Free Indeed

Hey Church! Listen up because I want you to hear me clearly on this one. Today is Easter. Today is the day Jesus walked out of his own grave, conquering death, and proving to the world that he was who he claimed to be - God in the flesh. But you, Church, know that already. That's not the part I want you to hear. This is the part. Jesus loves sinners. Yeah you read that right. Jesus loves sinners.

Now on the surface you may know that is true. But in your heart of hearts, do you really believe that? Yes I am talking to you. Do you know deep down that Jesus loves sinners? I don't mean the petty sinner that stumbles on the path of righteousness. I mean the adulterer. I mean the prostitute. I mean the compulsive liar. I mean the professional thief. I mean the murderer. Jesus loves sinners.

Now why would I say that today and why would I address this to the Church? Because today is the day that Jesus set you free and you, Church, are found sitting in your prison cell wondering when the sinners will wake up, confess their sins and join you there. I have discovered something profound that I want to share it with you. Get over yourself Church and be free. You are no better than anyone else. Look at your divorce rate, your abortion rate, your charitable giving rate and compare it with the world. See? What makes you think you are better than them? You certainly don't act any better. The only real difference between you, Church, and the world is that they sin and enjoy it. You sin and keep it locked deep down inside so that no one will find out about it and then declare yourself better than everyone else. So you stay locked inside your little prison of guilt and shame hoping to do better next time while the world mocks you for doing so.

Let me tell you a secret. They can see through you. You're not really hiding anything. And it's not very attractive. Do you realize that Jesus was very attractive? He was a magnet! People flocked to him from everywhere. Why? Because he told people how sinful they were and told them to be ashamed of themselves and join a church? NO! Because he loved sinners - and he didn't condemn them! He forgave them! He was real with people. Real sinners fell at his feet to confess their sins because they could be real with Jesus and he never condemned them. He showed compassion, gave them hope, forgave them, and they followed him.

Church, this is our opportunity of a lifetime. We are no better than the world. We sin all the time! Quit hiding it! Tell the world that we are no better than them. But then tell them that we have a hope. Tell them that we have a peace that passes understanding. Tell them that we are free indeed because Jesus set us free. We are not weighed down by our sins anymore because Jesus paid for them on the cross. Quit trying to get better. Just follow Jesus. Jesus will love you whether you get better or not. The world needs someone to tell them that the only difference between you and them is freedom - freedom given by grace.

Now Church, come out of your self-inflicted prison, and enjoy your freedom. You are free to live because Jesus set you free. And do you know what else? Jesus loves sinners. Good thing, isn't it?

One, Not Everyone

I am a very big fan of Andy Stanley. He recently did a stand-alone sermon about doing for one what you can't do for everyone. If you missed it, I have reposted it here so that you can listen to it. I pray that you will be given the wisdom to know what to do with what you hear.

Podcast