There are so many things I want to share with you. As you probably know, I take this monthly communication very seriously. This is where I share things with you that I often don’t share with the general public.
Over the years I have noticed the majority of people who are attracted to this ministry tend to be here for life. I used to tell my publisher it was all about “mindset.” I said, “If I reach a person who has a certain mindset I know they will get something they can get in very few places and they will make the journey with us.” On the other hand, this message is repelling and disgusting to many. They will never have any interest in anything I have to say i.e. a “mindset.”
Last week I really felt the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “The mindset that is attracted to this ministry is that of a disciple, someone who really wants to build their life on the Word of God as they follow the Lordship of Jesus.” As I pondered what He said I thought back to the decision I made decades ago. I decided I wanted to make disciples not converts.
The second sermon I ever preached in a church was about being disciples. I used the example in John 21:19-20 where Jesus prophesied the manner in which Peter would die if he chose to follow Jesus as Lord. I am sure this was troubling beyond comprehension, especially to a man with Peter’s impulsive behavior pattern. Days before Peter denied the Lord because of the questioning of a servant girl, now he is told that he will be crucified should he choose to follow his Lord. Just as Jesus gave him this tidbit of information John walked by and Peter blurted out, “What about him?” In so many words Jesus said, “Don’t worry about him, you follow Me!” Peter, like all of us, had the tendency to ask questions that would in no way benefit him to know the answer. Such questions are not questions at all but attempts to avoid that which we do not want to face. My point in this sermon was: Be a disciple; find out what God wants you to do and follow Him, no matter what the cost!
No doubt, this was a sobering message for this group of people hearing my sermon. Interestingly, I had discussions with several people afterward who felt we (in America) would never have the possibility in our lifetime of facing death by following the Lord. But I knew differently. I had already seen what was to come on the Earth in my lifetime. My response was something like, “We will see believers dying for their faith in our lifetime and it will happen in America. But don’t get off track by asking questions whose answers have no benefit to you. Follow God wherever He leads and should you ever have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will lead you.”
Only a disciple will say, “I may not know the cost, but I will follow Him.” I am so sick of the trendy pop culture doctrines that float around every few years that have no concept of the believer as a disciple following his or her Lord regardless of where that might lead. The Church has been crippled by a “watered down” message. We have been taught to know Him as Savior but not as Lord. We are led to be Christians without being disciples. We are taught to be selfish takers with no concept of serving. The world is being exposed to a gospel that was at one time watered down, but today has reached the stage of being a false gospel.
One of the most devastating things I see happening in this sea of religious chaos is a departure from the written Word. The Lordship of Jesus is expressed through the written Word. God has revealed Himself through His Word. When we depart from the Word all we have left are the imaginations of our own heart. A disciple can read the Word without it being a burden. A disciple can obey the Word without being legalistic. A disciple can be responsible without trying to carry God’s part of the load.
I know if you are able to hear my messages without twisting them into something legalistic you have the heart of a disciple. Jesus’ last word to His followers was, Go into all the world and make disciples… teach them to observe all my commandments. In the end, before Jesus can return the message of the Kingdom must be preached to the world – not the message of conversion, the message of the Kingdom. The message of the Kingdom is one of discipleship because it is based on us being citizens of a Kingdom and following a king. And that’s what we are doing together. We are taking the gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the Earth!
If you love the Word of God or if you’re trying to get back to a place where the Word has importance and relevance in your life, you’ll love my new series starting this week: Jesus: The Living Word. Just preaching this series heightened my passion for God’s Word. For over forty years every time I have open my Bible two things happen: I see Jesus in the Scriptures and He always speaks to my heart and gives me wisdom that makes my life better. I want you to have that same experience.
Don’t forget to make plans to be with us for World Changers Weekend July 17 – 19 and Heart Physics Weekend October 16 – 18. They are both going to be great!
Thank you for making this journey with me. Together we are changing the way the world sees God!
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