Jeff Rutland's Blog

That’s the Jesus I Like

John 6:40 For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

It’s funny how the Jesus that some non-followers would follow looks like their ideal self. He values what they value, thinks like they think and talks like they talk. I ran across this from Kevin DeYoung, author of the Restless and Reformed blog. He describes what people say about Jesus today. 



I Like “Starbucks Jesus”
"There's the Republican Jesus—who is against tax increases and activist judges, for family values and owning firearms. “There's Democrat Jesus—who is against Wall Street and Wal-Mart, for reducing our carbon footprint and printing money.

“There's Therapist Jesus—who helps us cope with life’s problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves. 

"There's Starbucks Jesus—who drinks fair trade coffee, loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid, and goes to film festivals. "There's Hippie Jesus—who teaches everyone to give peace a chance, imagines a world without religion, and helps us remember that ‘all you need is love.’ "There's Yuppie Jesus—who encourages us to reach our full potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat. 

"There's Spirituality Jesus—who hates religion, churches, pastors, priests, and doctrine, and would rather have people out in nature, finding ‘the god within’ while listening to ambiguously spiritual music. "There's Revolutionary Jesus—who teaches us to rebel against the status quo, stick it to the man, and blame things on 'the system.' "There's Guru Jesus—a wise, inspirational teacher who believes in you and helps you find your center.
"There's Good Example Jesus—who shows you how to help people, change the planet, and become a better you.

What’s The Big Deal About The Holy Spirit?
God is experienced as a triune God. The Father sent His Son to incarnate in human flesh in the person of Jesus. In his years on earth, He was the walking, breathing presence of God in actual human flesh. He willingly went to the cross so that the sins of the whole world would be forgiven. Anyone may call on Jesus to be saved.

So what’s the big deal about the Holy Spirit? He is the person of the Godhead abiding in each believer whose mission it is to fill us with God’s presence to be overcomers in this life. That is, the Holy Spirit is in there to continuously strengthen you with heavenly power in the inner man, and to minister the love of God to and through us.

John 1:1-5
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
John 1:14 So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

Get Your Own Dirt
There was a group of scientists who got together one day and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell God that they were done with Him.

The scientist walked up to God and said, “God, we’ve decided that we no longer need you. We’re to the point we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so we just don’t need you anymore.”

God listened very patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was done talking, God said, “Very well, how about this, let’s say we have a ‘man-making’ contest.” To which the scientist replied, “OK, great!”

God added, “Now, we’re going to do this just like I did in the old days with Adam.” The scientist said, “Sure, no problem” and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.

God just looked at him and said, “No…you get and make your own dirt.”

Relationship With the Holy Spirit

Romans 5:5 For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. (New Living Translation)


What’s The Big Deal About The Holy Spirit?
God is experienced as a triune God. The Father sent His Son to incarnate in human flesh in the person of Jesus. In his years on earth, He was the walking, breathing presence of God in actual human flesh. He willingly went to the cross so that the sins of the whole world would be forgiven. Anyone may call on Jesus to be saved.

So what’s the big deal about the Holy Spirit? He is the person of the Godhead abiding in each believer whose mission it is to fill us with God’s presence to be overcomers in this life. That is, the Holy Spirit is in there to continuously strengthen you with heavenly power in the inner man, and to minister the love of God to and through us.

For example, when the New Testament commands husbands:

Ephesians 5:25 For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her. (New Living Translation)

Honestly, look at us men. Are we capable of loving “just as” Christ loved the church? No way. Only by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit can we love our wife “just as” Christ loved the church. There is no record in any courthouse in America in which the marriage failed when the husband and wife loved one another with God’s love. That is only done by the “presence of the Holy Spirit” in the relationship.

It is amazing how some Americans view Christians. Should the Church make any changes?

Jesus only said two people had “great faith.” One was the woman of Canaan who persevered in faith until she got her request for her daughter’s deliverance from demons (Mt. 15:28). The other one was also a Gentile. He was a Roman centurion (in charge of 100 soldiers).

Matthew 8:8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

Powerless people become powerful once they learn to use their spiritual authority. Sadly, many believers have never discovered the wonderful truths about their authority to act and pray with great power.

Many unanswered prayers are the result of people praying without knowledge of their own authority. That they don’t know about authority produces the opposite of confidence in prayer; it produces tentativeness. Tentative prayers fail.

Christ gave you authority to crush devils.
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

If you’re waiting on God to knock evil spirits away from you and your family, you’re waiting on the wrong one. He’s waiting on you to use your authority. The Devil will roar and intimidate anyone who is ignorant of his place in Christ. God saw to it that we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies. His place is one of absolute authority over all spiritual powers. Remember that in every situation, God has already delivered the knock out blow to Satan at the Resurrection of Jesus. The only power the Devil can use is our own fears.

Like a Scalded Dog
We are told to be strong and resist in the power of God’s might. Having done all to stand, keep standing. The first thing is to submit to God by making sure your in fellowship with Him. Then we resist the Devil. But the AMAZING news is that the Devil will flee from you. He will scamper away like a scalded dog.

Romans 8:33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself.

You know about those accusations in your head? You are worthless. You're no good. Who do you think you are!? God does not accuse. The Bible says Satan is the Accuser. God make us right with Himself by Jesus Christ. If you follow Christ, you are clean!! Never give into accusations.

2 Corinthians 12:7 -10 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.