Intentional living
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Looking forward to a great night tonight as we enjoy all things pumpkin. All ages are more than welcome to come out and enjoy the night. In fact, I encourage you come out and seek to interact with someone outside of your life stage. It’s often heard that there is a generational gap in churches. There won’t be if we are intentional about closing it. Come out to night and enjoy a fun evening.
Open your Bibles to the book of Mark. The book of Mark was written to show Jesus as a servant of all of mankind. He came not to be served but to serve and throughout the book of Mark we find various instances where He served.
Today we are going to go through a day in the life of Christ and finish with what allowed Him to accomplish what He did. First off, the fact that He was the Messiah, God incarnate, the Son of God, is the reason He could perform miracles, and do those things.
However, I believe that if we are looking to Jesus as our example of how to live our lives. We must find what the 100% man side of Him did that we can emulate.
How many of you find yourself living a busy life?
Your days are booked and sometimes you end the day tired and trying to figure out what you did that day to be so tired. You are running about doing alot but feeling as though you accomplished nothing.
Or maybe you are getting some great things done. Maybe your business is going well, your home is in order, and everything has the appearance of being alright. But on the inside, your riding an emotional rollercoaster of stress that finds its way out ever so often and usually has a negative impact on those around you.
No matter what category you fall into, I believe we can all take the example of Christ today and see how to be productive in a busy life.
Follow along with me as we read
Mark 1:21-36
21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
31 And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
PRAY
Jesus lived a busy life. His life was focused on God and on people. He lived His way in a way that was intentional.
Intentional - done by intention or design (on screen not bulletin)
By examining this one day in the life of Christ and seeing His example set in other parts of scripture we can find the pattern of 3 things he was inteniontal of that you need to be intentional about in your life to seek to live like Christ.
I. A relationship with God doesn’t happen by chance
I. A relationship with God doesn’t happen by chance
Come: move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker. (on screen not outline)
In Genesis God called on Moses to Come into the Ark. God did not demand it of Moses. Moses could have walked away.
In
John 7:37
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
In Matthew Jesus said
Matt 11:28
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The Greek word that was translated into come means “come hither” Come over here. Come to where I am.
Jesus did not command you to come to Him.
God calls us to himself but we must be the ones that take the action.
You must choose to trust in Jesus a our Savior. You must take that first step of faith and trust on Jesus.
Then the next step of faith is baptism. Not commanded, not required to be saved, not something that we force upon anyone and take them kicking and screaming into the baptistry.
Then you take the next step of pursuing Christ. You pursue Him daily through His Word and prayer. You pursue Him weekly by gathering with other believers. You pursue Him by serving others. You pursue Christ because that is what you have been called to do.
A Relationship with God doesn’t happen by chance. You are as close to God as you want to be. Your relationship with God is as strong as you want it to be.
You have been called to come unto Jesus during. Are you making the time for that?
Jesus had a busy life. We see he put a focus on some things.
He put a focus on the church.
V. 21 shows that on the Sabbath, where did Jesus go? The Synagogue. Now 2 things: the church did not replace the nation of Israel. We do not celebrate the sabbath the way the Israelites did during this day.
We do have a day set aside in our culture where Christians gather together to worship God and here from His Word.
That’s Sunday. The time and place for us is 10 and 11 at 265 Maple Ave.
He came to church why? to see what He could get out of it? No.
Jesus went to the Synagouge to contribute to the people that were there.
You may be here this morning and don’t feel comfortable getting up here and speaking or teaching in a class. that’s ok, I’m not comfortable with you doing it either.
But why did you come to church today? What was your reason?
Jesus had a reason, He came to give of Himself to others. He came to serve.
The author of Hebrews said we are not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together as the manner of some is but so much more as the day approaches. But why?
the 2 verses prior give us that answer
Heb 10:23-24
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
not so you can come and take…but so that you may show your faith and care for the others around you.
Now I’m sure you can come up with some great reasons to not attend church...
Thom Rainer, former CEO of Lifeway, put together a list of responses they had gotten in polls of reasons why people didn’t attend church.
“We were out of peanut butter.” Of course, no one can worship without his or her peanut butter fix.
“I was too drunk, so I went soul winning with my dog, Rambo.” I hope Rambo was sober.
“Both of my girlfriends attend church there.” I think you might have other challenges.
“The worship leader pulls up his pants too often. It’s distracting.” What are we going to do with those worship leaders?
“My kids take naps during that time.” Bring them to church anyway; they can nap during the services with our deacons.
“Gas prices are too high.” Have you been outside lately?
“The pastor is too attractive. When I see him preaching, I have impure thoughts, and I am distracted.” I never heard that complaint when I was a pastor.
“My wife cooked bacon for breakfast, and our entire family smelled like bacon.” Bacon aroma is always welcome at our church.
“The pastor stays in the Bible too much.” I’ve noticed that too. Just who does he think he is?
“I couldn’t get the lid off the peanut butter.” I never thought there would be a peanut butter theme to avoiding church.
Even without Peanut Butter, Jesus made the time to put a focus on gathering with fellow believers.
The example we see in building our relationship with God is to be intentional in our gathering with Christians, because that helps us with our relationship with God and with others. And your relationship with God won’t get better or develop by chance.
The second thing I want you to see from this passage
II. A Relationship with others doesn’t happen by chance
II. A Relationship with others doesn’t happen by chance
Prov 18:24
24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
If you are going to have friends, if you are going to have successful relationships at all, you will have to show yourself friendly.
I want to share with you some “science” facts about friendship that scripture proves to be accurate.
1. Friends influence you(screen not bulletin)
In 2007 a news report broke that obesity is contagious. When your friends gain weight, so do you. The other side of that study that was published in the New England journal of medicine said thinness was contagious as well.
Why? because we are influecened by those we spend time with. it’s been said that you are the culmination of the 5 people closest to you.
Paul wrote in
1 Cor 15:33
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
translated into modern vernacular that means “Bad company corrupts good morals” Why? because you are influenced by those you are around
What friends are influencing you?
2. Friends help you through tough situations
Studies have been done to show that people who go through difficult times, cancer and other rough life situations, they are more likely to fight longer and get through it better when they have a support network of friends.
Ecclesiastes 4:10
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Friends are important. You need friends and your friends need you.
But you won’t have those relationships to influence you for good or get you through tough times if you aren’t intentional on developing your relationships with others.
Jesus went to the synagogue, which I believe we can see as going to church and making sure we are strengthening ourselves and others with the Word of God. Then what did He do?
Mark 1:29-30
29 And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her.
He went to a friends house and there He was needed.
Everywhere he went Jesus had stuff going on?
Ever feel that way? No matter what day it is, where you are, or what you are doing, there is always somethign you need to be doing? There is always something calling for your attention?
I beleive Jesus woudl have felt that way. Why? Because everywhere He went, people needed Him.
At the Synagogue, he taught and then He rebuked a demon that was possessing a man and commanded the Demon come out of Him.
Now, He is being called on to Heal Peters mother in law.
Could he have said I’m too tired, I’m too busy, I’ve got too much going on? Of course. You are here today and some of you are thinking right now about what you need to do when you leave. We become so busy that we can’t exist in the moment.
You live your life in the future and never enjoy what’s happening around you.
“Pastor, this is Jesus. Of course He can live in teh moment and not focus on everything else.” I’m not going to discount the things Jesus can do because of His deity. But knowing that He is our example, I don’t believe there is anything that the 100% man side could do that we coudln’t. We could focus on the moment. You can be intentional about how you live your life. You can show grace, mercy, love, gentleness, meakness, and have faith.
you can’t walk on water, heal the sick, forgive sins, and bring dead people to live. we know that.
Instead of focusing on what we can do, let’s look to Jesus for what we can do through Him because.
Phil 4:13
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
What can you do when Christ is leading?
You can’t have Christ strengthing you if you don’t have a relationship with Him. you have to be intentional in your relationship with Jesus. That will allow you to be intentional in your relationship with Others.
But How? How do you do that? Is it by doing more things? Attending mroe services? Being more involved in serving?
You know, I’m not going to tell you not to be doing those things but I will tell you that we don’t find Jesus always being busy about His Father’s business.
Woah pastor…what do you mean?
stay with me.
Obviously what Jesus did on earth was the will of the father. As 100% God and 100% He did the will of the father. As 100% man, I believe He shows us how we are to live.
Even with all of the great things Jesus did, we find Him in various parts of scriptures doing…nothing.
Well, not nothing exactly, but not performing miracles, not forgiving sins, not raising the dead, not teaching to multitudes.
Jesus had a busy life. you have a busy life. But if all you are is busy, you aren’t intentionally living. Your just living with whatver is going on.
Jesus as able to be busy and still focus on the right things because He took the time to pray.
What does that mean for us?
III. Your prayer life affects how you live your life
III. Your prayer life affects how you live your life
Jesus did all these great things. He was constantly needed by those around Him.
Like Jesus, You can often feel that your getting pulled in every direction. You can feel as though all of the uncertainity surrounding our nation, you work, your finances, and everything else that is going to be so much it will break you.
That’s ok. The weights of this world will break you. Jesus didn’t do what He did alone. And I know, that sounds strange to say but hear me out.
Jesus as 100% man and 100% God, didn’t just move through life without taking time to go to the Father.
In our passage, we see where Jesus went about doing great and amazing things in a busy manner. but what happened the enxt day?
Mark 1:35
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
He worked hard, He rested His body, and then rested in the Father.
His example is one we should follow. This was a common practice of Jesus
In Luke 4 we find Jesus in the desert fasting and being alone with God before the beginning of His earthly ministry.
In Matthew 14 after John the Baptist was beheaded He went to be alone with the Father presumably to grieve the death of His cousin.
Before choosing His disciples in Luke 6 He spent an entire night in prayer.
Then in Luke 22 we find Jesus praying before His crucifixion. A time of distress and anxiety, Jesus went to the Father.
I’m not seeking to humanize Jesus however, He was a man. He is God. I can’t say that enough. I don’t want you to get this confused and think that because He felt and experienced what we experience that His deity is diminished in anyway.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He experienced human existence in the same way that we did. Being the Son of God he overcame it in a way that we can’t. However, He showed us by his example how we can go through this life with the Father and find victory.
While Jesus’ deity is how he accomplished the miracles, I believe, it was his continuous resting in the Father that allowed the human side of Him to keep up if you will.
Are you busy? Are you being busy alone? You don’t have to.
Jesus was busy. But He wasn’t alone.
He doesn’t want you to be alone either.
Heb 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
He isn’t the one that left you alone to go through this life and struggle with all that is going on. He isn’t the one putting the weights in your bag and making it overbearing. That’s you.
Aren’t you tired of living that way? I know when I get to places like that, I get tired. I get run down. I get upset. And I have to be reminded, like I’m reminding you today, that I’m the one who opened my bag and put those extra burdens in. I’m the one that isn’t making time for God. God has all the time in the world for me…But do you have time for Him?
A relationship with God will not happen by change. you must be intentional as Jesus was. A relationship with others will not happen by chance, you must be intentional…as Jesus was. And, like Jesus, you must find rest in the father by intentionally spending time in prayer to prepare you to accomplish what He has called you to accomplish.
So will you?
Time of Response
Time of Response
If you believe in Jesus as your Savior this morning, you’ve trusted Him with your eternal soul…Will you trust Him with your day to day life?
As we enter our time of response at Liberty I’d like to ask you to bow your head and close your eyes.
Are you here this morning and you don’t have a relationship with Jesus?
Do you not know for sure that you will go to Heaven when you die?
The Bible has a clear way of entering into a relationship with God where you can know Heaven is your home and you don’t have to go through life alone.
Maybe you’ve never heard
John 3:16
KJV 190016 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God does love you. Loves you so much He sent Jesus to die for you.
Now you are faced with a decision…will you continue finding salvation in your own works or in the finished work of Christ?
Ephesians 2:8–9
KJV 19008 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Your first have to admit your sinner
Romans 3:23
KJV 190023 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
I’m sure each of us could do that.Next you believe
Romans 10:9
KJV 19009 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Then confess. Confess Jesus as your Savior and call out to Him
Romans 10:13
KJV 190013 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
IF you’d like to do that today I’d like to help.
“Dear Jesus, I know I’m a sinner, I believe you came to die on the cross and rose from the dead. I put my faith right now in you and ask you to come into my life and change me from the inside out. Amen.”
Christians, will you decide to give God the time this week He deserves since He gave you Jesus?
Pray
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