Sunday, March 18, 2012 - Getting Back On Course

    Not only is it "not about me" - it's not at all about me. How have we drifted so far off-course from Jesus' teachings that we have to remind ourselves "It's not about us" when Jesus clearly commanded us to be and act differently from the rest of the world by: 


*forgiving each brother or sister 70x7 times (For many of us, one or two offenses is sufficient to cut the relationship off completely, depending on how badly our pride is hurt.);
Then Peter came to Him and said, 

“Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22



*worshiping the One True God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Not the place, the music, the leaders, the programs, the fellowship: NOthing and NOone else but God.);

Jesus said to her, 

“Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, 

nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 

You worship what you do not know; 

we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 

But the hour is coming, and now is, 

when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; 

for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

John 4:21-24

*humbling ourselves to bend over backwards and go the extra mile so the rude, demanding, lost people in our lives will see Christ in us;  

"If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 

And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 

Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."

Matthew 5:40-42

*praying for our persecutors;

“You have heard that it was said, 

‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, 

do good to those who hate you, 

and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;" 

 Matthew 5:43-45a

*serving instead of demanding to be served or lazily allowing ourselves to be served:

 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, 

you also ought to wash one another’s feet."  

John 13:14

*hostility:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. 

But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." 

Matthew 5:38-39

*caring for people:

"But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind."

Luke 14:13

*conflicting wills: 

"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. 

Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, 

for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:5

Imagine a church in line with Jesus' teachings instead of online to study everyone else's ideas of success.


Father, forgive me for making even the smallest act in Your kingdom work, Your church,  Your people in any way about me.  You measure success by our obedience to what You've already told us to do. Lord, help us do them but more importantly, help us be them. Bring us back on course and in line with Your commands. May we stand out as different from the rest of the world because You stand out in us.
In the Name of Jesus Who stands above all others in pointing people to You!