October 5th, 2023
by Ray Jones
by Ray Jones
Let’s Put Jesus Back Where He Belongs…
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that Jesus has taken a cultural beating these days. Now don’t get me wrong, He can handle it and always has, He isn’t worried about whether the culture likes Him or not. But I mean He’s taken a beating in that even Christians seem to hold Him in less esteem and more like a religious add on to the routines of their life. Reverence for Jesus that changes behavior and determines priorities, for many, seems to be an afterthought rather than a life altering commitment.
In Matthew 5:14–16 Jesus said, ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” What our world needs today more than ever is to put Jesus back where He belongs… on a “stand” so that everyone takes notice of “the light” again! How can we do that? Let me suggest a few things that you can do.
1. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus! I hope that isn’t the case for you, but if it is, stop it! Even if the culture harasses, hates, and criticizes Jesus and you, do not let it intimidate your love and boldness for Him. Don’t cower in silence or shame because you are His follower. If you are saved, you are saved for eternity and that my friend is something to be thrilled about regardless of what the world thinks of you. Don’t be afraid to Speak Up for Jesus, don’t be afraid to Stand Up for Jesus, and don’t be afraid to Show Up for Jesus in a lost world.
2.Don’t try to pacify everyone spiritually! You can’t do it anyway. The sad story of many Christians in our culture today is that instead of elevating Jesus they are spending too much energy trying to accommodate every kind of errant belief in order to keep from offending anyone. It is for this reason that Paul wrote these words in Ephesians 4:14, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Everyone is not going to like you… don’t compromise the faith to make it so.
3.Don’t neglect talking about Jesus in your home and among your friends, colleagues, and neighbors! Is Jesus a consistent subject in your home? With your kids? With those you interact with each day. The world says, “be quiet about Jesus, keep Him to yourself.” The same was told to Peter and John in Acts 4:19-20. Listen to their response, “But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”” The people in your life need to know that Jesus is your priority.
4.Don’t let the culture set your agenda! For far too long Christians have allowed the world around them to define them and tell them how a Christian is supposed to act and live… and often we’ve allowed it because we’ve been more concerned about the world’s opinion than God’s. It’s time to stop that! You do not answer to the culture, you answer to God. And if God is not setting the agenda for your life, it’s past time to put Him back where He belongs—on the throne and “be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer.” (James 1:22)
5.Don’t live in fear of man! Too many Christians have been mocked into silence because of their fear of cultural repercussions. The bible says that the fear of man is a trap in Proverbs 29:25. The fact is, you don’t have to live this way, and you shouldn’t live this way. God is on your side. The Psalmist writes, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:6–9)
It's time to put Jesus back where He belongs in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our social life, with our friends, with our family, in our government, in our nation, in our conversations, and even in our churches. Yes, it’s time to put Jesus back where He belongs, and we are the ones to do it! Then He’ll draw all people to Himself. May He alone be lifted up. And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that Jesus has taken a cultural beating these days. Now don’t get me wrong, He can handle it and always has, He isn’t worried about whether the culture likes Him or not. But I mean He’s taken a beating in that even Christians seem to hold Him in less esteem and more like a religious add on to the routines of their life. Reverence for Jesus that changes behavior and determines priorities, for many, seems to be an afterthought rather than a life altering commitment.
In Matthew 5:14–16 Jesus said, ““You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” What our world needs today more than ever is to put Jesus back where He belongs… on a “stand” so that everyone takes notice of “the light” again! How can we do that? Let me suggest a few things that you can do.
1. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus! I hope that isn’t the case for you, but if it is, stop it! Even if the culture harasses, hates, and criticizes Jesus and you, do not let it intimidate your love and boldness for Him. Don’t cower in silence or shame because you are His follower. If you are saved, you are saved for eternity and that my friend is something to be thrilled about regardless of what the world thinks of you. Don’t be afraid to Speak Up for Jesus, don’t be afraid to Stand Up for Jesus, and don’t be afraid to Show Up for Jesus in a lost world.
2.Don’t try to pacify everyone spiritually! You can’t do it anyway. The sad story of many Christians in our culture today is that instead of elevating Jesus they are spending too much energy trying to accommodate every kind of errant belief in order to keep from offending anyone. It is for this reason that Paul wrote these words in Ephesians 4:14, “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Everyone is not going to like you… don’t compromise the faith to make it so.
3.Don’t neglect talking about Jesus in your home and among your friends, colleagues, and neighbors! Is Jesus a consistent subject in your home? With your kids? With those you interact with each day. The world says, “be quiet about Jesus, keep Him to yourself.” The same was told to Peter and John in Acts 4:19-20. Listen to their response, “But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”” The people in your life need to know that Jesus is your priority.
4.Don’t let the culture set your agenda! For far too long Christians have allowed the world around them to define them and tell them how a Christian is supposed to act and live… and often we’ve allowed it because we’ve been more concerned about the world’s opinion than God’s. It’s time to stop that! You do not answer to the culture, you answer to God. And if God is not setting the agenda for your life, it’s past time to put Him back where He belongs—on the throne and “be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer.” (James 1:22)
5.Don’t live in fear of man! Too many Christians have been mocked into silence because of their fear of cultural repercussions. The bible says that the fear of man is a trap in Proverbs 29:25. The fact is, you don’t have to live this way, and you shouldn’t live this way. God is on your side. The Psalmist writes, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (Psalm 118:6–9)
It's time to put Jesus back where He belongs in our homes, in our neighborhoods, in our social life, with our friends, with our family, in our government, in our nation, in our conversations, and even in our churches. Yes, it’s time to put Jesus back where He belongs, and we are the ones to do it! Then He’ll draw all people to Himself. May He alone be lifted up. And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!
For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray
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