Jesus

This blog post is Part 17 of a series entitled "May I Ask A Question?" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN. 

Message Date: September 17, 2023

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Is it okay to question God?

What is the best way to evangelize in today's world?

What can I do, as a regular attender of this church, to share the news about our church to others?

How do I handle theological & doctrinal disagreements in conversations?

If Scripture is true, then why does it lend itself to many different interpretations and disagreements within the Church?

I’ve been hurt by several churches. How do I let go of this hurt and learn to trust the Church again?

Why, God?

If God takes responsibility for all that happens, then is it okay to blame Him when my world falls apart?

How do I wrestle with understanding life is going to be hard, difficult, dark, disappointing, and devastating, while too trusting that a good and sovereign God has my best interest at heart?

Is God fair?

What does the Bible say about divorce?

What is the biblical mandate for divorce?

If one does divorce, is it permissible to get re-married?

If I have divorced outside of the biblical mandate, and I then remarry, having committed adultery, what do I do?

What should be the Christian's motivation to do right?

I am often tempted to give up in my relationship with God because I continually fail. What am I to do?

What is salvation?

Why do I need salvation?

How do I attain salvation?

Are we “elected” (predestined) or does everyone have the opportunity to receive Jesus as Savior?

How do I know if I’m really saved?

Is it possible to lose my salvation?

Do people who take their own life go to hell?

What is the proper alignment of Church governance and how do each of these roles differ in aiding to the benefit of the Church?

What is the biblical role of a pastor and what should that role look like in the Church?

What does Donelson First believe about the SBC’s decision to remove 2 churches from the SBC over women pastors and is it biblical?

What is the role of a pastor’s wife and their family in the Church?

As members of the Church, how can we best support, help and uplift the Ministry Team?

What is the role of the deacon body in the Church?

What is there to say about dinosaurs, their existence, their extinction and how this all fits into the biblical story of Creation?

Were there dinosaurs on the ark?

What do we know about hell?

Are there degrees of punishment in hell?

It is recorded in the book of Revelation that Jesus states, “I am coming soon.” These words were spoken a very long time ago. How are we to interpret this statement as it relates to the span of time on Earth?

I often do not hear the voice of God. Is He not speaking, or am I not listening?

Since the Holy Spirit is and always has been, is it necessary to invite the Holy Spirit into my daily life? If I don’t pray “inviting the Holy Spirit,” does this mean the Holy Spirit will not come or is not welcome?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

What is the primary purpose of the Holy Spirit in my life?

Maintaining a healthy God-first family is really, really hard. What are your thoughts on making it easier?

I was abused in a terrible way by a family member over 20 years ago. To this day, I still remain hurt and scarred over what happened. The family member who abused me is no longer living. I know I need to forgive him for what he did. How?

I have a family member with whom I rarely see eye to eye, especially religion. She too has embraced the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. How am I to love when I don’t like, nor agree, with her views on life, God, marriage, and more?

The topic of abortion is very polarizing even within the Church. How would you respond to an expectant mother contemplating abortion?

Is it okay in the instances of rape or incest to have an abortion?

Is abortion okay when the life of a mother is at risk?

What is the difference between happiness and joy?

Does God have a sense of humor?

I have a good life; a really good life. My marriage is good. My career is going well. Yet, I seem to have lost my joy. How do I find joy?

I am a Christian, however it is so hard for me to surrender my concerns and anxieties to the Lord and rest in His peace no matter the outcome. How do I do this?

What does the Bible say about homosexuality?

What would Jesus say about the current LGBTQ lifestyle?

My child recently told me she is struggling with an attraction to a female. I love her and want her to be happy. I don’t want her to feel unloved and unaccepted. How am I to respond?

Can someone be gay and be a Christian?

Wow! What a series.

Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. I know there are still a handful of questions that we did not get to. Please know I am aware of every one of the questions I have yet to answer. It is my hope to insert these remaining questions into our time of teaching this fall as we move forward.

I wonder as you think back through the so very many questions we have explored over the past 4 months, if you have noticed something I did as well? Actually, the appropriate question is, did you notice: What one topic was missing from the many questions we received? I was several weeks into the series before I realized this about the questions. And as we continued to receive questions, I found myself more aware of this reality. And I then began to be keenly aware of this omission among so very many good and important questions I had received. 

Think about it...There is one topic, or rather, one person whose name was not included in any question. With questions about hell, salvation, abortion, God, dinosaurs, eternity, leadership, marriage, homosexuality, my love of boats, doctrine, football, gambling, Satan, pizza, being single, denominations, cremation, the Holy Spirit, Donelson First, my disdain for cheese, anxiety, tithing, baptism, and heaven... What is missing? Who is missing?

Jesus.

Can you believe not a single question presented was asked about Jesus? Now, some of you may be looking back at your notes even now, or in the days to come, and you may see several questions in which the name “Jesus” appears. For instance, in Part 2, we addressed the question: What is the best way to share Jesus with others in today's world? And in Part 7, we discussed several questions about salvation in which Jesus’ name appeared. And even as of last week, we addressed one question about Jesus’ thoughts on the LGBTQ lifestyle. To be clear, in each of these questions, I actually added the name “Jesus” so that we could make the answer completely clear and theologically correct, particularly for those present during those specific times of teaching who are not Christ-followers. So other than the inserts I made, no question submitted, over the 102 questions we received, included the actual name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Now... I do not believe this omission was intentional. I do not see this omission as an attempt by our Church corporately to avoid or dismiss the Holy Christ. However, I do believe such an omission addresses an underlying asymptomatic of evidences among the Church today. And this is not merely an indirect omission on the part of the Church. Studies too show that books containing the name of “Jesus” or “Jesus Christ” in the title are not books that are wildly popular among best sellers today. As a matter of reference, look at the most recent list of the New York Times Bestsellers in the Christian market:

New York Times Christian Books Bestsellers of all time:
1. The Beginners Bible

2. The Age of Skepticism

3. The Meaning of Marriage

4. Pilgrim’s Progress

5. Mere Christianity

6. The Purpose Driven Life

7. The Search For Significance

8. Sacred Marriage

9. Live Not By Lies

10. God Is Not Great

There isn’t even a book on the New York Times bestseller that either, specifically speaks of Jesus, includes the name “Jesus” in the title, or is written with Jesus as the focus of the book until #23 on the bestseller list. It is the book: Written by R.C. Sproul 7 years ago entitled: Who is Jesus? There are only 2 other books on the New York Times bestsellers top 100 best titles that mention Jesus. One is a book on the history of the New Testament entitled: The History of Jesus. The second title is a book written almost 10 years ago by Lee Strobel: The Case For Christ. Of course, I want to be clear, just because a book does not contain the name “Jesus” in the title does not mean that the book is not a great read. And just because overwhelmingly our questions received over the past 4 months for the May I Ask A Question? series did not include the name “Jesus” does not mean these questions were not viable and important for our lives. Of course they were! This has been an amazing series.

Nonetheless, I do believe these two realities speak to a greater reality within the global Church of Jesus Christ today. And it is upon this reality that I present you the VERY LAST question of the May I Ask A Question? series:

Question: Has the Church forgotten the Christ of Christianity?

The Psalmist wrote: I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
Psalm 130:5-7

A watchmen of Old Testament times would have had one job - - to watch over until morning. This job was stressful. This job required complete focus. A watchmen would be hired to watch over a home, a business, or a building, or a family, or a person, or a herd or flock. The watchmen would always be on alert watching out for predators, thieves, the weather, animals, robbers and killers. A watchman’s shift would typically begin at dusk and would last throughout the night until the rising of the sun. When the sun would peak over the horizon, the watchman would finally be relieved of his duties. The watchman could not wait for the morning to come. The Psalmist writes that waiting for the Lord is a hope that consumes one more so than that of the watchmen who awaits the rising of the sun.

I give of myself with godly pursuits that are of Jesus. But... Do I give of myself to Jesus? Do I meditate on Jesus? Can I say I long to be as Jesus? We consider how we as the Church can love the unloved, and feed the poor, and support the elderly. All of these pursuits are noble, and needed, and necessary.

But do we spend equal, and even more, time and thought and tenacity on becoming as Christ?

Paul said, To live is Christ. Philippians 1:21. Think of his words... He says that the two are synonymous. To live is - - Christ. Christ is - - to live.  Church, I ask you to consider: Do I “live is Christ?”

The global Church finds herself in a new era of modern worship that has become quite the movement. It’s hard for me to now peruse social media and not see posts and videos and articles and highlight reels of people worshiping and celebrating and enjoying themselves and others in and a part of the Church. Of course, I say this is a wonderful thing, particularly for the new church-goer. Where we as the Church must exercise caution is in the “worship of worship.” For so very many, Church has become a place for people to meet and connect and have coffee and experience modern worship. Of course, each of these elements can be pivotal to the growth of a believer. However, each is to be secondary to the pursuit of the believer – to live is Christ. Paul warned of us this in the book of Hebrews. Remember, Paul’s words to these people are to the Church, not to the world. Paul warns as he writes:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

One word I want to bring to your attention: Witnesses. Notice the reason for the warning - - because we, the Church, are surrounded by what...? .. surrounded by “witnesses!” Who are the “witnesses?” The “witnesses” are us, you and me; the Church - - the people who testify about Jesus. I am confident Paul understood that when we the Church are “surrounded” by one another, we begin to focus on one another. We begin to become concerned about one another. We begin to think more about the people who gather rather than the true reason for why we gather. What can happen within the Church... and dare I say has already happened within so very many churches: Our focus turns from Jesus to worship; from Jesus to connecting; from Jesus to community; and eventually, and often unintentionally, from Jesus to a sin that can so easily entangle. And worship of God turns to worship of worship; worship of gathering; worship of community; worship of one another.

“Jeffrey, you’re telling me that community and fellowship and coffee in Welcome Centers and even worship can become sin?” Yes!

Anything that comes before a life “to live is Christ” is simply this... Sin.

If community hinders my focus of Jesus... then yes! Community is sin. If connecting with others hinders my focus of Jesus... then yes! Connecting is sin. If coffee hinders my focus of Jesus... then yes! Coffee is sin. And even if worship hinders my focus of Jesus... then yes! Worship is sin.

Turn with me to John 5. Here we find Jesus talking with the Jewish leaders about the things, even good things, that can come before the pursuit... to live is Christ. You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40. Jesus says that even the “study of Scriptures” can come before the pursuit of Jesus. This is exactly the idea of forgetting the Christ of Christianity!

Church, I confess that I, your Pastor am guilty of such. I pray and study and journal about so very many issues, issues all good and noble. I strive for contentment. I study the Old Testament prophets for wisdom. I want to learn to suffer well and complain less and smile more. I work to be a better lover and leader to my family. I challenge our Ministry Team to be compassionate and to offer grace to you and to one another. I visit the sick and I send a note to a mother of a newborn. I buy gas for the needy and shoes for the poor. All these things are worthy aspirations for the good of me, others and the world.

But I acknowledge, What of Christ? What have I gleaned of Christ as of late in Scripture?How have his words captivated my heart? Which of His actions have I committed to replicate? To what extent have I died to self to live as Him? Have I only applied to my life the easy ways of His? Can I testify that I will fully take up my cross and daily follow Him? Am I willing to die to self, fully of self, for the sake of Him and His glory? Will I suffer in His resurrection as I fix my eyes on Him, the author and perfector of my faith? Do I fully embody the mantra “to live is Christ?”

These Jewish leaders spoke of the Christ, studied about the Christ, prepared to meet the Christ, prayed in expectation of the Christ... yet, they missed the Christ who was standing right before them; directly in front of them. They saw the color of His eyes. They smelt His breath. They were able to shake His hand. They could touch His face... yet they missed Him. Remember when Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus, with His unmatchable wisdom, has just silenced the Jewish leaders.

Matthew 22:34-39

I am sure you would agree with me that so very many churches and ministries and Christ-followers have mastered the act of this second commandment from Jesus: Love your neighbor as yourself. This church is such a friendly church. I am so very proud to be a part of a church who loves others so well. So very many of you are here because you have been loved well. I have heard from countless people in this community, both from people who have visited Donelson First and those who have associated with us as we have been visible in the community over the past few years who say: “Donelson First is the friendliest church I’ve ever attended!” or... “Donelson First loves people so well!” I always smile when I hear such words about how well you love. Thank you!

However, let me remind you...

I can only love others well when I first love Jesus wholly.

This is why Jesus states that, first, I am to love God with all of me. As I do this, I then, secondly, love others completely. Donelson First loves people so very well. We do! And we should. However... Let us aspire for Donelson First to be known as the church who loves Jesus more than we love people.

As the movement among the Church today continues to affirm all and assimilate and conform to social issues of justice and equality, and to be inclusive of all and of all lifestyles, and to become like the world to attract the world, I want us to fully understand that we will never, never be who the world needs us to be by coddling the ways of the world and tolerating the ways of all. Never.

You see...We will be best positioned to reach the world, to impact our community, and to love the lost when we hold fast to the mantra to live is Christ. Paul writes: Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-3

Time Magazine states: Jesus Christ is the most influential figure in history. Time Magazine. Ward C. [2013.12.] The 100 Most Significant People in History [2023.09.13] www.time.com

What a remarkable statement – to be known as the most influential person to have ever lived on Earth. Of course, the Bible points us to Jesus over and again. In particular, the four Gospels give us so very much information about the one who came to save the world from itself. John writes to tell us that there is so very much about Jesus that is not recorded in any book, and if one were to write all there is about this man, the world could not contain such information: 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

For someone whom the secular world labels as the most influential figure in history, there is still so very much I long to know about our Savior. Such as: What were the color of his eyes? Did He play any sports? Was He a decent swimmer?Probably not. You don’t need to be a swimmer when you have mastered the art of walking water, right? Did Jesus deal with arthritis? (Spoken like a truly old man!) Did He like cheese? (I like to think not!)

This series has been about us exploring some of the most pressing questions and issues and dilemmas about this life that are so taxing on us as humans, and specifically, as followers of the Christ. We have spent so very much time here because we are a people in search of answers to life’s perplexities. When it comes to the life of Jesus, there is so very much we do not know... This, however, is so very true: For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

I am to “...live is Christ.”

I am to live in such a way that demands I hold allegiance to the Savior of the world. The overwhelming amount of questions I received from you during the May I Ask A Question? series prove we are all in pursuit of answers to life’s most pressing questions. Jesus understood what was to come for the Church. He knew there was to come times of challenge, and uncertainty, and financial difficulties, and loss, and disagreements, and so very much more. He too knew there was to come days of celebration, and excitement and renovation and remodeling and growing and large crowds. And in both, the days of challenge and in the days of celebration, Jesus says: Remember me. Luke 22:14-20

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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.