jesus entered into Jerusalem, Mark records a few key moments that bring meaning to what was about to happen over the next week. He writes in chapter 10, verse 32:

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” Mark 10:32–34.

This was the third time in Mark’s Gospel that Jesus predicted his death. Mark says the disciples looked ‘astonished,’ while the others felt ‘afraid’ ... which begs the question: “Why did his closest disciples, the 12, feel so differently from the others?” Well, Mark seems to give us a clue in the first half of verse 32, saying: “They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way...” It’s a short clue and easy to miss, but a few key words in this verse connect the reader to one of the larger, overarching themes in Mark’s Gospel: Jesus as King and Messiah. Mark introduces this theme in Jesus’ baptism in chapter 1. In that moment, God the Father said to Jesus, You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Mark 1:11.

The Father’s words not only inaugurated Jesus’ ministry, but in fact, crowned Jesus as King and anointed him as Messiah. Now, fast forward about 3 years later to this moment here, and Mark says that Jesus and his followers are on their way up to Jerusalem. The road between Jericho and Jerusalem is roughly 18 miles long and covers about 3500 feet of elevation, so the travel is literally up and steep, but I don’t think Mark wants us to focus merely on the geographical landscape in this scene.

I believe he wants us to connect this moment to the larger theme of Jesus as King and Messiah. Jesus isn’t just walking up a steep path.

Jesus is ascending to his throne where he will be given a crown, but not the kind of throne or crown of gold that we would expect of a king. Rather, his throne is a cross, and his crown is piercing thorns.

The picture of Jesus that Mark is painting is of a King ascending to the heights to rule from his seat of power.

Not like the power that so easily corrupts and leads people astray in this world, but the power to save

The Apostle Paul wrote:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

No other king before him and no other king who would follow after him could do justice and show love like Jesus did from his throne on the cross. Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings.

Unlike other moments when Jesus walked with patience and gentleness among the people, this moment called for leadership and the strength to achieve the victory of salvation that only the true King and Messiah could accomplish for the people.

That is why the disciples looked astonished!

They saw their king walking resolutely up to the holy city in which he would be enthroned!

His other followers felt afraid because they knew what awaited Jesus in Jerusalem: death.

Yet, neither astonishment, nor fear, caused Jesus to think twice about his steadfast commitment to the white hot mission of salvation that drove his vision.

His actions even inspired James and John to ask, Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory. Mark 10:37.

James and John saw the moment for what it meant, but they asked the wrong question. They were following their own pride, not the mission, but over the next few days, they would witness firsthand the kind of kingdom that Jesus was ushering into the world: one founded on servant leadership, not pride.

Mark continues in verse 46:

As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city [Jericho], a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:46–52.

If you read through the OT, believe it or not, you won’t find one single healing of a blind person, not one. The Jewish people believed that such a miracle would be a sign of the Messiah, for Isaiah wrote:

In that day the deaf will hear words read from a book, and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness. Isaiah 29:18

Here, on his way to the throne, after rebuking James and John for asking such a prideful question, blind Bartimaeus saw what James and John missed: Jesus as the true King and Servant Messiah for the world.

As you study through Mark’s Gospel, he likes to place two seemingly opposite stories side by side to convey a larger meaning.

Here two of Jesus’ closest disciples were blinded by their pride. Yet, a blind beggar on the road placed his faith in Jesus to open his eyes to see.

As Jesus followers, the events surrounding Palm Sunday force us to address what drives our vision. Is it our pride and desire for worldly power, or is it our desire to truly ‘see’ Jesus and receive his power for salvation?

Mark tells us that Jesus eventually reached Jerusalem, riding a colt or young donkey as his mighty steed, fulfilling what God declared through his prophet Zechariah:

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— riding on a donkey’s colt. Zechariah 9:9.

During the week that followed his entry into the city, Jesus cleared the temple, showing that he himself is the forgiveness of sin and all we need to fellowship with our Father.

He gave the greatest commandment and shared the Last Supper with his disciples.

In a matter of days, he would be betrayed, mocked, spat upon, beaten, and killed to offer his life as a pleasing and holy sacrifice to satisfy the death that we deserved.

He took our sin upon himself, and he faced our consequence.

Yet, perhaps most surprising of all, the author of Hebrews wrote:

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

For the joy set before him... He never wavered, never faltered because the joy of our friendship with him forever made every agonizing hour worth every second. Hang on that for a moment: Jesus took great joy in saving you, hanging on that cross for you, for us, for those not yet here, for those who ridicule him and use his name in vain. He hung on that cross with agonizing joy to make a way home for us.

Love drove his passion. Friends, what drives you?

With one week left until Easter, how might we help others find and follow the one who endured the cross for the joy of their salvation?

Who are your 7? Have you offered an invitation? Let’s not waver or falter.

Instead, let’s bring others with us as we follow Jesus together.

Here, at Christ Journey, we call that living on the EDGE, and invite every person to move on mission with Jesus to advance his kingdom in the world.

This means moving with Jesus in:

Evangelism, sharing the good news. Discipleship, learning his way Generosity, offering our time, talents, and treasure

Empowerment, leading others to find and follow Jesus

Living on the EDGE leads to the full and abundant life that Jesus promised.

(((Pause)))

A few weeks ago, I finished the ESPN Plus series by Tom Brady called “Man in the Arena.”

In Episode 3, Brady and his former teammates, Tedi Bruschi and Mike Vrabel, talk about the key to the Patriot’s success. These guys called it the EDGE, and they called themselves the EDGERS, leading and influencing the team’s greatness by holding them accountable to achieve the mission!

Brady said in the episode, “You weren’t held accountable to the coach, you weren’t held accountable to the fans, you were held accountable by the guy sitting next to you everyday.”

Vrabel would say to his teammates, “Still not doing the extra? I’m getting the EDGE on you today.”

Together, these guys pushed and provoked their team to do more than they ever thought or imagined that they could do and, ultimately, won the Super Bowl that season.

Tedi Bruschi said, “It takes guts to [play like this]. It takes relationships, and it takes courage.”

Brady said, “It was the joy and enthusiasm of living on the EDGE that carried us [to victory].”

He said, “we ignored the noise. We were the EDGERS. We were going to prove to everyone that we did have the EDGE. We out-worked you. We out-competed you, and when the chance came, we out-willed you.”

When I watched this, I thought: am I watching a football documentary or am I listening to a vision for how the church ought to live in this world?

Listen to the words that they used: Accountability Relationship Courage Joy Enthusiasm

And together, they outwilled their opponent to victory! Jesus lived on the EDGE long before Tom Brady.

Mark shows us a man, a leader, and a God who inspired and challenged his team to live on the EDGE and lead the church to become EDGERS for the world!

Today, we stand in a long line of EDGERS who made bold risks to advance God’s kingdom on mission!

Early church leaders like Paul and Timothy, great men of the faith.

Great women of the faith like Phoebe about whom Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Rome, “Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people.” Romans 16:2

And countless other men and women of the faith across the centuries - like William Carey - who showed ordinary obedience to an extraordinary God and lived on the EDGE!

Let’s be EDGERS and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds!” Hebrews 10:24

The author of Hebrews implored the church to stir it up and provoke one another toward love and doing good in the world just like Tom Brady and the EDGERS spurred on their teammates to achieve a championship. Living on the EDGE takes guts; it takes commitment; and like Bruschi said, it takes relationship and trust.

Being an EDGER takes love.

These are not passive attributes. The church is not a social club. It is a force to be reckoned with. It is the living hands and feet of Jesus alive and active in the world with an opponent who is seeking to “steal, kill, and destroy.” John 10:10

When I listen to interviews like Brady’s, I think to myself, this is our calling, and it was ours before anyone else every called it their own. We have the greatest mission in the world and follow a leader who has already won the victory, so our lives are secure, and we have nothing to fear.

A theologian once wrote, “A scared world needs a fearless church!" AW Tozer What makes a church fearless? Trusting in a fearless Jesus. Mark shows us a King leading from the front without fear.

Friends, are you on the move, living on the EDGE, with your fearless king? Let’s live on the EDGE and spur one another on toward love and good deeds to help others find and follow their Savior.

This week, let’s consider 2 next steps: First, open your eyes to see.

We are blind like bartimaeus. All of us have a blind spot. No one sees everything all the time, so are you blind enough to allow Jesus to drive your vision. Or can see just fine? Bartimaeus was aware enough of his own blindness to see the solution in Jesus. Are you blind enough to see?

Allow Jesus to open your eyes:

To see Jesus on the move and join him there...

To see others in the way Jesus sees them...

To see what areas of your life need Jesus’ healing touch...

And to see God’s Word anew. Study it, memorize it, and take it to heart.

And then, second, lay down your cloak.

As Jesus entered the city gates riding on the back of a donkey, those crying out Hosanna laid down their cloaks for Jesus to ride over to show royal reverence to their Messiah King.

Listen, you don’t have to have your life figured out or a certain benchmark reached to place your trust in Jesus.

He loves you now, not the you that you’ll be a month from now. He loves you right now and desires that you turn to him, so lay down your cloak, offer him your life, and receive his Spirit alive in you!

Friends, team, there isn’t a moment to spare. The world is scared and alone, and it needs a fearless church of EDGERS - men and women like you - on the move with Christ Jesus, the Servant King, who saved us and calls us friends! . One week left. Who are your 7? Friends bring friends to Jesus. Let’s get them here next Sunday.

This week, let’s “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God!”

Heavenly Father...