Our world tells us today that we should have more. We want more. We “need” more. We want more money, more clothes, more technology, more of a house, more to eat, more choices, more things to do, more fun. Now these things are not bad in and of themselves. They simply reveal our priorities. Have you ever seen a hearse with a U-Haul following behind?
Jesus flipped this idea on its head. He said to His followers: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 16:24-26 NIV)
This life isn’t about what we can gain in our few short years here but what can be gained for eternity. The biblical writer, James, says in his letter that our “life is but a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
The good news is that Jesus gives us more and tells us about what is most valuable. More of what is eternal and not just temporary. Jesus starts with you and your life! In the Gospel of Luke it says, “Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:24 NIV)
God also has an indestructible love for us through Jesus. The Bible says in Romans 8:35,37: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (NIV)
This is God’s love demonstrated to us through sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to sacrifice Himself for our sin and make us right with God. The Bible goes on to say, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17 NIV) All of us are broken sinners from the first time the first human sinned and turned away from God. But now, how much more through the one, Jesus, will God give us grace, a right relationship with Him and eternal life!
God has made a way to have a right relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus. He has made a way to have right relationships with others. This is only the beginning. God wants to give us so much more. He wants to give us freedom from our inner turmoil, hurt, and sin. He wants to give us new life and hope both now and for eternity.
You see, Jesus didn’t just die for sin, but He rose from the dead to conquer death and sin. He then gives us His Spirit to live in us for power to live a new life for Him and to be with Him forever.
But this goes back to what Jesus said about being a follower of Him. Are we willing to lay down our lives and follow Him? Are we willing to deny our own self-pleasures and say, “Jesus, I am willing, and I place my trust in you?” This is the first step in so much more that God will give you and it’s forever. What “more” do you really want?
Jesus flipped this idea on its head. He said to His followers: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? (Matthew 16:24-26 NIV)
This life isn’t about what we can gain in our few short years here but what can be gained for eternity. The biblical writer, James, says in his letter that our “life is but a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
The good news is that Jesus gives us more and tells us about what is most valuable. More of what is eternal and not just temporary. Jesus starts with you and your life! In the Gospel of Luke it says, “Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:24 NIV)
God also has an indestructible love for us through Jesus. The Bible says in Romans 8:35,37: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (NIV)
This is God’s love demonstrated to us through sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to sacrifice Himself for our sin and make us right with God. The Bible goes on to say, “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17 NIV) All of us are broken sinners from the first time the first human sinned and turned away from God. But now, how much more through the one, Jesus, will God give us grace, a right relationship with Him and eternal life!
God has made a way to have a right relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus. He has made a way to have right relationships with others. This is only the beginning. God wants to give us so much more. He wants to give us freedom from our inner turmoil, hurt, and sin. He wants to give us new life and hope both now and for eternity.
You see, Jesus didn’t just die for sin, but He rose from the dead to conquer death and sin. He then gives us His Spirit to live in us for power to live a new life for Him and to be with Him forever.
But this goes back to what Jesus said about being a follower of Him. Are we willing to lay down our lives and follow Him? Are we willing to deny our own self-pleasures and say, “Jesus, I am willing, and I place my trust in you?” This is the first step in so much more that God will give you and it’s forever. What “more” do you really want?
Posted in Pastor Mark
Mark Anderson
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