Justified
Have you ever looked around to realize someone you needed for such a time as this has been with you for quite some time? Maybe you were one who was brought up in church, accepted Christ as your Savior when you were a teenager and were active in church throughout high school and college. However, as you entered the work force, you found that sleeping in on Sunday became a habit after a hard week at work. Soon, your science background had you even doubting what you believed so strongly in your youth and thus, you had no time for God. Talking to your aunt about her faith and church involvement caused you to rethink your doubts and Sunday morning habits. Was that aunt in your life for such a time as this? Maybe you realized your life was out of control. Sin in so many forms had taken over what seemed to be a life filled with good things. A co-worker talked to you about Jesus, introduced you to the Bible and brought you to church. After a few weeks of listening to stories about this Jesus, you gave your heart and life to Him. Was this co-worker in your life for such a time as this? We are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:9 (NLT) “For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” The most important person God put in your life long before such a time as this is Jesus but He also put others in your life to lead you to Jesus. Has He placed you in someone’s life to share Jesus with them for such a time as this?
See
In the earliest days of His ministry, people saw something different in Jesus. While there were things they didn’t see and understand, they saw and understood enough. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) Imagine what it was like for these men to drop everything they were doing and follow Jesus. Why would they do such a thing? A better question may be why wouldn’t they follow Jesus? C.S. Lewis writes about Reepicheep, an exuberant talking mouse, in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. When asked why he would risk sailing in search of the end of the earth, Reepicheep replied, “Because, this is a very great adventure and no danger seems to me so great as that of knowing when I get back to Narnia that I left a mystery behind me through fear.” Fear causes us to focus on the unseen. But what we have seen is lives changed when people experience the grace and forgiveness that comes with following Jesus. And that is an adventure that shouldn’t be missed.
Rinse
Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 28, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Those words make it clear that we are to be Jesus’ representative in this world. Our mission is to teach others about the gospel, guide them to acceptance of grace and to help them become closer to Jesus throughout their lifetime. Jesus promises to be our leader…our boss…through this process. Jeffrey James of Inc.com wrote an article that identified the greatest traits of an extraordinary boss. He said they inspire employees to dedicate themselves to the success of their peers and to the community at large. Jesus teaches us to see others as important and to help them become a part of God’s family. James wrote that extraordinary bosses set a general direction and then commit themselves to obtaining the resources that their employees need to get the job done, intervening only in emergencies. Jesus knows we have what it takes to get the job done. He empowers us. But the Holy Spirit is on call 24 hours a day when we need him. And James also wrote that extraordinary bosses inspire people to see a better future and how they’ll be a part of it. As a result, they’ll share in the rewards. Jesus promises us rewards in heaven for faithful performance of our duties. We have an extraordinary boss in Jesus. Let’s do his work with supreme confidence and thankfulness.
Repeat
Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 28, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Those words make it clear that we are to be Jesus’ representative in this world. Our mission is to teach others about the gospel, guide them to acceptance of grace and to help them become closer to Jesus throughout their lifetime. Jesus promises to be our leader…our boss…through this process. Jeffrey James of Inc.com wrote an article that identified the greatest traits of an extraordinary boss. He said they inspire employees to dedicate themselves to the success of their peers and to the community at large. Jesus teaches us to see others as important and to help them become a part of God’s family. James wrote that extraordinary bosses set a general direction and then commit themselves to obtaining the resources that their employees need to get the job done, intervening only in emergencies. Jesus knows we have what it takes to get the job done. He empowers us. But the Holy Spirit is on call 24 hours a day when we need him. And James also wrote that extraordinary bosses inspire people to see a better future and how they’ll be a part of it. As a result, they’ll share in the rewards. Jesus promises us rewards in heaven for faithful performance of our duties. We have an extraordinary boss in Jesus. Let’s do his work with supreme confidence and thankfulness.