Jeremy Utley - Don't Check Out Of The World
Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Don't Check Out Of The World Date: 09/04/2022 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 Christians must focus on the continuous increase of God's glory, rather than being fixated on what might happen in life's ups and downs. The speaker warns against the temptation to
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
What might happen versus what must happenWhen facing uncertainty about promotions, tests, or health, we often get consumed by what might happen. However, the one thing that must happen is that the glory of Jesus Christ must be increasing.
The mistaken remedy of wanting to leave the worldWhen life's difficulties press down or success pulls us away, we are often tempted to check out of the world entirely. True spiritual growth does not come from departing from the world, but from renewing our minds amidst its trials.
An unfair inheritance request and Jesus's warningWhen a man asks Jesus to make his brother divide an inheritance, Jesus exposes the deeper heart issue of greed and warns that life does not consist in possessions.Luke 12:13
The parable of the rich foolJesus tells the parable of a productive man who builds larger barns to say to his soul, 'take your ease,' only to be called a fool by God because his life is required of him that very night.
Being rich towards God instead of seeking comfortA spiritual person is concerned with the Father's business rather than personal ease, aiming to be rich towards God today rather than postponing devotion to some future date.
Embracing the crucified roadJust as Jesus took on flesh and faced difficulties, disciples are not called to be insulated from life's pains, but to follow the path of the crucified Savior.
The story of Legion and Jesus's refusalAfter being delivered from a legion of demons, the man begs to go with Jesus, but Jesus instead tells him to return home and declare what God has done for him.
Resisting the desire for a monastic lifeBelievers often harbor a holy-seeming desire to escape wicked environments and live in a peaceful retreat with Jesus, but discipleship is not meant to be an isolated monastic escape.
Going away proclaiming instead of going away sadUnlike the Rich Young Ruler who walked away sad, the delivered man went away proclaiming throughout the whole city the great things Jesus had done for him.
Dressed in readiness and on the alertIn contrast to taking ease, Jesus commands His servants to keep their lamps lit and be like those waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast.
Yielding our lives to be a blessingRather than looking for comfort or checking out of hard circumstances, we should desire that God squeeze drops of oil from our lives so others can be fed and encouraged.
