Red Letter Blueprint: Jesus’ 52 Rules for Joy

Truly Worship God: Command #11

There are two components of worship. I’m going to call them “liturgy” and “lifestyle.” Liturgy includes expressions of worship in church, small groups or by yourself, like singing, praying, kneeling, etc. Lifestyle is how you live when you’re not doing the liturgy. If you’re not leading a lifestyle of worship, the liturgy is just noise.
One of Jesus’ commands was to truly worship God. He said, “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” - John 4:23-24
So worship is a heart posture that puts Christ in the center, both in liturgy and in lifestyle. We worship Him because he’s worthy of worship, but also because it’s what we were created to do.
Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7suGafVM4j8

Remember Jesus in Communion: Command #10

Communion is a strange Christian ritual. It sounds uncomfortably like cannibalism. We practice Communion because Jesus told us to, but why did he give us this particular, peculiar instruction? 
 
Communion is not just consuming bread and wine, or juice and a cracker. If you approach it right, it’s a holy experience. 
 
Martin Luther said, “To our eyes Baptism appears to be nothing more than ordinary water, and the Sacrament of Christ's body and blood simple bread and wine, like other bread and wine, and the sermon, hot air from a man's mouth. But we must not trust what our eyes see.”

Be Faithful and Watch for Jesus' Return: Command #9

Jesus said, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” - Matthew 25:13
 
Was there value in all the previous generations being alert for Jesus’ return, even though he did not return in their lifetimes? I interviewed Howard Cary about keeping watch and gained a whole new perspective!

Ask the Lord to Send Out Evangelists: Command #8

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” - Matthew 9:37-38 
What was God’s strategy to spread his word at the beginning of the Church? He could have rained down gospel tracts from heaven. He could have projected angelic TV shows onto the clouds. Instead, he trusted this precious treasure known as the gospel to a few men and women to tell people. Has his strategy changed?
Jeremy Isom is a lifelong friend of mine. He’s an inspiration to me because he leads a lifestyle of evangelism. He is the co-founder of LEAP International, an excellent ministry that practices relational evangelism with young people all over the world. So I interviewed Jeremy on this topic.
LEAP International: https://www.leap-intl.org/

Keep Your Fasting Secret: Command #7

Let’s be clear: Jesus never explicitly commanded us to fast in the Bible. But he did assume that fasting would be part of our lives.
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” - Matthew 6:16-18
I’ve heard a number of people say that fasting could be abstaining for a period of time from anything you enjoy–not just food, but music, or TV, or social media; you get the idea. Is there a biblical precedent for this definition of fasting?

Don't Pray to Impress People: Command #6

Some people are afraid to pray out loud where others will hear them. Others like praying out loud--maybe a little too much.
Jesus said, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” - Matthew 6:5-6
The real issue is our natural tendency to try to impress people. I guess it’s from the desire to be respected. I admit, I do still catch myself trying to impress people sometimes. How do we break the habit of pride?

Don't Pray with Vain Repetition: Command #5

Is praying before meals an example of praying with vain repetition? It depends. In this episode, we’ll look into what Jesus meant and didn’t mean by praying with vain repetition.
We'll explore the 24/7 Prayer Room of Frederick Maryland, also known as the Frederick Prayer House. We interview its Director Sarah Dorrance.
https://24-7prayerroom-frederick.org/
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray:
“Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’” - Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭7‬-‭13‬

Pray with Persistence: Command #4

"And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:9-10
Prayer is conversation between God and His followers. But it is also work—we are seeking the fulfillment of our request. We are persistently knocking until the door is opened to us. This is the second episode that includes parts of interviews with prayer warriors Carolyn Chandler and Paul Kemp.

Pray in Jesus' name: Command #3

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? The third command of this series comes with a conditional promise: “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” - John 14:13-14
 
This week's episode includes interviews with two prayer warriors: Carolyn Chandler and Paul Kemp!

Obey & Teach God’s Commands: Command #2

Have you ever noticed that Jesus never emphasized believing all the correct doctrines but rather emphasized obedience? What if the Church was like that? What if we were so busy carrying out stuff Jesus told us to do that we didn’t have time to argue minor doctrines and spiritual preferences?
 
Jesus said, “So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” - Matthew 5:19
Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Pv4ptcmXdQ