Pastor Ann has been speaking to us about the Vision of our church.
BOLDLY SEEKING. BOLDLY CONNECTING. BOLDLY DISCIPLING.
These are simple words but deep concepts. Last week she brought us a message on discipling. She began with another set of simple words that have deep lasting consequences.
“We are all following someone. We are either following God or we are following Satan.”
With that thought in mind, lets reach back to those other words – seeking and connecting. If we are following God, we are seeking to know Him more. We are making an effort to connect with Him. We do these things through His Word, through time in prayer, through study time with others and through praising Him in song, dance, writing and other expressions. We are intentional in establishing and maintaining a relationship with Him.
But what if we are following Satan? For most folks this is about choosing a path that’s different than the one God set before us through Jesus. Any path, every path that doesn’t lead to Jesus cross and resurrection is a path that follows Satan.
Following God or following Satan isnt’ the same as being a disciple. To become a disciple means to make a deliberate, intentional choice. To follow Jesus as a disciple means yielding to His control and His rules ALL THE TIME. It is an emptying of personal desires and a filling of desire to be more like Him.
To put God first, before everything else in your life, takes faith and courage. As we follow Him and are filled with His Holy Spirit, our desires change. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “Only he who believes is obedient. Only he who is obedient believes.” Obedience is the key word to being a disciple.
Peter, Andrew, James, John and Matthew were disciples that Jesus called to himself. When he invited them to “follow me” they literally dropped what they were doing and went with him. Faith, courage and commitment. No looking back. Instead, discipleship is about looking forward and stepping in our Teacher’s footprints.
To hear more on this incredible topic, please join us Sunday morning at 10:50 in the Sanctuary or near 11:25 on our livestream. We look forward to meeting you then!