{"id":827,"date":"2013-01-27T15:31:50","date_gmt":"2013-01-27T15:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=827"},"modified":"2013-02-10T21:10:26","modified_gmt":"2013-02-10T21:10:26","slug":"jesus-unboxed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/?p=827","title":{"rendered":"Jesus Unboxed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Message by Chad Kelly<\/strong><\/h3>\n

rec0127-113725<\/a><\/p>\n

One stressed-out secretary told her boss:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen this rush is over, I\u201d\u2122m going to have a nervous breakdown.\u00a0 I earned it, I deserve it, and nobody\u201d\u2122s going to take it from me!\u201d<\/p>\n

What\u201d\u2122s got you freaked out?<\/em><\/p>\n

The dark?\u00a0 Losing your job?\u00a0 Not being able to put food on the table?\u00a0 Something bad\/tragic happening to your kids, or to yourself?\u00a0 Terrorists attacking our nation again?\u00a0 An economic collapse?\u00a0 That bully at school?\u00a0 Disease?\u00a0 The assignment you just received at work or school that seems to require superhuman ability to accomplish?\u00a0 Death?<\/p>\n

We are told that \u201cordinary children today are more fearful than psychiatric patients were in the 1950s\u201d (Candis McLean).<\/p>\n

Do you think it would be fair to say that we experience fear or dread or anxiety almost daily<\/em>?<\/p>\n

Lucado<\/strong><\/p>\n

When fear shapes our lives, safety [and control<\/em>\u201d\u201dmy addition] becomes our god.<\/p>\n

And then, our lives are severely limited<\/em> to ourselves<\/span>.\u00a0 We\u201d\u2122re not free to do the two things for which we were created\u201d\u201dlove God and love others\u201d\u201dbecause we\u201d\u2122re self-absorbed in our fears<\/em>!<\/p>\n

The Gospels record 125 commands that Jesus gave.<\/p>\n

Of those, the most predominant commands involve the issue of fear\u201d\u201d\u201cdo not be afraid\u201d, \u201cdo not fear\u201d, \u201chave courage\u201d, \u201ctake heart\u201d, \u201cbe of good cheer\u201d.<\/p>\n

Jesus doesn\u201d\u2122t want us to live in fear!\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

What we need more than anything in our battle against fear is to simply see Jesus as He IS<\/span><\/em>\u201d\u201dnot<\/strong> as we\u201d\u2122ve imagined Him to be or as we foolishly want Him to be\u201d\u00a6but as He is!\u00a0 We ALL have boxes that we try to fit Jesus into, don\u201d\u2122t we?<\/p>\n

If we can just squeeze Jesus into a given box at a given time, then we can maintain control and Jesus won\u201d\u2122t get out and try to do anything crazy in our supposedly well-managed lives!<\/p>\n

We need exactly what Jesus gave His closest disciples\u201d\u00a6we need to know\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n

Jesus Unboxed<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Matthew 17:1-8 and Parallel Passages<\/p>\n

As our awe of Jesus grows, our fears in life shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The disciples\u201d\u201dand especially Peter\u201d\u201dhave been on a rollercoaster ride in the last few days before our passages.\u00a0 Peter has both made the good confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, as well as been called Satan by Jesus because Jesus\u201d\u2122 crucifixion wasn\u201d\u2122t part of his understanding of how the Messiah would do his thing for the world.\u00a0 And so we come to Matthew 17.\u00a0 I\u201d\u2122ve pulled in some verses from parallel passages in the other Gospels that fill in some information that Matthew doesn\u201d\u2122t mention, so that we have a good understanding of what all is going on here.<\/p>\n

Matthew 17:1-2 <\/strong>(NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

1<\/sup> Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2<\/sup> As the men watched, Jesus\u201d\u2122 appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mark 9:3 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

3<\/sup> and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matthew 17:3 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3<\/sup> Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Luke 9:31-32 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

31<\/sup> They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.\u00a0 \u00a032<\/sup> Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus\u201d\u2122 glory and the two men standing with him.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matthew 17:4-8 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

4<\/sup> Peter exclaimed, \u201cLord, it\u201d\u2122s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I\u201d\u2122ll make three shelters as memorials\u201d\u201done for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.\u201d<\/p>\n

5<\/sup> But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, \u201cThis is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen<\/span><\/strong> to him.\u201d 6<\/sup> The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.<\/p>\n

7<\/sup> Then Jesus came over and touched them. \u201cGet up,\u201d he said. \u201cDon\u201d\u2122t be afraid.\u201d 8<\/sup> And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.<\/p>\n

Mark 9:9-10 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

9<\/sup> As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10<\/sup> So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by \u201crising from the dead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jesus wanted those closest to Him to see clearly just exactly Who He is!\u00a0 He knew they were confused about Who He really was.\u00a0 He knew all the uncertainties that they would face in the days ahead, especially concerning His betrayal and death on the Cross and the three days He would spend in the cemetery!<\/p>\n

As our awe of Jesus grows, our fears in life shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jesus\u201d\u201dyour Savior and mine\u201d\u201dis the Son of the Living God!<\/p>\n

Listen to a few passages that describe just how awesome and powerful Jesus is!<\/p>\n

Colossian 1:15, 19-20 (NLT)<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

15<\/sup> Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
\n19<\/sup> For God in all his fullness
\nwas pleased to live in Christ,
\n20<\/sup> and through him God reconciled
\neverything to himself.
\nHe made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
\nby means of Christ\u201d\u2122s blood on the cross.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

3<\/sup> The Son radiates God\u201d\u2122s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.<\/p>\n

Colossians 2:8-9 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

8<\/sup> Don\u201d\u2122t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9<\/sup> For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10<\/sup> So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.<\/p>\n

How big is Jesus to YOU?\u00a0 Are you awed by Who He is?\u00a0 By His power and control of ALL things?\u00a0 By His love and grace for you?<\/em><\/p>\n

As our awe of Jesus grows, our fears in life shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Romans 8:31-39 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

31<\/sup> What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32<\/sup> Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won\u201d\u2122t he also give us everything else? 33<\/sup> Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one\u201d\u201dfor God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34<\/sup> Who then will condemn us? No one\u201d\u201dfor Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God\u201d\u2122s right hand, pleading for us.<\/p>\n

35<\/sup> Can anything ever separate us from Christ\u201d\u2122s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36<\/sup> (As the Scriptures say, \u201cFor your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.\u201d) 37<\/sup> No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.<\/p>\n

38<\/sup> And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God\u201d\u2122s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow\u201d\u201dnot even the powers of hell can separate us from God\u201d\u2122s love. 39<\/sup> No power in the sky above or in the earth below\u201d\u201dindeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.<\/p>\n

When we are truly embracing the love of God in Jesus, we are invincible<\/em>!<\/p>\n

1 John 4:18<\/strong><\/a> (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.<\/p>\n

As our awe of Jesus grows, our fears in life shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The more we fill our hearts with the truth of God\u201d\u2122s love in Jesus, the less fear will find a spot in our hearts!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

2 Timothy 1:7<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Ronnie McBrayer<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The spirit God gives us \u201d\u201c that is, what furnishes us with breath and life \u201d\u201c is not the racing heartbeat of panic. No, we are not enslaved to dread. The spirit given to us, and within us, is one of power, love, and self-discipline.\u00a0 We have been given the power to face each uncertain day; the love to overcome the hatred and bitterness that surround us; and self-discipline when everything else seems so out of control.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

As our awe of Jesus grows, our fears in life shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Let\u201d\u2122s get real practical.<\/p>\n

HOW can we get from knowing this to enjoying this?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

HOW can we move from believing that we don\u201d\u2122t have to fear and that Jesus is enough to actually experiencing it?<\/em><\/p>\n

Psalm 46 <\/strong>(NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n

1\u00a0<\/sup>God is our refuge and strength,
\nalways ready to help in times of trouble.
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>So we will not fear when earthquakes come
\nand the mountains crumble into the sea.
\n3\u00a0<\/sup>Let the oceans roar and foam.
\nLet the mountains tremble as the waters surge! Interlude<\/p>\n

8\u00a0<\/sup>Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
\nSee how he brings destruction upon the world.
\n9\u00a0<\/sup>He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
\nHe breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
\nhe burns the shields with fire.<\/p>\n

If you\u201d\u2122re listening close, you\u201d\u2122re thinking, \u201cBUT David STILL hasn\u201d\u2122t told us HOW!\u201d<\/p>\n

Here comes the practical, how-to part:<\/p>\n

10\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cBe still<\/strong>, and know that I am God<\/strong>!
\nI will be honored by every nation.
\nI will be honored throughout the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBE STILL\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Literally, \u201clet it go, drop it\u201d\u201d\u00a6don\u201d\u2122t do anything else to fix the source of fear in your heart and life\u201d\u00a6drop it.<\/p>\n

Now, when you\u201d\u2122re in captivity to the activity trying to carry the burden of the busyness, that\u201d\u2122s tough!<\/p>\n

And yet, if we want to be fear-free, then the starting place is to let it all go and be still and quiet.<\/p>\n

And then\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cKNOW THAT I AM GOD\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u201d\u2122s not enough to just be still\u201d\u00a6there\u201d\u2122s a goal in the quiet\u201d\u201dto take hold of God and His love.<\/p>\n

You cannot embrace God\u201d\u2122s love without being still.\u00a0 You can know all that we\u201d\u2122ve talked about today in your head\u201d\u00a6but\u201d\u00a6if you don\u201d\u2122t get still inside and focus your heart on Jesus, you\u201d\u2122ll still experience fear and anxiety and dread!<\/p>\n

Practically, do you know what this looks like?\u00a0 It looks like even a few minutes of time where you get alone with God and listen to Him through His Word that reminds you of His love and power.<\/p>\n

That\u201d\u2122s what David was doing in this psalm\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n

1\u00a0<\/sup>God is our refuge and strength,
\nalways ready to help in times of trouble.
\n2\u00a0<\/sup>So we will not fear when earthquakes come
\nand the mountains crumble into the sea.<\/p>\n

We\u201d\u2122ll find ourselves responding to what He says to us in prayers back to Him\u201d\u00a6and suddenly\u201d\u00a6we\u201d\u2122ll experience our fears fading\u201d\u201dmaybe not all at once, never for good this side of heaven\u201d\u201dbut little by little, day by day as we still ourselves and really think on the truth that He is GOD and loves us infinitely and eternally!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

6\u00a0<\/sup>Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7\u00a0<\/sup>And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.<\/p>\n

Hudson Taylor<\/strong><\/p>\n

It doesn\u201d\u2122t matter how great the pressure is.\u00a0 What really matters is where the pressure lies\u201d\u201dwhether it comes between me and God, or whether it presses me nearer to His heart.<\/p>\n

And\u201d\u00a6don\u201d\u2122t miss this<\/span><\/strong>\u201d\u00a6as we live closer to the heart of God without fear, our lives will become increasingly productive and free!<\/p>\n

We\u201d\u2122ll have wind in our sails and the busyness won\u201d\u2122t be such a burden, even though our schedules may not slow down a whole lot.<\/p>\n

As our awe of Jesus grows, our fears in life shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Do you make time day by day to be still and enjoy Who God is and how much He loves you in Jesus?<\/em><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/em><\/p>\n

Lucado<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u201d\u2122ll sooner capture the Caribbean in a butterfly net than we\u201d\u2122ll capture Christ in a box\u201d\u00a6.When Christ is great, our fears are not\u201d\u00a6A big God translates into big courage. (Fearless<\/span>, 171, 169)<\/p>\n

As our awe of Jesus grows, our fears in life shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In C.S. Lewis\u201d\u2122 book, Prince Caspian, Lucy sees Aslan, the lion, for the first time in many years.\u00a0 He has changed since their last encounter.\u00a0 His size surprises her, and she tells him as much.<\/p>\n

\u201cAslan,\u201d said Lucy, \u201cyou\u201d\u2122re bigger.\u201d \u201cThat is because you are older, little one,\u201d answered he.\u00a0 \u201cNot because you are?\u201d\u00a0 \u201cI am not.\u00a0 But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will I choose to stop and remember?\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Will I choose to let it all go and embrace all that matters?<\/em><\/p>\n

If we will\u201d\u00a6our awe of Jesus will grow and our fears in life will shrink.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Message by Chad Kelly rec0127-113725 One stressed-out secretary told her boss: \u201cWhen this rush is over, I\u201d\u2122m going to have a nervous breakdown.\u00a0 I earned it, I deserve it, and nobody\u201d\u2122s going to take it from me!\u201d What\u201d\u2122s got you … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-messages"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/827"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=827"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":844,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/827\/revisions\/844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.crossroadchristianfellowship.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}