Is Jesus in your reflection? PART 1 OF THE NEWEST SERMON SERIES: DITTO
Updated: Sep 28, 2019
(READ ALONG COMING SOON)
Okay, let me clarify this heading.
Ladies, no one is suggesting you look like some hairy, homeless white guy who passes for a 2nd or 3rd draft pick of the next "Passion of the Christ" film.
And fellas, you will never look as hot as Jesus, so I CERTAINLY am not comparing looks with you here.
I'm not talking about physical mirror reflection, although it works as a perfect metaphor for Pastor Delores's newest sermon series: Ditto. Ditto is a "reflection" (see what I did there) on how humans interpret terms and phrases like discipleship, perfection, WWJD; etc.
So to understand the mirror analogy, we first must know one thing:
WHAT DOES DITTO MEAN?
Well, besides "Ditto being the title of Pastor Delores's new sermon series for this month, it means "the same thing again."
...Okay... Well, that wasn't that stimulating. Sometimes the answer is just that simple.
ALRIGHT! THANKS FOR COMING! SEE YOU NEXT TIME FOR ANOTHER CHAPTER OF BEHIND THE PASTOR!
.........Still here?
Dang it, I see you weren't going to let me off that easy.
If it isn't evident by now, Ditto wonderfully embodies the ideals of discipleship.
Following Jesus comes with simple rules: do the things that you think Jesus would do, and you will be successful in your aims to reaching Jesus-like perfection. Sounds good, right?
Well... It's not that simple.
Delores talks about people's uncertainty when it comes to committing to following Jesus. Often, we find ourself questioning our ability to serve Him and His people. While other times, we simply cannot fathom the idea of being like Jesus. And it makes sense!
If you're like any sane person ever, you'd feel intimidated if someone said you have to be like Chef Ramsey and the only thing you can cook without burning it is the pot itself, and that's when you don't burn your own hand.
Delores understands, and Jesus understands. Taking the plunge to discipleship seems plain intimidating, but some myths, like this one, don't persist without our belief in them.
ARE YOU AN EXPERT OR NOVICE JESUS-FOLLOWER?
Pastor Delores reviewed our Pray and Paint event that was hosted and planned by my wife, Vicky Bailey, who is our Event Coordinator. We're proud to say that the event was a huge success! We took pictures and videos, and we hope this will create more awesome opportunities, just like this one.
Understandably, Delores's art didn't look nearly as spectacular as the instructor, Breanna Matthews. Pastor Delores even told Breanna that she makes it look so easy!
Breanna then says to Delores, "I paid a lot of money for this experience. I went to school for 4+ years and trained even more to get where I am. You can't expect to wake up one day and be great at it."
I don't think Breanna recognized that she was writing this section of Pastor Delores's sermon when she said this.
Just like Breanna in this scenario, Jesus, has been doing this "perfect" thing for like three forevers ago!
Let me reiterate it:
JESUS AND GOD HAVE BEEN DOING THIS LIKE FOUR-FIVE-EVERS AGO!!
Wait... What? (LOL)
Anyway, God and Jesus have been "perfect-ing" since before they created all the things. Like, you don't just "superior" your way into creating a universe. You gotta "perfect" a universe into existence!
At least, I imagine if one of us tried to make a universe, we'd spend as much time hitting Control-Z as I do when writing these blogs (hint, hint; it's a lot of undoing.)
My wife would accidentally give the girl lions the hair. Pastor Delores would be over there in the corner printing elephants in Alaska like they don't need a coat. God forbid we try creating time. How long would that take?
Wait... If there is no time, then how do we know how long time would take to make? Would there even be a time count? Time wouldn't exist yet, so who is keeping track? If so, who is paying that guy? And how? What is he getting paid, 20 dollars an hou-WAIT THERE'S NO TIME! Well... There is time to talk about it, but there is literally no time in this scenario. Like there is time, but there is no time...
... Alright, I'm done... I'm having a philosophical meltdown, and I need an adult.
All joking aside, Breanna's point in mentioning her education, experience, and skills in artistry wasn't to showboat her expertise in visual arts. It was to subtly drive home the case that nothing you do in life will come quickly.
You have to commit the time; you must practice and keep working to be better.
HOW DOES THIS PERTAIN TO DISCIPLESHIP?
From the example, we can deduce that being a Jesus follower is just like being a basketball player or even being a Pastor, right? You have to put in the time and effort before you can consider yourself a faithful follower of Jesus.
That doesn't mean you should be discouraged, though. Contrarily, it means you should be the complete opposite. You should feel GREAT that you don't have to come out the gate swinging!
You can start by learning how to flick your fingers. Then as time goes on, you'll know how to roll your fingers into a sturdy fits. Eventually, you'll be able to step in the ring and get knockouts on all your demons and trials and struggles one by one.
Jesus doesn't expect you to be a master-disciple on day one, but he expects day one to come sooner than later. I can't tell you what your day one is gonna look like, but mine was coming to church ON MY OWN, consistently. Getting forced by grandma didn't count!
You have to want to come to church and be around people who are excellent at serving the Lord. Because discipleship comes in so many different shapes and sizes, you will find your unique way. However, you have to go to church. That's where God's people congregate.
Then the rest will "follow." (Man, I am on FIRE with these puns.)
WHAT'S NEXT?
I believe Pastor Delores will go more in-depth with discipleship and how we as Christians should carry ourselves if we want to be called Jesus-followers.
Until then, consider this: whatever work you are doing right now - whether you are a cashier at Chic Fil A, or you run your own shoe-shine business - how easy was it for you to run that role when you began? Didn't it take you months or even years to become remotely close to standard functionality?
It's the same with discipleship. Following Jesus for us isn't easy, but it can be learned.
Anyway, speaking of doing what Jesus would do:
IF JESUS HAD A FACEBOOK, HE'D TOTALLY FOLLOW BLYTHEWOOD COGOP!
He didn't have a phone back in Nazareth. As such, He JUST BARELY missed the chance to like the Blythewood COGOP Facebook page by only like 2000 some years. BUT, I'm sure that if He were here, He would follow and like our page.
So, do what Jesus would do! FOLLOW AND LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE!
Seriously, though. We drop posts regarding updates for all things Blythewood COGOP and the surrounding community, and that's the easiest way to stay current. And while you're at it, drop in and visit us at Blythewood Church of God of Prophecy on Lorick Road to see a LIVE sermon from the famous Pastor Delores! Our address is on our website.
Thanks for stopping by to read this chapter of Behind the Pastor, but until next time Cogopos: