What Does Jesus Want From Us?

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>What Does Jesus Want From Us?</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id390.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Thoughts For Graduates 2003"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id370.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Living In The Reality Of The Resurrectio"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org"><U>stan@stanbaker.org</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>"What Does Jesus Want From Us?" </B></div> <div> <B>Berean Bible Church, April 13, 2003 am</B></div> <bR> <div>      "Shortly after Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her. Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace. A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady. The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. "It's perfectly all right, Madam," he replied. "Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it's always a delight to do something for a friend." She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute" (Our Daily Bread).</div> <div>      The response of meekness and gentleness in the face of rudeness and hostility illustrates how Christ has responded to people. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. Jesus offered himself in meekness as the Savior and King (</B><A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Matt+21:1-17" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U><B>Matthew 21:1-17</B></U></A><B>).</B></div> <div> A. The scene on the way to Jerusalem (during Passover time; vss. 1-11).</div> <div> 1. Vss. 1-7 - Jesus the King enters in meekness.</div> <div>      Such meekness was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9 (vs. 5). He came, but unlike the typical king, who would ride in power on a horse, surrounded by a mighty army. Meekness is strength under control. It is being strong enough to be gentle. </div> <div> 2. Vss. 8-11 - Responses of praise and curiosity.</div> <div>      The crowds gave praise for God's salvation ("Hosanna" - "save us," from Psalm 118). Curiosity was building, and it would call for a response. Jesus knew what the end of the week would bring. He would bring salvation through his death and resurrection.</div> <div> B. The scene in Jerusalem (vss. 12-17).</div> <div> 1. Vss. 12-13 - Jesus cleansed the temple, by throwing out those who were abusing the space.</div> <div>      The temple was to be a house of prayer for the nations (<A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Isa+56:7" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>Isa 56:7</U></A>), but the greedy had filled up the space available for the Gentiles to worship God. Jesus was reminding them of the mission of Israel, to be a light to the Gentiles. He also reminded them of the purpose of the Temple - as a place for the worship of God. The reference to <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passage=Jer+7:11" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/bible?passag"><U>Jeremiah 7:11</U></A>, a "den of robbers," refers to religious people thinking that "religion" and the temple would protect them while they went on sinning and disbelieving God.</div> <div> 2. Vss. 14-17 - Healings and conflict.</div> <div>      Note the contrast between the response of the weak and humble vs. the religious and businessmen. "By receiving [the children's] praise, Jesus was declaring He was worthy of praise as their Messiah. The religious leaders, in rejecting Jesus, did not even have the insights of children, who were receiving Him" (Bible Knowledge Commentary).</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. He is the Savior and King! He invites you to respond!</B></div> <div>      If we cannot go to center city Jerusalem to worship Jesus who has a literal body which we can see, how do we worship and accept and follow him?</div> <div> <U>1. By faith, accept the salvation that he has provided.</U></div> <div>      Salvation is available to anyone humble enough to accept it (children and needy vs. religious leaders and businessmen). It was significant that this was Passover season, Israel's celebration of salvation in Exodus. The salvation Jesus offered must be accepted by faith. It is far more than religion (consider the religious people that Jesus judged because they did not believe in him). Religion is always secondary to a relationship with Jesus. Accept him.</div> <div> <U>2. Worship him as Lord and King</U>.</div> <div>      If you recognize Jesus as Lord and King (which is implied in accepting the salvation that he offers), commit to a lifestyle of worshiping him. </div> <div> <U>3. Submit to his authority.</U></div> <div>      Jesus threw tables, exercising judgment on those who need to be judged. He calls for submission to his authority. Are there things Jesus would overthrow in your life? Get into his word. Submit to him as you would if he lived in your house and went with you wherever you go. Because he is in you, he does! Such submission requires meekness, which Jesus has already modeled for us.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2003, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>