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Private Notes
The teachings of Jesus were often counterintuitive to his listeners 2,000 years ago, and they can still be counterintuitive to us today. His teachings can confront and even confuse us, but what we can be sure of is Jesus always wants us to grow in our faith. The problem is there will be times that we are going to experience something that will cause us to question what we believe. Our faith will be shaken, and we will hit a barrier that could not only stop our growth, but if we let it, it could cause us to walk away from God.
Sometimes I look at pro athletes or country singers and wish I had their life. I think, “Now that person has it made.” But do they? The money’s great, but what about their personal life,
their relationships, peace, joy and forgiveness? What about their eternal standing with God when it’s all over? Who really is the blessed person?
I run into someone just about every day who irritates me. And I can form little grudges in my heart; little battle lines. I may even say something snippy or withhold kindness to punish that person. But when I do, my heart gets a little harder, and I lose any chance to experience the goodness in that person.
How many people do you know who are striving to be the “least” instead of the “greatest”? Not many. Not only is it counterintuitive, it’s not even a natural instinct for us as humans. And yet, Jesus says that those who want to be great should actually be the least among us. What does he mean? In this message we’ll find out how to be great in God’s eyes.
