Sermon Reflections from Most Likely To- Story Mine | Alex Hardt | Oct 6, 2024
Pastor Alex began a new series Most likely to and started us with how we relate to others. Questions are a significant way in which we interact with others. Our conversations are filled with them. Some are factual like, where do you get your hair cut or what did you have for dinner last night? Others are deeper and desire to gather feelings or opinions like, what did you like best about the book or what was the worst dinner you’ve ever had? Still other questions look to deeper issues and reasons for being like, why do you dislike her/him so much, why do you shout at me so often? Some want to know what you can do to help like, how can I come alongside you and support you right now?
We ask questions for many reasons and Jesus the great teacher and healer, knew each person and what they needed most. When Nicodemus came to him in John 3 seeking to understand about Jesus and who he was. Jesus answered him with questions as he knew what Nicodemus was seeking. We do not have this ability but we can be discerning, listen and seek out deeper answers that will point someone to Jesus. Jesus’ questions always pointed to truth and who He was.
Pastor Alex also gave examples of how Jesus questions showed compassion. Jesus did not turn away those who sought him out, like the friends in Mark 2:3-5. “ And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus had compassion on the man and healed him physically and spiritually. He knew exactly what the man and his friends needed most.
Lastly, Pastor Alex reminded us that Jesus’ questions can strengthen our faith. What questions of Jesus would/could do that for you? I know the 7, I Am statements in John speak to me in this way. When asked who Jesus was, He answered in various ways so that we get a full picture of who He is.
In John 14:5-7 Thomas was looking for direction and clarification. “ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
In John 15:1-2 Jesus wants them to stay connected to him, “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.
In John 11:24-25 Martha was confused about eternity, life and death, “Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
In John 10:8-9 Jesus was clarifying that he was the true one sent from God, “All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:10, Jesus clarifies his role as savior, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 6:35-36 Jesus seized a teachable moment to proclaim who he is. “ Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.”
In John 8:12 Jesus clarifies who he is and how he alone can illuminate our pathway in life. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Which of these answers gives you hope and assurance for your future and help for today? I pray that one or all will speak to you right now.
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
Pastor Alex began a new series Most likely to and started us with how we relate to others. Questions are a significant way in which we interact with others. Our conversations are filled with them. Some are factual like, where do you get your hair cut or what did you have for dinner last night? Others are deeper and desire to gather feelings or opinions like, what did you like best about the book or what was the worst dinner you’ve ever had? Still other questions look to deeper issues and reasons for being like, why do you dislike her/him so much, why do you shout at me so often? Some want to know what you can do to help like, how can I come alongside you and support you right now?
We ask questions for many reasons and Jesus the great teacher and healer, knew each person and what they needed most. When Nicodemus came to him in John 3 seeking to understand about Jesus and who he was. Jesus answered him with questions as he knew what Nicodemus was seeking. We do not have this ability but we can be discerning, listen and seek out deeper answers that will point someone to Jesus. Jesus’ questions always pointed to truth and who He was.
Pastor Alex also gave examples of how Jesus questions showed compassion. Jesus did not turn away those who sought him out, like the friends in Mark 2:3-5. “ And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus had compassion on the man and healed him physically and spiritually. He knew exactly what the man and his friends needed most.
Lastly, Pastor Alex reminded us that Jesus’ questions can strengthen our faith. What questions of Jesus would/could do that for you? I know the 7, I Am statements in John speak to me in this way. When asked who Jesus was, He answered in various ways so that we get a full picture of who He is.
In John 14:5-7 Thomas was looking for direction and clarification. “ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
In John 15:1-2 Jesus wants them to stay connected to him, “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.
In John 11:24-25 Martha was confused about eternity, life and death, “Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[a] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
In John 10:8-9 Jesus was clarifying that he was the true one sent from God, “All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 10:10, Jesus clarifies his role as savior, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
John 6:35-36 Jesus seized a teachable moment to proclaim who he is. “ Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.”
In John 8:12 Jesus clarifies who he is and how he alone can illuminate our pathway in life. Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Which of these answers gives you hope and assurance for your future and help for today? I pray that one or all will speak to you right now.
Linda
MESSAGE LINK
Click Here to View the Message on Youtube
Our Sunday service is online and in-person at 11:00am.
Come visit us at 5353 Concord Blvd, on the corner of Concord Blvd and Kirker Pass
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