Jeremy Utley - Guard Your Gospel

Jeremy UtleyJuly 25, 202231mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Guard Your Gospel Date: 07/24/2022 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that while people often come to Jesus for temporary needs like healing, provision, or relief from difficulty, the true purpose of coming to Him is discipleship and salvation from sin. The speaker warns against mistaking past blessings or answered prayers for evidence of true discipleship, emphasizing that following Jesus requires a commitment to His kingdom even when it brings hardship.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

Did people who were healed by Jesus shout crucify Him?It is a searching question to wonder if some in the bloodthirsty crowd demanding Jesus' crucifixion had previously been healed or fed by Him.

Lots of people wanted healing, but very few wanted to followIn Luke 6 and John 6, many sought Jesus for signs, sickness, or bread, but few were willing to go all the way with Him.John 6:26

Coming to Jesus for help versus becoming a discipleGod uses sickness, hunger, loneliness, and trials to draw us to Jesus, but the true goal is deliverance from sin, not merely removal of hard circumstances.

Jesus turns from the crowds to address His disciplesAfter healing the multitude, Jesus looks at His disciples and redefines what is a blessing, pointing out poverty, hunger, weeping, and hostility.Luke 6:20

A radical difference from the old covenantUnlike the old covenant where David prayed for God to smite his enemies, Jesus tells disciples they will have enemies and does not come to eliminate them.

John the Baptist and the old covenant gospel hopeJohn the Baptist, despite his incredible resume, doubted in prison because his expectation of the Messiah included deliverance from his enemies.

Paul and Silas singing in prisonUnlike John's doubt, Paul and Silas were triumphant in chains, proving their salvation was about inner victory rather than immediate release.Acts 16:22

Blessed is the one who does not take offense at meJesus answered John by pointing to His works and warning him not to take offense that the gospel does not promise escape from prison.Matthew 11:4

Woe to those who receive comfort in fullJesus warns against being rich, well-fed, laughing, or spoken well of, showing that earthly ease is not necessarily a sign of God's favor.Luke 6:24

The spiritual danger of times of peaceLiving in ease like silicon valley makes us vulnerable to pride, whereas God uses trials and pressing difficulties to keep us humble and shape us.

Would you rather have comfort or be emptied of pride?God uses difficult situations like sickness, hunger, or a hard boss to keep us close to Him and eliminate the sin and pride keeping us from friendship with Him.

The promise of becoming sons of the Most HighThough we lack the old covenant promise of outward protection, we receive something better: the reward of becoming sons who reflect God's kindness.

Expecting nothing in return and not despairing at allTrue transformation requires loving enemies without hoping for a returned favor and continuing to do good without growing discouraged.Luke 6:35

Do not lose heart in doing goodCombining Luke 6 and Galatians 6, we are reminded not to grow weary because in due time we will reap the reward of christlikeness.

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Jeremy Utley - Guard Your Gospel

Jeremy Utley · July 25, 2022 · 31m

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