I just stumbled across a message that I shared with the congregation at Ardmore Moravian Church five years ago in 2008. It’s definitely weird hearing my own voice recorded, especially since I don’t really like how it sounds. So I wanted to share this message here not because I think I sound so wondeful, but because I think that what God was saying to me at that time is something I needed to hear again…and perhaps something that others might need to hear.
The heart of the message is a call to stop merely having a ‘relationship’ with Jesus (the common language of modern day so-called evangelical Christianity)…rather to truly abide in Jesus…to marvel at the person of Jesus the Anointed One and what He is actually calling us to–HIMSELF! This may sound so simple, but I think we all too easily turn Jesus’ invitation to HIMSELF into something else and in the process we are missing the very heart, the very essence of the gospel of GOD – JESUS.
The audio link should be directly below followed by the handout from that day. It was a long service and I would certainly change how I said and did some things that day as I’ve experienced more of the heart of God since that time…and especially the past five months dealing with my sickness. But hopefully some of you will take the time to listen and be blessed and have your passion for JESUS reignited!
01 Stop Having A Relationship With
“Stop Having A Relationship With Jesus”
Quieting Our Hearts and Immersing Ourselves in the Love of God…
Deep, Deep Love Choir
Words printed for your reflection, meditation, and/or participation.
Your deep, deep love
Washes over me
Your deep, deep love
Fills my every need
How I long to hear Your voice call out my name
It draws me to Your deep, deep love
Your deep, deep love
Cleanses all my sin
Your deep, deep love
Brings a peace within
How I long to hear Your voice call out my name
It draws me to Your deep, deep love
Lord, my heart is filled with praises
For Your goodness makes me sing
Jesus, I’m forever grateful
For Your love has done a work in me
Silence
Prayer
Sharing the Heart of God through His Word…
“Stop Having a Relationship with Jesus” Jason Clubb
1. It’s all about Jesus!
Hebrews 1:1-4 (Amplified Bible)
1IN MANY separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,
2[But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].
3He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,
4[Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 2:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1SINCE ALL this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.
2For if the message given through angels [the Law spoken by them to Moses] was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate (just and adequate) penalty,
3How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]?
Luke 10:38-42 (Amplified Bible)
38Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house.
39And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching.
40But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!
41But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
Open Our Eyes, Lord
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus
To reach out and touch Him
And say that we love Him
Open our ears, Lord
And help us to listen
Open our eyes, Lord
We want to see Jesus
Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message Bible)
28-30″Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
John 6:35-40, 44, 47 (Amplified Bible)
35Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).
36But [as] I told you, although you have seen Me, still you do not believe and trust and have faith.
37All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me].
38For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.
39And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that I should not lose any of all that He has given Me, but that I should give new life and raise [them all] up at the last day.
40For this is My Father’s will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.
44No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.
47I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, relies on, and has faith in Me] has (now possesses) eternal life.
John 5:39-40 (Amplified Bible)
39You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me!
40And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life.
John 17:3 (Amplified Bible)
3And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.
You are my life; Oh, precious Christ
You are to me the pearl of greatest price
My love for You will never die
Jesus, You are my life
chorus:
I come to You
I run to You
There’s no greater joy than knowing You
Oh, holy fire, Love’s purest light
Burn all desires till You’re my one delight
My love for You will never die
Jesus, You are my life
Oh, conquering King, conquer my heart
And make of me a pleasing gift to God
My love for You will never die
Jesus, You are my life
Luke 9:57-62 (ESV)
57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
John 21:18-22 (Amplified Bible)
18I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go. But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.
19He said this to indicate by what kind of death Peter would glorify God. And after this, He said to him, Follow Me!
20But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following–the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?
21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man?
22Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me!
Jesus, be the center
Be my source
Be my light
Jesus
Jesus, be the center
Be my hope
Be my song
Jesus
chorus:
Be the fire in my heart
Be the wind in these sails
Be the reason that I live
Jesus
Jesus, be my vision
Be my path
Be my guide
Jesus
John 15:1-11 (Amplified Bible)
1I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
2Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
3You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
4Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
5I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
6If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
7If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
8When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
9I have loved you, [just] as the Father has loved Me; abide in My love [continue in His love with Me].
10If you keep My commandments [if you continue to obey My instructions], you will abide in My love and live on in it, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commandments and live on in His love.
11I have told you these things, that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.
John 6:56-57 (Amplified Bible)
56He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood dwells continually in Me, and I [in like manner dwell continually] in him.
57Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.
Jesus draw me close, closer Lord to You
Let the world around me fade away
Jesus draw me close, closer Lord to You
For I desire to worship and obey
Draw Me Close To You
Draw me close to You; Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear You say that I’m Your friend
You are my desire; No one else will do
Cause nothing else can take Your place
To feel the warmth of Your embrace
Help me find the Way; Bring me back to You
chorus:
You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know You are near
Psalm 107:1-2 (ESV)
1Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
Psalm 63:2-5 (ESV)
2So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
5My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips;
Talk About It Bionca Goodman & Jessica Lewis
Words printed for your reflection, meditation, and/or participation.
Tell rich and poor in slavery
The king has ordered the decree
Ransom all captivity
Ring the bells of liberty
He sacrificed His everything
To buy us new identities
So every knee could bow
And every tongue confess
That Jesus our Lord is marvelous!
chorus:
So let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Talk about it, say so, talk about it
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so
Talk about it, say so, talk about it
Bangladesh to Bangor, Maine
If you’re talking about His name
Give Him glory unashamed
His love is so exciting
Say it loud or quietly
Nod your head or disagree
But every knee shall bow
And every tongue confess
That Jesus our Lord is marvelous!
If you’re not ashamed
If you’re not ashamed
If you’re not ashamed
I’m not ashamed
I’m not ashamed
I’m not ashamed
Parting Declaration…
Who Can Satisfy
Who can satisfy my soul like You?|
Who on earth could comfort me
And love me like You do?
Who could ever be more faithful, true?
I will trust in You
Lord, I will trust in You, my God!
chorus:
There is a Fountain who is the King
Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything
My Rock, my Shelter, my very own
Blessed Redeemer who reigns upon the throne!
Living Water rain down Your life on me
Cleansing me, refreshing me
With life abundantly
River, full of life, I’ll go where you lead
I will trust in You
Lord, I will trust in You, my God!
Sent Out…
“Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” John 17:17-18
Galen Tidd
614 Restoration Blog 