FOLLOW

We had a nice discussion in Bible Study last night. One of the things we talked about was accountability. If we have someone close that we are accountable to for our actions, it can help us as we try to follow Jesus.

However…ultimately we are responsible for our own walk. We cannot live a life comparing ourselves to someone else. For example, “Well, Lord, since that deacon doesn’t really follow you in that area, I guess I don’t have to.” NOT !

Look at the conversation that Jesus had with Peter in John 21:19 - 23 (NASB). He had just finished telling Peter what would happen to him when he was old.

Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said^* to him, “Follow Me!” ²⁰Peter, turning around, saw^* the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His bosom at the supper and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” ²¹So Peter seeing him said^* to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” ²²Jesus said^* to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” ²³Therefore this saying went out among the brethren that that disciple would not die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but only, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Peter was curious about what would happen to John. Jesus said, in essence, it doesn’t matter. I told you to follow me.

He’s telling you and me that today. It doesn’t matter if this person did this, got this or said that. What matters is whether we, you and I, are following Jesus. We will each have to answer to Jesus…

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NASB)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

BONUS

Buy one, get one free…

Buy this super fantastic thing-a-ma-jigger and we’ll throw in a what-cha-ma-call-it absolutely free…

In the world of shopping, there is nothing like a “bonus” to provide incentive to purchase something. Some employees get bonuses at certain times of the year. They may be based on performance or simply because the employer is feeling generous. Everybody loves a bonus!

Paul tells us that when we give to ministries (the Lord’s work) there is a special bonus…

For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12 (NASB)

Not only does our gift help people in various areas of need, it causes all of them to give thanks to God. We are actually giving a “bonus” of thanksgiving to God. How cool is that!!

So remember next time you give to a God-based charity, there is a bonus that doesn’t benefit you when you fill out your taxes, but it sends up showers of praise to your heavenly Father.

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

SUPPLY

Where do your groceries come from? Take milk, for example, where does it come from? You might respond…

The grocery store!

Where do they get milk?

The wholesaler…

Where do they get milk?

The dairy…

Where do they get milk?

The cow…

Where does the cow get milk?

From an internal mechanism designed to produce milk…

Who designed it?

Where did the cow come from?

¹³For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. ¹⁵And He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. ¹⁶For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:13 - 16 (NASB)

¹⁰Now 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; 2 Corinthians 9:10 (NASB)

God supplies all our needs so that we can give to those in need. Will we ever run out? Not with God supplying! Note, it says he will also multiply the seed He provides.

Thinking about giving to a church or another Christian ministry? God is the One that supplied what you have to give AND, whatever you give will be multiplied!

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

FACTS

You probably have seen one of those TV lawyers like Matlock, Perry Mason or one of the newer ones in action. If you have, you may have heard someone object and say “Speculation, your honor.” At this point, the judge usually says, “Sustained” because speculating on what might have happened is not allowed in the courtroom. In the words of an illustration police officer, “Give me the facts, m’am, just the facts.”

People attempt to do the same thing in regards to the things of God. Rather than looking simply at what He has given us in His Word (the Bible) they try to draw some spectacular conclusion of their own, speculating on the “what ifs” in order to make it appear intelligent.

Paul dealt with speculations in a bold manner…

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NASB)

The New Living Translation considers these speculation OBSTACLES…

We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NLT)

The New King James Version simply calls them ARGUMENTS…

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV)

So, what is left when you take out all the speculation, obstacles and arguments?

THE WORD OF GOD.

Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. ¹⁷The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds. 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 (CEV)

Nothing more, nothing less…

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD

WEAPONS

Have you ever heard somebody say, “They fight dirty”? Or perhaps “They don’t fight fair.” Arguments are often thought of as fights and we want to win those arguments, so we will resort to whatever it takes to win bringing up the past, using their own weaknesses against them to hurt them!

Paul says that’s not the way to go about things. If you want to “win” then you must use God’s ways…

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NLT)

So what are these weapons of God?

The answer to that question may be found in Ephesians chapter six where Paul explains that we are not just fighting against people…

¹⁰A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. ¹²For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10 - 12 (NLT)

He then goes on to outline those “weapons” that are from God in verses 14-18 (emphasis added)…

The belt of truth

The armor of God’s righteousness

Shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace

The shield of faith

the helmet of salvation

The sword of the Spirit, which is

The word of God

Prayer

So the next time you get in that “fighting mood”, whether it be a disagreement on scripture, theology, opinions or policy, make sure you get out the right weapons!

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD