#gmbc3701 #sermons #wordofgod #gethsemanemissionarybaptistchurch #gethsemanegso
Like, Subscribe & Share ► https://bit.ly/348EqzY
GMBC3701

-- Follow Us -- Facebook @gethsemanegso

As we are in the season of celebrating and reflecting upon the resurrection, certain things come to my mind. Certainly I am not the only one. But as for me I consider my place within God's purposes and my performance in the faith, particularly in being faithful. As a servant of God's people I must pay attention to the differences in serving others and in serving myself. I do have self responsibilities. But greater than those are my responsibilities to others and to God. This text reminds me of experiences in ministry - things I have done and things that have been done to me. It is not easy to bear the mantle. I've done well. I've done not so well. But this text reminds me that as you do your best work, you will have not only critics but active enemies - enemies that arise not because of jealousy, but because they want to acquire and retain power. I've been attacked by those who sought to diminish the influence of the gospel and increase their standing but I now know that it wasn't simple jealousy. It was calculated evil. Too often, the sinful and self serving desire power only to enrich and entrench themselves in positions to ensure their continued control. And they'll even use what God said in order to do it. We must see that.
The text recounts event immediately after the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead. Jesus had done not only a miracle, but an exceptional miracle. The council was afraid of losing their allied agreement with the Romans & their hold over the people. Caiaphas prophesied that it was good for Jesus to die for both Jews & Gentiles. Obviously he knew the word of God. As the Jews had tried multiple times to kill Jesus and failed, they decided to work another plan to keep their power. You see, if you are one that wants control, you probably don't need to have it, as self serving sinfulness becomes embedded in your mental DNA. It is hard to break that pattern. But it can be done! As a servant, as long as you serve yourself, you will not serve others!
How can you avoid these errors and the evils of self serving sins?
1. Forget The Disturbance v54a
- Jesus knew what was in them. And as this was close to the time in which He was to be offered, He did nothing to prevent their sin. Isn't that surprising, that Jesus did not discourage, admonish, or stop their sin? Look. You cannot change anybody. You can help some. But there are some people who are so focused on themselves that you cannot help them. Some people in life you will need to leave alone. Forget what they say. Forget what they do. Leave them alone! Let them tread the paths they choose. Don't let their disturbance disrupt your peace!
2. Follow Your Destiny v54b-c
- Jesus not only left them alone, He went to another place. His destination was not with them. His destiny lay in another place. So does yours! Have enough courage to separate yourself from those who would harm you. Your destiny may include pain but if the time of your cross is near but has not yet come, keep following your destiny! God has a place of safety, even out by the wilderness, to keep you from all of the foolishness, all the mess, from the plots and plans of the enemy!
3. Feed The Disciples v54d
- This is the most important part. Your service was never about you. Jesus didn't come to serve Himself, but others. He continued with the disciples. So feed the disciples. There's someone hungry for a word. If you truly want to be like Jesus, feed the disciples. And so when I get tired, attacked, discouraged, I go back to square one and get back to why God called me! Preach! Teach! Pray! Praise! Feed God's people! Feed the disciples.