"It's All About Jesus" - Doug Rehberg

            In recent decades both psychology and pastoral theology have laid strong emphasis on “being” over “doing.”  In theological circles we have reacted sharply against the heresy of works and the pharisaical focus on the endless doing of ritual acts and “good deeds” which is a diversion to genuine, authentic faith.  We have been cautioned not to identify ourselves with our career or ministry because when change comes, with old age and/or retirement, we will feel worthless and useless and without a clue as to who we are.

            There is undeniable wisdom here.  The tendency to construct a self-image based on performing good deeds easily leads to the illusion of self-righteousness.  When our sense of self becomes tied to some particular acts of service, our hearts become puffed up and we lose touch with the source of our life and the reason why we do what we do.

            However, what we do may be far more decisive and expressive of the ultimate truth of who we are in Christ than anything else.  Indeed, as we mentioned last week in our first message in the series – “The Signature of Jesus,” humbling ourselves and walking with God is the necessary and natural foundation of doing justice and loving kindness (Micah 6:8).  Substituting theoretical concepts for acts of love keeps life at a safe distance.  It also envelopes us in a false shell of insular security.  This is the dark side of putting “being” over “doing.”  This in fact is the exact indictment Jesus leveled against the religious leaders of His day.

            When Jesus called you to follow Him, it was not a call to abstraction.  It was a call to service.  It was a call to be what Martin Luther called “little Christs.”  The truth is, a commitment that is not visible in humble service, suffering discipleship, and selfless love is an illusion.  That’s what Jesus means when He says in Matthew 7, “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and does not act on them is like a stupid man who built his house upon the sand.”  Later He confirms this by saying, “The Son of Man has come not be served, but to serve.”

            But how is the transformation possible?  How is self-possession culled from the life of the Christian and selflessness rooted?  Those are the questions before the house this Sunday.  As with all questions of faith the Bible answers them.

            The answer begins and ends with the heart of God.  It’s a heart that’s expressed perfectly in Jesus Christ.  It’s not a head thing.  It’s a heart thing.  In fact, the scriptures labor this point by linking Jesus’ actions in the Upper Room before the cross and resurrection and after them.  The truth, is walking with Him, doing justice and loving kindness is the product of touching Jesus’ heart.

            The title of Sunday’s message is “It’s All about Jesus.”  We will read Matthew 12:9-21 and examine Acts 1:1-11.  In preparation for the message you may wish to consider the following:

1.       What do you make of the description of the Apostle John in John 21:20?

 

2.      How important is John’s position in the Upper Room prior to the betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus? 

3.      How significant is it to you that Acts 1 follows John 21?

4.      How is what Jesus promises in Acts 1 an exact replica of what happened to Him in Luke 3?

5.      How is that the heart of Jesus is communicated to the disciples in Acts 1 and 2?

6.      What is Jesus expressing to the disciples in verse 7 that the power of the Holy Spirit will remediate?

7.      Is Benhoeffer right in saying that the first service anyone owes another consists of listening to them?

8.      What’s the significance of the cloud in verse 9?

9.      What is the significance of the two men dressed in white who speak to the disciples after the Ascension?

10.  Why does He call them, “Men of Galilee”?

11.  How is the signature of Jesus the product of His heart?