Hitting Rock Bottom

One Shining Moment Pt 1

4.10.11   Integrity   Bud Wrenn

 

 

Jesus’ mission....

 

1) Meeting spiritual and physical needs,

 

2) Transforming the lives through salvation,

 

3) Pointing to His Father while doing it

 

How We Fail Christ…. 

 

1) Leaving Jesus to work alone è misplaced priorities.

John 19:16-17 (NLT)  16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away.  17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).
 

Alternative:  Taking up our individual crosses to follow Christ.
Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT) 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

 

2) Neglecting the true essence of His (my) mission on earth è attitudes.

John 19:18 (NLT) 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them.

 

Alternative:  Adopt a worldview of compassion for others.

Matthew 9:36 (NLT) 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

 

3) Frivolous and idle conversation.  è words.

John 19:19-22 (NLT) 19 And Pilate posted a sign over him that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it.  21 Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’”  22 Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”

 

Alternative:  Making our words valuable.

Matthew 12:36-37 (NLT) 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

4) Focus on material, and not spiritual, treasures è materialism.

John 19:23-24 (NLT) 23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 So they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it. This fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did.

 

Alternative:  Shift my sense of value to the spiritual aspects of life.

John 3:5-6 (NLT) 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

 

5) Minimizing Jesus' 'profile' before others.

John 19:25-27 (NLT) 25 Standing near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” 27 And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Alternative:  Build Jesus' profile through our own lifestyle.

Matthew 5:14, 16 (NLT) 14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden….16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

 

The life mission of the Christ-follower...

 

1) Meeting spiritual and physical needs,

 

2) Pointing people toward the cross for salvation, and

 

3) reflecting Jesus while doing it.