FINDING A WAY FOR JESUS (3 OF 6)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Luke 9:23-27
This content is part of a series.
Finding A Way For Jesus (3 of 6)
Series: Not A Fan
Jeff Strite
Luke 9:23-27
OPEN: Back in 1999 Eddie Stankey died at the age of 83.
Now you might ask - who is Eddie Stankey?
(I'm glad you asked).
According to Time magazine - Eddie Stankey ''was a pugnacious, pennant-winning 2nd baseman.'' He battled his way through 11 seasons for the champion Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves and New York Giants.
Branch Rickey - the Dodgers general manager - said of him:
''He can't run, he can't hit and he can't throw. But if there's a way to beat the other team, he'll find it.'' (Time Magazine 6/21/99)
Let me see if I've got this right.
Stankey couldn't run very well.
He couldn't hit very well.
And he couldn't throw the ball very well.
I don't know much about baseball, but I'm pretty sure that's just about all there is to do on a baseball team. But despite that, winning teams wanted him on their team playing 2nd base.
Why? Because, if there was a way to beat the other team, he found it.
Someone once observed that
''A man who wants to do something - will find a way;
a man who doesn't - will find an excuse.''
(Stephen Dolley, Jr.)
In our text this morning, we find Jesus telling His disciples that He's not looking for people … who are looking for excuses. He's looking for people who want to do something for Him so badly they will find a way.
Jesus declared: ''If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'' Luke 9:23
Now what does that mean?
Well, it means to regarding something else to be more important than yourself.
It means placing a higher priority on what Jesus wants than on what you want.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said it this way:
''…seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.'' Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
Now, a lot of folks look at Jesus words there and think they're some kind of suggestion.
''If I want to seek His kingdom fir ...
Series: Not A Fan
Jeff Strite
Luke 9:23-27
OPEN: Back in 1999 Eddie Stankey died at the age of 83.
Now you might ask - who is Eddie Stankey?
(I'm glad you asked).
According to Time magazine - Eddie Stankey ''was a pugnacious, pennant-winning 2nd baseman.'' He battled his way through 11 seasons for the champion Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves and New York Giants.
Branch Rickey - the Dodgers general manager - said of him:
''He can't run, he can't hit and he can't throw. But if there's a way to beat the other team, he'll find it.'' (Time Magazine 6/21/99)
Let me see if I've got this right.
Stankey couldn't run very well.
He couldn't hit very well.
And he couldn't throw the ball very well.
I don't know much about baseball, but I'm pretty sure that's just about all there is to do on a baseball team. But despite that, winning teams wanted him on their team playing 2nd base.
Why? Because, if there was a way to beat the other team, he found it.
Someone once observed that
''A man who wants to do something - will find a way;
a man who doesn't - will find an excuse.''
(Stephen Dolley, Jr.)
In our text this morning, we find Jesus telling His disciples that He's not looking for people … who are looking for excuses. He's looking for people who want to do something for Him so badly they will find a way.
Jesus declared: ''If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'' Luke 9:23
Now what does that mean?
Well, it means to regarding something else to be more important than yourself.
It means placing a higher priority on what Jesus wants than on what you want.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said it this way:
''…seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.'' Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
Now, a lot of folks look at Jesus words there and think they're some kind of suggestion.
''If I want to seek His kingdom fir ...
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