Recap of Ignite Youth Service, September 9, 2009
The past few weeks we’ve discussed The Controversial Jesus. He is controversial to both the churched, and the un-churched. But maybe the reason, is because Jesus really is who He says He is.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25, NIV)
To make claims like this, Jesus would either have to be a lunatic or the real deal. Sure, others have claimed to be prophets or great teachers, but none have actually risen from the dead and had the witnesses to prove it as Jesus did. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to a virgin teenage girl. He did live a sinless, perfect life. He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, strength to the limbs of the paralyzed, cleansed skin to those with leprosy, freedom to the demon-possessed and life to dead bodies. He really was executed in our place so that we could spend eternity with Him. He really did ascend to Heaven and really is coming back again to rescue us out of this world. He really will judge the living and the dead.
And if we accept these things to be true, it would mean that we have to live differently. And that realization causes some to become angry and not want to live differently.
So, is Jesus controversial to us? Do we struggle to accept that He is who He says He is? Do our religious beliefs conflict with who Jesus really is? Or do we not even have a relationship with Him yet because He seems so far from what we are comfortable with?
The truth is, Jesus is controversial because He is the only person in history about whom every person must make a decision… must make a stand… must make a choice.
He truly is the only way to heaven.
What will your choice be?
Recap of Youth Devotion, September 2, 2009
Last week we discussed why church people find Jesus so controversial. This week, we discussed the opposite–the un-churched.
1. Some people just can’t believe He is the Savior.
90% of Americans believe in God. And most of those believe that Jesus was a real historical figure. But the number of those who believe He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died in our place on the cross, and was raised from the dead is a whole different matter.
2. Some can’t believe Salvation is that simple.
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent. 1 Corinthians 1:19 NLT
One of the hardest things for non-Christians to understand is that all you have to do is believe and confess. And that’s it. The life change that they hear us preach about happens over time, but Salvation is very simple. Too simple for many folks. It’s almost an insult to the intelligent, offensive that good works aren’t required and foolish for a simple prayer to accomplish something so complicated.
3. Some can’t believe that Jesus is the only way.
The church that claims the most followers in America today is the church of Oprah. And with good reason: universalism. Universalism is the belief that everything is right, as long as you truly believe it. How convenient. But not controversial. When we tell people that Jesus is the only person who loved them so much that He sacrificed His perfect life on their behalf, it’s offensive to them. It’s the most controversial thing we can say.
So, I pose the same question as last week: Are you being controversial? Do people even know that you are a Christian? Are you making waves by standing up for what’s right?
Recap of Youth Service, August 26, 2009
The Controversial Jesus
Everywhere Jesus went, He created controversy. Whether you love Him or hate Him, He is controversial.
So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. I Corinthians 1:23-24, NLT
This week, we discussed why Church people find Jesus controversial.
1. Jesus doesn’t do what we expect.
The people in the days of Jesus were expecting their prophesied Messiah to come from a wealthy family, to be well educated, and would throw the Romans out and setup God’s people to be in charge. But Jesus came from a working family with no wealth to speak of. He’s not looking for political victory but spiritual freedom.
2. Jesus doesn’t love who we expect.
Many religious people had issues with Jesus. They didn’t like it that He spent time with sinners. They were unnerved that He interacted with women of questionable character and had dinner with tax collectors. But He went to those who most needed to hear His message. And the same applies today. If we really believe in His grace, that means a child molester can be saved by calling on His name. That tests the limits of our love and understanding.
3. Jesus doesn’t say what we expect.
Often in His teachings, Jesus made claims or statements that set many religious people on edge. They didn’t like it that He claimed to be God. They didn’t like it that He pointed out their sin. He spoke the truth in love, and it ticked off a lot of people. Sometimes, even His life was in danger.
Jesus was a controversy in all aspects of his life. Everywhere He went, controversy followed Him. So what about you? What kind of controversy are you creating with your life? What things are being said about you? Does anyone even know that you’re a Christian?