Monday, September 24, 2012

To Serve or Not to Serve?

September 24, 2012 Monday Message:

Jesus: “Follow me and be my disciple.” So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Luke 5:27b-28

Do you appreciate the oxymoron? You know, those common sayings with funny twists of language that make them appear to contradict themselves. “Jumbo shrimp” is the one everybody knows. “A fine mess” and “military intelligence” come to mind. Oftentimes people use the oxymoron for humor: “Adult male,” “almost exactly,” and “fairly obvious.”

How about this one: “Non-serving Christian.” Pastor Rick Warren teaches that a non-serving Christian is a contradiction in terms – an oxymoron.

Remember that our good works can’t get us into heaven. Humans have been compromised by the devil, but redeemed by Jesus. His sacrifice is the full price – sola Christus – and even talk of you doing something to ensure your own redemption is blasphemy. Jesus did it all.

Having been saved, we then serve – we work - out of gratitude for what Jesus has done. When Jesus called each disciple, they dropped what they were doing and went to work with the Son of man. Jesus forgave them, redeemed them, called them, and they immediately went to work for the kingdom.

What can you do for the Messiah, out of gratitude for all He has done for you?

Norton Lawellin

Mark your calendar – October 7, 2012
Jesus in the City Fellowship and Familia de Fe (Spanish language) will be worshiping together, in the main sanctuary of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. Pastor Michael Pilla teaching, Pastor Walter Chuquimia translating. Potluck follows in the gym – bring something to share!

I’ll be on the road for a couple of weeks, so John will lead worship until I return. Join JICF at 10:30am Sunday as Pastor Michael continues our journey through Luke.

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