We all have things in our life where we feel stuck. Attitudes, behaviours or character qualities that keep us from living the life we know we want and is good, but we just keep on doing. The biblical principles to finding freedom reflected in the famous 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous work because they align with God’s design and plan for our freedom. The first step is the hardest. Surrendering our way, our life to Jesus’ way and life. To do this we need to admit that there is a God, and it is not us.
Trained, Not Just Taught
In our culture it is possible to be a Christian without being a disciple. Disciples are those who seek to discipline themselves to be like Jesus. This requires right information, reflected upon, then put into practice. Only then will we see the Holy Spirit working to transform us to be like Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we are called to train ourselves, not just listen to his teaching.
Looking Like Jesus
God’s goal for those who follow Jesus is to shape them into Jesus’ image. What does a life in Jesus’ image look like? Jesus answered this in the midst of his words to his disciples following the Last Supper. Jesus is the vine, disciples are the branches … but what is the fruit God expects disciples to produce and is working in our lives so we produce more of? In this sermon, we reflect on Jesus’ analogy of life lived with Him and his commandment to love found in John 15:1-17.
Be Transformed
What is the purpose of being a Christian? What is God’s design for those who follow Jesus. Different answers are given, but the New Testaments authors were consistent in their answer. God’s ultimate goal for Christians is to make them like His Son. So, if we are not allowing the Spirit to transform us into the character of Jesus, we should struggle to say we are actually following Jesus.
David and the Census
Where should our value, identity, and security in life come from? Who or what should we rely upon? As human beings we will depend upon, put our faith in, what we see our strength to be. David’s decision to take a census and his response afterwards speaks to us about living a life of faith in God.
David & Nathan
How can someone who commits adultery and murder be called a person after God’s own heart? Being after God’s own heart is not about our performance, but our response to God’s heart. When God confronted David over his sins, David did what people after God’s heart do. He didn’t just admit his sin, he confessed and repented. If we want a heart after God’s, we need to make healthy confession a regular practice in our relationship with God and others.
David & Bathsheba
Sometimes people try to exonerate or minimize David’s actions towards Bathsheba and her first husband Uriah. The biblical author sees David as solely responsible for his moral failings, his sinful actions towards Bathsheba, Uriah, and others. David abused his power and authority as King of Israel here. The way of Jesus is to leverage our power and authority to bless others.
David & Michal
Michal is often known for her bitter comments to David when he celebrated the Ark coming into Jerusalem. And even though we might understand why she had reason to feel bitter against David and even God, we also see the cost of bitterness. Bitterness always isolates us from healthy relationships.
David & Abigail
We are all a product of our decisions. David made some good and bad decisions in his life. Abigail gives us an example of someone who helped another person move from a bad course of action to a good one. What course are we on and how can we help others to a course that honours Jesus?
David & Ahimelech
What or who do you turn to when you feel alone, afraid and/or angry? David’s interaction with Ahimelech shows us what can happen when we allow our negative emotions to make our decisions. What would David say to us? Keep calm and follow Jesus.