Sermon Central
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Road Trip Talks Series
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 18, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Road trips in which Jesus shows up are filled with AHA moments and U-turns. If we listen to His hard talk in these moments then will change and transform our life. We need to listen to what He has to say and then let it change our perception and direction of life’s most difficult moments.
Lets Talk
Introduction:
Over the last few weeks we have been exploring conversations that Jesus had with others. I believe we have learned things about Jesus we never knew before. Could you imagine yourself having a talk with Jesus face to face – one on one?
Thesis: Talking with Jesus changed people’s lives in the Bible. Have you talked to Jesus? Has it changed your life? We need to make time to talk to Jesus and learn from His conversations with others because it has the potential to transform our lives. Talk is cheap for most people but not for Jesus! His words came at a high price!
Scripture Text:
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
27My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
We need to learn to listen to the voice of the Lord if we desire to be on God’s agenda for our lives. That means listening to Him when He has a hard talk with us or with another. Jesus words always carry the potential to transform a life so we need to pay attention when he speaks. Just like the EF Hutton commercials!
Series 1: Hard Talks
Thesis: Jesus had hard conversations with others to change their lives. He challenged people to make decisions about their current life and their future. He challenged them to leave behind their current lives for a new and adventurous life. He pushed them to make decisions that would fulfill their divine destiny for God. Some listened some did not!
Scripture Verse:
Luke 9:23-27: 23Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Introduction to series:
Have you ever had to have a hard talk with someone? Have you ever been on the receiving end of a hard talk? How did it affect you? Hard talks are tough and very direct. They challenge us to take action and to make decisions about relationships, about mistakes, about our future and about our past.
Sermon 4: Easter Sunday – “Road Trip Talks” - Jesus hard conversation on the road with 2 of His disciples!
Introduction to sermon:
Have you ever been on a road trip? Have you ever just become so discouraged with were you are at that you had to get away from it all? In other words run away to another place a distant land were things have to be better than this?
I have discovered that road trips can be filled with Aha moments and even U-turns.
Running away or getting away from it all seems to be the only solution for some today. The idea hits you that a distant land has to be better than this place filled with such heartache. The thoughts surge through your mind and say, “Any place is better than this place!” or ”The grass has to be greener some where else!” “I have had enough - I am out of here!”
But we must be careful of making road trips that are focused on running away from hard times. Why? You may be thinking? Because it’s not about the place as much as it is about the relationship with the One! You know the One who is in every place and knows every conversation we have with others. He wants to talk to us about our destiny and destination. We will discover this truth today from our Bible Story.
I have discovered that Jesus has a tendency to show up on road trips to get our attention. Especially one the ones that are leading us away from His plan and purpose for our lives.
I have discovered He is here right where I am in the midst of my pain and or suffering. He is there and well the truth is He is everywhere and it’s better to have a good talk with Him were I am at, before trying to run away from Him and His plan for my life.
Thesis: Road trips in which Jesus shows up are filled with AHA moments and U-turns. If we listen to His hard talk in these moments then will change and transform our life. We need to listen to what He has to say and then let it change our perception and direction of life’s most difficult moments.
