March 19, 2024

11 Things Jesus Didn’t Say

One of my favorite characters in the Bible is Peter. Yes, he’s the disciple who is often remembered for sinking (after walking on water) because he took his eyes off of Jesus; for being rebuked by Jesus (“Get behind me, Satan!”); and for denying Christ (not once, but three times in the same night) immediately after telling Jesus—to His face—that he wouldn’t.

Had Peter been on social media back in the day I’m sure his most-used emoji would have been the face-palm emoji.

I can relate. 🤦🏻‍♂️ 

What I really love about Peter is the transformation that took place in his life following his encounter with the Holy Spirit in the upper room. He went from following Jesus at a distance to standing up boldly to deliver a message that resulted in 3,000 people believing in Jesus, thus launching The Church.

Here’s what he said in 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT):

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

Peter didn’t just pen these words; he lived them. He did good, he suffered martyrdom, and followed in the steps of Christ.

We are called to live like Jesus, too. And if we’re going to live like Jesus, we should say what He said, love like He loved, and do what He did.

Last week I shared 11 things that Jesus said that we should say. Today, I will share 11 things Jesus didn’t say. 

11 Things Jesus Didn’t Say

1. Church isn’t really that important.

Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer. —Hebrews 10:24 (CEV)

5 Reasons Why Church Is Important:

  1. JESUS died for it.
  2. JESUS is the Head of it.
  3. JESUS said He would build it.
  4. JESUS said the gates of hell will not prevail against it. 
  5. JESUS chose it as the vehicle to advance His Kingdom. 

2. Blessed are those who are more passionate about politics than their faith.

When Apostle Paul spoke to political leaders, he preached Jesus.

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. —Titus 3:1-2 (NLT)

3. Wining an argument is more important than winning the person.

You can win an argument and lose the person. Is it worth it? Never.

Sometimes Jesus took a posture of silence. When He did speak up, it was always in love. Remember that, or you are a clanging cymbal. (See 1 Corinthians 13.)

Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. —Titus 3:9 (NLT)

4. Being tolerant of all belief systems is Christlike. 

We are to love all people, but there is absolutely no place is Scripture that commands (or condones) that we embrace any faith or belief system but Jesus. Remember, Jesus is the one who declared He is the only way. He went on to say that no one can come to the Father without Him. (See John 14:6.)

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. —Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT)

Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Everyone is going to heaven.”

5. I will let you into heaven as long as you’re a good person.

Jesus loves sinners like me, but He is intolerant toward sin. 

Jesus made it clear that the only way into heaven has nothing to do with the good deeds we do, but has everything to do with what He already did on the cross. (See John 6:44.)

And for the record, no one is good.

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. —Jesus (Luke 18:19 NLT)

6. It’s your body. Do what you want with it.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. —1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

Go back and read verse’s 15-18, too.

The good news is that whatever bad choices you have made with your body…God forgives.

7. I love Christians more than anyone else.

God loves all of us the same—so be careful not to forget where you used to be before he rescued you.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. —Titus 3:3-5 (NLT)

8. The world will know we are Christians by our knowledge of Scripture.

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” —Jesus (John 13:35 NLT)

You can listen to my entire sermon about this one right HERE.

9. Blessed are the wealthy. 

“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money. —Jesus (Matthew 6:24 NLT)

There’s nothing wrong with money as long as money doesn’t own you.

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. —1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT)

10. Wear your best clothes when you come to my house.

I know someone who was asked not to return the church he visited…unless he shaved and cut his hair. #LawdHaveMercy 🤦🏻‍♂️

“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity. Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. —Jesus (Matthew 23:27-28, NLT)

11. Homosexuality is worse than all other sins combined.

If you obey every law except one, you are still guilty of breaking them all. —James 2:10 (NLT)

Jesus blasted the religious leaders for their pride and unbelief more often than He did the sexually immoral. (See Matthew 23.)

Sin is sin.

Your obedience in 99% of areas does not negate your tiny 1% disobedience.

BONUS: You have to behave before you belong.

Aren’t you glad Jesus invites people to belong before He asks them to behave?

Me too.

CHUCK E. TATE