Is Following Jesus Safe or Dangerous - John Piper - Jan. 11

08 Jan 2009 05:04 pm

This week we will share in our last lesson before beginning the book, "What Jesus Demands of the World." Lesson 7 is actually a companion study to "Seeing and Savoring Jesus." Ironically, John Piper asks the question in Session 6 of the video, "why does Jesus talk in such confusing and complicated ways. Exactly the charge that many of you have lodged against John Piper in his video presentation. I am pleased that we have shared in this study together. As always in life the few who find the negative in things have been the loudest and most often heard voices over the course of this study. But in the last couple of weeks I have received e-mails and contacts from more of you who have said that you have learned immensely from this study. Most of you do agree even with the nay sayers that Dr. Piper's preaching style is a little hard to follow but nontheless you have learned from this godly preacher.

The next book as I have said is a much easier read yet it contains some of richest treasures of the Truth that we will ever study together. Rev. Kevin Duffy and I have been working hard to get the lesson plans ready. We basically have the first 12 ready to go. Teachers I will meet with you this Sunday and Kevin and I will pass out the first weeks lesson plan. We are still fine tuning but hope to have other 11 weeks ready for you to pickup by Wednesday, January 14. Give us until you come for dinner or supper that evening please.

Now on to this week's lesson, "Is Following Jesus Safe or Dangerous." John Piper basically takes a look at two more paradoxes in the teaching of Jesus. First, Matthew 11:28-30 reads, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek ad lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Then he looks at Matthew 7:13 which reads, "Enter in at the narrow gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in that way; Because narrow is the gate, and hard is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Waht is up here? Is it easy or is it hard to follow Jesus? Is it Safe or is it dangerous to follow Him? Why does Jesus speak in such confusing ways? The simple answer is that Jesus wants us to pause and ponder the fact that when it comes to Jesus we are dealing with the extraordinary. The yoke indeed is easy because once we are yoked in and connected to the plow then Jesus lifts us off of the ground and pushes the plow for us. The way is hard because we make it so. We are told that the life of faith should be lived with the innocence of a child but as adults we do not want to be seen as children so we resist this notion. We do not look on with the wonder of a child constantly seeing in every situation what does Jesus have to give to me here. No we want to be the grown up in full control. If we would simply trust in Christ enough to believe that all He teaches us is true and profitable for our growth the we would find the burden truly light.

The second paradox is found in Luke 21:16-18, "And ye shall be betrayed by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolk, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish." What did Jesus say? Some of us will be killed but not a hair will perish on our head. Wow! So we leave behind a corpse with a good hair style. Is that what Jesus means? He is basically saying exactly what He says in Matthew 10:28, "And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Those who seek to do us harm in this world can only kill us once. Then they have no control. We should only fear God who can put us in hell for eternity punishing the body and the soul. But have confidence because Jesus also said in Matthew 10:29-31, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing (penny)? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; ye are of more value than many sparrows." Have confidence that God is in control of all things. He loves you with a Fatherly compassion that will always look out for your well being. Trust in Jesus that God will take care of you with the same innocence that a child will allow his earthly Father to toss him in the air while he simply laughs and repeats "again Daddy, again." We need not fear the one who can destroy body and soul in heaven if we believe in Him and walk in His ways. Do so and you will find the way really is easy. Refuse by constantly taking things into your own hands and you will find the way hard.

We can say this because according to Matthew 28:18, "All authority is given unto me (Jesus) in heaven and in earth." No matter where you go or what you may do in life Jesus has authority over you and your occupation or interests. And what assures me even more is that the Jesus who loves me promises in Matthew 28:20, "...and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the Age."

Sunday assign the review and conclusion which is lesson 8. The handouts will be in the hallway. Everyone is to do this on their own as we will not discuss it in class on the 18th. However, if some of your class wants to get together during the week to discuss it that would be great. Any time God's people get together to discuss His word we all profit.

By : nick | Category: Commentary | Comments [0]