Author: David Worcester

From my reading in John 6:45-71 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus just got done explaining how he is the bread of life and those who receive him will have eternal life.  He explained it the graphic terms of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. This was hard for many of the disciple following him to understand and accept. Jesus was aware that they were complaining and so he said,

“Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.”  John 6:61–64

The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Our salvation is a gift from God and human effort does nothing to help that. There is nothing you can do earn your salvation. God saves you, you don’t save yourself. 

Do Vs. Done

Most religions are all about human effort. They are about what you do to get to heaven (or whatever they call it).

Christianity is about what has been done for us by Jesus on the cross. He lived a perfect life so that we don’t have to.  He died for our sins so that we don’t have to!

Salvation comes when we accept what has already been done for us.  Jesus knew which ones didn’t believe and which ones would betray, so he said,

“That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” John 6:65

Many disciples left after hearing this words and Jesus even gave the 12 an opportunity to leave. But Simon Peter said,

“Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:68–69

For those who are saved, we agree with Peter that without Christ we would have no purpose and nowhere to go.  He is the hope for eternal life.

Come to Jesus and rely completely on him to give you the gift of salvation because in regards to salvation human effort accomplishes nothing! 

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From my reading in John 3:19-36 in the One Year New Testament.

It’s not about you. This is the famous first line from the Purpose Driven Life. The faster we come to the realization that life is about Jesus and not us, the faster we will know our purpose.

John the Baptist’s disciples were concerned that everyone was going to Jesus in stead of them now! John responded in an amazing, loving way.

It’s From God and It’s About God

“No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.” John 3:27

If you are a spiritual leader the influence you have has been given to you by God. Everything we have is a gift from God, and we should realize that since we didn’t create the world then it’s not about us! The purpose of the influence that God gives us is for him.

The Best Man

“I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success” John 3:28–29

John clearly told them that he was not the Messiah. He gave an illustration that he was not the groom; he was simply the best man!

Imagine if the best man tried to steal the show from the bride or groom. That is exactly what people do when they try and take the attention off of God and put it on themselves.

Preachers and leaders especially need to remember that true joy will only come when people are celebrating Jesus and not them! Our goal should be for people to say “what an amazing God we have,” instead of “what an amazing preacher we have!”

He Must Become Greater

“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30

Our goal should lead people to discover the greatness of who Jesus is. We should be able to fade into the background and not seek glory for ourselves.

It is totally freeing to not be trying to promote yourself. The popularity game is never over! You may get famous but you have to keep doing other things to keep that fame. It is better to just serve God, and let God be the one to lift you up if He wants to.

Some people seek fame, find it and then are destroyed by it because they have don’t have the character to not be deceived by it.

Seek to make much of Jesus and less of yourself. He is greater, so he should be treated as such!

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From my reading in John 2 in the One Year New Testament.

Jesus found people in the temple using the place that was meant for prayer and worship as a place to make money. In holy anger, Jesus turned over the tables of the cheating money changers! His disciples remembered the prophesy that was written about him.

“Passion for God’s house will consume me.” John 2:17

The word passion here means “to have a deep concern for or devotion to something;” other translations use the word zeal. Jesus was passionate about God’s house, not because of the building itself but what it stood for.

The temple was the place specifically for people to focus and connect with God, and Jesus was passionate about protecting it.

Are you passionate about the church? 

Do you have a desire to protect the church? Are you genuinely excited about the mission? Do you have a passion to see it grow and thrive and to see people changed by God?

Jesus had a passion for the house of God so much at it consumed him. He couldn’t stand idly by and let people desecrate what was meant to glorify God.

It’s time to stop playing church and do something! If we are passionate about God, then we should be passionate about his house! The apostle Paul encouraged us to exhibit a similar passion in serving the Church.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11

A life of service in the context of the body of Christ is the most exciting life there is! We should never lose our passion for God’s house! We are to keep our fervor and excitement and not let our spiritual passion die.

If you are not passionate about serving and protecting your church, then maybe you need to start serving or find a church you can get excited about!

Let’s follow Jesus and let passion for the house of God consume us! 

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