Topical Sermon: Where is Jesus?

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:35-39

Where is Jesus?

Intro.
1. Mk. 1:37: It is good to look for Jesus. Many are still looking for Him, and they look for many different reasons (Jno. 7:11; 12:20-21).

2. Many think they have found Jesus, but have not (Matt. 24:23-24).

3. Why are you looking for Jesus? Where will you find Him? What will you do when you find Him?

I. WHY PEOPLE LOOK FOR JESUS.

A. Curiosity, Jno. 11:55-56.

-Some look for Him to speculate over a “celebrity.”

B. Selfish (self-serving) Reasons, Jno. 6:24-27.

-Christianity is not “what can I get out of it for me?” but “What can I give to others for Christ’s sake?” (Gal. 2:20; 6:2)

C. To Dispute with Jesus, Mk. 8:11 (Lk. 11:53-54).

-Some try to always put us “on the spot” (1 Pet. 3:15; Lk. 23:9).

D. To Destroy Jesus: Herod, Matt. 2:13 (8); Devil, Matt. 4:3; Jewish leaders, Lk. 19:47-48.

1. Enemies bent on his destruction.

2. Obstruct His work & hinder righteousness in world (1 Jno. 3:8).

E. To Worship Him, Matt. 2:1-2, 9-11. (Honor Him with reverence).

F. To Receive Spiritual Blessings:

1. Hearing & healing, Lk. 6:17-19 (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 2:24).

2. To follow & stay with Him, Jno. 1:37-39 (cf. Jno. 15:4-6).

3. To find the Savior, Jno. 1:41, 45 (Christ, Anointed One).

II. WHERE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR JESUS.

A. Jesus is not Where Many Think He is (cf. Lk. 2:44):

1. Buildings made w/ hands, cf. Acts 7:48-50 (17:24).

2. The churches of men, Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23 (4:4).

3. Sinful activities (live like the devil & expect to go to heaven), Eph. 5:6-10 (2 Cor. 6:17-7:1).

B. Jesus is Where We Should Expect Him to be (cf. Lk. 2:46-49):

1. In His Word, Jno. 5:39 (Matt. 18:20; Eph. 4:20-21).

2. In heaven at right hand of Father, Acts 2:32-35 (7:55-56).

3. In His church, Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:12-13 (20) [2:2: “I know…”].

4. In your heart, Eph. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:15.

5. In your home? cf. 1 Cor. 16:15-16, 19

III. WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS?

Isaiah 55:6-7

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

A. Seek the Lord…Call on His Name, Acts 2:21, 37-38, 41.

B. Forsake Sinful Thoughts & Ways (Repent), Acts 17:30.

-Believe & obey: Saved (Heb. 5:9).

Conclusion

1. Some look for Jesus & never find Him, Jno. 7:33-36 (they look for Him for the wrong reasons because their heart is not right, 7:16-17).

2. You can be where Jesus is, Jno. 14:1-6, 23.

3. Do you really want to find Jesus? Matt. 7:7