skip to main |
skip to sidebar
FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK
HERE.
There are seven "I AM" statements by Jesus
recorded in the Gospel of John. Jesus is not
into making sure everyone knows a certain
body of knowledge or set of doctrines. He is
completely all about having a relationship
with each one who wants it. When He uses the
"I AM" pronouncements, it is clear He is
describing different dimensions or facets of
the relationship with you He desires. One of
the most familiar of these is found in a
setting with the disciples just a couple of
days before He heads to His death (John 14:1-6).
Jesus comforts His disciples regarding His
imminent departure from them to go to the
cross. He has mentioned this to them a few
times and now it is time. He says: "Do not
let your heart be troubled; believe in God,
believe also in Me. In My Father's house are
many dwelling places; if it were not so, I
would have told you; for I go to prepare a
place for you. If I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and receive you to
Myself"
I am convinced now that Jesus is referring to
His death and His coming again to receive
them personally is going to happen through
the resurrection-"that where I am, there
you may be also." Jesus wants us to be
with Him wherever He is. By the way, now
that's heaven-being in His presence with Him.
Then Jesus says, "And you know the way
where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord,
we do not know where You are going, how do we
know the way?" (John 14:1-6) Do you see
how confused Thomas was with Jesus' words? He
is as confused as most Christians are today.
Thomas was thinking Jesus was referring to a
place-a location that can be found with a
good set of directions.
Jesus straightens out his thinking. Jesus
said to him, "I am the way, and the truth,
and the life; no one comes to the Father but
through Me." He's saying, "Thomas, you're
missing the point! I am not talking about a
place that you can find by a set of
directions or a map. That's not the way.
"I am the way!" Jesus is not
interested in getting you to go to some
special or heavenly location or place. The
important thing is not a place, but a person.
Jesus, Himself, is that person. He is the way!
With every one of the "I AM" pronouncements
or signatures by Jesus in the Gospel of John
there is a corresponding miracle or sign that
illustrates it. With this one the miracle is
the one in chapter 4 of John. Check it out.
Therefore He came again to Cana of Galilee
where He had made the water wine And there
was a royal official whose son was sick at
Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come
out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and
was imploring Him to come down and heal his
son; for he was at the point of death. So
Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see
signs and wonders, you simply will not
believe." The royal official said to Him,
"Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus
said to him, "Go; your son lives." The man
believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and
started off. As he was now going down, his
slaves met him, saying that his son was
living. So he inquired of them the hour when
he began to get better. Then they said to
him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever
left him." So the father knew that it was at
that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your
son lives"; and he himself believed and his
whole household. This is again a second sign
that Jesus performed when He had come out of
Judea into Galilee. (John 4:46-54)
Here's what I see here. The official came to
Jesus thinking that Jesus was the only way
his son would have a chance to live. Jesus
was the only way! Then Jesus spoke healing to
the official. Jesus was the truth! Then, the
official received word from his servants that
his son was healed at the moment Jesus spoke
the truth to him. The official then knew
Jesus was the life!
This is the foundation for SECRET #42:
The follower of Jesus relates to his
Master as the way, the truth and the
life. There is no place to figure
out, only a person to follow, because He is
the way, the truth and the life!
FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK
HERE.
From the earliest times with the disciples
who were following Jesus most closely, there
was a discussion about positions in the
Kingdom. In the 18th chapter of Matthew there
was an interesting scene that begins with a
question from the disciples: At that time
the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
The answer Jesus gives is set forth in four
parts: FIRST-Jesus pulls in a child and
declares that no one will enter the kingdom
of heaven without becoming like a child. He
called a little child and had him stand among
them. And he said: "I tell you the truth,
unless you change and become like little
children, you will never enter the kingdom of
heaven."
SECOND-Then Jesus gets to the question of the
disciples more directly and says that the
greatest in the Kingdom of heaven has the
humility of a child. Jesus says,
"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like
this child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven."
THIRD-Jesus announces the blessing to those
who receive one child such as this. Jesus
says that by doing this they are receiving
Jesus personally. He says, "And whoever
welcomes a little child like this in my name
welcomes me."
FOURTH-Jesus warns of the curse upon those
who cause one of these little ones to
stumble. Jesus says, "But if anyone causes
one of these little ones who believe in me to
sin, it would be better for him to have a
large millstone hung around his neck and to
be drowned in the depths of the sea."
NOTE that there are basically two conditions
to enter the Kingdom. "Unless you are
converted" is the underlying theme here: 1.
Converted means to have a change of mind-a
change of mind toward Jesus. Conversion has
the idea of total surrender-a total change of
mind to be completely focused on Jesus. 2.
Unless you become like children-humble,
innocent, respectful and most of all, a
teachable, tender heart, you cannot be
converted in your heart and enter the Kingdom.
NOTE that this is a serious issue for Jesus.
Your actions and reactions must be pulled
into check. Your life is not just about you.
There are many looking on and following you
in your attitudes and actions. I like
thinking that you may be the only book on
Jesus and His teachings some people will ever
read and the only way Jesus will ever be able
to touch them, so pay attention to who you
are and what you do.
Later Jesus clarified this even more when He
said: "Do not be called leaders; for One
is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the
greatest among you shall be your servant.
Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and
whoever humbles himself shall be
exalted." (Matthew 23:10-12)
This brings us to SECRET #41: The
follower of Jesus is a servant of
all. Over the last few years we have
discovered a way to remind us to be a servant
to all. It's a simple question. It is: "What
can I do to help?" This question sets the
mood toward servant hood with those you
encounter, but most of all it sets up your
mood and mode of action. It's easy! "What can
I do to help?" SECRET #41: The follower
of Jesus is a servant of all.
FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK
HERE.
Two gates, two guides, Now, two foundations.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words
of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to
a wise man who built his house on the rock.
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and
the winds blew and slammed against that
house; and yet it did not fall, for it had
been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears
these words of Mine and does not act on them,
will be like a foolish man who built his
house on the sand. The rain fell, and the
floods came, and the winds blew and slammed
against that house; and it fell-and great was
its fall." (Matthew 7:24-27)
This brings us to SECRET #40: The
follower of Jesus builds his life on a solid
foundation. There are two foundations
upon which you can build your life according
to Jesus. So, everything you do with your
life as it relates to hearing the words of
Jesus and practicing what He says affects how
well you cope with every storm that blows
your way.
NOTE similar things about each foundation: 1.
Each person hears the words of Jesus. 2. Each
person faces the same rain, floods, and
blowing winds slamming against them.
And note the differences between the two: 1.
Each person responds differently to the words
he has heard-one by acting upon the words of
Jesus and the other by not acting upon them.
2. Each person experiences a different
result-one does not fall down and the other
falls flat!
I am now convinced that most of us most of
our lives have lived our lives founded upon
the sand. It's what I call the "sandcastle
lifestyle". What Jesus is saying is so simple
and so profound. Jesus wants only two things
from us:
1. He wants each of us to listen to His
words. Instead of talking all of the time
when you pray, try sitting still and waiting
for Jesus to speak to you. You'll know what
He wants from you. You'll know what His will
is for you. I regret to say that I have spent
most of my life talking and not listening.
Therefore, I have missed out on what Jesus is
attempting to say to me. It's as simple and
as tragic as that!
2. He wants each of us to act upon what He
says to do-to practice what He says in your
daily life. Listen to Jesus and do what He
says to do, no more and no less. This is why
we have included the 3rd habit for our
lives-waiting on Jesus to lead out.
NOTE THE RESULTS: FIRST-If you hear His words
and are careful to do them, no matter what
comes in against you, your house will not
collapse!
SECOND-If you hear His words and don't do
them, the very same rain, floods, and winds
will come against you, then your house will
fall flat, dramatically! HOW'S YOUR HOUSE
STANDING???
Then, Matthew gives some insight on how
impactful Jesus' teachings here were: When
Jesus had finished these words, the crowds
were amazed at His teaching; for He was
teaching them as one having authority, and
not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)
Jesus spoke so powerfully that it amazed all
those who heard Him. This Jesus is for real!
Jesus is so attractive! Jesus is the most
irresistible One ever! He didn't quote any
other teacher; He was the teacher of
teachers, so do whatever you have to do to
carefully listen to Jesus diligently
practicing what you hear from Him. SECRET
#40: The follower of Jesus builds his
life on a solid foundation. That
foundation is the rock. His name is Jesus!
FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK
HERE.
SECRET #39 is The follower of Jesus is
careful to do the will of the Father.
We just saw in SECRET #38 that Jesus makes it
clear that no matter what your lingo is,
calling Him "Lord", or what you have
done-spoken, cast out demons or healed in the
name of Jesus, or claim to be a believer in
Jesus, you may not enter the Kingdom of
heaven. There is only one qualification Jesus
gives in this context and it is: only "he
who does the will of My Father who is in
heaven will enter."
Jesus uses this same terminology when He was
making the point about who His real family
members are: And stretching out His hand
toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My
mother and My brothers! For whoever does the
will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My
brother and sister and mother." (Matthew
12:49-50)
Jesus first refers to God as His Father in
the 7th chapter of Matthew. It's interesting
to note that Jesus doesn't use the term
Father when speaking to the Pharisees or the
devil. The term Father is used primarily when
He is interacting with His disciples and
potential disciples. It's also interesting to
note Jesus is the only character in the
Gospel of Matthew to use the term Father.
Jesus identifies God as his own Father
through the use of the phrases my Father, my
heavenly Father, or my Father in heaven.
Jesus also makes several references to our
relationship with the Father. Jesus says:
"Let your light shine before men in such a
way that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father who is in heaven."
"Therefore you are to be perfect or complete
in your love toward everyone, as your
heavenly Father is complete in His love of
everyone." "Your Father knows what you need
before you ask Him."
Why is this Fatherly image so vital? In a
sense, as Jesus shared His relationship with
the Father, it was a personal invitation to
enter into that same relationship with Jesus
and the Father. Jesus says that "No one
can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me
draws him; and I will raise him up on the
last day." (John 6:44) And in His prayer
to the Father in John 17 Jesus says: "I do
not ask on behalf of these alone, but for
those also who believe in Me through their
word; that they may all be one; even as You,
Father, are in Me and I in You, that they
also may be in Us, so that the world may
believe that You sent Me. The glory which You
have given Me I have given to them, that they
may be one, just as We are one;" (John
17:20-22)
I love the end of that prayer: "That they
may all be one; even as You, Father, are in
Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us,
so that the world may believe that You sent
Me. The glory which You have given Me I have
given to them, that they may be one, just as
We are one." The invitation for us is to
be in Jesus and the Father and they in
us-that we may be one together with them!
Paul Young, author of The Shack
opened up a thought to me that really makes
sense. Jesus makes it very clear that He only
does what the Father directs Him to do-the
will of the Father. Jesus says He does
nothing on His own initiative, but always
does things that are pleasing to the Father
(John 8). So, when Jesus' mother suggested to
Jesus that He help out their friends at the
wedding celebration and make some more wine,
Jesus said that it was not His time. Or, in
other words, He hadn't heard the word from
the Father to do such a thing. Then, shortly
after she told the servants to do whatever He
said, Jesus moves into gear and made the
finest of wines for the wedding feast. What
happened between the first rejection by Jesus
and the next move of actually following
through and doing it? He just received word
from the Father that this was the thing to do!
SECRET #39 is The follower of Jesus is
careful to do the will of the Father.
So, what does it mean to do the will of the
Father? I think Jesus answers this in His
next story where He compares the wise man and
the foolish man who built on two different
foundations. Here it is: "He who hears my
words and practices them" is the answer
to doing the will of the Father! Listen to
Jesus and do what He says. FOLLOW HIM!
FOR AUDIO VERSION CLICK
HERE.
Jesus discussed two gates-wide and narrow-and
now He paints a picture of two kinds of
fruit-two kinds of prophets or leaders. He
says: "Beware of the false prophets, who
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly
are ravenous wolves. You will know them by
their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from
thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are
they? So every good tree bears good fruit,
but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree
cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree
produce good fruit. Every tree that does not
bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into
the fire. So then, you will know them by
their fruits." (Matthew 7:15-20)
This brings us to SECRET #38: The
follower of Jesus is cautious of false
prophets and teachers. This is a
significant and strong teaching about the
deception that is present within the circles
of those who claim to know Jesus and His
teachings. For years I have asked, "Who are
these guys?" And, the usual answer is filled
with a listing of everyone just to the right
or left of the one who is answering. But
Jesus gives us a clear understanding of who
these people are so that we can identify
those who are false and those who are genuine
with respect to their relationship with Jesus.
Now, don't get the idea that a false teacher
or false prophet has an FT or FP tattooed on
his forehead. It's not that recognizable.
However, Jesus does make it clear what the
difference is. That difference Jesus
articulates is more for a personal
examination first before you use what He says
as a litmus test to be applied to others.
Jesus warns that there will be false prophets
who seem harmless, but are out to destroy. He
says that you can decipher them by their
fruits. But even this may be difficult to
judge (conclusively judge) whether or not a
prophet is false or genuine, because many
false prophets show a certain kind of
fruitfulness in what they do. That's what
makes them so attractive!
But NOTE what the test here really is. The
term fruit is the operative word here. In
order to check out a prophet's fruit (not
their show or outward demonstration), you
need to observe the person and ministry over
a prolonged period of time. It takes time to
produce fruit. There is no instant fruit. So
watch for the fruit over a long period of
time and you'll know.
Now NOTE what these false prophets actually
do. This is amazing! "Not everyone who
says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will
of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord,
did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your
name cast out demons, and in Your name
perform many miracles?' And then I will
declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART
FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'"
(Matthew 7:21-23)
Jesus says that there will be people who come
before Him in the last days, calling Him
Lord, but will not enter the kingdom of
heaven. Just using the right language will
not get a person into the kingdom of heaven.
HOWEVER, the one who does the will of the
Father will enter-the person who not only
talks a good game, but walks it and proves it
out by his actions.
These people, Jesus says, will do 3 things
that will make it all the more difficult to
discern whether or not a person is a false
prophet. They speak in the name of Jesus-"Did
we not prophesy in your name?" They cast out
demons in the name of Jesus. They perform
many miracles in the name of Jesus.
WOW! These are some powerful things that the
false prophets do. So how can you tell the
difference between the false and the genuine.
Jesus offers two identifiers here of what
false teachers and prophets are all about.
First-Watch their fruit! Second-"Not
everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will
enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does
the will of My Father who is in heaven will
enter."
The deceptiveness of these false prophets is
another good reason why it's necessary to
keep: 1-Walking with Jesus 2-Walking with
others 3-Waiting on Jesus to lead out. THE
BEST DEFENSE AGAINST THE COUNTERFEIT IS TO
KNOW THE GENUINE VERY WELL. HIS NAME IS JESUS
AND ALL HE REQUIRES OF YOU IS TO FOLLOW HIM!
SECRET #38 is The follower of Jesus is
cautious of false prophets and teachers.
