We need more of Jesus and less of everything else.
By “everything else” I mean just about everything one could think of in relation to Christianity or religion that has little or nothing to do with Jesus, or that takes away from attention upon Him. We are seeing a lot of these things today, just like we did back when the Jesus Movement got everything focused back on Jesus. Today we are focusing on things that lead us away from Jesus like celebrity, morality, political power, empire-building, worship music (that worships itself or its performer(s), social action (not done in the name or the power of Jesus), Bible study (for its own sake), numbers (for the sake of success), and success (for the sake of numbers).
John announced when he was introducing Jesus to the people, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). We are looking to Jesus and watching everything else become less.
Instead of celebrity, we are making it clear that Jesus Christ is Lord, and there is no other. Instead of morality, we are all claiming God’s grace over our own immorality and passing that grace onto others through Christ’s death for us all on the cross. Instead of political power, we have renounced earthly power in all forms and are claiming the power of Christ through His Holy Spirit. Instead of building empires, we are building caring communities through our calling as the body of Christ. Instead of worshiping worship, we are worshiping Jesus in simple ways that do not lift up anyone or anything but Him. Instead of success, we are seeking to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). And instead of getting lost in numbers, we are finding out we belong to God and each other through the warmth of Jesus in our hearts.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:1-3)
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These are indeed exciting, stretching, adventurous days. Every moment counts. “Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved.” Matthew 24:22
We are the voice of Christ for the Millennials. I have a deal with Chandler: he’ll watch my back on behalf of the younger generations, if I take the lead in this. Please pick up my challenge below. God knows I can’t afford this, but I also can’t afford not to do this.
To All Witnesses of or those
Influenced by the Jesus Movement
Join John Fischer and his $500 Match
— $0 with $500 to Go —
(Please include a note with your gift that it is for John’s challenge.)