Are we willing to bear the cost 140724 Bangsar LC.pptx

The scripture that I was sharing from was Mark 6:14-29 regarding the killing of John the Baptist. Summary:
1. This world is unfair;
2. John the Baptist was not only sharing the good news and paving the way for Jesus, he spoke out against Herod when it was necessary to do so;
3. He got involved with the wrong people, in this case Herodias, and got killed in his service of God
4. Following Christ has a high cost; John paid for it
5. This scripture is a foreshadow of what Jesus will be going through, and it also serves as an illumination of what Christ followers will go through when serving Him.
6. Service itself is a reward of serving Him on earth. Since the victory is already won, we can proceed with hope and faith.
Theological Sunday reminds us that the study of God can give us some and many of the answers we are looking for in this life. Consider it…

1. 8 th SUNDAY after PENTECOST: 14 th July 2024 Are we willing to bear the cost to follow Jesus? All scripture references taken from https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/index.php All images and visuals taken from the Internet

2. We want to know “Why is the world unfair?”

3. LCM’s Theological Sunday

4. What happened just before this?

5. Today … What does God’s Word have to say to us today? 1 John 5: 9-15

6. 6:14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." 6:15 But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 6:16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 6:17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her.

7. 6:18 For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 6:19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 6:20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 6:21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.

8. What is the message for TODAY? The King got worried when he heard of Jesus Earlier Herod killed John, and now thought he was raised in Jesus The powers of this world may respect the people of God Question to us today: How about us? Are we impacting lives like John? Until authorities like Herod feared/respected him? (Looking / Assessing ourselves)

9. 6:22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." 6:23 And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 6:24 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." 6:25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

10. 6:26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 6:27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 6:28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 6:29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

11. What is the message for TODAY? The King originally respected John, but…. He put himself into a corner, and had to get John killed Herod needed to take care of himself, and rather John be the recipient of unfairness Question to us today: How about us? Are we victims of unfairness/injustice? Because of our working for Jesus? (Looking / Assessing our circumstances)

12. What is the message for TODAY? John paved the way… and was the victim of politics and unfairness in his time Foreshadow of what Jesus will go through Also to prepare us for what we will go through if we serve Him whom have won the victory….

13. PRACTICALLY how do we do that? Be part of God’s family Be filled with the Spirit Know our roles: Pointing to Christ And …. Study/Soak in the Word…

14. PRACTICALLY how do we do that?

15. PRACTICALLY how do we do that? No expectations of earthly rewards Serving is the reward

16. All we like sheep have gone astray Each of us turning our own separate way We have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory But Your glory is what we desire to see And in Your presence is where we long to be All we like sheep

17. Oh Lord Show us your mercy and grace Take us to Your holy place Forgive our sin and heal our land we long to live In Your presence once again

18. Taking our sickness, Taking our pain Jesus the sacrifice lamb has been slain He was despised, rejected by men He took our sin draw us near to You Father through Jesus Your son let us worship before You cleansed by Your Blood

19. Oh Lord Show us your mercy and grace Take us to Your holy place Forgive our sin and heal our land we long to live In Your presence once again