Student and Teacher

If you call yourself a Christian - that is a follower of Christ - this one verse gives you a lot to consider and contemplate. Here are a few...

• In your relationship with Christ, are you acting more like the student or the teacher?
• What have you - the student - learned from your teacher recently? 
• Are you - the student - fully honoring and respecting your teacher and His teachings? 
• Are you - the student - living out the teachings of your teacher? 
• Are there points when you feel like you are better - or know better - than your teacher? 
• Are there points when you live as though you are better - or know better - than your teacher?
• Have you been fully trained in the ways of your teacher? 
• If you are not yet fully trained, how are you seeking further training?
• If you are fully trained do you live, love, and serve like your teacher?
• What will you do next? 

Sorry

This afternoon I was driving back from Indianapolis and I was hungry. Because I was by myself the question came to me, "Where is somewhere that I can go for lunch that my wife and children typically will not allow me to go?" Immediately I exclaimed, "White Castle!"

I should explain that my wife hates White Castle, she hates the taste, she hates the smell, she hates the long-reaching effects (they are called "belly bombs" and "sliders" for a reason). 

So there I was, at the White Castle drive-thru, ordering a sack of burgers. And, as I placed my order, I knew that I would soon have to apologize to my wife for my actions. But, regardless, I went ahead and ordered a sack. 

Driving down the road it didn't take long before the burgers were gone. In their place was a stomach aching from an act of gluttony, a car reaking from grease, onions, and pickles, eyes filled with regret, a mind flooded with sorrow, and a heart desiring to repent. 

And even though I knew in advance that my wife would not approve of my actions, and that I would need to make amends and apologize to her for the damage I was doing to my body and to her vehicle, I went ahead, ordered and consumed multiple burgers.

 

This afternoon I am paying for my actions! 

I cannot help but reflect on how closely this resembles our spiritual life. 

So often we are tempted by a selfish desire and - even though we know that it will do damage to our body, our mind, our heart, our soul, and those who are closest to us - we move forward. 

We navigate the road, pull into the drive-thru, place our order, and consume as much as we can. All the while we know that we will soon have to appologize and repent of our ways. 

We focus on the temptation that is before us until the temptation becomes sin in our life. 

What we are left with is a body that has sinned, a mind flooded with sorrow, a heart that desires to repent, and a soul that is broken. 

You see, The most troubling aspect about our sin is that we are scarred for the future. 

Even as I sit this afternoon, still feeling the effects of the burgers, still knowing the pain that I have caused my wife (in her vehicle anyhow) I have to admit that I could eat another "slider" right now. 

It is the same way with our sin. What once was a surface level desire - a temptation that otherwise would pass by - has the ability to imbed itself deep into our life. Over time our temptation becomes sin, our sin becomes addiction, and our addiction becomes our identity. 

So, the next time you are tempted by a selfish desire, call out to God. Let him remind you of the far-reaching pain that your sin will cause - to yourself, to those closest to you, and to Him. 

Give Me One Hundred

 

I was reminded of this quote of John Wesley's the other day, "Give me one hundred..."

As I contemplated this statement I allowed my imagination to run. As a local church Pastor I spend hours considering how I might inspire large groups of people to take up the call and fulfill the mission that Jesus has called The Church to; "Go and make disciples of all nations..."

Yet, this statement is not about inspiring the masses. This statement has to do with pouring into leaders and inspiring those that have a heart and a passion for God and for His kingdom. This statement speaks of those who have not only recognized God's call, but have taken it up - accepting and affirming His call in their lives. This statements speaks of those that have a heart - and love - for God and a desire to share His love with all those they encounter. 

As I continued to contemplate this statement I found myself shifting my focus. I shifted my focus from simply inspiring The Church as a whole. I shifted my focus toward identifying the leaders that God was calling me to pour into and inspiring them. 

Then, as I continued to contemplate this statement, I was wrecked by a convicting question; "Am I one of the one hundred?". 

Am I one of the one hundred that truly fear nothing but sin? One of the one hundred that have a boldness to call sin sin rather than striving to appease others with soft language and softer discipline?

Am I one of the one hundred that truly desire nothing but God? One of the one hundred that show evidence of my commitment to God through the use of my time, my attention, my money, my talents, and my resources?

Am I one of the one hundred that will truly shake the gates of hell? One of the one hundred that will go up against the perversion, the sin, and the evil that dominates our culture, ruins lives, and seems to be overcoming our world?

Am I one of the one hundred that will truly set up the kingdom of heaven on earth? One of the one hundred that will live a life of joy, hope, and love that will transform lives and change the world?

Am I one of the one hundred?

As I continue to contemplate this statement, let me invite you to do the same. Let me invite you to go through this statement, line by line, and ask yourself "Am I one of the one hundred?". 

Give me one hundred who fear nothing but sin...

Give me one hundred who desire nothing but God...

Give me one hundred who will shake the gates of hell...

Give me one hundred who will set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth...

Fear and Uncertainty In The Garden

As we draw closer to Resurrection (Easter) Sunday, I want to continue to bring focus to the final days - the final hours - of Jesus' life before His crucifixion. This week I wanted to look at the arrest of Jesus. Jesus' arrest is recorded in each of the four Gospels, however each of the Gospel writers included descriptive details that add to the account. So, below is the account of Jesus' arrest as told by the four Gospel writers to give us the most vivid detail of what happened on that night in the Garden of Gethsemane. 

John 18:2-12

² Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.³ So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.(swords and clubs) ⁴ Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” ⁵ “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) ⁶ When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ⁷ Again he asked them,  “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. ⁸ Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” ⁹ This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.”

Mark 14:44-45

⁴⁴ Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard.” ⁴⁵ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 

Luke 22:48-49

⁴⁸ but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”⁴⁹ When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 

John 18:10-11

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) ¹¹ Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

Luke 22:51

“No more of this!” And Jesus touched the man’s ear and healed him.

Matthew 26:52-54

⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

John 18:12

¹² Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him

Mark 14:48-52a

⁴⁸ “Am I leading a rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? ⁴⁹ Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me.

Luke:22:53b

But this is your hour – when darkness reigns

Matthew26:56a

But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled

Mark 14:50

⁵⁰ Then everyone deserted him and fled. ⁵¹ A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him,⁵² he fled naked, leaving his garment behind. (This is widely believed to have been John Mark)

After reading this account it is obvious that there was much fear. The soldiers and religious leaders were afraid of the crowds and/or a riot Peter was afraid of defeat. The disciples were afraid of embarrassment and/or persecution. But Jesus was confident in God’s will for Him and God’s plan for humanity.  

Likewise, there was an uncertainty in the air that night as Jesus was arrested and was led away by the Roman officials and the religious leaders of the day. This is what darkness - sin, evil, Satan - does, fear gives way to uncertainty and it drives a wedge between us and God. If we are not faithful to Him we find that we are running - scared and embarrassed - and we may find it difficult to return to The One who is able to comfort us, calm us, and saves us from our deepest fears and uncertainty. 

I Don't Want To Be A Disciple

Below is a portion of what I recently taught to a small group of mature believers at our church.

Matthew 26:36-46

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

Mark 14:32-42

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"

·        What does it take to pray “Your will be done”?

·        What does Jesus ask of His disciples?

o       Sit here

o       Stay awake

·        What does Jesus ask of the inner three?

o       Stay awake

o       Bear my sorrow

o       Watch with me

o       Pray for Me

We begin as disciples of Jesus’ and we are called to “sit here” (remain connected to Him) and to “stay awake” (don’t drift away from Him). But, as we progress in our relationship with Jesus and in our maturity in our faith we become a part of the “inner core”. As mature believers we are no longer given the simple instruction of “sit here” and “stay awake” – remaining with Jesus without drifting away become the most basic points of our commitment. As mature believers we are called to bear the burdens of Christ – when His heart breaks, our heart breaks – we are called to watch with Jesus – to recognize and confront evil and sin in the world around us – and we are called to pray for Him – as the front line soldiers in this battle with Satan we pray for Christ’s ultimate return and reign.

I don’t want to be a disciple. I want to be much, much more.

To be a follower of Jesus'...

John 13:1-3 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

Understanding what “Jesus knew” is essential to understanding what Jesus did!

Jesus knew:

• The time of His Father had come (vs. 1)
• He would “leave” the world (vs. 1)
• He would return to His Father (vs. 1)
• His Father had put all things under His power (vs. 3)
• He came from God (vs. 3)
• He was returning to God (vs. 3)

John 13:4-5 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Jesus' activity:

• He got up (vs. 4)
• He took off His outer clothes (vs. 4)
• He wrapped a towel around His waist (vs. 4)
• He washed their feet (vs. 5)

As followers of Jesus, we too must:

• Get up
  • Get up from our place of honor
  • Get up from our attitudes of pride
  • Get rid of our illusion that this is in any way about us
• Take off the bib
  • We've had enough to eat
  • We've been fed long enough – most of us
• Put on an apron
  • This is going to be dirty – perhaps humiliating
  • This is going to be time consuming
  • This is going to require something from you
• Wash feet
  • It's time to lend a hand and serve
  • It's time to use the gifts God has given you
  • It's time follow the example set by Jesus
  • It's time to be a true follower – a disciple – of Jesus'

To be a follower of Jesus you must become a servant.

Picture it, Jesus is down on His knees before His disciples;

• Creator of the universe wiping away the mud that He created
• Living Water poured out on the feet of the people
• King of Kings lowered to the floor
• The God of glory serving a sinful people

It is important to note that Jesus even washed the feet of Judas – who He knew would betray Him.

John 13:11 For he knew who was going to betray him

What does this tell us about our call to serve as followers of Jesus'?

To be a follower of Jesus you must become a servant.

Saying YES to Jesus means...

Some thoughts on being a follower of Jesus from Luke 9:25-30;

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:  

Many would consider this as the mark of success in ministry, large crowds - great multitudes - of people traveling with them, hanging on every word that they spoke. Yet Jesus did not consider this success. At the moments that large crowds are traveling with Him, Jesus stops and begins to tell them of the many demands He has of them if they intend to be followers of His. 

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 

The word hate is used figuratively by Jesus to better illustrate the priority of the relationship. As a follower of Jesus, there can be no rival relationships. 

Saying "YES" to Jesus means saying "NO" to other relationships!

And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

The Roman cross had one purpose, it was a place to go and to die. As a follower of Jesus, a person must be willing to die to their selfish desires.

Saying "YES" to Jesus means saying "NO to yourself!

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 

Jesus pauses and tells two parables to bring up two distinct points about the same issue, being a follower of His. The first account of the unfinished tower tells the potential follower;

Consider the costs of your commitment to Jesus.

The second account of the king facing a potential war tells the potential follower; 

Consider the costs of opposing Jesus.  

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Being a follower of Jesus comes with great demands - on our time, on our resources, on our finances, on our families, and on us. As a follower of Jesus, a person must be willing to give up anything Jesus demands.

Saying "YES" to Jesus means saying "NO" to everything else!

Being a follower of Jesus requires total commitment.

So, here are a few questions to consider:

What relationships in your life come before Jesus?

What demands are too much for you to carry?

What costs are you not willing to pay?

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ

No one comes before You, Jesus.

Nothing comes before You, Jesus.

I am Your disciple.

You are my Master.

You are my Savior.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Consider The Cost

I started reading the book “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman. He writes about John Oros, a church leader in Romania during the communist era who vividly lived the cost of being a Christian.

When John spoke at the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, he’d talk to individuals who had decided to become Christians.

He would say things like, “It is so good that you want to become a Christian but there is a price to be paid… why don’t you reconsider what you want to do, because many things could happen to you-you can lose, and lose big.”

He would go on to say to those who followed through and got baptized, “When you give your testimony, there will be informers who will jot down your name.

Tomorrow the problems will start. Count the cost. Christianity is not easy. It’s not cheap. You can be demoted. You can lose your job. You can lose your friends. You can lose your neighbors. You can lose your kids. You can lose even your own life.”

John wanted to get everyone to a place where following Jesus was so important to them, that if they lost everything it would still be worth it.

So, if following Jesus would cost YOU everything, would it still be worth it?