November 24, 2013

 Are You Who You Say You Are?  

Luke 22: 66 - 71

Luke

At daybreak all the leaders of the people assembled, including the leading priests and the teachers of religious law.  Jesus was led before this high council, and they said, "Tell us if you are the Messiah."

But he replied, "If I tell you, you won't believe me.  And if I ask you a question, you won't answer.  But the time is soon coming when I, the Son of Man, will be sitting at God's right hand in the place of power."

They all shouted, "Then you claim you are the Son of God?"

And he replied, "You are right in saying that I am."

"What need do we have for other witnesses?" they shouted.  "We ourselves heard him say it."      

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 Thoughts....

Are you who you say you are?

Who do you say you are? 

Have you ever thought about your Christian witness in the face of others? 

When looking at you, seeing your actions, observing the choices you make, would others see Christ in you? 

Would others be able to tell you are a Christian by your talk....your walk?

Are you a person others would find believable, credible?  Have you integrity? 

Do you command attention with humility?  Are you heard?  Do others respond to your questions? 

Will you ever sit in power at God's right hand?

Would others need to act as a witness to who you say you are, to prove who you say you are?

These are all the things Jesus went through.  Jesus....the Messiah.  The Teacher, Lord, and Savior for the universe.

Picture all the leaders of the people assembling as the sun begins to crest the horizon.  The leading priests and the teachers of religious law are standing around.  You see Jesus being led before this 'high council'.  They query Jesus seeking an answer.  "Tell us if you are the Messiah." 

Calmly, poised, with gentleness, Jesus is complacent as he replies, "If I tell you, you won't believe me."  He goes on to say, "And if I ask you a question, you won't answer."  Can you imagine how he must be feeling in this moment to say this? 

Jesus continues to speak.  He says, "But the time is soon coming when I, the Son of Man, will be sitting at God's right hand in the place of power."  Can you feel the indignant rage from the members of the 'high council?  Can you see the look of astonishment on their faces?  'Abomination' seems to be written across their cheeks.  Their eyes protrude with upset.  Their mouths hang awry. 

And then they all shouted, "Then you claim you are the Son of God?"  'Then you claim'......yes, Jesus claimed.  Actually, he proclaimed....clearly, succinctly, without error. 

Have you ever claimed you are someone you are not?  Why would Jesus?  He didn't.

Have you ever had to prove yourself?  Perhaps you can possibly understand how Jesus might be feeling in this moment. 

What was Jesus' response to the 'high council'?  Stating as matter of fact, Jesus replied softly, with eyes clear and bright, shoulders relaxed, and head held high,  "You are right in saying that I am." 

Would others be right saying who you are?  What would they say?

The high council then shouts, "What need do we have for other witnesses?"  "We ourselves heard him say it."

And Jesus hangs his head praying, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are saying or doing.", as the 'high council', proudly being right, look around at each other with satisfaction, determination, and Jesus' blood on their hearts. 

Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, is this where the curtain closes on the scene of your life?  Who are you in this 'play'?  Are you living your life like a member of the 'high council'....or....are you living your life like Jesus lived his? 

Does your life convey that you are pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God?  (Phil 3:14)

Or are you the one pointing fingers, living a life possibly far from God's ideal? 

Every day, every moment is a test.  Will you pass or will you fail?  I failed a test this week.  My credibility was brought into question by a choice I made....and inaction on my part.  I was overwhelmed and made an 'executive decision'.  I should have made a better choice.  I knew better how to handle a situation, but balked.  My leadership skills were questioned, hence, it sidelined and tanked me.  It all surrounded an employment decision, lest you become concerned it was something worse.  But it was a poor decision founded on confusing circumstances.  I'm quite sure others questioned my talk and my walk.  In doing so, I shed an unclear focus on who I am and who my Lord is within me.  Shame on me.  But I'm thanking God, for he forgives us all!

I don't know your life situation, but God does.  But I do know that if you have had a day or week as I have....making some poor choices, calling leadership skills into question, allegiance and alliance as well with Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, know that God will forgive you, too.  As long as we don't continue to knowingly make choices in error, which could classify us as having a reprobate mind, we won't risk our salvation or get burned up as chaff.  (John 15).  However, we must continue to 'press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God'.

Press on....to insure that, and so that others will know that, you are who you say you are and be able to see THE Savior within.  More importantly, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit will recognize you, acknowledge you, and keep you fast in their embrace.  

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  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me and help me onward with my load.  Help all others, too, in your flock.  I need to know the direction you want me to take to do all I can do for you, and myself, those I love, and those who surround me.  There are days I am unsure of what steps to take.  Guide me, lead me, and direct me.  Open only those doors you want me to walk through.  Close those doors that are not right for me.  Raise me to new heights, so that you may receive glory.  So I can live the abundant life you have chosen for me and step into the vision you've given me in fullness.  As I live in the shadow of your wings, may we always soar together!  May my life be an example of who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  Thank you for loving me with your whole heart.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Thank you for the opportunity to live with you in paradise.  I love you....and will continue to make every effort to love you with my whole heart....and show you....so others may see you, too.  Amen

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

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