Jesus invites everyone into a relationship with Him, knows us intimately, and meets us where we are, offering love, acceptance, and forgiveness.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive deep into the book of John, specifically John 1:43-53, where we learn three key lessons: Jesus' invitation is for everyone, He knows who we are, and He meets us where we are. These lessons aren't just for the people in the Bible, they're for us too. We're living in a world that often leaves us feeling unseen, unaccepted, and unforgiven. But the good news is that Jesus sees us, accepts us, and forgives us.
In the words of Max Lucado, a highly respected Christian author, "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus." And how does He do that? By meeting us where we are and inviting us into a relationship with Him.
The first point we're exploring today is the universal invitation of Jesus. In our Scripture reading, we see Jesus extending an invitation to Philip, saying simply, "Follow me." This invitation was not exclusive to Philip, nor was it exclusive to the other disciples. It's an invitation that Jesus extends to each and every one of us, regardless of our past, our present, or our future.
Jesus' invitation is not contingent on our worthiness, our righteousness, or our ability to follow Him perfectly. A. It's an invitation extended out of His boundless love for us, a love that sees beyond our flaws and failures and sees us as we truly are: beloved children of God. This invitation is not about what we can do for Jesus, but about what He has already done for us. It's an invitation to accept His grace, His mercy, and His love.
In the world we live in, we're often judged by our actions, our achievements, and our appearances. We're constantly striving to prove our worth, to earn acceptance, to fit in. But Jesus' invitation is different. It's not about earning or proving anything. It's about accepting His love, His grace, and His forgiveness. It's about recognizing that we are loved not because of what we do, but because of who we are in Him.
B. Jesus' invitation is also not limited by our circumstances. In our Scripture reading, Philip was from the town of Bethsaida, a place that was not highly regarded. Yet, Jesus sought him out and invited him to follow. Similarly, Jesus seeks us out, regardless of where we come from, what we've done, or what we're going through. His invitation is not limited by our circumstances, but is extended in spite of them.
C. Furthermore, Jesus' invitation is not a one-time offer. It's an ongoing invitation, one that we can accept every day, in every moment. It's an invitation to a relationship, not a religion. It's an invitation to walk with Him, to learn from Him, to be transformed by Him. It's an invitation to experience His love, His peace, and His joy.
D. Jesus' invitation is not about us, but about Him. It's about His love for us, His desire for us, His plan for us. It's about His willingness to meet us where we are, to accept us as we are, and to love us as we are. It's about His promise to never leave us nor forsake us, to be with us always, to guide us, to protect us, to provide for us.
E. Jesus' invitation is not a burden, but a blessing. It's not a demand, but a gift. It's not a chore, but a choice. It's not a duty, but a delight. It's not a sacrifice, but a privilege. It's not a requirement, but a reward. It's not a task, but a treasure.
Jsus' invitation is for everyone. It's for the broken, the bruised, the battered. It's for the lost, the lonely, the least. It's for the sinner, the saint, the seeker. It's for the rich, the poor, the in-between. It's for the young, the old, the in-between. It's for you, it's for me, it's for us.
In the passage we're studying today, we see a profound truth about Jesus: He knows who we are ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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