PROMISES MADE

When Jesus Calls

You can follow along on YouVersion: http://bible.com/events/544051

Obedience to the Law

Vs.

Obedience to the Promise

Illustration of 3 million dollar gift

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The journey to all of God’s promises starts in understanding that we will always fail trying to do whats right (obedience to the law)

Lose bible reading streak

Forget to pray before a meal

Skip church to go to the game

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If it's following the letter of a law - you will fail.

Seek out his promises and in so doing follow the promise maker.

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When A law becomes THE law = religion

When A promise becomes THE promise = hope

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The primary promise of God = Jesus

John 3:16 (TPT)

For this is how much God loved the world—he gave his one and only, unique Son as a gift.[k] So now everyone who believes in him[l]will never perish but exerience everlasting life.

17 “God did not send his Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!

In the OT when people lost sight of the PROMISE they broke the commandments.

In NT when the got to see the promise in the new commandment (LOVE) they wanted to follow the promise by obeying the new commandment (DISCIPLES)

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JESUS CAME TO RESCUE US FROM THE CONDEMNATION WE PLACE OURSELVES UNDER

Promise is a destination…

We agree to the destination before we plot the course…

Jesus is the promise and our destination

To follow the promise = following Jesus

Followers of Jesus called Christians

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What do you think hear the word, “Christian?” Depends on who you ask.

Transformed by Christ (from law to promise)

Out of touch and idiot. (law)

Loving, Forgiving, Generous, Benevolent (promise)

Judgmental, narrow-minded, legalistic (law)

Known for their love, compassion, faithfulness. (promise)

Known for what they’re against—each other (law)

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Jesus never asked anyone to be a Christian—Disciple

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his taChrist collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matt 9:9 NLT

mathetes (math-ay-tes'); a learner, pupil, disciple, follower.

Was not about a believe structure or a methodology

Jesus asked us to live how he lived, love how he loved, do what he did!

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YOU ARE A DISCIPLE—FOLLOWER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!

I am Christ’s disciple… I belong to him. My life is not my own. I am crucified with Christ… I am Christ’s disciple.

You are a promise seeker!

As a follower of the promises you walk as a someone who is assured of that promise…

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1. YOU FIND A NEED AND MEET IT.

But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'… Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:33-35, 37b

You are my disciple—go do same thing. Find need—meet it!

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Jesus wasn’t always casting out demons and raising dead!

Washes feet—I’ll do it!

Hungry people—I’ll feed them.

Children are lonely—I’ll play with them.

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When you meet a need—you are showing off the promise of Christ!

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matt 10:42

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2. FIND A HURT AND HEAL IT.

Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives.

Matt 9:35-36 MSG

Woman caught in adultery—stone her… Defends her—Where are those who condemn you? Go your way.

Peter—denied… Really love me… Feed my sheep!

Sinful woman: worships him—what she did will be told for yrs to come.

Your trajectory changes when you start the journey towards the promise

You can help someone else see that promise too and change their trajectory.

How can you heal? Listen. Time. Cry. Pray. Accept someone. Do life.

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By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:34-35

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3. YOU DO A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS THAT JESUS ASKS YOU TO DO THAT WON’T FIT NEATLY INTO A POINT ON A PAGE.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

Follow him… ride of your life!

RADICALLY LIVE THE PROMISE

Disciples left everything…

Poor widow gave everything she had…

Zachaeus—give back 4 times

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Wanted to live how he lived, love how he loved, do what he did.

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Hour a day in prayer, Serve 20 hours a week at the church…

Visit people in prisons…Lead a life group, serve in Kids, Not just tithe—double tithe, Mow neighbor’s yard, Mentor inner city kids.

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Living for Jesus won’t make sense to other people. But you are not living for other people—you are living for Christ. You are His disciple!

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Find a need and meet it—find a hurt and heal it—do something with the promise!

“Stop short only of sin to seek out those who have lost their passion for the promise!”

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Wealthy man visited impoverished city: young missionary girl cleaning sores of a sick, dirty, elderly man who’d been lying in the gutter. Said to nurse, “I wouldn’t do that for a million dollars.”

Neither would I… I’d do it for Jesus

I’d do it for Jesus—I’m his disciple.

And He is my promise!_____________________________________________________________

Promises Made Pastor Craig Smee

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