John 1.5 - Here we are for Better or Worse….

As you sit here in Beijing, some would say you are part of the problem. You are one of the thousands who have streamed into this choking mega-city. In every nation villagers pour into cities. God commanded mankind to cover the whole earth, but we have chosen to crowd a few hi-priced spots – especially those with fast wi-fi and Starbucks. But as you sit here you can be part of the solution too. Because God’s primary concern is not where we live, it is why we live. The worst part of urbanization is its godless secularism. You as Christ’s ambassador can strike a match to chase the darkness from every foul corner of this city. Your passion for Jesus and zeal for the advance of His Kingdom should dictate where you live, what you do, and who you are. Don’t just take up space, declare His glory!

John 1.12 - Receive God’s Greatest Gift!

Tonight you will receive a copy of the Gospel according to John. Read it carefully this Christmas. The New Testament Gospels are the best place to learn about Jesus Christ. There is an invitation in the first chapter, “to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1.12). Tonight you have seen children of God from around the world praising Him. In one sense we are all God’s children, He is our Creator. But Jesus came to deepen and confirm that relationship. Do you really know God as your Father? Do you worship Him as you saw tonight? Do you know He loves you and wants to forgive you? There is something we all must do – Receive Him! If you got an iPhone6 as a Christmas present you would tear open the box, turn it on, and start using it! That is how to receive Jesus Christ – with eager joy, thankfulness, and sincere commitment.

 

John 1.16 - Grace: Cheap or Amazing?

The Apostle John wrote some of the most loved Gospel texts of Scripture. But are we callously too familiar with these words? Strive to be both loyal to the Gospel and to love the God of the Gospel - sound doctrine, sincere devotion, and steadfast duty.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer who fought the Nazi’s and his compromising church, said, "Cheap grace is preaching forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession. … Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate." John Newton, who wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace,” spent the first 40 years of his life selling slaves. His last 40 years he was a slave of the Savior. At 83, almost blind, he said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour."

John 1.38 - “What do you want?”

Seems a bit brash doesn’t it? These are the first words spoken by Jesus in John’s Gospel (1.38 NIV). Surely these seekers had to work up their courage to approach this increasingly famous Jewish religious hero. The nosy crowds leaned in like when you talk to a shopkeeper in a busy Beijing market. Today some churches try to make coming to Jesus smooth and easy, very seeker-friendly. Of course, we want to extend the Great News of Salvation as far and wide as we can. But we can see here that those who come to Jesus better know what they are after. Nobody just stumbles into salvation. People must come with their eyes wide open. He calls us to rip ourselves away from our sinful habits, choices and embrace Him in radical abandon and devotion. A disciple follows Him, carrying a cross, living His abundant life.

John 3.3,5 - Heaven in the Real World

I saw a young man this week at the hospital who could have been plucked from among the cool, handsome, guys of ZGC. But this was not his best day - ashen skin, gaunt body, grim face. As I prayed for him I thought, “What does he need most?” A miracle? God can. Yet Jesus has great news for people who will keep on getting sick, and hungry, and thirsty until their last day on earth. Life with Jesus is beyond the spectacular. Jesus promised ‘new birth’ to a man already old - ’Living water’ to a woman who must return to the well daily - ‘Crossing from death to life’ to man still mortal - ‘Living bread’ to those who must share a boy’s lunch - life ‘above’ even while our feet stay on fallen earth – ‘eternal life’ here and now….and forever.

John 3.16 - The Great

God / the greatest lover

so loved / the greatest degree

the world / the greatest company

that He gave / the greatest act

His only Begotten Son / the greatest gift

that whoever / the greatest opportunity

believes / the greatest simplicity

in Him / the greatest attraction

should not perish / the greatest promise

but / the greatest difference

have / the greatest certainty

everlasting life / the greatest possession

John 4.14 - The Basics

A young man I saw this week at the hospital could have been plucked from among the cool, handsome, guys of ZGC. But this was not his best day - ashen skin, gaunt body, grim face. As I prayed for him I thought, “What does he need most?” A miracle? That would be awesome! Yet Jesus has great news for people who keep on getting sick, and hungry, and thirsty until their last day.

A ‘new birth’ for even an old man.

’Living water’ even as we must fetch it from the well daily.

‘Living bread’ even when we need a generous boy’s lunch.

A life ‘above’ even when our feet stay on fallen earth.

Maybe God will give him another fifty years. But the years he has left, many or few, will be filled with challenges, fears, questions, pains, and problems. He lives on earth!