PART 3 –  HOW JESUS SEES YOU

Who is He?

(Mark 8:27-29)  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 Christ.”

I hope by now – your view of Jesus is changing

Today – I least understand – but most enjoy

He is so accepting – loves us even though…

So many see it backwards

Think you need to get it together to become a Christ follower

No – need to become a Christ follower to get it all together

Truth – Jesus accepted people before they changed

Didn’t say – Wrong – wrong – wrong – follow me

No – created an environment of acceptance – built a bridge

Jesus was criticized because of the company He kept

Once again – here today to dispel myths

Let you see Jesus the way the Bible describes

Church has been one of the culprits of this way of thinking

They’ve not been – authentic, relevant, enjoyable, accepting

We believe church should not just do what He did

But embody His personality

Our church – a place where people are accepted

We used to get criticized in Colorado Springs

“You are that feel good church” – Versus what?

“You are that happy church”

There are many views of Jesus – you have one

Probably shaped by your experience with church or culture

Let me give you four common pictures of Jesus

Four Pictures of Jesus – How We See God

• A locked gate.

Myth:  God can’t be reached.

Some come to church/religion – feel like an outsider

Think there is some secret key to get in

You want in – but you can’t get in

Like religion is some exclusive club – always on the outside

Even certain doctrines teach that some are picked – others not

• A pile of luggage.

Myth:  God doesn’t want me.

When you look at your life – your past

Feel guilty accepting His grace

Try to get it together – but the luggage is too heavy

Feel burdened down – can’t get rid of the past

We don’t know how to deal with the past

So we just buy another bag – try to tuck it away

God is not turned off by your past

He wanted you to know this so much

Used people with more baggage than you have

God has a history of using people with a lot of luggage

Consistently used people who didn’t have it all together

Moses, David, Samson, Disciples, Paul

• An endless ladder.

Myth:  God requires a lot from me.

You’re trying – but you never get good enough

Condemnation has become your companion

You’re frustrated and exhausted

Can’t find your way to the top

• A free gift.

The true picture of God.

I don’t know if you have ever received an underserved gift

Got something from someone for no reason

It’s better than a birthday or Christmas

Know the person was just thinking about you

Probably one of the biggest misconceptions about faith in Jesus

Think there’s something you’ve got to do to earn it

So many people all over are working to impress God

Basing their faith on their good works

(Ephesians 2:8-9)  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Totally underserved – Grace and mercy

Mercy – not getting what you did deserve

Grace – getting what you did not deserve

(Romans 6:23)  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Here’s a twist on the “Who is He?” series

Been talking about our view of Him

But part of the way we view Him

Comes from the way we think He sees us

How Jesus Sees You

1. You are accepted.

(John 15:16)  “You did not choose me, but I chose you…”

He wants you on His team – He would pick you

He was interested in you way before you got interested in Him

He wants you – not frustrated with you

(1 Peter 2:9)  “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

This will be difficult for some here – your view of God is distorted

Because you’ve been rejected by people – parents

You’ve never had their approval – never enough

(Psalm 27:10)  “Even if my mother and father forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”

Some say – How do you know He feels that way about me?

You wouldn’t be here

He has given you His presence – the deposit of His Spirit

You’ve sensed God drawing you – know it’s real

That’s why you’re here

(Acts 15:8)  “God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.”

2. You are forgiven.

Jesus came to set you free – not make you sorry

Didn’t come to point out your sin – but to free you from it

Story – My note from Ted Haggard in my Bible

Cleanse your conscience – make you feel better

(John 3:17)  “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

The best part of His day – to let you off the hook

(Micah 7:18-19)  “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”

Story – Came home from Washington DC

Candy for breakfast – they fall on their face in worship

If this becomes your picture of God

Will change the way you pray, worship, read Bible, etc

3. You are invited.

Arms wide open – come on! – would do anything to be with you

There is an open invitation for you to come – just as you are

It’s your move

(Revelation 3:20)  “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

(Revelation 22:17)  “Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”

Story – John 3:16

The big question – what now? – How?

It’s so simple

(John 6:28-29)  Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”  Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

Fundamental difference between Christianity and all other religions

Can’t earn it – it’s already done

Other religions – something you must do

Prayer

Why do we need to pray?

(Romans 10:9)  “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”