Happy Sunday!
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Living Beyond Yourself". He used Mark 8:31-9:1 as his reference scripture.
Bishop mentioned seeing a commercial that claimed to answer the question, "Who is the Most Important Person?" The commercial insinuated that the individual is the most important person.
Jesus set another example. In this passage of scripture, Jesus tells his disciples that he will have to suffer many things and be killed. This was traumatic news for the disciples. They had seen the miracles, and the healings, and they couldn't believe that Jesus would have to die. But from the beginning of time Jesus was preparing to come and be the sacrifice for our sins. Old Testament scriptures even prophesied of the things Jesus the Messiah would suffer. For example, Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." (New Living Translation)
Jesus didn't come to Earth to be a Super Star! He came to be the Ultimate Servant. "Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?" Mark 8:34-36 (Message Translation)
In this Holiday Season, and every day of our lives we need to "Live Beyond Ourselves". We need to follow the example of Jesus. "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:35-38 (Message Translation)
Enjoy the week...Live Beyond Yourself,
Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, "Living Beyond Yourself". He used Mark 8:31-9:1 as his reference scripture.
Bishop mentioned seeing a commercial that claimed to answer the question, "Who is the Most Important Person?" The commercial insinuated that the individual is the most important person.
Jesus set another example. In this passage of scripture, Jesus tells his disciples that he will have to suffer many things and be killed. This was traumatic news for the disciples. They had seen the miracles, and the healings, and they couldn't believe that Jesus would have to die. But from the beginning of time Jesus was preparing to come and be the sacrifice for our sins. Old Testament scriptures even prophesied of the things Jesus the Messiah would suffer. For example, Isaiah 53:5 says, "But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed." (New Living Translation)
Jesus didn't come to Earth to be a Super Star! He came to be the Ultimate Servant. "Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?" Mark 8:34-36 (Message Translation)
In this Holiday Season, and every day of our lives we need to "Live Beyond Ourselves". We need to follow the example of Jesus. "I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind. Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Luke 6:35-38 (Message Translation)
Enjoy the week...Live Beyond Yourself,
Love and prayers, Cynthia
Matthew 6:6(b)..."Your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open."
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