Message Title: Jesus, I’m Impressed
Text: Mark 7:31-37 “He has done everything well.”
- To be impressed means feeling or showing admiration or respect for someone. To be impressive something has to leave an impression on you. It has to be special or unusually good or particularly emotional enough that you remember it or it stands out.
From Luke chapter 1 – John In the womb. “Leaped for joy.” John was impressed!
From Matthew chapter 2 – Wise men. Drawn by Jesus’s magnetism, were impressed.
From Luke chapter 2 – Religious leadersThe Temple. When He was twelve years old they were “amazed at his understanding and his answers.” They were impressed.
From Matthew Chapter 3 – At Jesus’ Baptism. “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” John, now a grown man, was once again impressed.
From John Chapter 1 –Nathanael, “How do you know me?” Jesus said, “Before Philip called you I saw you under the fig tree.” And Nathanael said, “You are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel.” Nathanael was impressed.
From John Chapter 2 At a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus performed His first public miracle by turning water into wine. The master of the banquet was impressed with the wine, but the servants who had drawn the water were impressed with Jesus.
“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25).
From Luke: 34 (NASB77) But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”
This is what Christmas joy is all about. When we say “He is the reason for the season, we are talking about this.”
- Mark 10:45 – Jesus said, the He came into the world to give His life as a ransom for many.
- On the night he was betrayed and arrested, He said, “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour” (John 12:27)
- Remember John’s words, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) John knew Jesus’ life was all about Jesus’ death.
When Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” He was not just referring to those standing around as He hung dying on that cross. He was referring to all of mankind, present and future.
He was praying for me! I am forever grateful to Jesus for that prayer because a day came when my eyes were opened, and I saw who it was that was crucified all those years ago. I saw the Person, not a religion. I saw acceptance, not judgment. I saw love, not condemnation. I saw freedom, not oppression. I saw a Savior, not a tyrant. I saw what He came to do not just “for the world” but for me.
Not just history. I praise the Lord not just for His exploits in recorded history, but in my own life as well. For entering my life and for being utterly impressive! I am impressed today.
I am forgiven. My citizenship is in heaven. I am an adopted son of the Most High. I am sealed for the day of redemption. I am rejoicing because my name is written in heaven.
Your certainty about your eternal destiny is part of the gift Jesus died to give You.
This Thursday night is our last Bible study of the year and we are devoting the entire study to looking at the Scriptures that helps us to have that kind of knowing.
Conclusion
What have been some of your Jesus I’m impressed moments? Take some time to reflect on them, to thank Him for them and perhaps share some of them with someone else.
Thursday Night Bible Study Information
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Okay. I have a confession to make. I am in love with a Person. I am in love with Jesus Christ. He is real and His spirit is alive in me. The Evil One meant to snatch my life on All Hallows Eve at 4:20 in the afternoon. I was sucker punched and never saw it coming. With only seconds to live, the Lover of my soul, stepped in, personally intervened, and delivered my soul from certain death. So, yes. I say again. I am hopelessly in love with Jesus Christ and not just because He saved my life on October 31, 2023, because if He had decided that was my time to depart this life, I knew (by faith) a far better life awaited me. Nevertheless, I am incredibly grateful and thankful, and so very appreciative He decided to give me a few more precious moments to spend praising and worshipping Him in this life.
Yes, I came face to face with my own mortality in dramatic fashion. With less than 10 seconds to spare, Jesus Christ once again, reaffirmed His Lordship over my life. So, yes. I will praise HIs name wherever life takes me. I will sing His praises to whoever stops to listen. I will tell of HIs excellent greatness to anyone who has the misfortune of meeting me. I will testify of His goodness as long as breath is in my body. Yes, it is true. You do and say crazy things when you are hopelessly in love with Jesus Christ! Now, I understand what the Scripture means when it describes a fool for Christ. Because all I have to do is look at any mirror!!