The Jesus Sessions

Last night we began a new series that will take us through the next several weeks.
I believe that what Jesus has to say is very practical for us today. The problem is, we often think that practical means quick and easy, so we go with the quick and easy advise that the world gives not realizing that the outcomes can be destructive.
I believe that Jesus is always practical, but not always quick and easy. But what Jesus has to say is the way to abundant life.
Glen Stassen is an ethics professor at Fuller Seminary, and he proposes that many of Jesus' teachings are in a three-fold format, that is, they begin with some sort of traditional saying of righteousness, then they explain some sort of vicious cycle, and then Jesus gives a transforming initiative or an action we can take to transform our lives and lead us out of the vicious cycle we are in.
Last night we looked at Matthew 7:6-11, and you can see this format in this passage. Jesus starts by telling the people not to give what is holy to the dogs, or throw pearls to swine (that is the traditional saying of righteousness that people would have understood). Then Jesus says that they will trample your pearls and turn and maul you too (this is the vicious cycle, when we give ourselves, our gifts, our talents, our lives to the pigs and dogs, then what we have gets trampled and we get mauled in the process. Maybe some of you feel like you have been mauled by this world). Finally, Jesus gives his transforming initiative when he tells us to turn to God by saying, "Ask...seek...knock."
Jesus gives practical advice that is for our best interest. So over the next several weeks we are going to look at what Jesus has to say, see if we can identify this pattern and the vicious cycles, and learn what Jesus teaches in order to lead us out of those unhealthy patterns into abundant life.

It was great to worship with you this weekend!
God bless you and I will see you next week!
-Tim