- What does it mean to follow Jesus?
- To know Him is to LOVE HIM
Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV // so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
- To Know Him is to LOVE LIKE HIM
Matthew 5:43, 44 NIV // You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
- To Know Him is to KNOW HIS POWER
Philippians 3:10 NIV // I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death
Romans 8:11a NLT // The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.
- To Know Him is to KNOW HIS SUFFERING
- Discomfort is uncomfortable
Instead of leaning into suffering we:
- Distract
- Numb
- Rebuke the devil
- We can’t fully KNOW God if we don’t KNOW suffering
- Stop asking WHY and start asking WHAT
Matthew 26:39 NIV // Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
