It’s All About Jesus

“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” – Hebrews 3:1-6.

Do you ever wonder why God called you to do something for Him? There are many reasons why God shouldn’t have called you, or me, or anyone else for that matter, but God doesn’t wait until we are perfect to call us. Think of all the unlikely people God used. You’re in good company if you think you aren’t ready for God to use.

Some of the Bible’s most popular characters include Abraham, David, Solomon and Moses. Over the last four weeks we have looked at those four men in the Hall of Faith series at Northstar. They weren’t perfect and as a result each one provides us with great lessons in character. Abraham, the forefather of faith, let other men walk off with his wife on two different occasions. He lied. and his Sarah laughed at God’s promises. David, the friend of God, concealed his adultery with a murder. Solomon, the wisest man in the world, let some of his wives turn him away from God. Moses had a very serious problem with his temper. He had a short fuse. He stuttered and he too was a murderer.

The question is what do we do with the information. Should we all just throw up our hands, conceding that people are typically a mess? Of course not. This four men can be characterized as righteous—or at least people of faith as we see in Hebrews 11. Sin does indeed have consequences. But if for no other reason, we should at least avoid it to escape the incredible pain that accompanies it. (Galatians 6:7) We will all face issues in our lives as these four men did. It’s how we handle our issues. And just as importantly how we grow and move forward from the experiences.

In Psalm 127: 1-2 we read: “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain…”

What the Psalmist is really saying is – that we need to make Jesus the center of our lives, and we have to move out of the way. Why do we think that we can do a better job than God can in our lives? Everything we have comes from the Lord. We read in James 1:17 that “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” It’s all about Jesus.

What we learned about Abraham, David, Solomon and Moses is that their past or their weaknesses did not define them.  It does not define us. It is our current attitude and availability toward God that determines our future.

I hope you have been encouraged by this series. God knows your abilities and your weaknesses. God doesn’t look at financial gain or loss. He’s not prejudiced or partial, nor deaf to our cry. He’s not blind to our faults. We look back and see our mistakes, but God looks back and sees the Cross. He’ll take you to places you never dreamed of in a journey that will take a lifetime. We just need to make ourselves available and then have the faith to follow the plan that God provides us.

Discussion Questions:

1. A person of faith is not some superman or superwoman with a myriad of talents and abilities. It is an individual who is willing to take God at His word, commit to God’s will, and devote themselves to His work.  Agree or disagree?
2. If you wanted to make Jesus the foundation of your life, how would you do it? What would you need to change short-term? Changing lives is a result of faith transformed into action. Agree or disagree?
3. What is your takeaway from the Hall of Faith series?