Our churches want to preach to you a cute version of Jesus. But I’m going to preach today that dangerous version of Jesus I’m talking about that dangerous side of Jesus that got him killed. That side of Jesus. I’m talking about the side of Jesus where if you preach this accurately they would stone you or kill you. I’m talking about the type of Jesus that if we were to allow him to grace our pulpits many pastors would never invite him back because his message would contradict the pastor’s agenda.
Because if Jesus could preach in our churches today. I’m talking about that dangerous Jesus, that version of Jesus that will flip over tables in our lobbies that’s more about a church brand than the Great Commission. That dangerous Jesus that will flip over these royal chairs that be in pulpits, that have pastors acting as though they’re celebrities and many stars instead of ministers and they care more about gaining followers than making disciples. I’m talking about that Jesus that dangerous Jesus that will flip over tables, that’s more about church growth than church health. I’m talking about that dangerous side of Jesus that will frustrate those who are gossiping and badmouthing about somebody else’s sin.
That dangerous side of Jesus that would frustrate injustice, judicial systems who say on our money in God we trust and have a Bible in a courtroom that we will put our hands on it to say the truth but we don’t have biblically based principles to render equality when it comes to verdicts. That Jesus. I’m talking about the side of Jesus that will frustrate the spirit of religion that wants us to look free instead of actually be free.
Any place that does not traffic in the love of Jesus, any house that claims to be a church that does not traffic in discipleship and building up one another and loving each other and teaching them sound biblical principles and sound doctrine. That is not a church. That is a business. That is not a church. That is a cult.
And our biblical ignorance is a funnel for the false prophet to make profit bars.
Here are some examples of the dangerous Jesus in action:
- Jesus overturns the tables of the moneychangers in the temple, calling them out for turning God’s house into a “den of thieves” (John 2:13-16).
- Jesus heals on the Sabbath, even though the religious leaders said it was forbidden (Mark 3:1-6).
- Jesus eats with tax collectors and sinners, associating with people who were considered to be on the margins of society (Luke 15:1-2).
- Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44-48).
- Jesus says that the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and the second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).
The dangerous Jesus is a threat to the status quo because he calls us to live in a way that is radically different from the world around us. He calls us to love our enemies, to forgive those who have wronged us, and to live in peace and harmony with one another. He calls us to be a light in the darkness, to stand up for what is right, and to make a difference in the world.
The dangerous Jesus is the Jesus who we need today. The world is a broken place, and we need a savior who can bring healing and restoration. We need a savior who can challenge the status quo and call us to live in a way that is more loving, more just, and more peaceful. We need the dangerous Jesus.
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