Fired Up For Sunday

As I write this, I’m in the throes of Sunday’s message in John 5. This is the third of probably 5 sermons in this chapter. This week we come face to face with Jesus Christ’s bold claims. The fact is this: you can’t look at Jesus and be neutral. A theology that says Jesus is a good man, a nice teacher, but not Almighty God is not logical. Because Jesus didn’t allow you that option. He was the most polarizing figure in the history of the world. You either embrace Him and give your life for him as the disciples and countless Christians have or you hate him as the religious figures of His day did.
Jesus not only claimed to be God–which was an outrageous, bold, heretical statement to the orthodox Jew of His day, but inherent in that claim was the power to raise the dead, to give life, and the authority to judge every person at the end of the world. In other words, Jesus didn’t say, as Whoopi Goldberg recently claimed, "This is what I believe, but if you don’t like it, that’ cool." No, Jesus claimed to be one, equal, and in harmony with God. And if in harmony with God, then he demands that you reckon with Him. He demands to be honored as the Father.
Jesus doesn’t share the stage with any other religious figure. He isn’t allowing an option for Himself to be one of many paths to God. He claims to be the only begotten of the Father.
He offers two choices. Accept Him by faith and be passed from death to life or reject him and face your eternal judgement one day. The offer of salvation by grace thru faith is open to all. Its the world’s most inclusive offer–open to everyone. But there is only one door, one way, one avenue to God.
If you’re a seeker, I ecourage you to embrace Jesus Christ. Read His claims in the Gospel of John. Experience life and victory over sin.
If you’re a believer, I want to ask you a question. Does your life reflect a kind of casual neutrality about Jesus Christ? Or do people know and understand that you are a Christ-follower?