RADICAL
RADICAL FOCUS 2 Timothy 3:14-17
2 Timothy 3:14-17 [14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (v.16-17 NLT)
RADICAL FOCUS 1. Belief in the Word 2. Blind Spots 3. Radical Focus
1. BELIEF IN THE WORD Belief in Jesus: Lord, Lunatic or Liar What He says = the Word Belief in the Word The Word of God is trustworthy (vv. 14-15) The Word of God is useful (v. 16) The Word of God is sufficient (v. 17) What the Word of God says
2 Timothy 3:14-17 [14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it [15] and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (ESV) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (v.16-17 NLT)
1. BELIEF IN THE WORD Belief in Jesus: Lord, Lunatic or Liar What He says = the Word Belief in the Word The Word of God is trustworthy (vv. 14-15) The Word of God is useful (v. 16) The Word of God is sufficient (v. 17) What the Word of God says
Luke 14:25-33 Cost of Discipleship [25] Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, [26] If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. [27] Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple... [33] So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Do I really believe this book?
Matthew 8:18-22 The Cost of Following Jesus [18] Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. [19] And a scribe came up and said to him, Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. [20] And 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. [21] Another of the disciples said to him, Lord, let me first go and bury my father. [22] And Jesus said to him, Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.
Mark 10:17-22 The Rich Young Man [17] And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? [18] And Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. [19] You know the commandments: Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother. [20] And he said to him, Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth. [21] And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. [22] Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
2. BLIND SPOTS Strategy of increasing adoption: reduce as much friction My goal is to talk you out of Christianity The rich man s blind spot (Mark 10:17-22) Sell everything you have? Universalism vs. Minimalism My blind spot Do I really believe this book?
Luke 9:57-62 The Cost of Following Jesus [57] As they were going along the road, someone said to him, I will follow you wherever you go. [58] And 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. [59] To another he said, Follow me. But he said, Lord, let me first go and bury my father. [60] And Jesus said to him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God. [61] Yet another said, I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home. [62] Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
2. BLIND SPOTS Strategy of increasing adoption: reduce as much friction My goal is to talk you out of Christianity The rich man s blind spot (Mark 10:17-22) Sell everything you have? Universalism vs. Minimalism My blind spot Do I really believe this book? Comfort or a Cross Maintenance or Mission Indecisive minds or Undivided hearts
3. RADICAL FOCUS Three states of response 1. Apathy 2. Lethargy 3. Despair If we don t wrestle with these truths--we re content with nominal Christianity
To come to Christ means: To come to an awareness of your sinful rebellion against God, to see in Jesus the only substitute for your sins, by His grace to turn from your rebellion against God, and to trust in Him as the Lord and sovereign King over your life.
Then, what Jesus says determines how you live.
3. RADICAL FOCUS Apathy is indifference to what Jesus says Lethargy is laziness in applying what Jesus says. Despair is feeling hopeless in what Jesus says
RADICAL FOCUS
HOPE And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, -Mark 10:21