“Why Should we Look unto Jesus?”
Notes
Transcript
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith …” (Heb. 12:2).
We should be Looking to Jesus in Everything
We should be Looking to Jesus in Everything
Acts 17:27–29 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.”
Acts 17:27–29 27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.”
A. How Many Christians are ready to look to Jesus when trouble strikes? Family issues, co-worker trouble, neighbor problems? What about when everything is going well, we lean on our own finite strength, “I got this”, we pick up our cell and rattle calls don’t we then we and fail. The issue seems to get harder doesn't it?
A. How Many Christians are ready to look to Jesus when trouble strikes? Family issues, co-worker trouble, neighbor problems? What about when everything is going well, we lean on our own finite strength, “I got this”, we pick up our cell and rattle calls don’t we then we and fail. The issue seems to get harder doesn't it?
B. We just have to look to Jesus in everything—in good times as well as bad, in joy as well as sorrow, and in triumph as well as trial.
B. We just have to look to Jesus in everything—in good times as well as bad, in joy as well as sorrow, and in triumph as well as trial.
C. The Scripture over and over leads us to look to Jesus “that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”
C. The Scripture over and over leads us to look to Jesus “that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”
We read in Hebrews 4:15–16
We read in Hebrews 4:15–16
"5 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
"5 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
So exactly when do we need Jesus the most? Well, it’s different every day right? In my world, these past 3-4 years has seemed to be very difficult for me, I have I believe 5 or 6 friends and family die. I would say that has been a hard time for me. Visitation, praying fervently, meeting with families, traveling to funerals, well, you get my point don’t you all?
So exactly when do we need Jesus the most? Well, it’s different every day right? In my world, these past 3-4 years has seemed to be very difficult for me, I have I believe 5 or 6 friends and family die. I would say that has been a hard time for me. Visitation, praying fervently, meeting with families, traveling to funerals, well, you get my point don’t you all?
II. Look to Jesus for Everything, we are not to Look Past Jesus.......with our own solutions.
II. Look to Jesus for Everything, we are not to Look Past Jesus.......with our own solutions.
John 14:12–14 12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
John 14:12–14 12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
So.........why don’t we ask? That is really a ridiculous question isn’t it? Why wouldn’t we ask?
So.........why don’t we ask? That is really a ridiculous question isn’t it? Why wouldn’t we ask?
A. Some Christians do not depend on the Lord to supply all their needs. They might make a job change for more money. “Look at what I did” they might say. They might rely on self-effort, the I got this mindset” or they have their “go to people” don’t they? They come to disappointment over and over in life.
A. Some Christians do not depend on the Lord to supply all their needs. They might make a job change for more money. “Look at what I did” they might say. They might rely on self-effort, the I got this mindset” or they have their “go to people” don’t they? They come to disappointment over and over in life.
B. We should look to Jesus for life, the air we breath and the water we drink, look to Jesus for love, for food, for clothing, and a home to live in—everything.
B. We should look to Jesus for life, the air we breath and the water we drink, look to Jesus for love, for food, for clothing, and a home to live in—everything.
C. We are promised in the Bible that Jesus will amply supply for all our needs, “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
C. We are promised in the Bible that Jesus will amply supply for all our needs, “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”
Paul tells us in: Philippians 4:18–20
Paul tells us in: Philippians 4:18–20
“18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”
“18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.”
III. Are we Looking to Jesus with Everything, spiritual things, Holy things?
III. Are we Looking to Jesus with Everything, spiritual things, Holy things?
Most of us reach out to Jesus for the stuff that I just mentioned, we don’t always ask Jesus for help do we, Why? Because when we do, we might have to make a greater commitment to Jesus, pray more, give more, read more, we just really don’t have the time right now do we?
Most of us reach out to Jesus for the stuff that I just mentioned, we don’t always ask Jesus for help do we, Why? Because when we do, we might have to make a greater commitment to Jesus, pray more, give more, read more, we just really don’t have the time right now do we?
1 Thessalonians 5:22–23 “22 Stay away from every kind of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
1 Thessalonians 5:22–23 “22 Stay away from every kind of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.”
A. Most, yes I said most Christians fail to totally look to Jesus, I mean about and for everything. They reserve a portion of their life for self.
A. Most, yes I said most Christians fail to totally look to Jesus, I mean about and for everything. They reserve a portion of their life for self.
B. If we’re to be victorious, we must look to Jesus with everything. Now that depends on your definition or “victorious” doesn't it? Some of us really don’t want to be that successful do we? We are lazy Christians aren’t we? We have the time, we have the talent, and treasure WE don’t we? We must be totally dedicated to him, there has to be a time to focus and dedicate our heart, mind, strength, and soul to Jesus.
B. If we’re to be victorious, we must look to Jesus with everything. Now that depends on your definition or “victorious” doesn't it? Some of us really don’t want to be that successful do we? We are lazy Christians aren’t we? We have the time, we have the talent, and treasure WE don’t we? We must be totally dedicated to him, there has to be a time to focus and dedicate our heart, mind, strength, and soul to Jesus.
C. Paul urged us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”
C. Paul urged us to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”
As Dave read earlier in the book of Romans, we are instructed what to do when we know Jesus. He leads us to use our gifts. Are you using these gifts? I’ll tell you right now, if your not, your probably pretty miserable. we need to be using our gifts for Jesus, God’s Glory. AMEN?
As Dave read earlier in the book of Romans, we are instructed what to do when we know Jesus. He leads us to use our gifts. Are you using these gifts? I’ll tell you right now, if your not, your probably pretty miserable. we need to be using our gifts for Jesus, God’s Glory. AMEN?
IV. Look to Jesus Through Everything. When things are not going real great, we need to start looking through issues the way Jesus would look at them.
IV. Look to Jesus Through Everything. When things are not going real great, we need to start looking through issues the way Jesus would look at them.
1 Peter 5:9–11 “9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.”
1 Peter 5:9–11 “9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 11 All power to him forever! Amen.”
A. Christians may look to Jesus during happy times, “thank you Jesus, I praise you Jesus, what happens when suffering strikes. WHAT????? We might not blame Jesus, but we might ignore Him for awhile don’t we?
A. Christians may look to Jesus during happy times, “thank you Jesus, I praise you Jesus, what happens when suffering strikes. WHAT????? We might not blame Jesus, but we might ignore Him for awhile don’t we?
B. God often allows suffering in certain circumstances to strengthen our faith and fulfill his purpose. We must continue to look to Jesus and seek his purpose with patience and trust.
B. God often allows suffering in certain circumstances to strengthen our faith and fulfill his purpose. We must continue to look to Jesus and seek his purpose with patience and trust.
You hear me in my prayers that I pray to do God’s will through the Holy Spirit and that what I am lead to do will glorify my Father. Point blank..........I want to be doing the will of God, always, in all situations.
You hear me in my prayers that I pray to do God’s will through the Holy Spirit and that what I am lead to do will glorify my Father. Point blank..........I want to be doing the will of God, always, in all situations.
C. When traveling through the vast valley of experiences throughout our day, family, work, friends, whatever, start going to Jesus for guidance in everything, your week will begin to go much better.
C. When traveling through the vast valley of experiences throughout our day, family, work, friends, whatever, start going to Jesus for guidance in everything, your week will begin to go much better.
AMEN
AMEN