Jesus Makes The Difference

Jesus Makes The Difference

Galatians 5:6, Romans 5:15

People are pretty much the same inside. Some things never change – in fact the more things seem to change, the more they stay the same. Basic human nature is one of those things.

On Wednesday Nights we have been studying the life and times of the minor prophet Jonah. One big issue we have discovered is that Jonah’s story could have just as easily been ours. We have found our life reflected in Jonah’s.

The great Bible characters were not special, in fact they were quite the opposite – they were quite “normal” – well as normal as we can be anyway.

Paul was a type A personality who was very intelligent and driven; and just like Mike Ditka – former head coach of the Chicago Bears, Paul had a quick temper and little patience.

In the scripture that was read earlier we find little Zacchaeus, a man driven by his work and his greed; he had little time for his family and or his faith. The most important thing in Zach’s life was working to get more for Zach and improve his position with the Roman Government so he could earn more money and gain a higher position. Work was his life.

In Mark chapter 5 we find a woman whose life was defined by her illness. For 12 years she had bounced from doctor to doctor; from herbs to healers and spent all of her money trying to get well – with no success. Her search for healing was her life.

In John chapter 4 we see a woman coming to the well to draw water. In this story we find that this was a well of sorrows – and her pain ran deep. This woman of Samaria was in need of much more than water, her greatest needs were love, acceptance and commitment. All of her relationships had fallen apart; she had been used, abused and abandoned at least 5 times.

Here we find a lady drawing water who was lonely, broken and worn down by life. She had little hope and no joy. Her life was defined by painful relationships and failures.

Do these people sound familiar?

We in this room today have these same experiences. We have been there. We have been:

Ø Consumed by our work

Ø Driven by our greed or selfish desires

Ø Weakened by our infirmities – either physically or spiritually and there is no cure in sight

Ø Broken and battered

Ø Overwhelmed and under appreciated

Ø Beaten down by life or our life’s problems

Is there any hope? Can it get any better than this? Does anybody really care?

The good news is that Someone does care; and He loves you to much to leave you in the place you are.

What made the difference in the lives of these people?

First, we need to figure out what DID NOT make any difference.

Galatians 5:6 “For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not circumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” (NLT)

Their religion did not make the difference

Paul had been raised in the major religion of his time. He grew up in seminary and service.
The Samaritan women knew about both the religion of her people and the religion of the Jews.
None of this religion helped their problems.

Their works did not make the difference

Paul had worked hard trying to fulfill all the requirements of the law and prophets; to no avail
When Paul was hurting from whatever his “thorn in the flesh” was, God did not tell him to work harder or learn more; God told him that God’s grace was sufficient for all his needs.

Their intelligence did not make the difference.

Paul was well educated – a real “know it all” of the religious world of his day.
It is easy to understand that the woman, who had been to doctors, pharmacists and herbalists for 12 years, KNEW all about her affliction, yet could not find healing.

So what did make the difference in their lives?

Well, we must understand that it is not a what, but a who!

Just like God did not leave Jonah in the depths of the sea or in the belly of the big, big fish; God will not leave you or forsake you.

God deeply desires to make a real and lasting difference in your life.

Romans 5:15 “And what a difference between our sin and God's generous gift of forgiveness. For this one man, Adam, brought death to many through his sin. But this other man, Jesus Christ, brought forgiveness to many through God's bountiful gift.” (NLT)

Jesus made the difference in their lives.

With Jesus the hothead Paul was able to become the greatest evangelist and church planter of his time.

With Jesus little Zacchaeus was able to rightly prioritize his life and find the true joy that only a deep and growing relationship with Jesus could deliver him.

With Jesus, a woman who had known only pain and suffering for 12 years found healing and the hope of a renewed life.

With Jesus the woman at the well found more than Living Water; she found someone who would never leave her, take advantage of her or abuse her. At the Well of Life she found the acceptance and love she had given up hope of ever finding. At the well, she found Jesus.

Jesus made the difference in their lives.

Why would God put the life stories of these “normal” people into His Holy Word?

So we could know that life IS NOT ABOUT US!

Life is about Him. We needed to see our need for almighty God in all aspects of our lives.

WE NEED HIM!

God put the stories of their failures, hurts, struggles and needs so we could know that we, the people of today – here in this room and beyond, could find:

Ø The same faith

Ø The same restoration

Ø The same forgiveness

Ø The same healing

Ø The same hope

God told us all of this so we could find the same Savior that they found.

God told us all of this so we could find His Son Jesus Christ and He could make a difference in our lives.

God knew that when we came to believe in His Son that we, like Paul, Zacchaeus, the woman with the illness and the woman at the well, would never be the same again.

Will you allow Jesus to make a difference in your life today?