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Showing posts with label Evangelism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evangelism. Show all posts
Have you ever known someone who has the ability to make things out to be more difficult then they really are, or have to be?
Maybe it was a parent, a former employer, or possibly a college professor. Whenever this person spoke, they seemed to over explain, over analyze, or just plan confuse whatever they were talking about. Some people simply have a knack for taking the simple tasks or processes of life and making them into a complicated mess.
Sadly, I believe at times, the Church has been guilty of this very thing. Too many times well-intended Christians and Christian ministries have made Christ’s love and charge to the church more complex than it really is.
For over 2000 years, man has been guilty of adding language, tasks, traditions, and expectations to many of Christ’s Words. Rather than seeing and treating people like Jesus did, we have often made requirements where He did not, and left out some where He did.
According to Mark 1:17, Jesus’ call to people is much simpler then most of us really realize. Here along the shores of the Sea of Galilee Jesus said simply “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In fact in John 1:39 Jesus Gave a similar command as He said “come and you will see.”
Christ’s desire for His people was made very plain and very simple; Come and Follow and See. Could it really be that clear? Could it really be that simple? Is that all Jesus requires of His people? Simply following Him?
I imagine many of Christ’s early disciples asked similar questions; and His answer was the same then as it is now. “Yes, follow Me.” Christ’s sole desire for us, His people, is that we would “take up our cross and follow Him” with every breath and step we take throughout our life. That we would follow Christ in the good and the bad. That we would follow Christ when it’s easy and when its hard. That throughout every moment of our life we would not lead ourselves, but follow Jesus and His example and desire for our life.
I hope each will accept this invitation, to come and follow Jesus. Come without your biases or preconceived ideas of who this man was, is, or what He requires. To come and meet Jesus through the pages of the Gospels. To spend time with Christ in through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. To read for yourself who Jesus says He is. To see what He has done for you, wants to do in you, and hear what He would have you do with your life; continuing to follow Him through the pages of scripture each day and even day.
A few years ago my family was on vacation in Northern Wisconsin. We were only about an hour from the upper peninsula of Michigan; a place neither my wife or I had ever been. We talked at great length about whether or not we should make the drive up there one day. With limited time, resources, and an infant with us; we chose not to go. Ever since then we have regretted that decision. That was the last time we were close to the U.P., and we are unsure when (or if) we will be in a position to make that trip again.
Luckily we learned from our mistake. Just this past week, our family was able to spend a few days on the North Shore of Lake Superior. We were only 20 miles from Grand Marais, MN, another place we have never been but have always wanted to see. Again, we found ourselves deliberating over whether or not we should make the short drive. Yes, we were short on time and had two tired little ones. However, with the bitter taste of regret from our previous trip still in our mouth we decided to load up the van and make the drive. Now that we are back, we are glad we did. No Regrets this time.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if our lives would be free from regrets? Wouldn't it be wonderful to reach the end of our life and have no “wish I would have” thoughts? Impossible? Not really. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says in Acts 20:25-27
“Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God."
Paul was leaving Ephesus for good, and would never see the Ephesians again. Instead of tearful goodbye's and regret laden speeches, Paul simply says "I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God."
Paul could leave Ephesus with a clear conscience, because he did not hesitate to share Christ with them. According to Acts 19:10 he spend over two years with them. Yet he did not simply live, work, and enjoy their friendship. No. Paul used his time carefully sharing Christ, pleading with them to believe, teaching them God’s Word, and training them to be leaders when he left.
If some did not believe, it was not his fault. If some fell away, he was not responsible. For he had made the most of every opportunity (Colossians 4:5-6), sharing the good news of Christ.
Do you have regrets? What if your neighbor, friend, or loved one passed away tonight? Do they know Christ? Would you have a clear conscience? Or would you wish for one more chance to share Christ with them? We are not responsible or burdened with someone’s response to the Gospel, but we are given the task to share Christ.
Don't wait until it's too late. Make a “bucket list.” Not of things you want to see or do before you die, but of people you want to make sure you will see when you die.
The Upper Peninsula will always be there - however our friends and family may not.
Labels: Acts 19:10, Acts 20:25-27, Bucket List, Christ, Colossians 4:5-6, Death, Devotions, Evangelism, Family, Regrets, Vacation
I’m not a fisherman. In fact, I’ve never caught a fish. True I did grow up in the land of 10,000 lakes, but I never learned nor had the desire to fish. Moreover, I can count the number of times I’ve “gone fishing” on one hand. Although I am not a fisherman, nor do I claim to possess any knowledge on the topic, there is one thing I know for certain. You do not catch a fish every time you cast your line - see I’ve never caught a fish.
If this were true, if you really did catch a fish each time you baited your hook, I would not be able to say this. I would have caught something. But no. Casting and catching are not always married.
In fact, it is possible to cast your line hundreds if not thousands of times without reeling in anything. But that does not stop the fisherman. No, he continues to cast his line in spite of his results. Even a long day (or night) of pulling up nothing but his bait doesn’t stop him. He returns not defeated, maybe a little discouraged, but not defeated. Instead of hanging up his pole, he fixes his eyes on the next opportunity to head back out and fish again. For he knows that sometime he will catch a fish, if he only keeps on casting.
The same is true for the Christian as well. In Matthew 4:19 Jesus invites us to come and follow Him, and promises that if we do He will make us “fishers of men.”
Fishers of Men? Why did Christ choose that phrase? Why did he choose that profession? He had many to choose from. He could have looked at Matthew the tax collector and said “come follow Me and you will settle spiritual accounts.” But no. Jesus said, “fishers of men.”
Just like the fishermen who cast for walleye, muskie, or sunfish will not have success each toss of the line; the fisher-of-men will not always catch a soul each time he casts the gospel either. Yet much like the fishermen, the fisher-of-men must not give up. He must keep casting, keep seeking, keep sharing the good news of Jesus.
I’ve never caught a fish. But then again I haven’t tried very many times either; and unless I cast again I never will. Sadly, many Christians are like me. “I’ve never seen anyone come to Christ.” they say. Yet when asked how many times they have shared their faith, most could count that on one hand as well.
Keep casting. Keep seeking. Keep sharing Christ; and sometime you will see someone come to Christ.
You might not catch a fish each time you cast, but you will if you don’t stop casting.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Labels: Casting, Catching, Christ, Devotions, Evangelism, Fisherman, Fishers of Men, Fishing, Matthew 4:19
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