{"id":6727,"date":"2015-04-21T12:34:37","date_gmt":"2015-04-21T16:34:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=6727"},"modified":"2015-05-07T15:43:09","modified_gmt":"2015-05-07T19:43:09","slug":"why-are-you-here-41915","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?p=6727","title":{"rendered":"Why Are You Here? (4\/19\/15)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Jesus asks us, &#8220;Why Are You Here?&#8221;\u00a0 Do we drift along thinking we&#8217;re doing the right thing, that we&#8217;re on the right path?\u00a0 But Jesus comes along and confronts our complacency.\u00a0 &#8220;Why are we here?&#8221; &#8220;Why do we go to church?&#8221; &#8220;What do we want in our relationship with God?&#8221;<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">To find out more, click the following &#8220;Play&#8221; button to start the sermon and then scroll down to follow along&#8230;.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-6727-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Sermon-2015-04-19b-Why-are-You-Here-by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Sermon-2015-04-19b-Why-are-You-Here-by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono.mp3\">https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Sermon-2015-04-19b-Why-are-You-Here-by-Pastor-Jim-Bolton-6kbs-mono.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p>The text was from Matthew 26:47-50.\u00a0 Open the drop down box below to read it&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Matthew 26<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.<\/p>\n<p>48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, &#8220;Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, &#8220;Greetings, Rabbi!&#8221; and kissed Him.<\/p>\n<p>50 But Jesus said to him, &#8220;<span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Friend, why have you come?<\/span>&#8221; Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Have you ever taken the April Fools quiz?\u00a0 In 5 easy questions, you can see how well you can listen and understand questions&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t1\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t2\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t3\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t4\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t5\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tWhy can&#8217;t a person living in Houston Texas be buried east of the Mississippi?<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Answer<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>Because you don&#8217;t bury living people!<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/p>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tA farmer has 17 sheep. All but 9 of them die. How many sheep does he have left?<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Answer<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>9. They all died but 9.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn baseball, how many outs are there in an inning?<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Answer<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>6 outs.\u00a0 Each team gets three outs.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn Texas, can a man marry his widow&#8217;s sister?<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Answer<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>No! If he has a widow, he&#8217;s dead!<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tHow many of each animal did Moses take on the ark?<div class='et-learn-more clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class='heading-more'>Answer<span class='et_learnmore_arrow'><span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='learn-more-content'>None!\u00a0 The guy on the ark was Noah, not Moses!<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container -->\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Questions.\u00a0 Do we really listen or do we formulate our answer in our minds before the question is even asked.\u00a0 Do we really consider the questions, or do we just give a knee jerk reaction?<\/p>\n<p>Jesus knew everything, but He still went around asking people questions.\u00a0 The questions weren&#8217;t meant for the information in the answers,\u00a0 but they were a way that Jesus used to force people to confront themselves.\u00a0 If you really considered the question, they would drive you out of your comfort zone and force you to ask yourself, &#8220;is that really what I believe?&#8221;\u00a0 &#8220;Is that\u00a0 really what I do?&#8221; &#8220;What does that really mean?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Jesus asked questions&#8230;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">To Judas:\u00a0 <span style=\"color: #800080;\">Why are you here?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A pre-crucifixion account really matches up with a post- resurrection account&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p>It was Holy Thursday (Matthew 26:36-43).\u00a0 Jesus met with His disciples in the Upper Room for the passover meal.\u00a0 According to John&#8217;s Gospel, Jesus finished dinner and washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:1-13).\u00a0 Following the foot washing, Jesus instituted Holy Communion.\u00a0 During this holy time, Judas left the Upper Room to join with the religious leaders and to put the plan of betrayal into action.<\/p>\n<p>After the meal, Jesus an His disciples left the city of Jerusalem and went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.\u00a0 Judas then arrives leading a mob of Temple guards, Pharisees, other religious leaders, and Roman soldiers.\u00a0 Judas came with his own agenda and purpose. Surprisingly, Judas walks over to Jesus and kisses Him\u00a0 on the cheek to identify Jesus to anyone in the mob who didn&#8217;t\u00a0 already know who He was.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus then asks a question as old as the world itself,<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #003300;\">&#8220;Friend why are you here?&#8221;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Certainly Jesus knew why Judas and the band of thugs were there.\u00a0 Is there really any time that Jesus asked a question without knowing the answer?\u00a0 Could it be that:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Jesus is offering Judas a chance to think through his actions.<br \/>\n&#8230; The question forces Judas to come to face to face with the reality of what he&#8217;s doing.<\/li>\n<li>Jesus is offering him one last chance to recant.<br \/>\n&#8230; One last chance to see that he is doing what he wants and not what Jesus wants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #003300;\">What questions does Jesus ask us?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">To Peter: <span style=\"color: #800080;\">Do you love Me?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>John 21:15-17 tells the account of a post-resurrection experience at the Sea of Galilee where the disciples were in a fishing boat when they catch sight of the resurrected Jesus on the beach.\u00a0 They quickly row the boat ashore (Peter can&#8217;t wait and instead jumps in the water and swims to the beach).\u00a0 Miraculously, fish are already on the grill when they gather on the beach.\u00a0 Jesus cooks breakfast for them.\u00a0 After the meal, Jesus takes Peter aside and asks him this question:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #003300;\">Do you love Me?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Peter answers probably much like any of us would: &#8220;Yeah.\u00a0 Sure Jesus.\u00a0 You know that I love you.\u00a0 Why do you ask?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But Jesus isn&#8217;t satisfied with that flimsy answer, so He asks.\u00a0 &#8220;Peter,\u00a0 do you love Me more than anything else?&#8221;\u00a0 Peter starts to wonder a bit now&#8230; has Jesus suddenly become hard of hearing?\u00a0 Didn&#8217;t He believe that I love Him.\u00a0 So Peter repeats His answer.\u00a0 But Jesus asks a third time, and that gets Peter&#8217;s head really spinning.\u00a0 It gets Peter angry!\u00a0 The question cuts to the core.\u00a0 Do I really love Jesus?\u00a0 Will I\u00a0 really put Him above all other things?<\/p>\n<p>Faith in Jesus requires a commitment.\u00a0 Jesus keeps pushing.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #003300;\">What questions does Jesus ask us?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">To Bartimaius: <span style=\"color: #800080;\">What do you want Me to Do?<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Mark 10:46-52 tells us the story of a blind beggar.\u00a0 We don&#8217;t even know this person&#8217;s real name; we just know him as Bartimaeus.\u00a0 That&#8217;s not his real name; he&#8217;s simply known as the son of Timaeus. \u00a0 He&#8217;s on the trash heap of society, forced to sit along the Jericho roadside and beg for coins.<\/p>\n<p>But when he hears that Jesus is about to pass by, he cries out, &#8220;Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me.&#8221;\u00a0 The crowd tries to shut him up but he yells out even louder.\u00a0 Jesus,\u00a0 the Son of God, hears this beggar and stops in His busy tracks.\u00a0 He goes to Bartimaeus and asks this blind man a question that we would think is so obvious:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #003300;\">&#8220;What do you want Me to do for you?&#8221;<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Of course, he wants to see again!\u00a0 He wants to throw away that putrid mat he&#8217;s been living on, pick himself up, and get out of the street.\u00a0 He wants to live and form relationships with other people.\u00a0 He wants friends; he wants to be loved like a real human being.\u00a0 He&#8217;s tired of living on the trash heap.<\/p>\n<p>Or is he?\u00a0 Did\u00a0 he come to his usual spot that morning expecting that this particular day would change his whole world?\u00a0 Was he in his comfort zone living the life he had always known?\u00a0 Did he really want Jesus to change the entire life by giving him sight?<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #003300;\">What questions does Jesus ask us?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">To Us:<\/span><br \/>\n&#8230;<span style=\"color: #800080;\">Why are WE Here?&#8230; What do WE want of Jesus?<br \/>\n&#8230; Do WE love Him?<br \/>\n<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Jesus&#8217; questions are personal.\u00a0\u00a0 What is life? Do YOU want a relationship with Jesus?\u00a0 Do YOU love Jesus above anything else? Salvation is personal; you can&#8217;t get to heaven\u00a0 on somebody else&#8217;s coat tails. In the Gospel accounts, Jesus wanted to know these people personally; just like He wants to know you and me.\u00a0 He wants to know us personally, not casually.\u00a0 He doesn&#8217;t throw a big blanket over all of us and group us together.\u00a0 He comes to each of us.<\/p>\n<p>Could it be that many of us know ABOUT Jesus, but do we really know HIM?\u00a0 Today, as Jesus asked Peter, we must face the question: &#8220;Do I love Jesus?&#8221;\u00a0 We may have family members who love Jesus, we may have\u00a0 friends who love Jesus, we may attend a church where everyone loves Jesus&#8230; But that means nothing for any of us as individuals if we don not love Him personally.<\/p>\n<p>Jesus&#8217; call is personal&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tHebrews 11:6\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\tRomans 8:11\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t1 John 5:1\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tAnd without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tAnd if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. NIV\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tEveryone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. NIV\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>Jesus didn&#8217;t make small talk. He didn&#8217;t ask, do you love the Pope?\u00a0 Do you love your doctrine? Do you love your church?\u00a0 Do you love your parents?\u00a0 Do you love your wife, your husband,\u00a0 your children?\u00a0 No- it was and is, &#8220;Do\u00a0\u00a0 you \u00a0\u00a0 love\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ME?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Jesus isn&#8217;t concerned about what we wear to church; He&#8217;s concerned about our heart.\u00a0 Jesus said I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life.\u00a0 Do you believe that?\u00a0 Do You Love Me???<\/p>\n<p>Love for Jesus is central to the Christian life;\u00a0 without it, nothing else matters.\u00a0 Jesus presses us for a commitment; He&#8217;s not content with &#8220;vain repetitions&#8221; or lip service.\u00a0 1 John 4:7-11 tells us,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.\u00a0 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.\u00a0 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.\u00a0 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #800080;\">Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0NIV<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Throughout the Gospels,\u00a0 Jesus constantly asks people questions. Questions that aren&#8217;t meant to be taken as small talk, but questions that are probing and cut to the heart of our relationship with God.\u00a0 Jesus asked these questions on-on-one to individuals, and He asks them of us today.\u00a0 Here are a few examples, all from the Gospel according to Luke&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-container et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_top_tabs'>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #003300;\">Luke 5:22 &#8220;Why are you thinking these things in your hearts?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #800080;\">Luke 8:25 &#8220;Where is your faith?&#8221;\n<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #993366;\">Luke 8:45 &#8220;Who Touched Me?&#8221;\n<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #993366;\">Luke 9:20 &#8220;Who do YOU say that I am?&#8221;\n<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #993366;\">Luke 10:26 &#8220;What is written- how do YOU read it?&#8221;\n<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #993366;\">Luke 18:19 &#8220;Why do you call Me good?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t<span style=\"color: #993366;\">Luke 24:17\u00a0 &#8220;What are you discussing?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<\/a><\/li><\/p>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tA paralytic is dropped through a roof to Jesus. Instead of immediately healing him, Jesus forgives him&#8230;\n<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you believe that Jesus can forgive sins?\u00a0 Do you believe that YOUR sins can be forgiven?<\/span><\/em>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tJesus is with the disciples in a boat when a fierce storm arises.\u00a0 Amidst their fear, Jesus calms the storm&#8230;\n<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What storms are in your life?\u00a0 Do you have faith that Jesus is awake to your needs?<\/span><\/em>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tIn humility, fear, and shame, a bleeding woman touches the hem of Jesus&#8217; cloak and is healed&#8230;\n<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Are you willing to let go of your self-sufficiency to touch Jesus?\u00a0 Are you willing to stand up and admit your need and witness to your faith? Do we wear Jesus Christ proudly?<\/span><\/em>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tJesus initially asks His disciples who do the crowds say I am?\u00a0 Then He asks, who do YOU say I am?&#8230;\n<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Who is Jesus?\u00a0 Just a historical character from long ago?\u00a0 Or is He an integral part of your life?\u00a0 Is He God, your creator?<\/span><\/em>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tAn expert in the Law quizzes the author of the Law (Jesus), &#8220;What is the most important commandment?&#8221;\u00a0 Instead of answering, Jesus asks, and the &#8220;expert&#8221; correctly replies that the most important thing is to &#8220;Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength.&#8221;\n<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What do YOU think?\u00a0 Are you trying to earn salvation or are you trying to love God with everything you&#8217;ve got?<\/span><\/em>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tA ruler addresses Jesus as &#8220;Good Teacher&#8221;, and then asks what he must do to inherit eternal life.\u00a0 Jesus says that only God is &#8220;good&#8221;&#8230;\n<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Do you believe Jesus is God?\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus can give eternal life?<\/span><\/em>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tOn the first Easter morning, the disciples on\u00a0 the road to Emmaus try to figure out why Jesus died and what happened to His body&#8230;\n<em><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">What do YOU discuss with your Christian friends?\u00a0 Do your thoughts and discussions draw you closer to God or do they stay on some intellectual or theoretical level without getting to where the &#8220;rubber meets the road?&#8221;<\/span><\/em>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .et-tabs-container --><\/div><\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Some years ago, there was an\u00a0 account of some answers children provided to a question asked by their\u00a0 Sunday school teacher.\u00a0 The question was:\u00a0\u00a0 <strong><em><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Why do you love your Mom and why do you love your Dad?<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Their answers were beautiful, poignant, and at times, funny.\u00a0 Here are a few of them&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class='tabs-left et_sliderfx_fade et_sliderauto_false et_sliderauto_speed_5000 et_slidertype_left_tabs clearfix'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et_left_tabs_bg'><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<ul class='et-tabs-control'>\n\t\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t6 yr old Boy\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t9 yr old Boy\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t11 yr old Girl\n\t\t<\/a><\/li> \n\t\t<li><a href='#'>\n\t\t\t9 yr old Boy\n\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul> <!-- .et-tabs-control --> \n\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content'>\n\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-main-wrap'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='et-tabs-content-wrapper'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tI love my Mom because she told me about God, and I love my Dad because he told me right from wrong.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tI love my Mom because she provides a home for me, but most importantly she provides love.<\/p>\n<p>And I love my Dad because he provides fun and stuff.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tI love my Mom because she&#8217;s cool, loving, gentle, and kind, and is understanding. She gives me wise advice. She is good at last minute projects.<\/p>\n<p>And I love my dad because he makes the best of every situation, with a smile. When I&#8217;m upset, he puts on a smile and uses a funny voice.\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<div class='et_slidecontent'>\n\t\t\tI love my Mom because she keeps me on the right path. She feeds me and helps me with my homework. She is a great person in my life.<\/p>\n<p>And I love my Dad because he taught me how to fish and hunt and play baseball. He loves me and cares for me. He is a great person in my life.\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .tabs-left -->\n<p>The children understood the question and answered honestly.\u00a0 They didn&#8217;t allow themselves to be influenced from any outside force.<\/p>\n<p>The common thread through all of these stories is the fact that those children are learning at home and a church the greatest lesson in life:\u00a0 How to love God and how to love people.\u00a0 That, my friends, is what your life and my life is all about.<\/p>\n<p>Why are you here?\u00a0 What do you want?\u00a0 Do you love Jesus?\u00a0 Here&#8217;s how St. Francis of Assisi expressed his answers:<\/p>\n<div class='et-box et-shadow'>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class='et-box-content'><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: 14pt;\">\u00a0Why are you here? What do you want? Do you love Me?\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Have you reflected on these questions that Jesus asks us?\u00a0 What are your answers?<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #800000;\">\u00a0Quiz Time!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #000080;\">As you reflect on what you&#8217;ve just heard\/read, give this quiz a try.\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t understand an answer (or if you disagree with the &#8220;correct&#8221; answer, post a comment)&#8230;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div id='quizArea'>\n<script type='text\/javascript'>\njQuery(document).ready(function($) {\n$( function($){\nvar quiz = {\nmultiList:\n[{ ques: 'Why did Moses close the hatch on the ark?',\nans: 'Moses did not close the hatch.',\nansSel: [ 'It was starting to rain.',  'God told him to close it.' ] },\n{ ques: 'Why did Jesus ask Judas why he was there?',\nans: 'To force Judas to think about his actions.',\nansSel: [ 'He was expecting Peter.',  'He didn&#8217;t know what was about to happen.' ] },\n{ ques: 'Why did Peter get upset on the beach?',\nans: 'He was wondering if he really did love Jesus.',\nansSel: [ 'He did not like the breakfast.',  'Jesus said that Andrew would never die.' ] },\n{ ques: 'How did Bartimaius answer Jesus question?',\nans: 'I want to see !',\nansSel: [ 'I want you to give me some shiny coins.',  'Is it time for lunch?' ] },\n{ ques: 'Which of the following is true?',\nans: 'Jesus comes to each of us personally.',\nansSel: [ 'God saves you if you believe the right doctrine.',  'You must belong to one of the approved churches.' ] }]\n};\nvar options = {\ntitle: 'Why Are You Here?',\nhelp: 'Select the correct answer and click Check.',\nshowAns: false,\nshowAnsInfo: false,\nallRandom: false,\nshowFeedback: false,\nrandom: false\n};\nvar lang = {\nquiz : { tfEqual:'' }\n};\n$( '#quizArea' ).jQuizMe( quiz, options, lang );\n$( \".q-innerArea\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EECCAA\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".quiz-el\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#776655\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ques\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-ansSel\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n$( \".q-result\" ).css( {\"backgroundColor\": \"#EEEEEE\", \"color\": \"#222222\"} );\n});\n}(jQuery))\n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #003300;\"><strong>+\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 +<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/?cat=50\">Click Here<\/a><\/strong><\/span> to view other sermons.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jesus asks us, &#8220;Why Are You Here?&#8221;\u00a0 Do we drift along thinking we&#8217;re doing the right thing, that we&#8217;re on the right path?\u00a0 But Jesus comes along and confronts our complacency.\u00a0 &#8220;Why are we here?&#8221; &#8220;Why do we go to church?&#8221; &#8220;What do we want in our relationship with God?&#8221; To find out more, click [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[136,128],"class_list":["post-6727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sermons","tag-priority","tag-why-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6727","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6727"}],"version-history":[{"count":41,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6727\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6770,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6727\/revisions\/6770"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6727"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6727"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pitmanumc.org\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6727"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}