It's raw. It's gritty. It's life changing. This series of messages will pull no punches. It will offend, it will inspire, and it will be unlike anything I've preached before. I feel God's hand in this already as He gives vision, ideas, and illustrations. And I haven't even written a word of the first sermon.
So what's the big deal? Here it is: Jesus died for me. For me! I can't think of a more humiliating, slow, and excruciatingly painful way to die than having spikes driven through your hands and feet, bleeding profusely and gasping for the smallest breath while on display for people to laugh and mock. Jesus took all this after he was beaten and scourged to within an inch of his life. For me! Why? Because he loved me, even when I didn't love Him. That's the part I can't wrap my mind around. I was an enemy of Christ, living for myself, living in the world, and ignoring Him. I stayed home on Sundays. I was deep in sin. I knew for years what Christ had done for me, but lived for myself. I didn't even give Him an hour of my time on His day. The only time I prayed was when I needed something. Can you imagine? Like He hasn't done enough for me already by dying for me when I was literally his ENEMY????
How can I put myself first when Jesus did all that for me? How dare I put anything - ANYTHING above my relationship with Him? This is about more than coming to church. It's about honor.
I Am Second. And that's a good place to be.
