An Interview With God

Phil. 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Introduction: The other day while sitting at the computer I was sent an email from Dr. Ervin Smith, fellow pastor and professor of Ethics at the Methodist Theological Seminary, Methesdo, in Delaware, Ohio. It actually was powerpoint presentation that was so moving until I have decided to include it in the electronic newsletter we sent send out from the church each week. The presentation was entitled “An Interview with God” and was filled with a powerful message and accompany audio and visual reinforcements. As I found myself watching the presentation time and time again, I could not help but wonder what would God say or do to us if we stopped long enough to interview him. I am sure that there are any number of items that he would put on our mind and in our spirits. But somehow I think God was say to us that we are need of a change. What kind of change you ask? A change in our spiritual anatomy. Perhaps by now you have seen the latest movie starring that screen star who makes women swoon, Denzel Washington, in the picture John Q. In addition to the movie making a tear jerking statement about parenthood and the willingness of a father to sacrafice himself for his son, the movie revolved around the son’s need for a new heart. The one that he had was enlarged and not functioning properly. Let me suggest to you today that its not only John Q Archibald’s son that needs a new heart. Many of us seated in these pews, here in church today, need a new heart.

I would like for you to ponder this question as we look at this text in an unfamiliar way. What if, for one day, Jesus were to become you?

What if, for twenty-four hours, Jesus wakes up in your bed, walks in your shoes, lives in your house, assumes your schedule? Your boss becomes his boss, your mother becomes his mother, your pains become his pains? With one exception, nothing about your life changes. Your health doesn’t change. Your circumstances don’t change. Your schedule isn’t altered. Your problems aren’t solved. Only one change occurs.

What, if for one day, and one night; Jesus lives your life with his heart? Your heart gets a day off, and your life is led by the heart of Christ. His priorities govern your actions. His passions drive your decisions. His love directs your behavior.

My brothers and sisters! What would you be like? Would people notice a change? Your family, would they see something new? Your coworkers, would they sense a difference? What, about the less fortunate? Would you treat them the same? And your friends, would they detect more joy? How about your enemies, would they receive more mercy form Christ’s heart than from yours?

And you? How would you feel? What alterations would this transplant have on your stress level? Your mood swings; Your temper; Would you sleep better? Would you see sunsets differently? Would you see Death & Taxes Differently? Any chance you’d need a fewer aspirins or sedatives? How about your reaction to traffic delays, early in the morning, headed to work, while traveling down interstate 70 or 71, towards to Columbus. (Ouch) Would you still dread what you are dreading? Better yet, would you still do what you are doing?

Would you still do what you had planned to do for the next twenty-four hours? Pause and think about your schedule; Obligations; Engagements; Outings and Appointments. With Jesus taking over your heart, would anything change?

I want you to think about the questions that’s before you this morning and as the prolific and profound writer MAX LUCADO would say, "adjust the lens of your imagination until you have a clear picture of Jesus leading your life, then snap the shutter and frame the image". What you see is what God wants. He wants you to "think and act like Christ Jesus"

You must understand that God’s plan for us in nothing short than a new heart. Think about this. If you were car, God would want control of your engine. If you were a computer, God would claim the software and the hard drive. If you were an airplane; he’d take his seat in the cockpit. But, my brothers and sisters, we are a people, so God wants to change our hearts.

Paul teaches us over in Eph 4:23-24 (NLT); 23 Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. 24You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness--righteous, holy, and true.

In essence what Paul is saying that we must be made new in our hearts, to become a new person. The (KJV) says, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. God wants us to be just like Jesus. He wants you and I heave a heart like his.