John 1 – Champion Builders

Use Your Reputation for God

John the Baptist had a reputation. He was very popular in certain circles. Just like you, people knew him for certain things he did. You maybe known as the baseball or other sport guy…or smart guy in class…or church and music guy like I was.

Even though he was known for certain things, he knew of someone greater than he:

“He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
http://bible.com/111/jhn.1.27.niv

What did he do? He pointed them to Jesus.

“When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.”
http://bible.com/111/jhn.1.36-37.niv

Why did he do this? Because he knew a secret. He knew what God was up to. He knew God’s plan to give every man and woman what their heart was really looking for…namely Himself!

So John knew if he really cared for the people around him, the best thing he could do with his influence is point them to Jesus. Jesus was the one they should follow most to find the life they really wanted.

You Have Followers

Believe it or not, you have followers. Every person has someone that looks up to them and has some sort of influence with them. The question you should ask yourself is:Where are you leading them?

Will you point them to the Greatest Destination and person…the Greatest Man Jesus?

Ok, so what do we do?

First off, are you following Jesus? If not, what will you do this week to get to know Him better? And then could you invite a friend to go to church or a youth group or start reading the Bible with you?

Colossians 2, Devotions, John 1, Romans 10

What does it mean to receive Jesus in my heart?

What does it mean to receive Jesus in our heart?

The bible correlates these being the same:
Believing = Receiving = Accepting = Being in Christ

READ:

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
‭‭John‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:9‬ ‭

It is important how we receive/believe Christ. Do we receive Him, as John Piper has said, as an “unwanted guest” or repair man that you want to just keep out in the garage? Or do we receive Him for who he really is?! LORD.

“There are all kinds of ways to receive Jesus into your life that have zero impact on your eternity except to make it worse.“

The question then becomes: If you say you have received Jesus: You received Him as what?

Listen to the podcast below and search your heart to determine that yourself.

PRAY: Jesus search my heart and help me be totally honest with You. I don’t want to play games saying I believe in You but not submitting to your Lordship and leadership in my life. Let me really see how amazing You are in a fresh way. (And if you really mean it now, tell Him and declare it to God…) Jesus you are Lord of my life!

Podcast: What Does It Mean to Receive Jesus into My Life? (Episode 726) #askpastorjohn

Devotions, John 1

Do You Believe AND Receive Christmas?

Most people, generally speaking, like the Christmas season…of course minus the frantic shopping and the overloaded spending and schedules and such. Despite all that, most people also see it as a season of cheerfulness and giving. Christians see it as such, but even so much more.

Many believe that Christmas signifies the time when the Savior of mankind…Jesus…God in the flesh, became human. While this is true, it is also true that you can know this fact without it making any true impact in your life. You may say you believe in it…but have you really RECEIVED it?

READ: John 1:9-12

Did you see the distinction in the words receiving and believing? Why do you think that is there?

Imagine a kid at Christmas so excited about a gift he sees under the tree. He even figures out what it is based on the size of the packaging and by the “shake test”, and he becomes even more excited about knowing he is going to get this gift. But, how strange would it be on Christmas morning if the kid decides he is not going to open it up and play with it? He just knew it was offered there to him, but he didn’t receive it.

Just like that kid, we must not only believe….but we must receive the gift.

How will you RECEIVE Christmas this year? (write you response below)

PRAY: Jesus I pray that you will help me see that you are the Greatest Gift I should receive this Christmas. Forgive me that for too long I have known You are there for me but I have never received You into my life. Please show me how to do this.

NOTE: If you feel like you really want to know how to receive Jesus into your life, please don’t hesitate…but let someone you trust who knows Jesus, help show you how to do that.

Devotions, John 1

Who Are You Following?

Everyone follows someone. Even if you think that “someone” is only yourself, all of us have admired certain people along the way and either intentionally or unintentionally modeled certain aspects of our life after them. A wise man eventually evaluates on a daily basis from whom is he is picking his “modeling cues.”

Check out some guys that did that exact thing.

READ: John 1:35-39

Ask yourself these questions…

Why did John the Baptist say “look, the Lamb of God”?
Why do you the first thing out of Jesus’ mouth to the two disciples (Andrew & John) was “what do you want?”
Why do you think they responded the way they did? Did that have any deeper meaning beside just wanting to see where Jesus was staying?
What do you think it was like to “spend the day with Jesus”? What are the things you think they “saw” by being with Him?

PRAY:

God thank you that you have done and are doing some big things in my life. Jesus, I am beginning to see more and more that You are someone that I should follow. I am excited to learn what you want to reveal who You are as well as who I am!