11.01.2010 | By: Morgan

Preaching the Way Jesus Does

Nate and I try to have a weekly Bible Study and we stick to it for the most part. Since May we've been in John, taking it very slowly and reading from the commentary I got for graduation. 


Right now we're in John 6 and I really like these verses:


 60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit[e] and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
 66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.


In a society where it seems like every preacher is teaching a soft doctrine that allows sinners to feel safe with where (and who) they are, it is SO refreshing to read these words about Jesus. 


Jesus constantly spoke of the narrow path, the narrow gate. He would even ask people to make sure they REALLY wanted to follow Him. Why can't preachers do the same? Why can't we as Christians do the same? That's what it's all about isn't it? Following "In His Steps"? I'm not talking about condemning, because Jesus doesn't (Romans 8:1) or being busy-bodies in everyone's business. But do people know where you stand when it comes to the words of Scripture? Do YOU know where you stand?


66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.


Jesus didn't chase after them. He wasn't concerned with numbers. He didn't try to win them back. Not because He didn't care but because He seeks a genuine heart. Not people who are swept up in the crowd, or jumping on the band-wagon of their friends, or people who are because they're whole family is. He wants people who will die to themselves, and accept (that is, obey) a "hard teaching."


Jesus didn't fudge the truth of God to win converts so His numbers would look good. Why do we?
He didn't make it softer to avoid hurting people's feelings either. 


Loving Fire and Brimstone. - Now that's the kind of ministry I want to have. Believe me, my social work classes test me often. I'm trying hard to strike the balance between speaking the truth of God, and knowing when it's best to let your life do the talking. (Any prayers would be awesome!) 


There is a difference between tolerance and condoning; loving and accepting, standing for truth and condemning.

  • Love gays; don't support laws that favor them getting married!
  • Be kind and understand to a woman considering abortion; don't encourage it because she doesn't have the money or still has life to live.
  • Be there for your friends, while not letting them think it's ok to live together.
Don't argue, don't pressure, don't put down. Love, and WAIT to be asked by that person unless God leads you otherwise. Prompting to get into their personal lives will only turn them off.

Jesus loved and cared about a prostitute even saving her life from legalistic radicals - But He told her to "Go and sin no more." 

The hurting and unsaved don't need a pat on the back, they need a Savior. 

In my opinion, I need Him more than anyone.



Morgan }|{ "Look at Jesus only."