One at a Time - Intersections, Part 1

We have all heard that we need to love people the way Jesus love it.

But what's that look like I made practically specifically what to look like you and me in our everyday life to love people the way Jesus did you pull that off. That's today's date with me.

Welcome to this Edition of Living on the Edge with tripping the mission of these daily programs is to intentionally disciple Christians the Bible to victory and were nearing the end of our newest series for the time taught by our guest speaker Kyle is a best-selling author, speaker, family pastor at Southeast Christian church without these last two programs. Kyle can assure the way we can care for and love people like Jesus did a lot simpler than you might think and be sure to stick around after the teaching is triple share some extra insight to what he's learned in this area over that turn in your Bibles to Matthew chapter 13 for Kyle's message intersections. If you're struggling a little bit with understanding your purpose in life. After struggling a little bit with motivation when you get up in the morning. Your job is motivating and school is a motivating and you're just kind of going through the motions and you are making to the day to go to bed that night.

If you're struggling a little bit with some depression and discouragement and it's pretty easy. I think for all of us to get focused on ourselves. I just have found that this one at a time way of living affects all of that that Jesus taught us to love others the way he has loved us and if I can start my day by being intentional with my interactions and the people I meet along the way to love them. The way that Jesus is love me just gives everything purpose gives everything meaning in and talk to you in this series and has been something God truly had to throw me in your eye like I've had to be discipled by Jesus to love people the way he went he loves people. It wasn't natural for me.

I didn't consider myself to be a people person and that was tough as a pastor because I thought I should be great all the time with people not just wasn't there was a challenge for me, but over the course of the last 20 years I discovered that matter what your personality type may be that it Jesus once each of us to love people one at a time.

This is one of the reasons I wrote the book one at a time is because it was very personal to me was that of an overflow out of a God's been doing in my life and I wanted other people to experience the discipleship that I had experienced in learning to love people the way that Jesus love people were all grown and that were all still on the path. I just think that that mission gives meaning to your life no matter what you do, no matter where you're at, no matter what challenges you face that mission will give you meaning and so I want to challenge you to be intentional when you find yourself in certain intersections when you are with someone who's going through something many unexpected may be challenging and difficult that you understand in that moment you have an opportunity that you may have never had before to point that person to Jesus. Those are the moments we need to be especially intentional when someone's at an intersection were to talk about what those look like for a lot of us were pretty good at avoiding people at different times but really what I want to challenge you with is to focus on what are the moments where God wants you to lean in where you want to be intentional 30s intersections that the people around you are at and he wants you.

I believe her follower Jesus to meet them at that intersection point that person to him. I was reading a story by Elizabeth Cheryl. She is author from Chappaqua, New York and and she tells about sitting at her computer and she was typing away as he looks out the window and she sees this guy that is in her backyard and has little yellow helmet on his head a cellular helmet to yellow yogurt carton that apparently Scott winter and get yogurt on the card and moves stuck on the sensor and get it off can do it. Elizabeth said she's watching this unfold and she thinks to herself as somebody should do something about that goes back to work in looks, skunk is still there, still struggling to think somebody besides me to do something about that. And then Jesus thinks he had some going. That skunk is to make its way from my backyard in the somebody else's backyard will be somebody else's problem. But the skunk just kept struggling with that yellow yogurt carton on his head to realize she was the only person who was in a position to do something about it and so she googled the phone number for the Department of wildlife got on the helpline explain the situation. There's a skunk in my backyard has a yellow yogurt carton suck on his head.

What I do, ma'am, you need to take the yogurt carton often said okay well what what if the skunk sprayed me the man on the other line tries to reassure her as he can see you. He can spray you ma'am okay but what about when I take it off. Finish the silence on the other line and the guys like to try not to make the skunk feel threatened and that that was all the advice he had for her and so she reluctantly went out and she wept on the backyard and she says the skunk just started coming towards her, running towards her as black, white, yellow streak and see Justin this some moment and not really thinking about implications. She reached down and she rips off that carton and they the skunk in her sees that they held the days for like 10 seconds trying to figure out what the other person was going to do and it finally rent ran off that I really like your summary of the soul that she said a timeless parable played itself out as I thought the skunk was all those needs. I hesitate to get involved in because involvement takes time and I have deadlines to make. I probably can do anything anyway. Somebody else can handle it better besides involvement can be ugly and the stench may rub off on me. All those things. Of course may be true, she says, but I've got a yellow pencil holder on my desk rather scratched and battered one to remind me every now and then God answers a need with me every now and then.

Turns out there's something that's happening in your backyard and you are the person who's in the best position to do something about it for us as a church. This is what we mean.

We talk about being unleased.

We want to unleash the full force of the church to love people one at a time.

There certain people in your life that you are in a position to love that nobody else is really in that position to love the way that you are there certain people that you come across right time right place where you can be in position to point them to Jesus and fed just the right moment to have the most impact for them. I was talking to lady a, in between services. Her name was Melissa and few months ago she lost her mom and Sitton coming to church and just feeling heavy and needing comfort in praying and someone saw her to notice that there is a heaviness about her. This wrote a note and said I want to know the God sees you and you're not alone.

This someone who's paying attention, liens, and at that moment has a really significant impacts on her because they saw her at an intersection and did something that mind is convinced that all of you have people like that in your life right now that there are people maybe are close to them. I know them well maybe it's a stranger that you come across this afternoon but if you keep your eyes open.

You'll find them at an intersection where there are more open to learning about Jesus and knowing about God's love. And maybe they ever have before. And so what are those moments where those intersections you're driving to the neighborhood and you see a moving truck has pulled up to the house is been for sale for Wilde's and there's a car.

There was out-of-state plates somebody news moving it. You have a window here you an opportunity to again but for that moments next month or two that family is that this intersections of change and uncertainty in a gesture of friendship and that moments goes a really long way. At a gesture of kindness at that intersection says a lot about Jesus. What about the church or you hear news on social media that an old classmates been diagnosed with cancer and you haven't talked to this classmate for a while in any field little bit bad about that right now it doesn't seem appropriate to reach out to them because you haven't reach out to them in the past and and and yet the truth is that person is at this intersection of fear and suffering, and they have never been more open to the power and the presence of God in their lives and maybe you are the one that needs to say something just to check on them just to build a bridge asking how they're doing.

How can you pray for them. There's some may be a friend that you haven't seen for a while and get the news that she and her husband separated and apparently he got involved with someone else and you're a little reluctant even run into her because you you don't want to be awkward. Here's not sure what you would say even bring something like that Auburn Island and yet you know she is at this intersection of loneliness and rejection and she really needs somebody to step into that space with her and make sure that she staying connected to Jesus. Make sure that she is seen and she knows she's not alone. A relative loses a job you're not really sure what to say you don't want there to be any embarrassments he just don't bring anything up over the holidays and yet the church is there really struggling struggling with identity. They just never thought it would happen to them there at this intersection of disappointment and despair and might be a little awkward but you have an opportunity to lean in, they've never been more open to a conversation they've never been more receptive to word of encouragement and an act of compassion has never meant more to them. There's something about that intersection that if we are intentional to meet people there has significant impact is I found this is true for religious people like one of the things that I will sometimes use all go to hospital to meet people to pray with people who are going through something difficult, but sometimes get in the waiting room while you're waiting for the moment that to get the all clear.

Go back and see someone and I've had a number times where I've been in the waiting room and there's another family that I don't know but there clearly going through something either there is an unexpected accident. Someone's illness has taken a turn for the worse, but it's clearly heavy moment. I don't want to intrude.

I don't want to be in the way. But I also don't want to miss an opportunity if they are at an intersection and they just need some hope, and they need to know that there cared for and so I go over and say hey I don't know you.

I'm a pastor in town on here to see somebody else is it okay if I just pray for you real quickly. No one ever says no whenever asked, annoyed, but I don't know what their religious background may or may not be but I know that in that moment, there are more open to that than they were 24 hours before. There's something about those intersections that are sacred places and Jesus invites you into them.

Right now there someone in your life is at an intersection that need you to show up and Jesus just did this masterfully so as to look at this in the Gospels by the just a quick examination of some intersection moments Jesus had John chapter 3.

Many Nicodemus is a religious leader and he had some doubts he didn't believe what all of his colleagues believed about Jesus had some questions. He's at the intersection of what I would call's seeking and searching is spiritually asking questions moment you hear someone asking some kind of a spiritual question that is an invitation for you to step into that space and you may not know all the answers. That's okay, but that you meet them there. And so Jesus in John three meets Nicodemus that night has this very personal spiritual conversation with him go to John for in there. So the story of the woman at the well when Jesus goes through Samaria and he meets this woman who's at the intersection of shame and dissatisfaction. She's been married a number of times living with somebody is not her husband.

Nothing is satisfying her.

Her thirst just thirsty for something deeper, something more and Jesus meets your there and offers himself the living water. You wait for someone to reach that moment in life where they recognize what I've been doing isn't working. I'm I'm thirsty for more immediate in that space. If you go to John chapter 5 Jesus is in Jerusalem. He meets a lame man is at the intersection of hopelessness and helplessness. And Jesus reaches out offer some helpful new hope. John, a woman is caught in the act of adultery. She finds herself at this intersection of guilt and shame. And Jesus meets her there with grace and truth and just keeps going. He meets a widow at the funeral of her only son. It's a really significant intersection. He needs a father whose daughter is on her debt on her deathbed meets two sisters who are grieving the loss of their brother Lazarus there at the intersection of grief and despair in Jesus meets them there introduces himself on the resurrection and the life as visiting list somebody else between services and they were they.

I said you can come and search her for a while and she said no but I heard you speak before coming here at a wedding and then at a funeral and when I was at the funeral you told me that we needed step meeting this way than you need to come to church and she said that she start coming to church with her son. There's something about a funeral.

Something about that moment for the reasons I would always rather as a pastor when you speak in a funeral.

There are just a lot of intersections taking place that in that moment. People are more open to God is in way maybe that they are, and at other times and Jesus had a way of seeing that and leaning in and meeting people is places so there's a parable that I want us to look at Matthew 13. You have your Bibles can turn their Matthew 13 essay. A parable relates to parables with 30 flight two sentences along the very brief parables in this passage here were Jesus is selling a lot of parables a lot of stories to Pack a punch and unlock some deeper spiritual truth. And in this particular section. He is giving us some different pictures of what the kingdom of heaven is like, and so is his kingdom of heaven is like this, like this, like this for each parable begins with the kingdom of heaven is like the kingdom of heaven.

Of course, is a physical place is not just a physical play, since it is anyplace one way to say this is any place where God rules. Not every God rules everywhere. Any place where God has been identified, recognized, submitted to and surrendered to as ruler, as we'll find the kingdom of heaven, whether that's in heaven. The physical place. Rather, that's in your heart that's for the kingdom of heaven is like, and so he's describing the kingdom of heaven by telling us too little, short stories, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field when a man found it he hit it again and then in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought the field like this treasure is hidden in the field who eyed the treasure in the field. That's not some that we do it into the bank but on the bothersome critique he buries it in the field and back in the day that that's what they did.

If there was a war they would bury their wealth in the ground they would be the only ones who knew where to find it.

But what happens if they die at war was he often did just stays buried in the ground and so that's presumably what happens here like a hired hand is working in the field, but he stumbles across the didn't plan on it wasn't looking for it just happened. Does an ordinary day is an ordinary field and the funds is extraordinary treasure that changes his life and accidental, but changes everything from and he goes and sells everything he has and people are talking midlife crisis is he doing selling this house on the stocks and selling its own everything he owns so he can buy this field.

I don't understand if he knows what he's doing.

He knows this is a good exchange. Some of you who would become followers of Jesus. You've changed your life. You surrendered some things over to Jesus and the people around you see what you've given up in there like I'm not sure measured there doing okay and they're not sure what to make of it that you know what to make of it because you discovered a treasure you discovered this joy.

This in Jesus's treasure that's hidden in the field. It's worth everything that's the intersection moment in your life where you recognize it's available to you. The Bible calls it the riches of Christ Jesus held a second parable.

So here's what I want to do is or listen to this is to try to identify how these two little parables are different.

First one that we read man is working in the field presumably defines it, he hides it again sells every thing has and buys it. Verse 44, 45, 46, again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls when he discovered a pearl of great price.

He sold everything he owned and bought. So two stories are similar come to the same metaphor another try half a dozen grammar teachers in your simile simile.

I get bored like is in there makes assembly but going to say metaphor because it's like a word picture pearl and a treasure and this represents the kingdom of heaven.

What's different about those two both on a treasure about sell everything I have.

What's different about the first one he stumbles onto it is accidental just happens. Second one is looking for searching, seeking as he looks for. He finds it listening to the first part of our guest teacher Kyle Edelman's message intersection series, one at a time. Chip will join us here in studio with some additional thoughts about today's program in just a minute ever consider the remarkable impact. Jesus is had on the history will think about it. He lived over 2000 years ago and only had a small group of followers yet. Fast forward to today. Christianity is the leading world religion. So what was Jesus secret in the series Kyle idled and reveals the unexpected simple practice Jesus use to change our world. Don't miss how you and I can continue the work he started one interaction, one conversation, one life at a time to learn more about the series or Kyle's best-selling book go to LivingontheEdge.org the Chip Ingram up or call us at AAA to 33360031, joined by our Bible teacher, Chip Ingram and Chip Kyle ended his message today unpacking to parables Jesus taught that reveal what we truly value and for some wealth and prosperity are what they treasure most that I've heard you say before that. How we handle our money is a really great indicator of our faith, what you mean by that will, Dave. You know, I think we all we all long to believe that what we say and what we think really is who we are and and Jesus in his day talk so much and taught so much about money and not because he ever became rich was trying to get people's money, but our money is the mirror of our heart or maybe think about it this way. It's the MRI of your heart to know what's really in there. What do I really worship what are my values. What are my true motives and what I would say is Jesus teaching says your lips, declare what you think matters what your values are and what you worship. That's what your lips declare your money reveals where they really are.

And so that's why he talks so much about that because really it's love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul your mind your strength and the competition for our heart is money, it's, it's the things that we think that can fill us up that money can buy security significance impact impressing others, and so you know it really has a impact here Living on the Edge when I think of the people who give to Living on the Edge.

It's not just that they're giving us their money. We are so grateful we are good stewards we are using it in ways that really honor God and lives are being changed, but to help people understand who God really is and create resources around Badin and reach the next generation and and to say that we really want to make a difference to help Christians live like Christians in a crazy world that were living in when people give to the ministry. What they're really saying is that's on my heart to I'm with you where partners were in it together. And so I just want to pause and I want to thank each and every one of you who are partners who are on mission with us and not because you say you are, but because your money is the mirror it's the MRI that reveals that we are in this together and you know what you not only a part of making a difference. You will be a part of the reward as well and so we want to pause today and say thank you. Well, if Living on the Edge is ministering to you and if not yet partnered with us financially. Would you prayerfully consider doing that today.

It takes a team to do what God called us to do and were inviting you to help us help Christians live like Christians to send a gift or to become a monthly partner go to LivingontheEdge.org or text the word donate to 741 41 text donate to 741 41 or visit LivingontheEdge.org Listener step donate woodchip as we wrap up this message from Kyle idled in a talk to the person out there who feels a little unprepared or maybe anxious about giving spiritual direction to someone.

What encouragement do you have for them. Well, just set expectations.

You don't have to know everything people aren't expecting you to be Jesus who the apostle Paul, and I don't necessarily need to go looking for someone you are intersecting all the time with people that are hitting very predictable challenges in their life. Now more than ever, I added a little break.

I studied and I wanted to spend some time with my family and as I was reflecting on my life. I realized it's been a while since I really shared Christ in a very meaningful way had not been around many non-Christians and listening to this series and and kinda pondering Lord I really you know I I want to share my faith. I want to love people in my track record the last month or so I is not been really good and I found myself in a conversation with someone that was really in pain and from this message.

Let me tell you what I did and I think it'll model something that you can do number one is when you see someone in pain is like a flashing red light that the Holy Spirit is saying this is an opportunity for me to love this person through you pay attention to that lien in don't solve it. Just lien in, then second, ask questions, this person had a son who was acting out was about 16 or so. This person wasn't a believer. Their mate had left them and was currently living with another person.

Their mate had left them, and this couple was in a pretty happy and living together and kind of a sort of blended family but not really a family because they didn't get married and that the 16-year-old son was really really acting out so the grades are going down running with the wrong crowd. You know some alcohol use and some weed and ending the day care. I mean, these are very sincere. Really good people and I found myself listening and and then I just kept asking questions and I was able to talk about some pain I'd been through talk about how that world might be in their son's perspective and feeling like okay you know you all move together. There's been other men and women in both your lives. I feel like I'm bounced around. I feel afraid I feel anxious and I gave them their son's perspective and then talked about what would bring stability from God's perspective and how he could bring favor in their life and it moved from the issue with their son to what they could do is a couple that would stabilize and get their life in obedience to Christ and their relationship in obedience to Christ that would provide what their son needed and with tears in their eyes and tears in my eyes. We had this amazing connection. They heard the truth about marriage. They heard the gospel they heard how to respond to their son but they didn't hear it to the lens of this is what you need to do and I'm the authority and here's the Ott's and shoulds.

I think they heard the heart of God. And so can I encourage you to enter their pain, ask questions, listen deeply and then respond as God leads you, you may just find that people are far more open you ever dreamed as we close. If you're looking for a way to get more out of our teaching.

Let me encourage you to download the message notes this helpful tools available for every program. They include a clear outline all of the Scripture references. Lots of fillings to help you remember what you're learning you can get about LivingontheEdge.org under the broadcasts tab hapless nurse just tap fill in the notes.

Join us next time as our guest teacher Kyle Ivan wraps up his series, one at a time. Until then, this is Dave Turley saying thanks for listening to this edition of living on VA