{"id":3650,"date":"2026-01-24T07:03:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T14:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/?p=3650"},"modified":"2026-01-24T07:05:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T14:05:40","slug":"relationship-with-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2026\/01\/24\/relationship-with-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Relationship with Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2>January 18th, 2026<\/h2>\n<p>Psalm 127<\/p>\n<p>John 2:13-25 (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"January 18, 2026 Relationship with Jesus\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/1156935054?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>January 18th, 2026 Psalm 127 John 2:13-25 (NIV)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3653,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[310,87,316,11,28,10,315,332,329,83,331,4,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["entry","post","publish","author-dougd","post-3650","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-body-of-christ","category-christ","category-christians","category-death","category-eternal-life","category-jesus","category-new-life","category-passover","category-relationship","category-sermon","category-signs","category-spirit","category-theology-of-the-cross"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2m6h5-WS","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":37,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2010\/09\/28\/being-intentional\/","url_meta":{"origin":3650,"position":0},"title":"Being Intentional","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"September 28, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"The church I attend is on a sermon series about grace. Many of us have been exposed to many different ways of looking at grace. I would like to take an opportunity to share with you some more thoughts on the same subject. So what does being intentional have to\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3737,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2026\/03\/30\/how-do-you-see-jesus\/","url_meta":{"origin":3650,"position":1},"title":"How Do You See Jesus?","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"March 30, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"March 29th, 2026 Psalm 24:1-10 (NIV)John 12:12\u201327 (NIV)John 19:16b\u201322 (NIV) https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1178255585?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christ&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christ","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/christ\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"How Do You See Jesus","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HowDoYouSeeJesus.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HowDoYouSeeJesus.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HowDoYouSeeJesus.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HowDoYouSeeJesus.png?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1954,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2017\/12\/07\/encountering-jesus\/","url_meta":{"origin":3650,"position":2},"title":"Encountering Jesus","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"December 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Sunday, November 12, 2017 | After Pentecost Proper 27 Year A Matthew 25:1-13 There is no video or audio for this sermon. \u00a0 The foolish were short sighted. They thought of the moment, today not the future. They did not plan for the future. When we say and do things\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Acceptance&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Acceptance","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/acceptance\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/beginningandend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/Foolish-Virgings-Parable-Ten-Virgins-Explained-e1361384022400.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1017,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2014\/08\/12\/respond-step-out-and-trust-jesus\/","url_meta":{"origin":3650,"position":3},"title":"Respond, Step out and Trust Jesus","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"August 12, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Audio Link [youtube:http:\/\/youtu.be\/lW2vcgw0pa0] 1 Kings 19:9\u201318 Psalm 85:8\u201313 Romans 10:5\u201315 Matthew 14:22\u201333 Our God comes to us in many shapes and forms.\u00a0 God loves us and wants the best for us always.\u00a0 God loves all of humanity and wants the best for all of God\u2019s creatures.\u00a0 Do you believe that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Evangelism&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Evangelism","link":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/category\/evangelism\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/lW2vcgw0pa0\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3939,"url":"https:\/\/www.messy-spirituality.com\/wordpress\/2026\/10\/11\/the-law-fulfilled\/","url_meta":{"origin":3650,"position":4},"title":"The Law Fulfilled","author":"Douglas Dill","date":"October 11, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"October 11, 2026 https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1234904573?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Sermon\u00a0Info Speaker\u00a0\/\u00a0Pastor:\u00a0Rev.\u00a0Douglas\u00a0Dill Scripture\u00a0References Exodus\u00a019\u201320\u00a0-\u00a0reading\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0covenant\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0Ten\u00a0Commandments,\u00a0used\u00a0to\u00a0remind\u00a0Israel\u00a0of\u00a0what\u00a0God\u00a0did\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0expectations\u00a0of\u00a0covenant\u00a0faithfulness. Matthew\u00a05:17\u00a0-\u00a0Jesus:\u00a0\"I\u00a0have\u00a0not\u00a0come\u00a0to\u00a0abolish\u00a0the\u00a0law\u00a0but\u00a0to\u00a0fulfill\u00a0it,\"\u00a0used\u00a0to\u00a0connect\u00a0the\u00a0Old\u00a0Covenant\u00a0law\u00a0with\u00a0Christ's\u00a0work. Central\u00a0Message Jesus\u00a0fulfills\u00a0the\u00a0law\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0prophets;\u00a0we\u00a0are\u00a0saved\u00a0by\u00a0grace\u00a0through\u00a0his\u00a0death\u00a0and\u00a0resurrection,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0Spirit\u00a0now\u00a0guides\u00a0how\u00a0we\u00a0respond\u2014primarily\u00a0by\u00a0loving\u00a0God\u00a0and\u00a0loving\u00a0our\u00a0neighbor. Key\u00a0Points God\u00a0acted\u00a0for\u00a0Israel\u00a0(Exodus):\u00a0deliverance\u00a0from\u00a0Egypt,\u00a0provision,\u00a0and\u00a0a\u00a0covenant\u00a0that\u00a0called\u00a0for\u00a0obedience\u00a0and\u00a0holy\u00a0living. The\u00a0Ten\u00a0Commandments\u00a0give\u00a0clear\u00a0moral\u00a0and\u00a0relational\u00a0instruction;\u00a0they\u00a0are\u00a0good\u00a0but\u00a0demand\u00a0full\u00a0obedience. Jesus\u00a0does\u00a0not\u00a0abolish\u00a0the\u00a0law\u00a0but\u00a0fulfills\u00a0it\u00a0on\u00a0our\u00a0behalf\u00a0through\u00a0his\u00a0death\u00a0and\u00a0resurrection;\u00a0believers\u00a0are\u00a0freed\u00a0from\u00a0trying\u00a0to\u00a0earn\u00a0salvation\u00a0by\u00a0law. Baptism\u00a0unites\u00a0us\u00a0to\u00a0Christ\u2019s\u00a0death\u00a0and\u00a0resurrection\u00a0and\u00a0marks\u00a0the\u00a0new\u00a0life\u00a0we\u00a0have\u00a0in\u00a0him. We\u00a0are\u00a0saved\u00a0by\u00a0grace,\u00a0led\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Holy\u00a0Spirit,\u00a0and\u00a0called\u00a0into\u00a0tangible\u00a0service\u00a0(example:\u00a0the\u00a0congregation\u00a0helping\u00a0a\u00a0homeless\u00a0veteran\u00a0into\u00a0VA\u00a0care). The\u00a0core\u00a0commandment\u00a0guiding\u00a0Christian\u00a0life\u00a0is\u00a0to\u00a0love\u00a0one\u00a0another\u00a0as\u00a0Jesus\u00a0first\u00a0loved\u00a0us\u2014this\u00a0fulfills\u00a0the\u00a0law\u00a0in\u00a0practice. Notable\u00a0Quotes \"Do\u00a0not\u00a0think\u00a0that\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0come\u00a0to\u00a0abolish\u00a0the\u00a0law\u00a0or\u00a0the\u00a0prophets.\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0not\u00a0come\u00a0to\u00a0abolish\u00a0them,\u00a0but\u00a0to\u00a0fulfill\u00a0them.\"\u00a0(Matthew)\"We\u00a0are\u00a0saved\u00a0by\u00a0grace.\"\"Love\u00a0one\u00a0another\u00a0as\u00a0Jesus\u00a0first\u00a0loved\u00a0you.\"\"How\u00a0do\u00a0you\u00a0live\u00a0in\u00a0Jesus\u00a0today?\" Application Choose\u00a0love\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0governing\u00a0ethic:\u00a0let\u00a0\"love\u00a0God,\u00a0love\u00a0neighbor\"\u00a0shape\u00a0moral\u00a0choices\u00a0rather\u00a0than\u00a0picking\u00a0laws\u00a0cafeteria-style.Follow\u00a0the\u00a0Spirit\u2019s\u00a0leading\u00a0into\u00a0concrete\u00a0care\u00a0for\u00a0people\u00a0in\u00a0need\u00a0(provide\u00a0food,\u00a0advocacy,\u00a0accompaniment).Remember\u00a0baptism\u00a0as\u00a0your\u00a0identity\u00a0in\u00a0Christ:\u00a0live\u00a0from\u00a0grace,\u00a0not\u00a0legalism.When\u00a0you\u00a0fail,\u00a0seek\u00a0forgiveness\u2014Jesus\u00a0covers\u00a0sin\u00a0through\u00a0his\u00a0death\u00a0and\u00a0resurrection.Keep\u00a0Sabbath\u00a0and\u00a0care\u00a0for\u00a0creation,\u00a0neighbor,\u00a0and\u00a0relationship\u00a0with\u00a0God\u00a0as\u00a0expressions\u00a0of\u00a0covenant\u00a0faithfulness. Reflection\u00a0Questions In\u00a0what\u00a0practical\u00a0ways\u00a0can\u00a0I\u00a0show\u00a0Christlike\u00a0love\u00a0to\u00a0my\u00a0neighbors\u00a0this\u00a0week? How\u00a0does\u00a0the\u00a0reality\u00a0that\u00a0I\u00a0am\u00a0\"saved\u00a0by\u00a0grace\"\u00a0change\u00a0the\u00a0way\u00a0I\u00a0approach\u00a0God\u2019s\u00a0command? Where\u00a0am\u00a0I\u00a0tempted\u00a0to\u00a0\"pick\u00a0and\u00a0choose\"\u00a0commandments,\u00a0and\u00a0how\u00a0might\u00a0the\u00a0Spirit\u00a0guide\u00a0a\u00a0different\u00a0response? 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We hear of people of the past who achieved great things, in faith. 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