Pursuing Jesus

 What could be the consequences of our learning to see people the way Jesus sees them?

 An investigation into the Christian view of what it means to be human

 There's a "big story," a large narrative, that connects the Bible from beginning to end. God invites us to be willing and active participants in this story.

 John Wesley found prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace in his sermon on Ephesians 2. The Methodist tradition has followed him on this. That understanding of grace reflects what we see in scripture, but is not the full picture of what we see there. Attention to the whole of Ephesians 2 shows us the communal dimensions of grace as well.

 The Samaritan woman Jesus talks with at a well proves to be the key to reaching her community. Who might be the key to reaching our community?

 In Acts 9 we see God calling Ananias and giving him an important task - without consulting him at all. Sometimes God volunteers us without consulting us.

 In Acts 9 we find some clues to how we can discern God's work in our lives and in the world.

 Paul ran into Jesus on the Road to Damascus. From his experience we can learn to tell our own stories of running into Jesus.

 If we listen to Jesus (and the rest of the New Testament), we can see that love is an indispensable marker of a healthy church. I John 4:7-21 is the core text

 In John 3 some people come to provoke John the Baptist to play the comparison game with Jesus. John's response? "He must become greater, I must become less." How can we learn from John to find the peace that comes from not playing the comparison game?

 In Acts 1:1-8 Jesus says to WAIT on the "promised Holy Spirit."

 The New Testament teaches that Jesus is crucified, risen, ascended, and reigning at the Father's side. But when we look at the world is sure doesn't look like he's in charge. What can we make of that contrast?

 Jesus and Paul give us examples of what to do when people are wrong.

 Jesus's finished work on the cross is sufficient for us. He invites us to live out of that finished work.

 We see bold women who fear God and save lives in Exodus 1 & 2

 In Matthew 7 Jesus sets up some comparative binaries: Wide way, narrow way; false prophets, true prophets; false disciples, true disciples; wise and foolish people.

 The women went to Jesus' tomb early that Sunday. They knew Jesus had died, an obviously failed Messiah, but wanted to honor him by completing the burial customs for him. They found something they didn't expect.(Note: Recording missed first minute or two of message)

 Those who welcome Jesus into Jerusalem, welcome him as a prophet. But he was more than a prophet.

 We find several parable of Jesus in Matthew 13. Each gives the hearer an aspect of what the Kingdom is like. In the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven, we see that God's starts small. When we see that God starts small, we can look for the small work God wants to do in our lives now.

 Jesus' parable about the wheat and the weeds helps us understand how to deal with the quest for purity.

 In the Beatitudes we discover some of Jesus' teaching on happiness, on living the blessed life.

 What can we learn from how Jesus confronted temptation?

 From Matthew 4:12 - 9:38 we see Jesus' method of making disciples in detail.

 In Philippians 1:27 - 2:4 we see the character qualities we need to live well together as fellow citizens of the Kingdom of God.

If we are aware of the trajectory of God's work in our lives & in the world, we can hear God's invitation to join in what he's doing.

 What can we learn from Paul and other people in the Bible when it comes to facing risk well?

 There is a clear thread through scripture - and our history - of God calling people to be "Watchmen," to watch out for people. We see this in Ezekiel 33. We see it in 1 Corinthians 9. We see it in Jesus' ministry. We see it in the lives of John Wesley & William Booth.

1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." There is a connection between this confession of sin and our confession of faith that we do with the creeds.

 Jesus invites us to confidently enter God's rest.

 What help does the Bible give with the problem of suffering?

 Joseph went "all in" for Jesus. We can follow his example.

 The birth of Jesus was (and is!) a true occasion for joy for the whole world.

How did Joseph handle things when he learned Mary was pregnant? Through his obedience, he served an essential role in Gods gift of his Son.

 It's common to take prophecy as a prediction of what will happen in the future. While this element of prophecy is found in the Bible, the primary purpose of prophecy is for God to speak into the lives and situations of his people. Through prophecy God offers words of hope and encouragement - as well as calls to repentance.

 In the fullness of time, God sent his Son into the world. If Jesus has already completed his work in his death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead, why do we have to wait for his return?

 We worship Christ as King by not only honoring him with our words but by doing what he says.

 As we pay attention to the mercies of God and offer ourselves as "living sacrifices," we get to the place where we can discern God's will.

 One of the criminals crucified with Jesus said to him, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." It took great faith to ask that of a man being crucified. When we're faced with death - the transience of our lives - God remembers us. But God also forgets our sins, not holding them over us.

 Having invited Jesus and his disciples for lunch, Martha got to work with the preparations. Mary, instead of helping her sister, just sits there and listens to Jesus. How can we learn from both of them as we seek to support the church with our service?

While in the Temple, Jesus and his disciples watched people put in their offerings. Some gave large amounts out of their wealth; one poor widow gave all she had, 2 small copper coins. Why did she give? Why did she give it all? Why do we give.

 As United Methodists we say that we will "support the church with our PRESENCE." This means more (not less) than "being there." Just as Jesus remained present to his disciples, even his betrayer, he invites us to be present to each other.

 We learn how to support the church through prayer from Nehemiah (chs. 1 & 9) Jesus (Luke 19:41ff), and Paul (Acts 17).

 In Acts 17 the believers are accused to "making trouble all over the world" or "turning the world upside down." From the changes we see happening in our world, we understand the feeling - we see people and groups that we feel are doing just that. How do we go about turning the world upside down for Jesus? Note: Reading Kavin Rowe's World Upside Down contributed to my thinking on this text.

 After being beaten and thrown in jail, what do Paul and Silas do? They pray and sing praises to God. How do we become the kind of people who can sing in jail - or when our world is falling apart in other ways?

 Paul and Silas were willing to give up their own freedom so a slave girl could be free. (Acts 16)

 In Acts 16:1-15, we see Paul and his mission team:1. Completing the team membership 2. Discerning their next steps 3. Entering new territory

 We can learn at least three things from Jesus's experience of anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemane:1. Own our anxiety, don't hide it 2. See the things that make us anxious in a bigger context 3. Don't go it alone

 When we consider the Ten Commandments and God's commands in context - the context in Exodus 20 and in the rest of the Bible, we see that God's commands are meant for our good.

 In Acts 6 we see the early disciples growing in multiple ways. They grew in numbers. They grew in crossing cultural boundaries. They grew in their relationship with Jesus.

 Do we trust God enough to invite him to examine us closely?

 When we let God work in us and through us, God will do things that cause the people around us to ask questions. When they ask questions, we can point them to Jesus.