Jesus sends us into each other’s lives, and into the lives of other people, so that we’d be able to encourage each other: “Do not fear; only believe.”
But Jesus crossed the great gulf from the Holy land of heaven, and he landed his boat in the defiled regions of the earth – because in mercy, he loved us.
Christians shouldn’t be timid people.
You and I are simply charged with spreading God’s word in faith. And we can trust that in God’s way – in God’s time – according to the full measure of God’s power and glory – he will bring the growth.
Pay attention to what you’ve heard.
There actually aren’t four different types of soil – but ultimately, there are just two types. There’s soil that produces a harvest of abundant life – and then there’s soil that doesn’t.
And when we turn to Jesus and trust in him, not only does he bring us out of the household of Satan – out of our bondage – but Jesus brings us into a new household. Into the household of God.
So when it comes to being a follower of Jesus, the question isn’t can you perform the right actions. Because even demons can put on a show – even they can pretend to be something they’re not for a while.
Jesus doesn’t play the virtue-signaling game like everybody else. His concern isn’t to follow manmade customs to gain people’s approval. His concern, instead, is for his relationship with God to be lived out in a way that’s truly right.
Why Does Jesus Interact with Tax Collectors and Sinners? Introduction: With Tax Collectors and Sinners This morning, we’ll be continuing to look at specific events in the life of Jesus…