Go with Christ

I recently read an article by Mark Carver called, “Some Thoughts on Go and Make Disciples of All Nations” It really got me thinking about this whole realm of discipleship and following Christ.  The great commission comes from Matthew 28: 19-20:  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

All Christians are confronted with the command of Jesus found in the Great Commission that says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Most of us have thought through this verse. It is among the last recorded words of Jesus and therefore carry more weight. In this command there are three questions presented whose answers provide the framework for the task to which Jesus has called us to. Think about these verses, and we’ll take a look at some questions that need to be asked over the next few days.

Be wise today and always – Go with Christ.

Followhood

We have all heard of being part of the “hood” or priesthood, motherhood, fatherhood, etc. What would a group of sold out followers be called? Are you part of Jesus’ “followhood”? Jesus said in John 12:26: Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

I heard recently that insanity can be defined as: Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Another way to say it would be; Doing the same old things & expecting a different outcome. If we are not following Christ then we cannot complain about our circumstances. The original believers were called “Christ Followers”, and that is what we should be about doing in our daily lives.

Remember - “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”

Be wise today and always – be a Christ Follower.

Following Truths

Luke 9:23-26  Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. ²⁵ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? ²⁶ Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Three truths we must remember to follow Christ:

The DESIRE to Follow (v.23)

Following Jesus requires a deeper knowledge of God, a deeper desire to pray before acting, and a more serious reflection about the Christ found in Scripture. (“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13)

The DENIAL of Self (vv.24-26)

To follow Christ means to renounce one’s will and ways

By living for ourselves we die, by dying to ourselves we live. (Born twice die once)

The DAILY Walk (v.23)

Every new idea should be born of prayer, quiet reflection, and careful consideration of the steps and thoughts and heart of Jesus. (Daily dying to self)

“Go and preach the Gospel, and if you must, use words.”- St Francis

Be wise today and always – be consistent.

Follow Jesus

Jesus called His disciples by saying, “Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. They left their nets and boats and turned their lives over to Him. In essence he does the same with us we are called to “Follow Him”. As we turn our lives over to His will and ways we will be taught how to share the Gospel (be Fishers of men).

In order to follow someone you turn away from your past life of sin, turn your life over (towards) to Christ, and take the steps necessary to follow Him.

Jeremiah 10:23 -I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.

Proverbs 16:9- In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Galatians 5:24-25 –Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

1 Peter 2:21 - To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

Be wise today and always – keep in step with Christ.

Following Christ

For the next couple of weeks we’ll be exploring what it is to be a follower of Christ. I was recently reading a book by the famous preacher C H Spurgeon who over a hundred years ago had this to say about following Christ. Brethren remember, to keep close to Jesus Christ is right. It is in itself to keep close to integrity, for the Lord Jesus never stepped out of the right path. He never asks any of his followers to do anything which be a breach of the right, or which will make them turn aside from uprightness. If we could put our feet down exactly where his feet went down, even though we had to walk up to Calvary itself, it would be our duty so to do, for his path was perfect rectitude, and in him was no sin. We challenge heaven, with its omniscience, to detect a flaw in him. We challenge hell, with its malice, to discover in him an aught that is amiss. Lovers of the right and of the true, ask grace that you may be as he was. You cannot be more eminent for virtue than he. You cannot serve your God better. You cannot do better than keep close to every step that he has taken, and, whether in life or in death, to follow him. It is right, then, because he deserves it; it is right, again because in itself it is according to the eternal rules of equity.

Some things never change regardless of time. Jesus’ path was perfect may our desire be to follow Him as closely as possible. Amen?

Be wise today and always – follow the leader every day – Jesus!

People

People need the Lord and the Lord knows we need people in our lives! I read recently that Dr Phil, trained psychologist and television personality, shared that he studied over 1000 case studies of people deemed successful in their chosen fields. Not one of these people did it alone. Every person testified that they could not have achieved the level of success they had without a strong team and support system, whether that be family, colleagues, or a faith community. In most cases, it was a combination of all three.

God believes in teams. We may call it fellowship, ministry, or doing life together. Let’s make sure that we do it well. Real life happens in small groups.

Are you part of one?

Be wise today and always – allow people to be part of your life.

Victory!

We know by many Biblical passages that Jesus proved he has authority or victory over death. 93 times the Word of God we see authority is used mostly in the New Testament concerning Jesus and His authority.

How does this authority play in to your relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Look at the definition:

1. the power to determine or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.

2. a power or right delegated or given; authorization:

3. a person in whom authority is vested

4. a person having the legal power to make and enforce the law

5. an accepted source of information or advice

Does Jesus have authority over your life?

That’s the only way to know victory!

Be wise today and always by giving God authority over all your life.