In the last part of our series we looked at the kind of life we are called to live as a follower of Jesus. The main Scripture for the night came from 2 Corinthians 5:15-21. As we read through these verses, we noted a couple things in particular:
1. When we are washed clean by the blood of Christ, our old life is gone and a new life begins.
2. That new life is meant to be spent living as a representative of Jesus.
Most of the night was spent talking about what it means to represent Jesus. We compared this concept with famous figures representing brands/products. Specifically, we looked at the endorsements of Tiger Woods. (There is actually a bit we can learn from Tiger in regards to representing someone/something)
Most of Tiger's money is made not from winning golf tournaments, but from endorsing products. The companies believe that if Tiger is associated with their product, they will be able to increase sales (and it obviously works, otherwise they wouldn't pay him the big bucks they do).
Similarly, as Christians we live a life representing Jesus, with the hopes that more people will be drawn to him as the result. We're not after increasing sales numbers, but we are after seeing as many people as possible discover the relationship with God they were created to experience.
When it was discovered that Tiger was involved in a number of affairs, some companies terminated their relationship with him (Gatorade, AT&T, Accenture, Gillette). Basically they felt that what Tiger was associated with no longer represented what their company stood for. Tiger was now doing more to hurt their brand than help it.
Gladly, this is where our relationship with God is a bit different. When we act in a way that does not represent Jesus (and we will), he does not terminate our relationship with us. His love for us is able to cover over those things. However, it does not mean that we are accurately representing him. In fact, I can see him being frustrated as I do things that aren't in line with what he stands for.
Tiger was not dumped by these companies because he had a moral failure while using any of those companies' products. I doubt he had an affair while drinking a Gatorade. I don't think he was with a woman in the back of a Buick. But, it does not matter. Whether he's filming an AT&T commercial or spending private time in his own house, he still represents those companies. He can't choose to represent Gillette on second, and then not represent them the next.
Same with us representing Jesus. It doesn't matter whether we are in youth group on Wednesday night or if the calendar says Sunday. We represent Jesus 24/7, wherever we are and by whatever we are doing. There's no asterisk beneath our actions stating that 'these words do not reflect the position of Jesus Christ or his church'.
How well are you doing representing Jesus? If you need a gauge to help answer that question, two good places to start are Galatians chapter 5 and Ephesians chapter 5.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Friday, December 03, 2010
Just Like Jesus Pt. 1
We're doing a short 2-week series in youth group about living like Jesus lived on earth. We hear a lot about his birth (especially this time of year) and his death (especially at Easter) but what about how he lived his life in between those 2 events?
The passage in the Bible we looked at was John 14:1-14. The story takes place as Jesus is with his disciples on the night he will eventually be arrested. The discussion turns toward heaven and the reason Jesus came to earth. Jesus reveals to his disciples 2 main reasons he came to earth.
1) To provide a way for our sins to be forgiven.
2) To be a role model for us to follow.
We spent most of the night talking about how Jesus is a role model for us. But we first covered the statement Jesus makes in John 14:6 where he tells his disciples that there is no other way to heaven than to believe in him. It doesn't matter whether or not Jesus is our role model if we don't believe in him and what he did for us on the cross. That is of utmost importance. Once we've heard, believed, and accepted that message, it's on to how we should live life from that point forward.
Jesus begins by stating that he has his own role model: God the Father. Everything he has said and done on earth was exactly what the Father wanted him to do. In fact, Jesus has done such a perfect job at modeling his life after his Father, that he says when you've seen Jesus, you've also seen God the Father. The reflection in his life is so accurate that to see one means you've seen both!
The tables are then turned as Jesus commands his disciples to live their lives as Jesus has lived his. He even tells them that they will do even greater things than what Jesus has done! (Let that sink in for a moment). Through the Holy Spirit we are able to model our life after Jesus just as he modeled his after the Father. It doesn't mean that we always do a good job of that, but we do have the potential and ability through the Spirit to live just like Jesus did.
Have you believed and accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross? If so, do you now seek to live your life just like Jesus did? When people look at you, can you tell them, "When you see me, you see Jesus"?
The passage in the Bible we looked at was John 14:1-14. The story takes place as Jesus is with his disciples on the night he will eventually be arrested. The discussion turns toward heaven and the reason Jesus came to earth. Jesus reveals to his disciples 2 main reasons he came to earth.
1) To provide a way for our sins to be forgiven.
2) To be a role model for us to follow.
We spent most of the night talking about how Jesus is a role model for us. But we first covered the statement Jesus makes in John 14:6 where he tells his disciples that there is no other way to heaven than to believe in him. It doesn't matter whether or not Jesus is our role model if we don't believe in him and what he did for us on the cross. That is of utmost importance. Once we've heard, believed, and accepted that message, it's on to how we should live life from that point forward.
Jesus begins by stating that he has his own role model: God the Father. Everything he has said and done on earth was exactly what the Father wanted him to do. In fact, Jesus has done such a perfect job at modeling his life after his Father, that he says when you've seen Jesus, you've also seen God the Father. The reflection in his life is so accurate that to see one means you've seen both!
The tables are then turned as Jesus commands his disciples to live their lives as Jesus has lived his. He even tells them that they will do even greater things than what Jesus has done! (Let that sink in for a moment). Through the Holy Spirit we are able to model our life after Jesus just as he modeled his after the Father. It doesn't mean that we always do a good job of that, but we do have the potential and ability through the Spirit to live just like Jesus did.
Have you believed and accepted what Jesus did for you on the cross? If so, do you now seek to live your life just like Jesus did? When people look at you, can you tell them, "When you see me, you see Jesus"?
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