Colorless

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Would it make a difference?

Today is April Fool's Day... Today is Sunday too. Yet, we did not have Holy Communion. Instead, we had a very thought-provoking sermon.

I went to Barry's church today... South Bank Baptist, in case you don't know.

The title of the sermon was "Just A Few More Days to Live". Ian (Pastor Ian Jones, that is) was referring to Palm Sunday in the Bible... John 12:20-36. Anyways, the point is, in his last days, Jesus continued praying to GOD, continued teaching & performing miracles, ate with his disciples, washed their feet, prayed some more, went around preaching... Yet, in the midst of all these seemingly routine lifestyle, he knew his end was near.

The sermon serves to lead to one ultimate question, but along the way, some prompts were given:

1) Jesus was resolute to GOD's will, even though he knew the suffering he would go through.
Are YOU resolute to GOD's will?

2) Jesus was committed beyond personal comfort & convenience.
Are YOU committed enough?

3) Jesus was focussed on serving others, not pleasing himself.
Are YOU focussed on service?

4) Jesus was interested in what's eternal, not the temporal.
How is YOUR view of this world affecting your life?
(See Colossians 3:1-2 for a hint of how you should live.)

5) Jesus was not focussed on his death, but on our lives.
His death will bring us life! But are YOU living the life for which he died for?

The ultimate question is, or rather, are:

What would you do if you knew you had one week to live?
Should knowing your lifespan make a difference in the way you live?

Sounds straightforward at first... but think deeper. The answer to the 2nd question should be "No"... but how many of us are living the life for which Jesus died?

Today, I shall not leave u with a song. Instead, here's what's on my bulletin cover today. Here's what's referred to as "the gospel in one verse":

John 3:16

GOD... - The GREATEST lover
so loved... - The GREATEST degree
the world... - The GREATEST company
that HE gave... - The GREATEST act
HIS only Son... - The GREATEST gift
that whoever... - The GREATEST opportunity
believes... - The GREATEST simplicity
in HIM... - The GREATEST attraction
should not perish... - The GREATEST promise
but... - The GREATEST difference
have... - The GREATEST certainty
everlasting life. - The GREATEST possession

-Pastor Ian Jones: "The Greatest"

Ok, maybe just one song ya? =)

"From heaven You came, helpless babe,
Entered our world, Your glory veiled.
Not to be served but to serve,
And give Your life that we might live.

This is our God, the SERVANT KING.
He calls us now to follow Him;
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the SERVANT KING.

There in the garden of tears,
My heavy load He chose to bear.
His heart with sorrow was torn,
Yet not my will, but Yours he said.

Come see His hands and his feet,
The scars that speak of sacrifice,
Hands that flung stars into space,
To cruel nails surrendered.

So let us learn now to serve,
And in our lives enthrone Him.
Each other's needs to prefer,
For it is Christ we're serving."

-Graham Kendrick: The Servant King

As we go on with our daily lives, let us focus on GOD, because when we focus on GOD, our love will prosper & turn into something GOD wants... I love you dear.

Love me if you dare... 21:56
0 thoughts on this post

----------------------------------------