This sermon explores the importance of lifting up Jesus in our lives, relying on His strength for today's challenges, and praising Him for our salvation.
Hey there, church family! I am so thrilled to be here with you today, sharing in the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We've got something special lined up for you today, and I can't wait to get into it.
We're going to be looking at a passage from the Gospel of John, specifically John 3:14. It says, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up." This is such a powerful verse, don't you think? It's got so much to teach us about the name of Jesus, our salvation, and how we can lift Jesus up in our own lives.
I came across a quote recently that really struck me. It's from Max Lucado, a Christian author who's written some truly inspiring books. He said, "The key is this: Meet today's problems with today's strength. Don't start tackling tomorrow's problems until tomorrow. You do not have tomorrow's strength yet. You simply have enough for today." Isn't that just so relevant to what we're talking about today? We're not here to worry about tomorrow, but to lift up the name of Jesus, praise Him for our salvation, and ask Him to help us lift Him up today.
So, let's start off with a prayer, shall we? Close your eyes, open your hearts, and let's talk to our Father.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this beautiful day and for the opportunity to gather together in Your name. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to Your word today, as we seek to understand more about Your Son, Jesus. Help us to truly lift up His name, to praise You for the salvation You've given us, and to seek Your help in all things. We ask all this in Jesus' name, Amen.
When we think about the idea of magnification, we often picture a magnifying glass. It's a tool that allows us to see things more clearly, to bring into focus what might otherwise be overlooked. In a similar way, we are called to magnify the name of Jesus. This isn't about making Him bigger or more powerful - He is already the greatest and most powerful being in existence. Instead, it's about making His name more prominent in our lives, about bringing His love, grace, and truth into sharper focus.
Think about the ways in which you magnify things in your own life. Maybe it's a hobby or a passion, a relationship, or a career. These are the things that you give your time, energy, and attention to. These are the things that you talk about, that you invest in, that you care about. In the same way, we are called to magnify the name of Jesus - to give Him our time, energy, and attention, to talk about Him, to invest in our relationship with Him, to care about His teachings and His commandments.
Now, let's think about what it means to magnify the name of Jesus in our everyday lives. It's not just about going to church on Sundays or saying grace before meals. It's about living in a way that reflects His love and grace, about treating others with kindness and compassion, about seeking justice and peace. It's about making choices that honor Him, about using our words and actions to show His love to the world.
But magnifying the name of Jesus isn't just about our actions. It's also about our attitudes and our hearts. It's about having a heart that is open to His guidance, a heart that seeks His will above our own. It's about having an attitude of humility and gratitude, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him. It's about having a spirit of generosity and service, looking for ways to serve others in His name.
And finally, magnifying the name of Jesus is about our relationship with Him. It's about spending time in prayer and in His Word, seeking to know Him more deeply. It's about being open to His guidance and direction, trusting Him with our lives. It's about being willing to follow Him, even when it's hard, even when it doesn't make sense. It's about choosing Him, every day, in every decision, in every moment.
In the light of the Gospel of John, we find ourselves standing in awe of the salvation we have received ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO