January 22, 2023

Letting Go of Control

Preacher:
Passage: Matthew 7:1-2
Service Type:

LIVING INTO THE TRANSFORMED LIFE: Part 5 – Free to Love

As Jesus enters the final stretch of his sermon, it seems like he is coming full circle, back to how he began. Throughout his teaching Jesus has kept the least, the hurting, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the poor in the forefront of his mind. Jesus’ love for them runs deep. And he calls those of us who follow him to hear his words and be to all others as he is to us.

“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” Matthew 11: 15

Letting Go of Control – January 22

In the first half of Matthew 6 Jesus cautions us about the false security of guarding our reputation, in other words, making ourselves look good before others. But what drives that is my need for you to see me in a certain light. The other driver is my need for you to behave or be in a way that’s pleasing to me. It’s called control. When that doesn’t work, I resort to the only thing that’s left. Judgment. And that never goes well. Jesus’ answer? Do not judge. Let’s talk.