SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Comforts - The Fundamental Question of Humanity (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on August 4, 2019)

Does God care?  Does God care about me?  Does God care about my situation?  Does God care about my hurts and pains?  Does God care?

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Comforts - Jesus and a Hurting Dad - Mark 9:14-27 (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI, on August 4, 2019)

Mark 9:14-27 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Restores - Sermon outline - July 28, 2019

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Restores - Jesus and a Blind Man - July 28, 2019

Video - EasyWorship Background - 5 minute

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

A leper - A heart that touches

A Centurian - A heart that marvels

The Samaritan woman at the well - A heart that accepts

The Two Daughters (bleeding and Jairus daughter) - A heart that cares

The Pharisee and the woman who anoints Jesus' feet - A heart that confronts

The Canaanite woman - A heart that reaches

John Newton- one of the best known slaving ship captains

became a minister

influenced William Wilberforce who lead the effort to outlaw the slave trade in England 

he wrote "Amazing Grace"

"I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind but now I see."

1. THE STORY

“They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into the village.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:22-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Bethsaida - "house of fish"

1.  Hometown of Philip, one of Jesus' disciples (John 1:44)

2.  A place where Jesus had performed miracles

3.  Jesus pronounced judgment on Bethsaida because it did not respond to Jesus (Matthew 11:21)

B.  "They" bring the blind man to Jesus

1.  He says nothing

2.  Usually people make a personal request

C.  The miracle

1.  Jesus takes the man by the hand and takes him out of the city

2.  Jesus spits in the man's eyes

3.  The man receives partial sight (unusual occurrence-weak, bad day, the man's lack of faith, etc.)

4.  Jesus heals him "again" to full sight

5.  Other blind people

a.  The man born blind - Jesus packed mud in his eyes and sent him to the pool of Siloam

b.  Blind Bartimaeus - Jesus spoke words

6.  Why?

2.  THE POINT

Sjoren Kierkegaard "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be       lived forwards."

Jesus is the Messiah.

A.  Cycle One

1.  Feeding of the 5,000 (Mark 6:35-44)

2.  Debate with the Pharisees and Scribes (Mark 7:1-16)

3.  Healing of a deaf man (Mark 7:31-37) [spitting again]

B.  Cycle Two

1.  Feeding of the 4,000 (Mark 8:1-9)

2.  Debate with the Pharisees (Mark 8:10-12)

3.  Healing of the Blind Man (Mark 8:22-26)

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.””

‭‭John‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C.  Affirming the point

1.  Caesarea Philippi - moving closer to the obvious truth

“Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:27-29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2.  A description of the Messiah

“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭35:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:30-31‬ ‭NIV

‬‬3.  THE QUESTION

1.  Who is Jesus?  The most important question ever asked!

a.  A miracle worker

b.  A prophet

c.  A charlatan

d.  The Messiah

2.  What do you see?

a.  Have you looked at the evidence?

b.  Have you tasted and seen that the Lord is good?

c.  Have you trusted Him with all your heart?

Clara Scott, 1895

Open my eyes, that I may see

Glimpses of truth thou hast for me.

Place in my hands the wonderful key

That shall I clasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee,

Ready, my God, my will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

CHALLENGE

Find someone blind to heal this week (kidding).  Help someone get to Jesus, their only hope.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Restores - Spitting in Your Eyes (Outline for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 28, 2019)

One of the most overwhelming emotional responses I have ever had was felt when I was spit upon.  To be honest, it has happened to me more times than I care to recount.  The shock and awe are palpable.  The unbelief.  The mystery.  The . . .  The initial visceral response is one of outrageous aggression.

Jesus pulled this man away from the crowds and then spits in his eyes.  Even though he could not see it, no doubt the blind man had to know what that sound was.  How could healing come from that?  Why would the creative force of the cosmos choose to heal through spit?  Why would He do that?

I certainly don't know the answer to that particular conundrum, but I am sure of this, the blind man was surely happy about no longer being blind.  At times Jesus healed with words, with a touch, and with spit.   

I sure hope that if I am every blessed to be healed by the Great Physician that I am humble enough to allow Jesus to heal whichever way He chooses. 

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Restores - Jesus and a Blind Man (Outline for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 28, 2019)

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”  He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”  Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into  the village.”

Mark 8:22‭-‬26 NIV

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Reaches - Jesus and the Canaanite Woman (Outline for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 21, 2019)

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Reaches - Jesus and the Canaanite Woman - July 21, 2019

Video - EasyWorship Background - 5 minute

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

A leper - A heart that touches

A Centurian - A heart that marvels

The Samaritan woman at the well - A heart that accepts

The Two Daughters (bleeding and Jairus daughter) - A heart that cares

The Pharisee and the woman who anoints Jesus' feet - A heart that confronts

Jesus discussion with the Samaritan woman about worship

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.””

‭‭John‬ ‭4:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬

God is looking for and desires true worshippers-- but what is it that makes someone a true worshipper?  Is it any of the following?

* A certain style of music, dress, and/or liturgy?

* The proper religious heritage or denominational affiliation?

* A required volume of biblical knowledge?

How did people around Jesus respond to worship

* He came to His own and they, broadly speaking, did not receive Him (Jn 1:11)

* Many of His followers would stop following Him altogether after He presented a message that was particularly tough to accept (John 6:60, 66)

* The disciples failed to grasp the nature of this call to worship (Mt 14:31)

* The religious leaders rejected the One who called out to them (Mt 15:8-9)

* Even the closest of His disciples, Simon Peter, failed to see Him rightly (Mt 15:16) and failed to understand the heart of worship

Jesus responds by stepping away from the crowds and out greater Palestine and venturing into Gentile territory

“Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. AN UNHAPPY ENCOUNTER

A.  A mother's pain

“A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  A famous healer

“Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C.  A profound silence

“Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2.  BEING PUT ON HOLD

A.  Priorities or Teachable moments

“He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

B.  The faith of an outsider

“The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:25-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3.  A HUMBLE HEART OF WORSHIP

A.  A conversation about appropriateness

“He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” ”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:26 NIV‬‬

B.  A twist on an old saying

“Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

Matthew 15:27 NIV

C.  A dog's reward

“Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:28‬ ‭NIV

    1.  Loyalty, faithfulness of our house pets

• “LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear,”  (Psalms‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭NKJV‬)
• “A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.”  (Proverbs‬ ‭29:23‬ ‭NKJV)
• “In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”  (1 Peter‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭NIV)

4.  REACH OUT (CONCLUSION)

“Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Four Tops "Reach Out I'll Be There"

As He reaches to us, our best response, as with this hurting woman, is to humbly give Him our worship and trust, knowing that all we give to Him He can handle for our best and for His purposes.  The hymn writer could easily have been speaking of her encounter with Jesus when he penned:

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender. 

Humbly at His feet I bow;

Worldly pleasures all forsaken,

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

I surrender all, I surrender all,

All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

-Judson W. Van De Vanter, 1896

CHALLENGE

Go out of your way to reach out to someone this week.  One person.  Show how much you care by how much effort you put into it.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Reaches - Jesus and Really Reaching Out (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 21, 2019)

Jesus made his followers walk 2 or 3 days to see the Canaanite woman.  That meant there were 2 or 3 days left to walk back after the business on the coast.  The looks on his disciples faces must have been ones of puzzlement when he told them to walk back home after the exorcism.  Did they really walk all the way to the Mediterranean Sea to turn around and go back to where they had started?

Was this more than an exorcism?  More than a good deed done for a woman of faith?  More than what meets the eye?  More than a miracle? 

Probably it was not the primary reason for the journey, but could Jesus have been attempting to demonstrate the importance of reaching out to people.  I mean the difficult task of going beyond what is expected and literally going the extra mile(s).  6 days journey for one woman and her daughter.  That's commitment to people! 

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Reaches - Jesus and Waiting (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 21, 2019)

The waiting is the hardest part.  Waiting is never easy.  Waiting . . .

The Canaanite woman had to wait for Jesus miracle.  He did not heal her daughter on the first request.  He even ignored her petition.  She had to ask with perseverance.   To get what she wanted she had to demonstrate her faith.

Sometimes you just have to wait on God.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Reaches - Jesus and the Canaanite Woman (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 21, 2019)

Jesus walked 2 or 3 days to see the Canaanite woman.  Then he turned around and walked back 2 or 3 days more. 

The last 2 days I have started my day by walking to the church and back to my home.  That's about 3.5 miles.  It took me roughly an hour.  I have been hurting and whining ever since.  I need to move to keep this "temple" in working order.

Jesus put almost a week's worth of walking in just so he could tell the woman that her daughter would be healed.  She was healed by the words of Jesus.  In truth, he didn't even need to see the daughter.  This was for the mother.  Jesus went all that way for her.  Almost a whole week just to let her know that it was going to be OK.  A week of walking?

Jesus reached out to a lady that had deep faith.  She was going to plead her case before the one she thought could take care of her problem.  She trusted.  She didn't give up.  She had faith.  Her faith reached Jesus.  Jesus reached out to her from 3 days away.  Jesus met her where she lived, literally.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Reaches - God Works in Confusing Ways (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 21, 2019)

"God works in mysterious ways."  I can't count the number of times I have heard that expression.  It is usually used when God does something to resolves an issue in an unusual way.  A good result brought about by an unusual turn of circumstances or an intervention from an unexpected source.

The story of the Canaanite woman reminds me that God works in confusing ways. 

Jesus took his entourage all the way out to the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.  They went all that way until they ran into a Syrophoenician woman who needed an exorcism for her daughter.  Jesus ignores the woman.  Then calls her a dog.  Then indicates that He will not heal her daughter.  Then He heals her.

That is a roundabout way to do good.  Frankly, there seems to be needless added drama.  The woman's request could have been easily handled at first request.  Certainly, she didn't change the mind of the Lord of All.  I think this story is confusing.

I think that sometimes God's ways are just confusing.  On my best day, I think I understand God.  On my worst day, I think I understand God.  Perhaps when I'm confused I'm right where I should be.  Perhaps.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Reaches - Jesus and the Canaanite Woman [Mt. 15:21-29] (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 21, 2019)

Matthew 15:21-29 New International Version (NIV)

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Confronts - Sermon outline for July 14, 2019 (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 14, 2019)

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Confronts - Jesus and a Pharisee - July 14, 2019

Video - EasyWorship Background - 5 minute

Prayers

INTRODUCTION

A leper - A heart that touches

A Centurian - A heart that marvels

The Samaritan woman at the well - A heart that accepts

The Two Daughters (bleeding and Jairus daughter) - A heart that cares

Jesus was always motivated by love.

Confrontation as love.

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

1. A CASE OF OPPOSITES

“When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:36-38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Odd Couple - neat Felix and unkempt Oscar

Jesus was invited to come and visit

Local men would have been invited to gather around and listen

Simon the Pharisee

The Woman

Probably uninvited

"A sinner" term of one dedicated/devoted to sin i.e. prostitute or Gentile

Major contrast

Religious leader v. Sinful woman

2.  A SCANDALOUS ACT

“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:37-39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Out of place entrance

B.  Uncomfortable actions

1.  Anoints Jesus' feet

2.  Weeps enough to clean Jesus' feet

3.  Wipes and dries Jesus' feet with her hair

C.  Simon's judgment

1.  She is a sinner

2.  Jesus must not be a prophet

3.  A REVEALING STORY

“Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:40-43‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The power of story

A.  Debt society

B.  Amount of debt - a denarii equals 1 days wage

C.  Debtors the same

The Bible Exposition Commentary says:

Simon's real problem was blindness: he could not seehimselff, the woman, or the Lord Jesus.  It was easy for home to say, "She is a sinner!"  But impossible for home to say, "I am also a sinner!"  (See Luke 18:9-14).  Jesus proved that He was indeed a prophet by reading Simon's thoughts and revealing his needs.

The parable does not deal with the amount of sin in a person's life it the awareness of that sin in his heart.  How much sin must a person commit to be a sinner?  Simon and the woman were both sinners.  Simon was guilty of sins of the spirit, especially pride, while the woman was guilty of sins of the flesh (see 2 Corinthians 7:1).  Her sins were known, while Simon's sins were hidden to everyone except God.  And both of them were bankrupt and could not pay their debt to God.  Simon was just as spiritually bankrupt  as the woman, only he did not realize it.

4.  A STRIKING REALITY

“Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:44-47‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon . . . "

1.  Did Simon see what Jesus saw?

2.  Jesus saw her.

B.  Her sins were forgiven

1.  Forgiveness was the context in which this woman arrives on the scene 

2. The result of salvation is a heart that works for God

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

C.  The spotlight moves to the man beside Jesus

1.  No water to wash Jesus' feet

2.  No kiss for Jesus' cheek 

3.  No anointing for Jesus' head

5.  A POWERFUL PURSUIT

“Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:48-50‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A.  Jesus claim to be God- the forgiveness of sin

B.  Confronting the religious by uplifting the spiritual

1.   The primacy of faith

2.  The judgment of the knowledgable 

3.  Tearing down the idols

CONCLUSION

Confrontation

Jesus confronted his closest friends - Peter, Judas, Thomas, the Big 3, 

"Do what feels right.  Do what you want.  Do your thing."

Confrontation takes more love than letting people harm themselves.

The prophetic voice of the church is heard in confrontation.

People will not listen without gentleness and love!

CHALLENGE

Confront someone with love and gentleness.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Confronts - My Own Heart (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 14, 2019)

Jesus came to "seek and save the lost."  Luke 19:10 reminds us that Jesus came to look for and lead the lost to God.  Sometimes the lost looked like "prostitutes and sinner;" other times, they looked like powerful, religious leaders and long-tenured members of the spiritual establishment.  We err when we see the need for Jesus only in the "sinner" as we all fall into that category no matter how neatly we have cleaned up our mess.  

Too often, "they" are sinners, and "we" are blessed and reformed and holy.  We "were" what they are.  We are "beyond" where they are.  We are "clean," and they are "dirty."  We are "God's people," and they are not.  We and they.  I think Jesus had a very different idea of we and they.  

In reality, they are we, and we are they.  We are all in need of God.  We all fall vastly short of what God would have us be.  We all need cleansed.  We are truly no better than they.  The grace of God reaches both we and they with effect.  In fact, they are we, and we are they.

Both need his mercy.  Both need his love.  Both need a savior.

SEEKING THE HEART OF JESUS: A Heart That Confronts - Jesus and a Pharisee - Luke 7: 36-50 (a blog post for a sermon to be preached at Kenwood Church on July 14, 2019)

Luke 7:36-50 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume.38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[a] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Footnotes:

1. Luke 7:41 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).

New International Version (NIV)

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