The Inconvenient Truth of Christianity

The Inconvenient Truth of Christianity

The more we seek after and desire the things of Jesus… the more His desires will become our own! (Christ-minded transformation)
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2 Corinthians 3:18 ~ …(we) are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
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Inconvenient
1. not suited to YOUR comfort, purpose or needs
2. not conveniently timed

Truth
1. John 1:17 ~ …grace and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ
2. John 14:6 ~ Jesus answered, "I am THE WAY and the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Being a Christian has an inescapable INCONVENIENT TRUTH… which is to do JESUS STYLE MINISTRY! (merely wordplay... this is a GOOD thing)

* To PUT ASIDE our personal preferences, fears, and insecurities.
* In faith through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, EMBRACE a personal and communal (church) ministry that may:
- challenge the norm
- bring discomfort to the comfortable
- exchange the predictable for the unpredictable

How do we know? What does that look like? What can we expect?
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Acts 20:23-24 ~ 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
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Once we receive… it becomes what we now have to offer! Let’s embark on a journey to find and show the Real Jesus! Spend time in the Gospels. See how Jesus did ministry and to whom he ministered. He was constantly inconvenienced! He didn't work off of a schedule, agenda, or appointment book. He sought to do and follow the will of the Father even if it meant dealing with the unclean (bleeding woman), sinners, tax collectors (Zaccheus), or the educated (Nicodemus) and prominent (Jairus) people of His time.

*This was inspired by the song “The Real Jesus” by the band DOWNHERE as found on their CD Wide Eye’d and Mystified.

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Teen Talent Night in EXALT 3/13/07

TALENT NIGHT

1 Timothy 4:12 ~ Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us...” .~ Romans 12:5-6 NIV

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Pastor J.'s Pastoral Quips & Catchphrases

Pastor J.'s Pastoral Quips & Catchphrases part I
This is my attempt to further explore the scripture and root of many of the things I frequently say and or repeat. One day I thought... geez, this stuff better be Biblical! ~ YPJ
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 (Church is) "Church is a place where imperfect people gather to worship and hear from a perfect and Holy God"

~ This is in response to the cliche' excuse that church is full of hypocrites... it is! It's also full of sinners... saved by grace! If you've been wounded by a bad church experience or someone was a poor reflection of Christ I would encourage you to consider seeking again.
Romans 3:22-24 / Ephesians 2:8 / Isaiah 6:1-7

 (Faith is) "Asking God why? to some of the really tough and hard to understand questions... and accepting the answer "Because!"

~ Now, there are countless aspects of FAITH. This is in response to many of the "mysteries" of God which make Him... God! John 3:12-13

 (Faith) "Faith that relies on feelings... is not faith at all!"

~ There's a real wave of "emotionalism" that is just not reflective of Biblical faith. Being addicted or dependant on a spiritual/emotional high is very dangerous and often leaves believers confused or worse... doubting in spiritually dry or stable times. Now, God absolutely appeals to us emotionally but He also reaches us rationally and it is during the tough times that we find out what/who our faith is truly in.
Psalm 46:10 / John 16:33

 (Lordship is) "To call Jesus Lord of our life is to first de-crown ourselves and hand Him the authority"

~ A concept not easily grasped today let alone in the time of Jesus. Humbly Jesus came full of grace and truth (John 1:14). His will/desire for our life is allow Him to be Lord! This is the difference between knowing about Him and knowing Him personally! Mark 12:28-31

 (Discipleship is) "Accepting Jesus as Savior and then following Him as coach!"

~ Just examine the life of the disciples and specifically the life of Peter (founder of the church). What a difference Jesus made in their transformation from being inward and self-seeking to outward selflessness! The Holy Spirit and Word of God desire to shape and transform our character more and more into that of Christ Jesus... do we follow and trust the coach? Luke 9:23 / Luke 6:46-49

 HEARTBURN

Luke 24:32 ~ "They asked each other, "Were not our HEARTS BURNING within us while he (Jesus) talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

~ The word of God which is alive and active becomes our authoritative source! Hebrews 4:12

 BRAINWASHED
Romans 12:2 ~ "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWING of your MIND. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
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