Jesus, Friend or Foe?

(Mid-week message for House Church and individual use: preached 11/7 – 11/13/2021)

“And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.” (John 9:49)

“And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.” (Luke 9:50)

Introduction: Cold or hot, there is no in between!

“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:16)

Are you against us or for us

I. For following Jesus’ example regarding his mission?

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)

Are you against us or for us

II. For following Jesus’ example regarding his mobility?

“And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Luke 9:58)

“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,” (Acts 2:46)

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42)

“And when they were come into the house…” (Matthew 2:11)
“And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house…” (Matthew 8:14)
“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house…” (Matthew 9:10)
“And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house…” (Matthew 9:23)
“And when he was come into the house…” (Matthew 9:28)
“And when ye come into an house, salute it.” (Matthew 10:12)

Are you against us or for us

III. For following Jesus’ example regarding his money?

“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:21)

“For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.” (Mark 14:5)

“And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” (Luke 19:8)

“For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag *, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.” (John 13:29)

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)

“(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.” (2 Corinthians 9:9)

“Why was Paul so adamant about refusing payment in Corinth?” (Les, “The Apostle Paul’s Income: Five Reasons Why Paul Worked a Day Job.” Bible-Bridge.com, May 2, 2011. https://www.bible-bridge.com/pauls-income-four-reasons-why-paul-worked-day-job/)

Are you against us or for us

IV. For following Jesus’ example regarding his movement?

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The city we live in;
The major city, nearby;
All of the other major cities (Top 4 > 10> 100);
The rest of the nation;
The world!

Mission Statement: Our mission is to reach the neglected inner cities of America, first by establishing an outpost like the one described in Acts 2 – 5, and then by duplicating it: one house, one city at a time, in Jesus’ mighty name!

Conclusion: And just how do the friends of Christ become his enemy?

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4)