June 21, 2016

"As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”  At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him." Matthew 4:18-22

Maybe this has never bothered you but I have had a hard time with it.

These four fishermen (professional fishermen) just dropped their nets, docked their boats and walked away from their business just because this young Rabbi asked them to follow Him.

History records that they made a great decision in deciding to follow Jesus. But think about it, at the moment He called them and Peter, James, John and Andrew made an immediate career change.

When I think about walking away from a family business and leaving it just because some young popuae rabbi invited them to follow Him. So, you tell me - doesn't that sound impulsive or even irresponsible? I honestly don't know 

There must be more to the story than just what is written in this account from Matthew. I've a feeling that I'm missing something here. And sure enough, I WAS missing some important details about this story that Luke included in His account of the calling of the first disciples.

Here's the story:

"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

Oh! Well that makes sense!


Look what preceded His call to follow Him:

1) He built their faith
2) He built up their financial reserve so the business would survive without them
3) He called them to fish for men.

Jesus doesn't expect you to follow blindly but He does call you to follow!

Between Forgiven and Forever

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

As a Christian it is natural to be excited about how God has forgiven you and set you free from your past. I think most Christians get excited about that.

And Christians get happy about the future God has provided for them through the grace of Jesus Christ. 

So believers have forgiveness and freedom for their past and they have forever in their future.

It seems to me that where Christians struggle the most is in the present. What is a Christian supposed to do between his spiritual "birth" and his physical death? That can be a period of fifty or sixty years. How should those years be spent?

Jesus had a definite idea about what His followers should be doing. They are to be witnesses.

What is a witness? What does a witness do?

First, a witness tells what he knows.

So, what do you think a Christian should know?  

A Christian should know God and know Him well!

A Christian should know God's Word and know it well.

If you were called to witness what you know about your faith, what would you say?

Second, a witness tells what he has seen.

A Christian should be able to tell about the changes he has seen God make in his life.

A Christian should also be about how he has seen God work in his family and in his church.

If you were called as a witness what have you seen that you could tell others about?

Third, a witness is loyal to what he knows and what he has seen.

In Greek, the word for witnesses is "martures,' from which we get the English word martyr. It means being loyal to Jesus no matter the cost and speaking up for him even when others oppose you. 

Are you able to do that? 

What is a Christian supposed to do between "forgiven" and "forever"?

You are to be a witness - His witness.

June 19, 2016

"Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ" I Corinthians 11:1

The Apostle Paul was one of the best Christian leaders ever because he was one of the best Christ followers of all time!

There can be little debate about that!

But the encouraging news implicit in this invitation to follow Paul's example is the realization that you can follow Christ just as Paul did!

Get your mind around that for a moment!

It seems the appropriate to ask, "How should I follow?"

Here are four facts of how Paul followed Christ.

#1 - Paul looked at Jesus so he could love Him!

If you intend to follow someone you will need to focus on where he is and where he is going! You can't follow without focus!

Paul wrote later, "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1

Jesus said that if a man puts his hand to the plow and looks back he is not worthy of the kingdom of God.

When you love someone you can't take your eyes off of them!

#2 - Paul looked at Jesus so he could learn of Him.

Paul's walk with Jesus began with a supernatural vision of Christ on the road to Damascus. Once he saw Jesus and learned Who Jesus is, Paul never stopped looking and Jesus and never stopped learning.

Paul was the only Apostle who did not look upon Jesus in the flesh (which was one of the criterion for being an apostle). But being a very devout student of the law, he quickly surpassed the others in his knowledge OF Jesus and ABOUT Jesus.

How do we know Paul learned about Jesus, because he wrote most of the New Testament! Most of what you know about Jesus you know because Paul learned of Him and wrote it down!

Paul couldn't learn about Jesus without looking at Jesus. Neither can you!

#3 - Paul learned of Jesus so he could live like Him.

You have heard the old saying, "You life is the only Bible some people may ever read!"

That was literally true of Paul!

As I previously mentioned, there were only a few Old Testament books available in his time and the Gospels hadn't been written yet. So, if you wanted to know what it was to be a Christian you had to study the life of a Christian! Fortunately, there was no better Christian life to look at than the life of Paul because he daily and diligently learned of Jesus!

Now you understand why Paul said, "Follow my example!"

Can you say that?

#4 - Paul lived like Jesus so he could lead like Jesus.

Leadership guru, John Maxwell says, "Leaders are readers." 

Paul was a leader not only because he was a reader but because he was a looker (focused on Jesus) and a learner, and he lived the life.

Maxwell also says, "Leadership is influence" and Paul lived to influence people for Jesus.

Every church he planted, every epistle he wrote, every sermon he preached, every Timothy he discipled and every prison guard he was chained to was profoundly influenced by Paul.

You have been and are being influenced by him even as you read this! I am being influenced by him as I write it.

The question is, will we be influenced enough to look upon Jesus, and learn of Jesus, and love Jesus so we can lead people to Jesus?

July 18, 2016

"Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ."  I Corinthians 11:1

If it is your responsibility to lead your family, and it is!

And if you need to be a follower in order to be a good leader, and you do.

The question becomes who are you following?

Are you following someone who will challenge you and change you and cause you to grow?

Are you following someone you would want your spouse a or kids to follow?

If you are following the One Paul followed you will be a good place! You will have a blessed present and a bright future!

Paul was one of the best leaders ever. 

He had a profound influence on the world in his day, because of his influence on the Church of Jesus Christ. 

You and I still benefit from his leadership!

FredWes benefits from his leadership.

These truths shine a light on another profound fact of leadership. When you lead you are influencing at least two generations! Perhaps more than two!

How you lead your children will influence how your children will someday lead theirs and beyond.

Jesus calls you to follow Him. 

There are many reasons why you should follow Christ and following Him so you can lead your family well is one of the best reasons!

Follow Me As I Follow Christ

"Follow my example as I found the example of Christ." I Corinthians 11:1

In this verse Paul makes a very insightful observation about leaders. I urge you to take note of it.

All good leaders are good followers.

All good leader follow leaders greater than themselves.

Paul became one of the greatest followers Jesus Christ of all time. Because he followed so well he also lead well.

Notice that Paul didn't say, "Follow me as I implement my selfish agenda."

Paul didn't say, "Follow me while I figure out where I should go."

He didn't say, "Follow me as I exercise my autocratic will."

Paul said, "Follow me AS I FOLLOW CHRIST!"

Paul says, "Follow me BECAUSE I follow Christ!"

You may be thinking, "No offense, Brad, but this doesn't have anything to do with me because I am not a leader."

Ok, let me ask you this, "Are you a parent?"

If you are a parent who do you want to lead your kids?

You'd better be the one to lead your kids and you'd better make sure you are being led by Jesus as you lead your children.

Are you leading?

How well are you leading?

Are you following?

Who are you following?

How well are you following?

Can you say like Paul, "Follow me as I follow Christ?"

June 16, 2016

"Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." I Corinthians 11:1

At least half a dozen times Paul makes a statement similar the one above.

So, is he a braggart or an egotist?

Neither!

It wasn't brag it was fact! He was the real deal! He was an authentic representative of what a Christ-follower should be. In fact, he was best example of the Christian faith available at that time!

If you were alive back then and looking for a mentor who else would you have picked?

Here's something to consider that may make even more plain to understand his claim. When Paul founded this church and pastored it the Gospels had not been written. You've heard that expression, "Your life might be the only Bible others will read." Well that was literally true of the Great Apostle! So when he offers himself as an example he is not being proud he is being practical!

So, more than 2,000 years later the challenge still comes to you and me, "Follow me as I follow Christ!"

Are you following?

Are you following like Paul followed?

Can you look your son in the eyes and say, "Son, follow Christ just like I follow Christ?"

Can you look your daughter in the eyes and say, "Young lady, follow Christ like I follow Christ?"

If you can, then have you said it?

If not, why not?

If you are not able to say that with integrity why not? 

What needs to change in your heart or in your habits? 

When will that happen?

Why not today?

Do What I Do

"Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." I Corinthians 11:1

Perhaps you have heard this little gem of advice, "Do as I say don't do as I do."

Pardon me, but that is the most ridiculous piece of advice ever offered by a humanoid.

First, it defies human nature!

It's just a fact that people do what they see not what they hear. You do, I do, all God's people do!

Second, people despise phonies so why would someone else take advice from one who essentially admits he is a phony?

If you have heard this advice offered I am sure it rang very hollow to you. I'm sure you saw through it and totally dismissed it.

If you ever offered this advice I have to ask you, why are you content being a phony and why would you admit it?

As a father (parent) if you want your children to embrace and model the best of values then you must set the example for them. You must be the living illustration of how those values are expressed in everyday conduct and attitudes. Don't just say it, let them see it!

The Apostle Paul boldly announced, "Follow Christ like I follow Christ! I will be your example! I will show you how to do it!"

That's godly leadership! 

Paul was very unhappy about how careless and thoughtless the Corinthian Christians had become with their conduct within the church. They were desecrating the Holy Communion, among other things. So, he devotes Chapter 10 to chastising and correcting their behavior.

What if following his earnest rebuke of these people he loved he would have said, "So......do what I say not what I do?"

Real stupid, right?

Instead, he humble but boldly declared, "Do what I do!"

Real powerful, right?

So, dads, can you with integrity say that to your children? Can you challenge them to live for Jesus like you live for Jesus? Can you urge them to follow your lead?

Do as Paul does......and as he says!