Drawn2Jesus

Show Notes :

"Mark: Just the Facts"

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

We live in a time of exectutive summaries, watching movies instead of reading books, and PowerPoint bullets. That's the way the Gospel of Mark is: brief and straight to the point. In fact, you can probably read Mark in an hour and a half -- maybe even less.

Mark makes two main points:

1. Jesus has authority . He does this in Chapters 1-8 by highlighting the teaching of Jesus and the miracles of Jesus. This section culminates in Mark 8:29 when Jesus asked Peter: "Who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah." The authority of Jesus had been established.

2. To follow Jesus means to serve . In Mark 8:34, Jesus begins to explain to his followers what it means to be a disciple: "If you want to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me." (NLT) The rest of the book focuses on how Jesus demonstrated and taught about being a servant.

My challenge to you today is to read the Gospel of Mark in one sitting and to focus on the two themes: Jesus has authority and to follow Jesus means to serve. Doing so cannot help but draw you closer to Jesus.

Show Notes :

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

Link to The Jesus Creed below.

Three ways to open our hearts to God's love:

1. Sitting in His presence until we are inwardly still, clearing our minds, focusing on Him, and opening our hearts to His love.
2. Throughout the day repeating a short prayer: "Father, thank you for loving me."
3. At least once a day tell ourselves that God loves us -- no matter what.

Isn't it interesting that God allows us to choose whether to open our heats to his love?

<br>

Show Notes:

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life."

What does it mean to "believe in Jesus?"

Recent survey results indicate that a large majority of Americans say they believe in Jesus -- but a much smaller number exhibit actions that suggest they are followers of Jesus. Is this the believing of John 3:16?

The phrase in John 3:16 is "believing in him." Maybe this is different that a belief about him.

It's helpful to notice that the verses following verse 16 talk about "trust." This helps us understand that the belief in verse 16 is a belief that results in trust.

Do you believe in Jesus? Do you trust in Jesus?

Maybe today is a good time for a gut check. How does your life show that you trust Jesus? If your belief is not strong enough to produce trust, maybe it's a good time to draw nearer to Jesus. He's earned our trust.

Show Notes:

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

"He rescued me because he delights in me." Psalms 18:19 (NLT)

Even though we are undelightful people, God has chosen to take delight in us and rescue us.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. There is no judgment awaiting those who trust him. But those who do not trust him have already been judged for not believing in the only Son of God." John 3:16 ff (NLT)

Do you believe? Can you say with David, "He rescued me because he delights in me?"

Show Notes:

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

"Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, on the salty flats where no one lives. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go on producing delicious fruit." Jeremiah 17:5-8 (NLT)

Two points to think about:
Those whose trust is in the human will live lonely, unproductive lives. Those whose trust is in God will live lives of growth, productivity, and freedom from worry even in times of difficulty. That seems like an easy decision!

Show Notes:

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

If you asked 10 religious people today, "What's most important," you might get 10 different answers.

Jesus was asked that question, and his answer is clear and insightful.

"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40, New Living Translation .

Whether you're just learning about Jesus or you're a long time follower, focusing on these two commands is what's most important.

Show Notes:

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

A king was the richest, most powerful person in the land. The king would give land, riches, and protection to a group of people known as nobles in return for their allegiance. That provision by the king and the nobles' allegiance in return was the basis for the kingdom. It formed the convenant.

God is the king. From his power and wealth, God gives gifts to people.
He gives us peace with him -- forgiveness of our rebellion against him. He did this by having his son Jesus pay for our transgressions. He gives us a position in his kingdom. In fact, he adopts us as sons and daughters. He provides for our needs. All he requires from us in return is our total allegiance. It's the least we can give.

Read or reread Matthew from the perspective of understanding better the kingdom of God.

Link to the book referred to in the podcast:

<br>

Show Notes:

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

Our world tells us that our worth as a person is all about our performance and about others' opinions of us.

If we do the right things and don't do the wrong things, then we're valuable members of society.
If you're a good performer and people think highly of you, then you'll judge your self-worth as high. If you fail in some aspect of life, however, your self esteem takes a beating. Most us bring this same mindset when we think about God. If we're a good performer, God will like us.

The good news is that our performance has nothing to do with God loving us.

1 John 4:9-10: "God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."

Romans 5:8: "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

Why not give the unconditional acceptance and love of God and his son Jesus a chance to govern your self-worth?

Show Notes

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

What if you were given the opportunity to become an assistant to the person who's work you most admire in the whole world? This person has agreed to become your personal mentor, to teach you everything you need to know. This person also will give you a significant role in the business, and take care of your every need. For all of us, that would be an opportunity we couldn't turn down.

Or would we say, "No thanks, I'll pass. I like just doing my own thing."

That's exactly the offer Jesus has made to you.

Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." That's an invitation to join his work and learn from him.

Don't let the opportunity pass!

Show Notes

Host: Jim Hughes , Christian Life Coach

Pride
Led Anakin to the Dark Side. Caused the rebellion of Satan against God. Led Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil against God's command. Separates each one of us from God. Like Anakin, we come up with justifications for following our pride. What arguments, what justifications, prevent you from responding to Jesus? Is it possible they are driven by pride?

Psalms 10:4 "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God."

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Proverbs 3:34 "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Show Notes

Host: Jim Hughes

Article, Houston Chronicle , June 4, 2005: "Killer's 1-word creed: violence. Fearing he'll kill again, dreading a prison life, Alex Martinez is ready to be executed ."

"I always thought that I could go right someday. I always thought that things would work out for the best. And all the time I was getting further in the hole."
Romans 7:15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Apostle Paul

We all need supernatural help because there's something we just can't fix about ourselves.

Show Notes

Host: Jim Hughes

Article: "Think you're normal? Then you may be a killer." Gary Buss, Houston Chronicle, May 29, 2005

Matthew 5:21-22: "You have heard it said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to the judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell."

So how are you doing with your road rage???

Show Notes

Host: Jim Hughes

We often try to attract people to the church, to our system of belief, or to a preacher or pastor. This is missing the point.

It's also putting the cart before the horse. When people are drawn to Jesus, they will find the church, and they will develop understanding.

The purpose of Drawn2Jesus is to draw people to Jesus -- the other stuff will follow.

I received a post card in the mail this last week notifying us that a child sex offender lives down the street. The card named his offense, told how long he was in prison, and showed his photograph. Our society brands sex offenders in a special way because statistics indicate that they will commit the same crimes again and again.

Several thoughts have run through my mind as I have reflected on this situation.

1. This man must be overwhelmingly aware of his sin against society and against God.

2. He must feel totally isolated and dispised.

3. He must feel that no one, not even God, could love him.

The truth is, God does love him. That's the good news that Jesus brought while on earth -- God loves the unloveable. And not only that, but God is willing to forgive even the sin of being a sex offender because Jesus paid the price for that sin through his death on the cross. "Loved" and "forgiven" must be words this man wants to hear and believe.

Thinking about this sex offender has also caused me to think about myself and others who may not be guilty of his particular action. Are we really any better than this sex offender? Jesus said to the religious people, "You've heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28)

Jesus wants those of us who think we are good to understand that none of us are okay on our own. Even if we have never acted in a way to be branded a sex offender by society, we're still a sex offender in our hearts. We're just as guilty in God's sight as those who have acted. We need the forgiveness of God that comes through Jesus just as much as the sex offender down the street.

I hope you'll be drawn to Jesus today because he is our only hope.

Are you drawn to Jesus?

If not, there are several possible reasons.
You don't really know him. You don't think you need what he has to offer. You've been turned off by some of his followers. You don't think you're good enough for Jesus. You don't think you're bad enough for Jesus. You don't believe in the supernatural. You don't believe you can change. You think you're doing alright by yourself. You don't believe in an afterlife. You think following Jesus means giving up a good life. People who are drawn to Jesus
Know him through learning about his life, his teachings, and his actions. Recognize their need for him. Learn to put their trust in him. Become his followers -- his apprentices. I want you to be drawn to Jesus as I am. This podcast will help you know him, recognize your need for him, learn to put your trust in him, and become one of his followers.