July 25, 2017

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by all her children.” Luke 7:33-35

There is a communication principle that says, "The more predictable you become the less impact you will have."

One of the reasons Jesus had such a profound impact during His brief earthly ministry was He was anything but predictable. His unpredictable ways allowed Him to reach many people and it also got Him considerable criticism. It also got Him considerable converts!

What was it that brought down such vehement criticism and condemnation upon the Son of God? It was the fact He ate with sinners. Yes, you heard it right, he shared meals with reprobates such as tax-collectors and an occasional prostitute.

That was unheard of for a rabbi. Not only was it unheard of it was intolerable in the opinion of the religious elite of His day! It is precisely why they had become so ineffective and irrelevant in reaching or relating to their culture.

Jesus came to change that! They would have been wise to have copied Him rather than to condemn Him.

So, Brad, are you saying it's good to hang out at bars and night clubs with my friends who drink?

Only if you are prompted clearly by the leadership of the Holy Spirit and only if you are sufficiently spiritually established in your faith to maintain your witness.

But it you want to reach people far from God you have two choices, you can hope they will come to where you hangout OR you can go to where they hang out. Jesus made the surprising decision to hang out with them.

For the sake of contrast it is significant to note that when Jesus wanted to connect with His disciples He also ate and drank with them!

What was the common denominator between eating with sinners and eating with followers? EATING! He understood the powerful bonds that are formed when people eat together.

Family bonds are the closest bonds and families eat together to strengthen those bonds!

Friendship bonds are also very close bonds and friends often eat together to deepen those bonds!

Fellowship bonds are strong within a church and church members often eat together around the dinner table as well as the Communion Table!

Unless you think about it, eating with sinners may seem like a surprising thing to do. But if you understand the power of the table and the power of relationships it shouldn't surprise you that combing the two is and effective way to reach people!

Just another thing to learn from Jesus!

July 24, 2017

"Thy Word is truth." John 17:17

How do you reconcile two seemingly contradictory concepts? For example, how can we claim we believe the Bible is free from error when it was written by fallible men?

As Roman Catholic theologian Bruce Vawter writes, "A human literature containing no error would indeed be a contradiction in terms, since nothing is more human that to err" (Biblical Inspiration, Philadelphia, Westminster 1972).

As Wesleyans we steadfastly maintain that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. Is that a defensible position? How can we reconcile these perceived inconsistencies?

Let's think about that for a few moments.

My washing machine was made by imperfect men, but when I follow the manufacturer's instructions and push the right buttons it works perfectly.

Jet aircraft are built by fallible men and 99% of them fly millions of air miles and carry hundreds of thousands of passengers with no malfunctions.

Imperfect men are capable of creating machines that operate perfectly because they faithfully follow specifications and instructions that have been meticulously designed. Perfect plans followed perfectly can take men's imperfections out of play.

An imperfect man and an imperfect woman can produce a perfect baby.

Consider this: The testimony of Scripture is clear. God used fallible men to receive and record His infallible Word so that it would reach us, correct and without error. Sounds difficult? With our God it's not. As He said (Jeremiah 32:27, NASB), "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"

The Bible is inerrant not because of man's infallibility or scholarship. It is inerrant because they had hearts and minds perfectly tuned with God's Holy Spirit so that God's perfect Holy Spirit could perfectly plant God's perfect thoughts into the willing minds of imperfect men. The same Holy Spirit directed the writing, the canonizing, the translation, and the compilation of these Scriptures that we know are true. Praise God for His faithful Holy Word!

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness," II Timothy 3:16

If you can believe in a perfect, infallible, and holy God, you can believe in the inerrancy of the Bible because you will know that the perfection of God is greater than the weaknesses of man!

Like they say, even a stopped clock is right twice a day!

July 23, 2017

“I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to you, LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.”   Psalms 142

So, here you are in a dark, damp, desolate, disgusting cave and you don’t like it. You feel like you are trapped because you are. That's how commitment works, which is why you need to work on your commitments.  So when you feel trapped and you don't like the feeling what do you do?

The Psalmist could have given up and turned Himself in to the King and hope for mercy. He could have killed the King and do away with his enemy. But His commitment to His God would allow Him to do neither. So he decided to bear the consequences of His commitment to serve God, even though it was terrible in the cave.

You do what David did:

Complain - “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.”

You don’t have to like it in the cave. Who would? David was innocent. He had done nothing to deserve being hunted down like a stray dog, but he had managed to get on the wrong side of an insecure king.

I imagine it would be hard enough to be public enemy number one if you were guilty but it is very unfair to be totally innocent but still have your life totally disrupted.

Pour out your complaint to the Lord. But when you complain, don’t curse the Lord or don’t accuse the Lord. When you complain, let it out and get it over with – keep it short.

Cry – “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name.”

Being trapped in a cave and having your life completely disrupted is very difficult. Long dark lonely nights in a damp cave can take an emotional toll on a person. The natural way to release emotional pain is to cry out. The Psalmist cried out.

I can think of another innocent Man Who was brutally treated and cried out to God in His agony. His Name was Jesus and He was the Son of God, Who became your Savior. He cried out from the Cross and complained to His Father.

Frankly, most people these days, including Christians bail on their commitments at this point. When they are feeling trapped and life is very uncomfortable they "cave in" rather than stand true to their commitment.

David cried and complained in the cave but did not cave on his commitment. Jesus cried and complained on the Cross but He did not cave-in. How about you? Are you feeling trapped and thinking about caving in on a commitment? This is where character is built and integrity shows. What will you do?

Calm Down and Connect - "LORD; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

Once the Psalmist dealt with his ragged emotions and calmed down, he fixed his focus back on His God and reconnected with his faith. He remembered why he had committed to God in the first place. Just when he felt like getting out he got back in. The good news is that when we can't leave the cave, God can come to us! He can comfort and encourage and strengthen so we don't cave in on our commitments.

If you have feeling trapped in a faith commitment or a family commitment or a financial commitment - you don't have to cave in. The Psalmist proves it!

July 22, 2017

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

With some of Jesus' first words recorded in His public ministry He gave the call to fish for men.

In His last recorded words He gave the command to evangelize and make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)

This fact brings us to the second emphasis we draw from His calling of His first disciples.

First, He told them to follow and the second thing He implied was to focus.

Focus on what?

Fishing for men!

When you follow Jesus He expects you to understand what is the focus of His ministry. He came "to seek and to save" those who are lost.

Jesus loves people. He especially loves lost people, people who need a Savior and a Shepherd. It was that focus that led Him to the cross and it was His focus from the cross.

When you understand that it becomes clear why He called fishermen to be His first disciples. They knew what it was like to focus fully on fishing so they could relate to His focus on fishing for men.

Only one thing lasts forever and that is people. So why would you focus on things that don't last?

God calls you to follow.

Followers focus on fishing for men.

What will you be focusing on today?

Three Significant Insights Into Becoming A Witness For Christ

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

Jesus' last recorded words on earth had to do with being a witness for the Gospel. And here in some of His first recorded words at the beginning of His earthly ministry He is giving the call to become witnesses. 

I find in these key verses three significant insights into becoming a witness for Christ and the Gospel. This morning I will share the first.

Following a powerful preaching session from a fishing boat on the Galilean shore, Jesus invited the boat owner to follow Him. He assured them if they faithfully followed Him they would become fishers of men.

Notice what Jesus didn't say. He didn't say, "Get some education and then you will become a witness."

Nor did He say, "Get some experience and then come follow me." What He did say was, "Follow me and I will give you the education and the experience to fish for men."

What does it mean to follow Jesus? Sounds simple enough but it isn't easy. Let's learn from the disciples. 

Following required a decision. Would they continue to do what they knew best and keep fishing or would they leave the security of what they knew to answer the call of Jesus.

The call of Jesus comes to each of us and each of us must decide if we will leave all and follow Him. 

Following required a direction. It almost seems too obvious but in order to follow they must go in the direction Jesus. It is Jesus Who decides which way they should go not them. He would become their compass, your GPS and tour guide!

If you decide to follow Jesus He will determine the direction of your life from that day forward. Followers follow His direction.

Following Jesus would require discipleship. Deciding to follow Jesus and going in His direction would demand obedience. My favorite definition of discipleship comes from Eugene Peterson who said, "Discipleship is a long obedience in the same direction."

If you make the decision to follow Jesus and change the direction of your life you will be required to life the life of obedience to Him. There is no other way.

Finally, following Jesus leads to a destiny. Faithful followers of Jesus fish for men.

The call of Jesus comes to each of us. It is a call to decide. It is a change of direction. It leads to discipleship. It results in the destiny of fishing for men.

Are you following?

Then you'd best be fishing!

July 20, 2017

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

If you struggle with witnessing for Jesus this thought may help you.

Take notice of the call of Jesus to the fishermen, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

Jesus called them in the area of their strengths! He called them to do what they did best! What they did well was fish and they just needed to follow Him as fishermen.

He didn't say, "Let me change you guys to carpenters and then follow me."

Nor did He say, "Go get training as a Rabbi and then come follow me."

He did not tell them, "Get your ordination and then you can follow me."

Jesus just said, "Follow me as fishermen and I will make you into fishers of men!"

So, here's the exciting news! God can and will use you EXACTLY as you are! You don't have to change you simple need to follow Him faithfully!

God loves you!

God loves you for who you are!

God loves you for what you do!

God doesn't want to change what you do He wants to change your heart and transform your mind so you do what you do better and do it for Him!

God wants you to love Him in response for His love for you!

That only happens as can He use you to reach people,

God wants you to follow Jesus for who you are.

God wants you to follow Jesus for what you can become in Him.

God wants you to follow Jesus for what He can do for him by doing what you do best.

God wants you to follow Jesus so you can reach others who do what you do! 

God CAN use you to fish for men and catch fish starting the moment you begin following Him fully and faithfully. 

Come to Jesus and begin following Him just as you are doing what you do best and keep on following!

As you follow He will use you to fish!

Fishing For Men

"One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:1-11

At first thought I wondered why would Jesus call rough, smelly fishermen to be among His first followers.

The more I thought about it several reasons came into focus. Here's a new insight that came to mind and I want to see what you think.

Fishermen make a living catching aquatic creatures that dwell in a different realm. Fish cannot live out of the water and fishermen cannot survive long under the water. In order to run a successful fishing enterprise Simon, Andrew, James and John had to figure out ways to get large numbers of fish out of their under water world and into the world where they lived.

Jesus knew that would also be the challenge of fishing for men.

Think about it.

People who are far away from God live in a different realm than people who know Jesus as their Savior. Non-believing people operate in a much different value system, world-view and mindset than those who live by faith. And yet the call of Jesus was to fish for men, which requires His followers to learn how to lead unbelievers into the realm of faith.

Who better to do know how to do that than fishermen?

Jesus prayed for His followers to be "in the world but not of the world". This is what He must have meant. Like these fishermen, we need to learn to navigate in and interact with those who exist in a different realm without becoming a part of that realm.

There is not abundant evidence recorded in the gospels that the disciples excelled in the fishing for men assignment but we know they must have because the Gospel message has made it intact to our present generation.

Our human nature is to retreat to comfortable places with people who make us comfortable. Even as Christians we can settle into the security and comfort of our own little "holy hideout" and avoid interacting with those who don't live in our realm. But the call of Jesus is a call out of our realm to "evangelize", to "witness" or "fish" for those in another realm.

The Master was masterful in connecting with those who did not know Him or did not believe in Him. In fact, He was regularly condemned for eating with publicans and sinners. Perhaps that's why He said, "Follow me and I WILL MAKE you fishers of men."

Fishing starts with following.

Are you will to follow so He can teach you to fish?

Will you continue following every day until you learn to fish?