"Do You?" a Sermon by Michael Renninger from John 18:33-37

Summary

In this reflective and thought-provoking message, a Roman Catholic priest contemplates the transformative power of questions. Drawing on various life-changing questions, such as marriage proposals and faith-related decisions, the priest emphasizes that true transformation occurs not through hearing others' experiences but by personally engaging with Jesus Christ. Through a dialogue with Pilate during Jesus' trial, the priest highlights how personal encounters with Jesus and His love can radically change one's life. Ultimately, the priest challenges the audience to open their hearts to Christ's reign, urging them to answer His life-altering question with a heartfelt 'I do.'

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus' question to Pilate, 'Are you saying this on your own or have others told you about me?' challenges us to reflect on our personal relationship with Him.
• 😀 Life-changing questions, like 'Will you marry me?' or 'Would you like to come work with us?' alter the course of our lives, just as Jesus' questions can transform us.
• 😀 Pilate views Jesus through a political lens, misunderstanding His true nature as a king whose kingdom is not of this world.
• 😀 Jesus' kingdom is not about earthly power or territory, but about truth, love, and compassion in our relationships with others.
• 😀 True transformation comes when we personally experience Jesus' love and let His truth take root in our hearts.
• 😀 Simply hearing others talk about Jesus is not enough; we must create space for His voice in our lives to experience true change.
• 😀 Just as an engagement proposal changes a life, Jesus' invitation to follow Him has the power to change everything.
• 😀 Jesus asks us life-changing questions that go beyond surface-level faith and challenge us to live out His truth.
• 😀 Christ will not ask how much we know about Him, but how much we have lived according to His teachings and love.
• 😀 The reign of Christ is unleashed when we personally accept Him as Lord and embrace His call to love, serve, and act justly.
• 😀 Today, Jesus asks: 'Do you want me to truly lead, guide, teach, and change your life?' The answer to this question has eternal significance.

Q & A

Why does the speaker refer to the question 'Will you marry me?' as life-changing?

The speaker emphasizes that the question 'Will you marry me?' is transformative because it changes the lives of those who experience it, as it marks a pivotal moment of commitment in relationships, altering one's future in profound ways.

What does the speaker compare the question of 'Will you marry me?' to?

The speaker compares the question to other life-changing moments, such as being invited to study at a university, receiving a job offer, or being asked to become a priest, highlighting that significant questions often reshape people's lives.

How does the speaker link Jesus' trial with the concept of life-changing questions?

The speaker links Jesus' trial to life-changing questions by focusing on how Pilate's questioning of Jesus could have changed his life, but only if Pilate had truly listened and engaged with the deeper truths that Jesus was offering.

What does the speaker suggest is the deeper significance of Pilate's question to Jesus, 'Are you the king of the Jews?'

The speaker suggests that Pilate’s question reflects a misunderstanding of Jesus' purpose, seeing him through a purely political lens. Jesus, however, reveals that his kingdom is not of this world, which would have been a life-changing realization if Pilate had understood it.

What is the significance of Jesus' question, 'Are you saying this on your own, or have others told you about me?'

The question is significant because it invites Pilate (and the audience) to reflect on whether their understanding of Jesus comes from personal experience or second-hand information, implying that true life change comes from a direct relationship with Jesus.

How does the speaker relate personal experience with Jesus to spiritual transformation?

The speaker argues that personal experience with Jesus, rather than just hearing others talk about him, is what truly transforms lives. Engaging with Jesus' truth and love directly allows individuals to experience his reign in their hearts and lives.

What does the speaker imply about the role of actions in the Christian faith?

The speaker emphasizes that actions are essential in the Christian faith. It's not enough to simply profess belief or knowledge; one must live out the teachings of Jesus, such as forgiveness, generosity, and justice, to truly experience spiritual transformation.

What is the purpose of the speaker's rhetorical questions about faith and behavior?

The purpose of these rhetorical questions is to challenge the audience to reflect on whether their faith is active and transformative. Questions like 'How often did you forgive?' or 'How did you put others first?' are meant to provoke self-examination about living according to Jesus' teachings.

What does the speaker believe Jesus will ask when people stand before him in judgment?

The speaker believes that Jesus will not ask about religious rituals or knowledge, but rather about how individuals lived out his teachings—such as forgiving others, keeping promises, and prioritizing the needs of others.

How does the speaker conclude the sermon, and what life-changing question does he suggest Jesus is asking?

The speaker concludes by stating that Jesus is asking each person a life-changing question: 'Do you want me to truly lead, guide, teach, and change you?' The speaker encourages the audience to respond affirmatively, saying 'I do,' to accept Jesus' invitation for transformation.