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Meet the Jesus I Know
by Lee Strobel
Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Topic: What Jesus is like
Big Idea: Three stories show God's desire to adopt, forgive, and redeem.
Keywords: Evangelism, Witnessing
Introduction
- Illustration: Strobel tells about a colleague who tested a translating machine; when the words to "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" were translated into German and back to English, something was lost in the translation.
- Sometimes Jesus' true nature is also lost in the translation. Three true stories illuminate a different aspect of who Jesus is.
A story of adoption
- Illustration: Strobel tells the story of an abandoned Korean-American girl whose unattractive appearance and whose uncivilized reaction to affection had seemingly rendered her unlovable; but when an American couple traveled to the orphanage to adopt a child, they saw beyond her exterior and selected her to be their daughter.
- Similarly, Jesus wants to adopt you because he loves you, despite all the sin in your life.
A story of forgiveness
- Illustration: During a baptism service, those being baptized were to write a few sins on a piece of paper and pin it to a cross on the stage, as a reminder of how our sins are paid for by Christ's death. One woman wrote a letter after the service describing how she had feared anyone reading the word abortion on her paper as she pinned it to the cross, but as she was baptized she felt God telling her that he loved her and that she was forgiven.
- Similarly, Jesus wants to lift the weight of guilt off your shoulders.
A story of redemption
- Illustration: Strobel tells the story of Billy Moore, who grew up in a poor family, resorted to theft, and eventually murdered an elderly man for his money. Billy was sentenced to death, and while in prison, he repented and became a Christian and a model prisoner. Hours before his scheduled electrocution, a pardon and parole board decided to throw out the death penalty and set him free, due to his changed life.
- Similarly, Jesus wants to set you free.
Conclusion
- Will you invite Jesus to adopt you, forgive you, and free you?
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