Evangelism

How Much Do You Care about Those in Your Life?

DrJayCook Evangelism , , , , , , ,

If a bridge is out of commission, don’t you want someone to post a warning?

If a convict escapes, don’t you want someone to let the public know?

If a fire breaks out, don’t you want someone to warn you?

We want to know if we are about to face trouble.

This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  It marks the day (before Jesus faced the cross) when the crowds cheered in excitement as Jesus came to Jerusalem.  They lined the road, laid clothing on His path, waved palm branches, and shouted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heaven!” (Luke 19:38)

It was thrilling and joyous.  People were excited and thought that everything was going to be great.  However, they chose not to remember all that Jesus had said concerning the consequences of sin.  They wanted a “savior” to bring power and prestige for their nation, but they did not want to admit their need for spiritual salvation.

What we sometimes forget about Palm Sunday is that just after the pomp and excitement, Jesus looked out and wept for the city.  He knew what they were bringing on themselves.  He knew the danger because He had warned them again and again.  He was about to give His life in payment for their sins against God, and they didn’t seem to care.

Yet Jesus faced the horrors of the cross anyway.

Today, we see a similar situation.

Many people seem to ignore the reality of eternity.  Many seem to want to ignore what Jesus said about how to have salvation and instead think they can make up their own rules.  Many seem to ignore what Jesus said about following Him and instead think their own standards are good enough.  Consider the rise of bitterness, anger, division, and lawlessness as proof.  Consider the decline of participation in the churches for which Jesus died as proof.

What will you do about it?  How much do you care about those in your life?

The bridge is out.  The convict is on the loose.  The fire is spreading.  Are you warning them?  Do you weep over where they are?

Jesus deserves the praise of a Palm Sunday.  Jesus also deserves the concern that He showed as He looked out over those whom He loved.  Jesus deserves our full devotion because He gave His full life and love to us.

Though talking about Jesus may seem scary or overwhelming, you may want to check out the following book for insight into how ALL of us can do it…

Are You Ready for Some Football?

DrJayCook Christian Life , , , , ,

Ready or not, it is time.  Get the school colors out, and dust off the stadium seats.  Oh, and apparently stock up on water bottles.  Man, it is hot!

Football is obviously loved, supported, and debated in the South.  And what I find interesting is that we can learn a lot from the game.

Consider Coach Vince Lombardi – way back when he coached the Green Bay Packers.  In 1961 they lost the big game even though they had been ahead.  When they got back together to prepare for the season, those professional football players were ready to pick up where they had left off.  But Lombardi stood up, held up a football, and put them in their place by saying, “Gentlemen, this is a football.”

He understood that the only way to be prepared was to get back to the basics.  They had to keep the main thing as the main thing.  Skills, teamwork, and strength are important, but they will come with time; and they are useless without focus.

And that is true in life, is it not?

No one makes it to Sports Center without a long road that got them there.  The fundamentals have to be practiced, honed, and never abandoned.  The basics must be ingrained, and then success comes.

Jesus made our fundamentals clear.  There is an internal focus and an external focus that we must master in life.

Internally, Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”  Externally, He told us in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the So and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Have you mastered those things?  Are you daily working on them?

Seek God’s kingdom above all else.  Seek to live like He wants you to.  That is what we have to do if we want God to bless our lives.

Make disciples everywhere you go.  Help others know Jesus and grow in Him.  That is what we have to do with everyone we can. There are plenty of other things we can do (and often should do), but nothing matters as much as doing what God wants us to do.  Nothing should keep us from doing what God wants us to do.  This is the football.  This is our “basics.”  This is our challenge.  Let’s go!

MacArthur wrote a great book on some of the fundamentals of the faith. Click the picture below to check it out for yourself…