YOUR LIFE on the ROCK Part 2

Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love, Grace, and truth, delivered a profound teaching to His disciples on a hillside, revealing the only path to true blessedness. On that day, Jesus taught humility, contentment, compassion, and righteousness, traits that characterize those who walk closely with God. Do you? Do you walk closely with God, and is your life built on the ROCK? (if you have not already done so, go read LIFE on the ROCK Part 1)

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

In the midst of our busy life and adventurous endeavors, it's essential to pause and reflect on Jesus moment by moment, seeking for Him to teach you his timeless truths—moment by moment.

"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all Grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." 1 Peter 5:10

Are you living out the principles of God's kingdom, or have you become ensnared in the trappings of religious performance and self-promotion? Be honest, we all go through it. Jesus' disciples discussed who's the greatest in front of Jesus right before Jesus went to the cross.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:8

The solution for the people of Christ comes by embracing the Head of the Church, Jesus, and start practicing the foundational principles outlined by Jesus Himself.

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the Grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” Galatians 2:20-21

We are called to be SALT and LIGHT in the world, reflecting the God-flavors and God-colors through sharing His genuine love, humility, and obedience to God's will.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

For those who hold positions of leadership and influence within the Church, a warning and a message resonate from Jesus' teachings:

Beware of falling into the trap of seeking recognition and applause for your ministry efforts. Remember Jesus and all He gave.

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

Do not allow pride, ego, self-promotion, and insecurity to overshadow the true purpose of serving God and His people. Remember that God always sees your heart and values your obedience to Christ above all else.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1

Take heed of Jesus' admonition against hypocrisy and performance-based religion. Do not trivialize the sacred or manipulate religious practices for personal gain. Instead, prioritize authenticity, sincerity, and a genuine relationship with God—humble yourself and spend time in His presence and then walk out His will by His Grace.

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

Furthermore, do not become complacent or indifferent to the needs of others. Jesus calls us to radical love and compassion, even for our enemies. Let us not neglect the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness in our pursuit of religious activities. There is life outside the walls of the carnal church. Ask God for Grace to walk out of the church building and actually do some good for the Kingdom, like loving our enemies.

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Let us align our hearts and actions with the teachings of Jesus Christ AND DO THEM. May we humbly submit to God's will, embodying His love and Grace in all that we do—seven days per week. I pray we all light up and be His beacon of light and hope, shining brightly in a world that desperately needs the transformative power of Jesus’ gospel.

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:5-6

Jesus Self-Giving Love and Radical Generosity

Jesus, the WORD of GOD, our designer and creator and GOD emptied Himself of His Divinity and became man in order to take on ALL OF OUR WEAKNESSES, SINS, and SUFFERINGS in exchange for His COMFORT, the COMFORT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

"but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men." Philippians 2:7

Jesus made a way for us, all of us by taking upon ALL THE SINS OF THE WORLD, every single one of them upon Himself. He suffered on our behalf.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Jesus is SELF-GIVING LOVE, and He displays Himself through RADICAL GENEROSITY. Jesus, as our Lord, Savior, Master, and KING empowers us with His same SELF-GIVING LOVE. Jesus has plans to demonstrate His RADICAL GENEROSITY through each one of us, as we SHINE through trials, tribulations, and afflictions.

"and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." 2 Corinthians 5:18

Jesus never abandoned or left anyone, just the opposite. Jesus never rejected anyone or turned anyone away, including those who murdered Him. Jesus loved His enemies, especially those who wanted to shut him down, shut him up, and even murder him.

"who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father," Galatians 1:4

Jesus never turned anyone away, He served all those who asked and sought His love and compassion. Jesus gave, and He loved, even those who persecuted Him, mocked Him, and rejected Him.

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18

Jesus didn’t kick anyone out, including those who betrayed Him. Jesus was betrayed by two of His closest disciples, Peter and Judas. Jesus knew He was going to be betrayed, yet Jesus loved both Peter an Judas. No one knew, not even Jesus’ disciples, that Peter or Judas would betray Jesus because Jesus loved them both the same.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Made in God’s Image and Likeness - Be Like Jesus

Jesus preached the most important Sermon ever preached, fed 20,000, and then immediately healed a Leper. Jesus took the Leperacy from the Leper and in return, the Leper received Jesus’ righteousness and was made clean, healed, and given full
divine health.

"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

The Bible only recounts Jesus kicking people out of church twice, when he drove out the money-changers and merchants from his Father's house, calling them thieves and robbers. Think about that for a hot minute. Jesus only kicked out those who asked for and took money, and those who profited from His Father's House. Jesus did not toss out prostitutes and tax collectors (traitors and scum of the earth), yet he chased out those seeking and handling money as a matter of religious practice. Hmmmm... Sometimes we only need to open our eyes to SEE!

"The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; and to those who were selling the doves He said, 'Take these things away; stop making My Father's house a place of business.'" John 2:13-16

Jesus never turned anyone away, including Nicodemas. Jesus didn’t excommunicate anyone. He didn’t ask anyone to leave the Church. Jesus did not accuse anyone of dividing His Church, He knew that it would be impossible, He would never allow it.

"so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another." 1 Corinthians 12:25

Can you picture Jesus being offended by criticism from one of his followers? Can you imagine Jesus becoming so offended (angry) by criticism that he expels the critical person from his church? Jesus, the one who leaves the ninety-nine to restore the ONE, would He expel someone for criticism? Thank goodness Jesus didn’t expel Saul, who became the Apostle Paul. Can you imagine?

"Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' And he said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.'" Acts 9:1-5

Jesus is not going to kick out anyone, instead He instructs us to love our enemies and to provide for their needs, such as food, money if requested, water if they are thirsty, clothing, and even shelter.

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.'" John 4:13-14

Jesus instructs us to give to those who steal from us. Why would He instruct us to do such things? THINK! Why would Jesus instruct us to love those who offend and hate us?

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Jesus took ALL sins and sicknesses upon Himself before any of us did good or bad. All means all.

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Jesus’ followers are the PEACEMAKERS. Like Jesus, we are His Peacemakers. Jesus first sent out the twelve disciples as HIS PEACE BRIGADE.

"not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:9

Sent Out With Grace Alone

He then sent out the seventy, before sending us all.

"Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support." Matthew 10:9-10

Jesus sent the twelve and the seventy out without food or provisions of any kind.

"And He said to them, 'Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city.'" Luke 9:3-4

Jesus sent them out with the instructions to trust His Grace to provide. And He did, Grace prevailed and the twelve and the seventy returned celebrating in TOTAL VICTORY.

"Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

Jesus taught the truth, leaving the ninety-nine He went after the ONE LOST. When Jesus taught the TRUTH, many left Him, but Jesus never rejected or abandoned anyone, including Peter and Judas.

"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." John 13:14-15

None of the 12 original disciples knew that Judas was going to betray Jesus. They did not know, because Jesus loved all twelve the same–exactly the same. Jesus has no shifting shadows, He is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Matthew 5:38-39

Jesus is Making Everything Right

Jesus, the King of Righteousness came to make everything RIGHT. Only Jesus can make things right, you and I cannot. We need a savior, we are not the savior.

"for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:18

But Jesus came to make us exactly like Him, RIGHTEOUS and HOLY BEFORE GOD. Jesus is making everything RIGHT.

"Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." John 13:5

Jesus only casts out satan, devils, and demons. He defeated and destroyed them all on our behalf.

"the one who practices sin is of the devil; for the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil." 1 John 3:8

Our RIGHT relationship with God is provided by Jesus alone. Jesus has provided, have you RECEIVED HIS FREE GIFT?

"For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of Grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." Romans 5:17

The Jews kicked Jesus out of His own home, or at least they tried. Jesus didn’t seem to mind, as a matter of fact, He prophesied about the Temple’s destruction. Jesus did not stop the destruction of the Temple. Jesus, His body, which is US, has been fully replaced and is being rebuilt as I write this. We are the Temple of God.

"Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16

Please continue, the best is to come. Click on "Next Page" below!