Home Outreach Leaders Articles for Outreach & Missions 10 BIG Things Jesus Said That We Often Forget

10 BIG Things Jesus Said That We Often Forget

How many people know and love Jeremiah 29:11 (“I know the plans I have for you…”) and claim it as their own, but have no clue what’s going on in that chapter and to whom it was given.

Here’s another: In Luke 9:3, Jesus said to the disciples, “Take nothing for your journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.” Clear enough, right? Wrong.

Not long ago, a distinguished Christian columnist quoted Luke 9:3 as the basis of God expecting poverty from Christian workers. However, the Lord reversed that command in Luke 22:35-36. It’s an easy mistake to make unless you are a diligent student of the Word.

All of which proves, once again, that His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways (Isaiah 55:8).

We do like our religion easy and palatable, comfortable and undemanding, with instant rewards and no room for outsiders unless they quickly become like us.

As you read this and conclude that your church is guilty of forgetting the things Jesus said and is existing primarily for itself. What to do?

1) Consider yourself a committee of one to begin to reverse matters.

2) But you must never ever become angry at your fellow members and begin to harass them for their negligence.

3) Instead, begin showing compassion (that is, doing deeds of love) to everyone around you.

4) Then, after, say, four months of such active love, you begin to speak to a few friends in church—perhaps your Sunday School class or your fellow deacons—on your concern, giving your own testimony. See that? “Your testimony.” Do not tell anyone what they are to do. (It’s such a temptation, but squelch it.) Just tell what the Lord burdened you with and what you have decided.

5) Then, wait on the Lord. Keep close to Him, pray constantly for your leadership and the membership, and stay obedient.

6) Be patient. The decline did not set in just last week and the rotten wood in the church did not occur overnight, so reversing it will not automatically take place just because one member got his heart right.

The Lord bless you and give you great joy in fulfilling the things Jesus said and blessing others in the name of Jesus.

I leave you (and this subject of the things Jesus said) with one of the most powerful and overlooked scriptures on this subject: Jeremiah 22:16.

“‘Did not your father (that would be Josiah) eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?’ declares the Lord.”

This article on the things Jesus said originally appeared here, and is used by permission.