A Revolution???????

Good morning everyone. I hope everyone is having a good week. Well, I know that is not true because I have talk to many of you this week and you are going through some pretty hard things. Well, I would like to share just a portion of my sermon from Sunday night with you and let's see if we can't do something about gloom and doom. Let's dig into the good stuff.........

Bible Verse: Matthew 10:34 "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword."

First, I want to ask you if you know what a revolutionist is? Websters says: A person who actively participates or advocates a revolution. Well, what is a revolution? Websters says: GREAT CHANGE! Is this a good description of Jesus? How do you see Jesus? You have probably seen numerous pictures of Him throughout your life. What does the image in your mind look like? In the bible verse today. Does this Jesus sound gentle? He was. Does this Jesus sound meek? He was. Does this Jesus sound mild? He was. He was all these things and so much more. He was a revolutionist who really challenged the religious, political, and economical places of His time! So, let's look at how He revolutionized the world.

1. He revolutionized our understanding of love:

He was born into a violent time.

The Jewish were under the rule of Rome

The Jewish people expectation of the Messiah was to lead the people in victory

Guess what? Jesus had a different message! In the middle of all the bad happening to the Jewish people Jesus came with a new message, a Message of LOVE. Let's look at Matthew 5:38-45 "ye have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite you on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man shall sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor , and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.."

This message that Jesus preached was revolutionary! For such a long time hate and unforgiveness and now it was being replaced with Love and Grace! The only way to reach deep inside people is to show them some revolutionary love.

2. He revolutionized our understanding of God:

What king of people were around Jesus most of the time? The unsavory.

We are to be more understanding and accepting of people.

The church shouldn't be know for being so judging and condemning.

He came deepen our understanding of the people He wants us to have relationships with.

There is a new rule: IN GOD'S KINGDOM.....THERE ARE NO- UNDISIRABLES!!!!!!!

3. He revolutionized our understanding of sacrifice:

The most revolutionary thing Christ did was become our sin

So we could have a relationship with God

His death on the cross allows us to see His depth of love for us.....His sacrifice.

Now! JESUS ALSO EXPECTS US TO LIVE A LIFE OF SACRIFICE!!!!!!!!!

I guess today I have a couple questions for you. Could you be a revolutionist? How? Could you be: Someone who shares the love of God. Someone who spreads the message of compassion. Or maybe someone who is willing to model revolutionary sacrifice like Christ. Could you do something like that? Would you want a revolution? Why is the word sacrifice so foreign to the way we live today? Do you attract people to Jesus or repel them? What is stopping you from becoming a revolutionist for Jesus? Pray and ask God to take that something away and let's get to work. Let's start a revolution one house at a time. One school at a time. One work place at a time. One county at a time. One state at a time. What can stop us.........but us?????? Have a great day, I love you, and God bless.