Salvation before Reputation

Speaker: Matthew Ruttan

October 07, 2024

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Jesus’ own family called him crazy. “He’s out of his mind.” But why?

He had gathered and led crowds, assembled twelve apostles, healed suffering people, expelled demons from the oppressed, preached about the kingdom of God, and challenged religious authorities. Even though some of those things sound pretty nice, when compared to expectations of ‘normal’ behaviour, he was deviating from norms, possibly bringing shame and embarrassment to the family. Jesus, however, had his eyes set on higher things which were for the good of others.

This sermon takes us through Mark 3:1-21 and encourages us to be different for Jesus, putting kingdom priorities before a self-centred infatuation with our own reputation. As Michael Mangis says: “Faith means stepping onto the path that looks so much like it goes in the wrong direction.”