Holy Bluntness!
Scripture – John 5:41-47: “I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God? “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?”
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) I am stunned by the bluntness with which Jesus speaks to these Jews. It’s such a contrast to the way He deals with “ordinary” people – those with honest spiritual questions and concerns. He shows little patience with these leaders because they should know better. How does He speak to us in the church today? We know more than these Jews did. We know who He is. We know what He wants us to do. One writer (I don’t remember who off hand) put it this way: We do no better even though we do know better. What do I/we need to hear and/or change? Do we have the courage to ask Jesus what He really thinks?
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) As I work on tomorrow’s sermon I will listen carefully for God’s direction. I will choose words carefully. With His help, I will speak the truth in love.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, I do love Bethel. I love your church universal. And I love you. Speak your words to us. Open our ears to hear. Continue to carry us forward as we continue your ministry in our local community.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Tim Hortons (Dix and Northline in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) I am stunned by the bluntness with which Jesus speaks to these Jews. It’s such a contrast to the way He deals with “ordinary” people – those with honest spiritual questions and concerns. He shows little patience with these leaders because they should know better. How does He speak to us in the church today? We know more than these Jews did. We know who He is. We know what He wants us to do. One writer (I don’t remember who off hand) put it this way: We do no better even though we do know better. What do I/we need to hear and/or change? Do we have the courage to ask Jesus what He really thinks?
Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) As I work on tomorrow’s sermon I will listen carefully for God’s direction. I will choose words carefully. With His help, I will speak the truth in love.
Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord, I do love Bethel. I love your church universal. And I love you. Speak your words to us. Open our ears to hear. Continue to carry us forward as we continue your ministry in our local community.
An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, join us at Tim Hortons (Dix and Northline in Southgate) this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am.
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