Keith Burnett Ministries

Equipping for Evangelism

Three Life-Changing Words

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Which life mission are you on? It could be marriage, parenting, leadership, or any number of Kingdom assignments. And I am sure you want success in that life mission. Can three words guarantee that success? Do we have an example of three words guaranteeing success? The answers to both questions are a resounding: YES! And your success may depend on knowing these three words. So let’s look and learn.

Life-Changing Words: A History

Elijah was on a life mission. The account of his life and ministry begins abruptly in I Kings 17. His first task was simple yet daunting. Elijah was told to confront King Ahab. Elijah was faithful to God while Ahab was not. According to I Kings 16:30, Ahab did what was evil in the eyes of the Lord. And Ahab’s evil deeds included his marriage to Jezebel. Jews were commanded not to marry Gentiles and not to worship idols. Ahab did both.

Elijah was faithful to deliver God’s message of judgment to the king. That’s noteworthy because Ahab could have ordered Elijah’s execution. Then some amazing, miraculous events unfold. The balance of I Kings 17 is concerned with two locations and the events that unfolded in each. But the common element between the places and the events are the three words that guaranteed Elijah’s success. And they can insure our success.

Life Mission: Stay At The Brook

Have you ever been given instructions that just didn’t make sense? Elijah got some odd instructions just after he delivered God’s message of impending judgment. Notice I Kings 17:3-4 –

Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.

Elijah’s overarching life mission was: God’s Messenger (prophet). And like modern day disciples, Elijah had to complete other missions to complete his major role. Why did Elijah have to hide? Ahab had not yet threatened Elijah’s life. And what’s up with getting breakfast and dinner from a bunch of birds? For this post, it’s enough to note the odd assignments. The important thing here is those three words. Did you catch them? If not…

…I have commanded…

Notice that God was commanding Elijah about his destination. But the Lord’s message to His servant also included, I have commanded… And that meant those black birds were going to do a new thing. When had birds ever brought food to people? Why should Elijah have believed it would happen? It’s simple: When God commands His words become reality. And here’s the newsflash:

God isn’t concerned with the fact that His commands don’t make sense to us!

That’s not a bad thing! It’s a good thing. He is infinite while we are finite. He is the One Who knows the end from the beginning. So God is the only One Who knows enough to command.

The Power In Three Words

Here’s a simple and profound truth: God’s commands carry all the power and provision necessary for accomplishment. Need another example? Think about the night Jesus walked on the water (John 6). Peter believed, and stated, that if Jesus told him to walk on the water that he would able to do so. Peter was right. Jesus then told Peter, Come. And Peter got out of the boat and walked toward Jesus. The Savior’s command contained the power for accomplishment.

Elijah’s success in his life mission depended on believing the Word: I have commanded… That’s true for you and me. And just to underscore the point, the balance of I Kings 17 is built on the same three words. When it was time to leave the brook and move to Zarephath those three words were used again. I Kings 17:9 is where we see them:

Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.

This command didn’t make any more sense than birds bringing breakfast. We won’t get into that now. Just see that Elijah was doing something very simple: believing and obeying. He knew something we seem to easily forget:

The power behind, “I have commanded,” is unlimited.

Your Life Mission

If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ then you have an overarching life mission. What is it? You are a disciple. As a disciple you will have other missions and tasks. Some of those were mentioned in the opening paragraph. But let’s focus on the big mission. What does it take to succeed at being a disciple? Let’s see how I have commanded relates to that:

  • Love one another… John 13:34-35
  • Study to show yourself approved… 2 Timothy 2:15
  • Go, make disciples of all nations… Matthew 28:19-20

life missionCan you love those difficult people? Yes, because you have been commanded to do so. The command carries the power. Can you study the Word of God and learn more of Him. Yes, because you have been commanded to do so. Can you nurture immature believers into mature disciples? Yes, because you have been commanded to do so. Surely by now you get the idea.

And then there are all those other missions. Does the Word address them? Probably. Are there commands associated with those life missions? In most cases, Yes! How about that marriage mission? God’s command is this: Love your wife as Christ loved the Church and give Himself for it. That’s in Ephesians 5. The chapter closes with a command for wives to respect their husbands.

What if there’s not a specific command for a mission in your life? In that case we have a promise in Philippians 4:13 to let us know our Father’s power can enable us to succeed. And then there are the three words behind the three words. What??? Stay with me! How could Elijah trust commands that didn’t make sense? How can you and I do the same? I have commanded should be enough. But that is often not the case. What three words make I have commanded so easy to follow?

Wait for it…

And wait for it…

Three Words In The Background

life missionWe learned what we really needed to know in our earliest years. That’s because we learned the simplest, clearest truths. And here it is:

God is good!

All He is and all He commands flows from His goodness. He can only command that which is good. Trust Him as Elijah did. Obey Him as Elijah did. And don’t be surprised if some unexplainable, miraculous successes are part of your life.

Soli Deo Gloria! 

Related Post

Winning the War That Matters, 2

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Equipping Mission Volunteers

The previous post was about worship as a weapon of our warfare. Worship was God’s chosen weapon to deliver Judah from destruction. There are three things we also need to know:

  • Worship is one tool of fully equipped mission volunteers
  • The words of Jesus teach this truth
  • We need a deeper understanding of this mighty weapon

Worship – Essential for Mission Volunteers

Every Christian is a mission volunteer. You weren’t drafted. Remember Revelation 3:20. Jesus stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. He doesn’t beat the door down. Surrendering our lives to Him is synonymous with volunteering to serve. That said, the our lives are on mission for Him and the missions come from Him. That’s how Jesus lived on earth and it’s how we are to live. The proof is here:

As the Father has sent Me, so send I you.

Life LessonsNot only are we on mission, we have been equipped to succeed in our assigned missions. And that equipping is also an important lesson. I have often written about mission volunteers. In most instances that refers to people who are part of a short-term mission team. I talk about the need to equip those volunteers for they work they have been called to do. Why do they need equipping? So they can succeed in their mission and complete the work at hand.

Think about it! By His grace, Jesus has equipped us for every good work. Since one of our missions is to sow the seed of the Gospel, how does He equip us for that work? Notice:

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

He supplies the seed, multiplies it, and increases the harvest. He thoroughly equips us. This reminder of how Jesus equips us should also encourage us to be like Him. Imitating Him means we have the opportunity (responsibility) to equip those He has called to His service.

Jesus Speaks 

David was inspired to write many of the Psalms. Psalm 8 is one of those. There we find:

From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength because of Your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

Please notice the word strength. The Hebrew word for strength is oz. In the Old Testament it is translated as:

  • Strength, 60 times
  • Strong, 17 times
  • Power, 11 times
  • Might, 2 times
  • Boldness, 1 time
  • Loud, 1 time
  • Mighty, 1 time

In Matthew 21, Jesus quotes this verse when the Pharisees told Him to quiet the crowd at the Triumphal Entry. There we see this:

[They] said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”

Now, the New Testament is written in Greek. Did you notice how Jesus changed the words? Here, Jesus says God has ordained praise.  The Greek word for praise is ainos. It is used only two times in the New Testament and both times it is translated as praise. See:

Did Jesus misquote the Scripture? That’s not really possible since He is the Living Word of God (see John 1). So what are we to conclude based on the fact that Jesus is the One speaking? For Christians,

Praise (Worship) = Strength (Power)

That’s the only thing we can conclude because God is not a man that He should lie. He cannot misquote His own Word.

Toward a Deeper Understanding

Mission VolunteersIs worship just that time you spend at church on Sunday morning? For some preachers it’s what they have to sit through before they preach. Is worship just the music we use (contemporary or traditional)? The enemy has deceived many regarding their understanding of God’s great worship gift. Our enemy is delighted if our understanding of worship runs no deeper than these surface examples. Worship is truly a deep subject!

Volumes have been written on worship. I will offer only two examples to spur your thinking. But rest assured there is much more to be said and learned. Two apostles show us the nature and depth of God’s gift of worship power:

Peter calls us a royal priesthood. That means:

  • We belong to the King
  • We are not our own
  • Priests served at the temple 24/7/365

In Romans, Paul called us to be living sacrifices.

  • A sacrifice was whole, not part
  • Giving of ourselves is continual – all of me, all the time
  • Our sacrifice is our service of worship

Worship is all of the time we spend in our community of faith. It is all the hours of every day. And it is all to be presented to God as a pleasing sacrifice. We are called to it, equipped for it, and will be blessed by it. God’s winners are worshipers!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

 

Imitation Challenge

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Keith Burnett portraitImitation is the sincerest form of flattery! That’s how the old saying goes. Maybe we should say:

  • Imitation is the sincerest form of worship

Does that cause questions? We should note a couple of things before we start asking too many questions.

First, Jesus was perfect. He stated His own agenda on earth as imitating His Father:

  • John 8:28
  • John 8:38
  • John 12:49
  • John 12:50
  • John 14:10

We are to have the same agenda. Now, if there is any quality of adoration in imitation, then we can safely say that imitating God is worshiping Him. Even if someone made a case against imitation as part of worship, we cannot take away the fact that our perfect Lord perfectly met His goals:

Doing what He saw the Father do, and saying what He heard the Father say

Therefore, we must be imitators as well (see Ephesians 5:1).

I loveThere is a specific point of imitation I want to mention. A word search on ‘compassion’ turns up the times Scripture says Jesus was moved with compassion. He had a compassionate love for people. Many did not respond favorably. His compassion for them was not meant to get a specific response. He was loving and compassionate because they were there. If you did the word search, check the references.

Jesus loved others because it was His nature to do so. So should we. Christians are often guilty of “loving” the lost as a means to win them. If it’s real, that’s great. Here is the test:

Do we keep loving them when they have rejected the Gospel?

Jesus loved them even as they placed thorns on His head! Now, apply compassionate love to those who have already accepted Him:

  • Do we actively love the family of God (all the family)?
  • Is it easier to love selected ones of my brothers and sisters?

If so, the Word says we have not surpassed the love of pagans for even they love those that love them. Our love for one another is supposed to be a noticeable, marking trait of our faith.

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart,” I Peter 1:22. This version says fervently love one another. The KJV calls for unfeigned love. Whichever way we say it, the more we practice it the more effective we will be!

The Imitation Challenge

Here’s the challenge: Pick out just one of those brothers or sisters that it may be challenging to actively, genuinely love. Ask the Father to help you imitate His love for them. Keep asking Him. Commit yourself to the task. Pray for them and pray for yourself.

We can pray for this and know it is the Lord’s will. We also know He already wants to accomplish it. How different would modern churches and ministries would look if we pursued loving one another like this? It can change. It can start with me, or you, or us.

Soli Deo Gloria!

[originally published March, 2015]

Inescapable Love

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Love

Inescapable Love

Love Encourages

Have you ever been down, discouraged, and/or depressed? If we are honest, we’ve all been there. Sometimes I get there. The opportunities I have for missions, evangelism, and the Gospel are mind-boggling! My mind wants to chase the How do we get it all done? questions. That can lead to discouragement because only God’s power and provision will turn opportunities into reality.

Love Labors

I understand Who has the power and the provision. But that does not mean we are not to work hard for the Gospel. Christ labored in love for His Father and for us. The New Testament tells us to:

To those ends, I’ll use several posts during July to highlight some of the tremendous opportunities we have. They are truly God-sized! And I know God has appointed some people to help turn them into reality. I just don’t know who they are (yet!).

Love is Sufficient

God’s Word is sufficient in all things. It tells us the many things His love has provided. I hope this passage encourages you. It encourages me:

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written, “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”  But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:33-39, NASB

Soli Deo Gloria!

Walk in Love; How?

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Keith Burnett portraitI Like Simple 

The more writing I do the more likely it is I will be remembered for two things:

  • I Like Simple
  • Sonic Drive-in

One’s preferences and habits have a way of showing up in blogs, lessons, and sermons! In this case, it’s I Like Simple. And there is a very simple command given to us in Ephesians 5:1 –

Therefore, be imitators of God as dear children

In terms of a command, that is pretty straightforward and simple. I quote and teach this verse regularly. As simple as it may sound, how does one imitate Christ? Truthfully, there are many ways to do this. But Paul immediately gave an answer when he wrote the command –

And walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

walk in loveOK. Imitating Him means walking in love. When the Bible speaks of walking in righteousness, or love, or various other things the idea is daily living. The thoughts are simple, but the scope is huge!

To Walk In Love

Walk in love…My life/your life is to be consumed and characterized by choices made for the good of others. Which others? That, Detective, is the right question! To walk in love is to love God with my whole being (whole heart, soul, mind & strength). Additionally, it would mean:

  • Loving the family of God
  • Acting with love toward those who will never believe the Gospel and receive God’s gift of salvation
  • Loving those who will be hostile to me because of what I believe
  • Responding in love to those who are happy to be loved but will not return it
  • Allowing fellow believers (we share the same call to love!) to love me
  • Giving to the needs of others
  • Preferring others in the family of God over myself
  • To walk in love…means being a living example of Jesus Christ

Sounds hard, doesn’t it? The same one inspired to write these simple things was also inspired to write another simple thing:

I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength

You’ll recognize that from Philippians 4:13. And these simple things demand a decision: He’s either trustworthy or He isn’t. There’s no middle ground. I don’t know where these things challenge you. My challenges come in trusting for enough mission volunteers and financial resources to teach pastors, build churches, rescue women from sex trafficking/prostitution, install water systems, clothe orphans, maintain a ministry, etc. Is He faithful? Yes! Do I have to know how He will make provision to love through me? No. That’s why it’s called faith.

Commit to be an imitator of Him. He can and will take care of the rest!

Soli Deo Gloria!

PS: Originally published March 2015 – edited.

Goal Of The Gold – End Zone Object Lesson

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Gold

Goal Of The Gold – End Zone Object Lesson

Gold, goals, and end zones… How can these three things be connected? And what object lesson could they possibly teach? Well, those answers are much easier than you might think!

Images & Object Lessons

goldJesus taught with vivid imagery. And many good teachers have followed His example. Images help us remember. So I am using some powerful images for that same purpose. My goal is to help you grow in Godly living. Why? Because that benefits you, me, our culture, and the Kingdom.

Goals are familiar to everyone. Sometimes we set a goal. Other times we are reaching for a goal. And then there are those times we are yelling and screaming because someone ran the ball across the goal line. So goals are part of everyone’s experience this time of year. That might be in the form of some upcoming New Year’s Resolutions and/or when your team is in the big game. Whatever the case, I want those goals to remind you of the lesson in this series of posts.

goldGold represents the resources we have for living life. Everyone is concerned with it. We work for it. Financial planners help us manage it. Things like IRA’s, 401K’s, and other retirement instruments help us grow our gold and meet our goals! And if growing one’s gold is valuable, then it’s even better to grow in Godly living.

End zone celebrations… I am not sure what image or images that brings to your mind. But I am sure you have one! And I’ll warn you now that I have a twist on that image. But that’s for later. And I hope this series will come to your mind when you see your next holiday, end zone celebration!

Gold In Instruction

goldThe object lesson begins with a simple instruction found in Ephesians 5:1. We are to be imitators of God. There is vivid imagery behind the words imitators as dear children. We’ve all seen a child mimic its parent. That can happen when they step in our footprints, speak as we do, or dress like their parent. The little guy in the picture is a superb example of this idea. And that is how you and I are supposed to be in terms of imitating God.

So let me leave you with some questions. Is imitating God one of your goals? How does gold help us imitate God? And how will an end zone celebration remind you to be an imitator of God?

goldProverbs 16:16 tells us wisdom is better than gold. So maybe the object lesson will move us toward appreciating Godly wisdom more than gold. If so, that’s a huge step forward in Godly living! More next time…stay tuned!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

 

It’s About Time…

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Time

It’s About Time…

Time is… How many ways could we finish that sentence? I have only one answer today. It’s all about time and time is running out!

Time: Redeem It 

Scripture teaches to redeem our time. The idea in that instruction is for us to take advantage of the seasons just like the merchants do. Whatever our season, or time, we are to use it for Kingdom purposes. That’s a very practical command. It reminds us that time is a valuable commodity at our disposal. We should use it wisely.

Resources: Invest 

Another practical application of Scripture is laying up treasure in heaven. I’ve known people who thought any discussion of resources or money couldn’t be a spiritual discussion. But Scripture addresses our use of money more than it does the subject of heaven or hell. Jesus’ comments about heavenly treasure teach us that our earthly resources can be invested for eternal purposes. That’s practical and spiritual! And Jesus’ words show us His Word has so much to say about our use of earthly treasures:

Where you heart is, there your treasure will be also – Jesus

Time & Money

Mission: Hope has been given a matching contribution. Every dollar up to $200,000.00 will be matched. Time runs out May 26. If there was ever an opportunity to redeem the time this is it. And this is my reminder for you to take advantage of the opportunity!

There is info HERE as well as below my sign-off. So do something very spiritual with whatever God has entrusted you to give!

Soli Deo Gloria!

HOW TO: Use the helping hands links in this post to donate electronically. In the ‘comments’ section on the donation screen just type in evangelism or my name and your contribution will be available for use in our Evangelism budget, including by the two teams I will be with in June. Mission: Hope will receive the matching gift to further many other projects. I know many still prefer to write a check. That’s OK, too. Make it payable to Mission: Hope and send it to me at:

  • Keith Burnett Ministries
  • PO Box 803
  • Scottsboro, AL 35768
Belize

Helping Hands Link

Memo your check as described above. We will scan it, note it, get in the right hands, and send you a Thank You! letter. And let me ask you to do 2 more things. First, say a prayer when you make your contribution. Please thank the Lord for people with the means and generosity to set up a matching gift challenge. That’s certainly in order. Second, pray that your doubled gift will help further the name and cause of Jesus Christ wherever it is used.

Family: Our House, Church House, White House

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Family

Family: Our House, Church House, White House

A family can survive without a nation, but a nation cannot survive with the family. That truth tells us a great deal. And I want to unpack just a few things from it. Let’s start at the White House.

Family: The White House

FamilyA viewer requested a devotional about the family in response to our recent Facebook Live post. When I posted Bro. Bob: Earaches, Moms and Psalms I wasn’t looking at it in terms of family, but there’s much to learn about family in that piece. And since we are winding down on a long election season, a note on government is in order!

Our nation is in peril. Most would agree on that. But answers won’t come from the White House. Two Scriptures come to mind regarding our dependence on governmental leadership. The first one addresses it directly:

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

The contrast is the object of our trust. We can trust:

  • Government
  • Political leaders (commanders of chariots and horses)
  • Military might (chariots and horses)
  • Our Heavenly Father

We know the right answer. But if trusting the Lord is the right thing, is government going to teach us that? You know that answer as well!

The second verse may be even more familiar:

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.

So where does one learn righteousness?

Family: The Church House

FamilyIf your answer was, The Church House, then you are partially correct. And this touches on a great lie Satan has pushed onto God’s people. I have reached the place where I can say I have decades of ministry experience. People in the Church often have the mistaken idea that it’s the Church’s job to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. The job of the Church is to help in that process. And a good Church will do that.

Family: Our House

This is where it’s all meant to happen. This place verifies the truth of the opening quote. If you clicked the link above and saw the entire verse from Ephesians you saw who has the primary responsibility for righteousness. It’s fathers. And that lets us connect all three houses!

Family: The Three Houses

We have a rather deplorable scene in the political arena. We want to blame the candidates. That’s far easier and much less painful than the truth. The muck of lies and corruption we see daily are a symptom of failure in families. That failure didn’t start yesterday. It, too, has been going on for decades.

Can we benefit from righteous leaders? Absolutely. But righteous leaders are most often forged in the fire of Godly families led by Godly men. Those families will change the Church. And healthy churches who understand their commission to make disciples who in turn make disciples will change the nation.

So what’s the answer. Today the answer is prayer. I see no other. And what should our prayer be? First, we offer prayers of repentance. You think that’s not necessary because you did a pretty good job with your family. Even if that’s true, the prayer is in order. Why? Because as a nation we have not done very well. The evidence is all around us. Just turn on the news. And if righteous men like Isaiah (see chapter 59) and Daniel can pray prayers of repentance for their nation, we should follow suit.Family

Second, most of us fathers are willing to admit that we tried our best to raise righteous children. We probably didn’t succeed as well as we would have liked. Our gracious, loving heavenly Father also addresses that. Notice what He tells us through the prophet Joel:

So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.

FamilyRighteous leaders are built in the family home. If/when there is a lack of them the only answer is the mighty hand of God. He can, and will, restore what His people have lost. But it begins with His people, who are called by His name, humbling themselves and turning from their sin. That sounds a lot like a prayer of repentance. And remember, repentance is good, good word. It is allowed by the grace of God!

Soli Deo Gloria! 

 

 

Can Things Change?

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change

Can Things Change?

Why are things the way they are? How can they change? Is the goal simply to achieve change or is it something more? To answer any of these, one must know how things got the way they are. And this is true in:

  • Our personal lives
  • The lives of our children
  • Your church
  • Our businesses
  • This nation

Things Can Change! 

See Link Below

See Link Below

Limitations of space do not permit an essay on how things got the way they are. It is simple enough, and obvious enough, that most of the blame lies at the church house rather than the White House. And the change almost anyone would like to see won’t come from the White House. It will come through the Church.

What we haven’t done very well is imitate our Master. You didn’t know that was a requirement? This is the command at the beginning of Ephesians 5:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

Jesus told us if we have seen Him then we have seen the Father. So if we want to see lasting, positive change we must ask ourselves if Jesus gave us an example. We are blessed to be able to say, Yes! And it’s not only is it possible to imitate His example, He commanded us to do so. Many of today’s problems wouldn’t exist if we were better imitators of Him. That’s why I said the blame lies largely at the church house.

Change Vs. Tranformationdead-horse-moved

Does an addict have a problem? Is generational poverty a problem? Can those things change? All answers are, Yes. But if we graded solutions as Good, Better, and Best, postive change would be Good and more change might be Better. But the Best grade is reserved for transformation. That was and is Jesus’ goal for those who follow Him. And He provided a pattern for transformation and a command to follow His example.

Before I share this rather simple example, let me say it can and will have a profound impact on:

  • Individuals
  • Parents
  • Marriages
  • Children
  • Churches
  • Cultures

Jesus’ Method Of Change

Our message today is, Come to church. Compare and contrast our message with what Jesus did. The first step in His transformation method is found in John 1:39. Notice:

He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.

Second, in Matthew 4:19 we see a slight change in Jesus’ invitation. Peter and Andrew were fishing:

And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

The disciples had already been with Jesus. They had lived a little bit of daily life with Him. And His invitation for them to follow had a purpose. He wanted to make them fishers of men. That is more than simple change. It is transformation! But Jesus’ example is not over. In Matthew 11:28-29 we see:

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 

Look at the verbs: Come, Take and Learn. Every person who has lived has experienced weariness. Accepting (taking His yoke) Jesus’ invitation allows one to cease mindless, futile, empty pursuits in this life. He rightly says it is easy because it is a labor of love (the Greatest Commandment). And loving Him above all else allows us to enter into His eternal rest.

And again, His example is ongoing. In John 15:4 Jesus said:

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

Things prior to this were tasks: Come see, Follow Me, and Come take and learn. This invitation is about our being. It addresses who one is on the inside. Abiding is the essential nature of one’s relationship wtih Jesus Christ. And His invitation is all about a relationship. We have made it a matter of religion. The two are very different.

The Final Step

The last step of Jesus’ transformation example is found in John 14:15 and John 15:14. Note that this command was given to His disciples after the Passover meal and just before Jesus was arrested and crucified. So in His timeline of transformational ministry this aspect came very late. In a short space of time, Jesus repeated the same idea:

If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:15

You are My friends if you do what I command you. John 15:14

Change

See Below 

So the final step is, Obey Me. That seems so at odds with modern church methods. We just tell people what to obey. Do this, don’t do that, and everything is fine.

So it’s no wonder we have this problem of college students dropping out of religous life, or ineffective churches, or a culture in decline. We just preach at people. Where are our invitations for others to come and see, to follow us, to learn from us, and to obey with us? That’s a great deal more demanding than, Come to church.

The good news is: transformation is always possible. Jesus said for us to make disciples of all nations. That means we start behind our own front doors, in our cars, in our churches, with our spouses, and watch Jesus change us from the inside out. That’s transformation. If we will do it, I am confident the culture around us will change one life, one family, and one church at a time!

Soli Deo Gloria! 


This outline of Jesus’ method of discipleship was developed in Jesus Christ, Disciplemaker by Bill Hull. It is a classic resource that every believer should read and re-read. See this post to know why purchasing through the link above helps this ministry.

 

 

Abandoned to: ?

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sold outDo you know any “sold-out” people?  We tend to admire athletes, coaches, and artists who have inspired us through intense devotion to their dreams.  These are people who abandoned themselves to achieve a larger-than-life goal. What does this have to do with Christian living or helping next year’s ministry calendar?

Our lives should be ones abandoned for Christ.  fanaticBut “abandonment” can carry a negative connotation.  The negative label attached to being abandoned for Christ is: Fanatic! Truthfully, a fanatic is often nothing more than a person who is more in love with Jesus than I am.

Paul said in Ephesians 5:1, Be imitators of Christ.  There is much to imitate!  One thing to imitate is recorded in Mark 14. Jesus and His disciples left the upper room, singing a song as they went out.  In traditional Jewish practice, several of the Psalms were sung in observance of Passover.  It’s likely (not certain) they were singing Psalm 136.  Think about it. Jesus just washed the disciples’ feet.  Judas left to betray Him.  The trials and the cross are before Him. What is He doing? Worshiping!

Psalm 136APsalm 136 is a ‘responsive’ song: #1-Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; #2-His love endures forever!; #1-Give thanks to the God of gods; #2-His love endures forever; and so on. I picture Jesus leading and the disciples responding.  He completely abandoned Himself to the Object of His worship. No matter the consequence, He was going to do that which glorified God!

To imitate Jesus, we must be abandoned in our worship. It’s about losing life in order to find it. A grain of wheat must fall to the earth, die, germinate, root, grow, and then produce a harvest.  Abandonment of ourselves is a foundational necessity.time And it has to apply to love, time, talent, treasure, and personal vulnerability. Jesus abandoned Himself to love the Father.  His time was His Father’s. All His talents supported the Father’s purposes. He abandoned Heaven’s treasures to be our Sacrifice. He was vulnerable to sinful, ungrateful crucifiers.

Worship is about more than songs and Sundays! If time is God’s, I can go. If treasure is His, I can give. If talent is the Lord’s, ….

Think about this:  If we refuse to be abandoned to Him, we inhibit the praise He promises to inhabit.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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