GETTING CLOSE TO JESUS
Face to Face with Jesus #4
Pastor Dennis Clanton
Woodland Church
Sunday, May 25, 2025
(Matthew 11:28–30, Message) “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
BREAKTHROUGHS HAPPEN IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD!
(Mark 2:10–12, NLT) “They lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. SEEING their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” … The Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”
1. BE BOLD
(Luke 5:20, Message) “Impressed by their bold belief…”
2. BE CREATIVE
(Matthew 5:16, NLT) “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
3. COME NEAR
(James 4:8, NASB) “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
“So, people came to Him, My, how they came to him! They came at night; they touched him as he walked down the street; they followed him around the sea; they invited him into their homes and placed their children at his feet. Why? Because he refused to be a statue in a cathedral or a priest in an elevated pulpit. He chose instead to be Jesus.
There is not a hint of one person who was afraid to draw near him. There were those who mocked him. There were those who were envious of him. There were those who misunderstood him. There were those who revered him but there was not one person who considered him too holy, too divine, or too celestial to touch. There was not one person who was reluctant to approach him for fear of being ejected. Remember that. Remember that the next time you find yourself amazed at your own failures. Or the next time acidic accusations burn holes in your soul. Or the next time you see a cold cathedral or hear a lifeless liturgy. Remember, it is man who creates the distance. It is Jesus who builds the bridge. He said, ‘Just call me Jesus.’” -Max Lucado, God Came Near
GROWTHWORK
1. THE LORD WILL HELP ME
(Isaiah 41:10, NLT) “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
a. I will strengthen you
b. I will help you
c. I will hold you up
2. THE LORD WILL GIVE ME HOPE
(Jeremiah 29:11, NLT) “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
(Psalm 16:8, GN) “I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.”
3. THE LORD WILL PULL ME THROUGH
(Isaiah 43:2, NLT) “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
4. THE LORD WILL HELP ME BE AT PEACE
(Psalm 37:1–7, NLT) “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”