Come and Get Me

In his sermon "Come and Get Me," Pastor Thomas-Steele presents Jesus' dichotomous nature as both gentle and formidable, expanding the traditional portrayal of him only as beneficent and amiable. Through portraying Jesus as a formidable personality ready to fight for justice, he challenges his audience to see Jesus in a fresh light. Drawing parallels from the Book of Judges, the sermon references Gideon's transformation from a hidden figure into a leader chosen by God to lead the Israelites to victory, signifying the potential within us all. Shifting to the New Testament, the sermon highlights Peter's affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah, Son of the living God, during a conversation at Caesarea Philippi, a region noted for pagan worship. This affirmation, in that notable spiritual darkness, is symbolically viewed as Jesus declaring war on dark forces and signaling his imminent victory. The story of the Transfiguration, wherein Jesus' divine glory is revealed, resonates with the idea of his supremacy over the spiritual realm.The sermon's conclusion underscores Jesus' ultimate sacrifice for the redemption and forgiveness of humanity as an ultimate sign of his love. Pastor Thomas-Steele invites the congregation to view Jesus as he is and respond with worship and obedience. He underscores that discipleship involves standing against evil and promoting the kingdom of God in the world. Thus, through this sermon, Pastor Thomas-Steele showcases a comprehensive depiction of Jesus- both gentle and fierce, eliciting a call for proactive engagement against evil from his audience.