WHAT DOES IT REALLY TAKE TO BE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?
Simple obedience? The word “obey” is one of the least used and understood words in American culture today. It seems antiquated, irrelevant and
YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU DO
You’ve just been introduced to someone for the first time. There are a couple of niceties exchanged and then without fail, almost
WHY YOU WILL WANT TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT
There are so many challenges you face every day, that if you don’t get in shape and toughen up, you will not
THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF A MAN’S LIFE
There are four areas of Life that every man faces every day. And the way they are handled will bring either joy
LEARN GOD’S TAKE ON MONEY
The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, fewer than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses about money!In fact, 15
GOD’S POWER TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE
If you are a married man or plan on getting married you will expect to be happily married to the woman you
DEFINING SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF
"Show Me The Money!" That line out of the Tom Cruise movie, Jerry Maguire, pretty much tells the story for most American men.
8 STEPS TO A HAPPY MARRIAGE
Knowing what it takes to consistently love your wife in such a way that it guarantees that you will have a happy
7 STEPS TO CREATING INTIMACY WITH GOD
God made you. God loves you. God has a purpose for your life. The classic definition from the Westminster Catechism sums up our
WHO’S GOT YOUR BACK?
I’m a guy who, probably like you, prefers action movies. My favorites almost always seem to be battles of war based on
HOW TO HANDLE BULLIES!
There isn’t a single human on earth who at some point doesn’t have to deal with a bully. Define bully any way
MAYBE FOLLOWING JESUS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
“They left everything and followed him.” Lk 5:11After meeting Jesus the apostles made a radical decision that would change their lives forever. But
WHY IS THE “GOSPEL” CALLED GOOD NEWS?
Our men’s Bible study was looking to get a better grip on the meaning of the “Gospel. ”So we asked, “What exactly is
TAKING THINGS FOR GRANTED?
On occasion I’m able to walk the beach and catch a sunrise. The beauty and magnificence of God’s artwork can take anyone’s
HOW COME YOUR FAITH ISN’T GETTING YOU WHAT YOU WANT?
Okay so maybe you have been standing firm in your faith believing God for something you truly believe is His will. Could be
YOU CAN’T STOP GOD’S BLESSINGS!
Does it ever seem to you that sometimes God’s blessings are unstoppable?Unstoppable for others that is! Why does God do that? You peer
MAYBE FOLLOWING JESUS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
“They left everything and followed him?”
After meeting Jesus the apostles made a radical decision that would change their lives forever.
But what did they really believe they were leaving? And what did they think following Jesus would get them?
In that day the apostles were just average folk grinding out a living. Life had little to offer them beyond the day to day monotony of sheer existence. They lived under the rule of the Roman Empire with little to no freedom. They were second class citizens working to pay taxes to a pagan government without a homeland of their own.
The only thing to look forward to was the possibility of a Messiah coming on the scene during their lifetime. And that was a longshot.
The prophets predicted that the Messiah would free their country and restore Israel to a place of world domination and the kingdom of God on earth.
When they heard that John the baptizer was claiming that this Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, they became curious and hopeful. And after meeting Jesus, they were convinced he indeed was the Anointed one who came to save his people.
So when Jesus asked each one of them to follow him, what did they think they were leaving?
Likely they believed that they could leave behind a hopeless, dead end life with no
possibility of prospering.
And what did they think they were gaining by following this Jesus?
Perhaps getting their own country back again which could mean freedom, power, position and prosperity.
So leaving everything behind to follow Jesus was not so much a decision of sacrifice and surrender as it was for personal gain. Never had it occurred to them that following Jesus meant giving up their lives and ultimately being put to death.
How true is that today?
How many people make a decision to follow Jesus because their expectations are like those of the early disciples? They want a better life free from the oppression and suffering felt in the daily grind.
They want peace, prosperity, and happiness. They want the perfect spouse, a better job, control over any negative or oppressive circumstances and the assurance that Jesus will bless them beyond their wildest imagination.
Few would expect that following Jesus means giving up everything and surrendering control over my life for his Lordship. That would require of course a commitment to abandon all expectations of the perfect life on earth and agree to whatever Jesus calls them to.
Whether it be a life of sacrifice and hardship or a life of relative ease and blessing, the Jesus follower will give up everything to gain His presence, power and intimacy. And the Lord can then lead his followers in ways that can accomplish the will of God on earth as it is in Heaven.
Maybe we need to re-evaluate our reason for following Jesus and ask Him to help us have the right motive along with the courage to give up everything to gain more of Him.
MAYBE FOLLOWING JESUS ISN’T SUCH A GOOD IDEA?
“They left everything and followed him?”
After meeting Jesus the apostles made a radical decision that would change their lives forever.
But what did they really believe they were leaving? And what did they think following Jesus would get them?
In that day the apostles were just average folk grinding out a living. Life had little to offer them beyond the day to day monotony of sheer existence. They lived under the rule of the Roman Empire with little to no freedom. They were second class citizens working to pay taxes to a pagan government without a homeland of their own.
The only thing to look forward to was the possibility of a Messiah coming on the scene during their lifetime. And that was a longshot.
The prophets predicted that the Messiah would free their country and restore Israel to a place of world domination and the kingdom of God on earth.
When they heard that John the baptizer was claiming that this Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah, they became curious and hopeful. And after meeting Jesus, they were convinced he indeed was the Anointed one who came to save his people.
So when Jesus asked each one of them to follow him, what did they think they were leaving?
Likely they believed that they could leave behind a hopeless, dead end life with no
possibility of prospering.
And what did they think they were gaining by following this Jesus?
Perhaps getting their own country back again which could mean freedom, power, position and prosperity.
So leaving everything behind to follow Jesus was not so much a decision of sacrifice and surrender as it was for personal gain. Never had it occurred to them that following Jesus meant giving up their lives and ultimately being put to death.
How true is that today?
How many people make a decision to follow Jesus because their expectations are like those of the early disciples? They want a better life free from the oppression and suffering felt in the daily grind.
They want peace, prosperity, and happiness. They want the perfect spouse, a better job, control over any negative or oppressive circumstances and the assurance that Jesus will bless them beyond their wildest imagination.
Few would expect that following Jesus means giving up everything and surrendering control over my life for his Lordship. That would require of course a commitment to abandon all expectations of the perfect life on earth and agree to whatever Jesus calls them to.
Whether it be a life of sacrifice and hardship or a life of relative ease and blessing, the Jesus follower will give up everything to gain His presence, power and intimacy. And the Lord can then lead his followers in ways that can accomplish the will of God on earth as it is in Heaven.
Maybe we need to re-evaluate our reason for following Jesus and ask Him to help us have the right motive along with the courage to give up everything to gain more of Him.