5 Signs It’s Not About Jesus

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We live in a messed up world.

People have taken something that is so easy and revolutionary and turned it into something complicated and regular.

Here are 5 signs that what you have isn’t Jesus, but something else…

1. You believe that people around you are suddenly unworthy of your company because you’re a “Christian.” (Mark 1:40-45)

2. You’ve locked yourself up in a bubble of Christian people. You make no effort to build relationships outside of the faith. (Matthew 9:10)

3. You have an easy time following Jesus. (Mark 8:35)

4. You believe that you don’t have to give to a local church because it’s YOUR money. (1 Corithians 10:26)

5. You believe that it’s possible to “go overboard” for Jesus. (Matthew 22:36-40)

Any more to add?

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28 responses to “5 Signs It’s Not About Jesus”

Tony Alicea

February 2

I know I’ve struggled with #2. It was easy to get into my Christian bubble a few years ago. I worked for a Christian company (most of the people there went to my church) and I was a leader in my church. I spent 99% of my time with a small circle.

It actually became hard to relate to old friends or even talk to people outside of my circle.

Thankfully the Lord has graced me and taught me balance in that area of my life.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 2
  
  “Balance” is a great word!
  
  Reply
2. Ben
  
  February 2
  
  Totally relate to this too, it’s kind of hard to really step outside if it’s been your entire life within “that bubble.”
  
  One thing I work on now, is any interaction with somebody who I don’t know, I be sure to remember I might be the only reflection of Jesus that person has ever seen.
  
  Reply
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February 2

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Reply
Michael

February 2

You are caught up in promoting yourself rather than Him.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 2
  
  TRUTH!
  
  Reply
Sandy Sandmeyer

February 2

It’s not about Jesus when you’re all wrapped up in YOUR promotion in church (ie. elder, deacon, etc), YOUR being called on to pray or teach, and YOUR study/reading/quiet time habits compared to others’.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 2
  
  True. Reminds me of the Pharisees.
  
  Reply
Kendra Golden

February 2

This is a really great list. I’ve been thinking a lot about this as we develop a church-wide series called Weird to go with our pastor’s new book. I think we get tricked into thinking that if we’re Christians, people will think we’re good decent citizens. But it actually promises we’ll be persecuted and rejected and misunderstood. People won’t think we’re nice, they’ll think we’re weird.

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1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 2
  
  True. Did you see my turn the world UPSIDE down series of posts? You can search it in the sidebar. Goes right along with that.
  
  Reply
Pia

February 2

What dos it mean “go overboard’ for Jesus?

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1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 2
  
  Not sure. i’ve heard it before though. I guess people fear that it can consume too much of them…that’s kinda the point though.
  
  Reply
seekingpastor

February 2

You think that He cares more about your comfort than your Christ-likeness.

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1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 2
  
  Great add.
  
  Reply
Jason Vana

February 2

The last half of 2009 and first half of 2010, I found myself in a Christian bubble. It definitely wasn’t intentional, but it happened. The founding pastor of the church I was on staff at left, and the elders in place at the time weren’t organized enough to get anything done. I ended up doing everything – from setting the preaching schedule, checking the mail, meeting with the accountant, creating the info for potential candidates, sending out letters, organizing our massive Easter Egg hunt…everything. I spent more time in the church building than I did in my own house…and had no time for anything else. It really burnt me out on “ministry,” and made me finally tell them that I wasn’t doing anything else.

When doing ministry consists of 90% administrative and 10% actually impacting lives…it’s not about Jesus.

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Michael

February 2

You become more worried about what people think about your church than you do about people not having a relationship with God.

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Brad Huebert

February 2

Ha. Love these. Reminds me of a post I penned awhile back called “The Great Commission (Realistic Version).”

If you’re interested, you can read it here:

http://bradhuebert.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/the-great-commission-realistic-version/

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jay sauser

February 2

The way you live your live is enough, you shouldn’t have to use any words. Just your actions!

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Jamey O’Connor

February 2

Wow…all of these are SO true. Number 2 is a big one for me. It is funny how we sit back and talk in our “christian lingo” and people outside of church have no clue what we are talking about!!

Reply
Duane Scott

February 3

Wow. Convicting.

I fell short on one of those.

I’m gonna look into the recesses of my heart and anser it.

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timothy

February 3

Good stuff Jonathan 2. is the stinger for me; living in a Christian Community & working in one of our Church businesses means I do have to make a real effort to reach out to those around me.

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 3
  
  I think that’s a tough one for all of us working in churches. We have to be intentional.
  
  Reply
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Reply
alice

February 9

Great – I like this but you have to watch #5 – and make sure Jesus is asking you to do it. especially if you have weakness mentally, it’s best to have some bounderies!

Reply
1. Jonathan Pearson
  
  February 9
  
  I don’t think it’s possible to follow Jesus too closely. It’s what His love demands. I do think it’s possible to be too religious. To turn following Jesus into a ritual that causes us to be no good for society or the Church.
  
  Reply
  1. alice
    
    February 11
    
    True – but #5 doesn’t mention following Jesus closely, it states that a sign ‘that what you have isn’t Jesus, but something else…’ is believing that “it’s possible to “go overboard”. Well it clearly is possible to go overboard – people are having breakdowns all the time, and blatently people have killed in Jesus’ name. I admire sold out Christianity and seek to live it myself, but statements like this need balance. I guess that comes with maturity.
    
    Reply
    1. Jonathan Pearson
      
      February 11
      
      Those people didn’t go “overboard for Jesus” those people just went crazy and blamed it on Jesus. I’m sure that maturity will gain me some things, but I hope it never distracts me from being overboard FOR Jesus.
      
      Reply
Ken Hagerman(The Barba)

March 7

Good thoughts. Number 2 sparked an entire category for me called Jesus Junk.

I would add the tendency to think of what a new person could add to the church rather than what Jesus could add to them.

Reply

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5 Signs It’s Not About Jesus

28 responses to “5 Signs It’s Not About Jesus”

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