Month: August 2008

And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

The natural outcome of following Jesus is that these disciples would become fishers of men. They would see how Jesus brought people to the Father and they would learn to do the same. The Master trained men this way. He turned fish into fishermen, sheep into shepherds, and people into priests.

How can a person be a follower of Jesus Christ and not give his life to impacting other people for the Kingdom of God? It is impossible! If a person has dedicated his or her life to becoming like Jesus they will be swept into the currents of compassion for the weak and the lost. Jesus was compelled to reveal the Father to the people. He modeled not only His feelings but His actions to save them. How is it that in modern American Christianity this privilege of loving people into the Kingdom has been relegated to the professional? It is a sign that people really are not following Jesus. He never intended His true disciples to sit idle enjoying His lavish love while watching the rest of humanity to slip into Hell. Are we the ones who call ourselves “followers of Christ?” The proof is not in our morality, it’s in our ministry. FJ47

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

Jesus had a plan for these men’s lives. The result of following His example would be that they would become like Him in bringing people to the Father. But He would make them fishers of men. He would practice the art of intentional disciplemaking.

As Jesus set out to “make” these young disciples ‘fishers of men” we see that He had a plan, a recipe. Just as a woman would put ingredients together and bake a cake, so Jesus would bring the principles of spiritual living together and bake them into the character of these men. I’ve heard it said that having an agenda or program in discipleship is wrong. My friends disciples do not just happen, they are made. Certainly, methods and tools can be abused but it is just as certain that Jesus knew exactly what He was doing. We are actually commanded to be intentional in ministry as Jesus was. As He “made” disciples, we are commanded to “make” disciples in the Great Commission. (Mt 28.18-20) A key verse that commands us to fellowship with one another gives us the objective of “spurring one another on to love and good deeds.” (Heb 10.24-25) This same verse begins with “let us consider.” In other words before we meet in fellowship we supposed to “think” about how we are going to spur one another on. We are to have a premeditated plan to facilitate disciplemaking. It’s being intentional about helping men and women become lovers of people just like Jesus. FJ46

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Mt 4.18-22, Mk 1.16-20, Lk 5.1-11

And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Matthew 4:19)

Jesus calls His disciples to follow Him. He doesn’t mean this strictly as a mode of travel from point A to point B. This kind of following has the idea of observing and then imitating an action. Jesus is calling His disciples to watch Him and then imitate His life. He is our model.

All those who profess Jesus as Lord have one objective; to become like Him. In doing so we will glorify God. It is the easiest way to explain what it means to be a Christian. Following Jesus. “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” (1 John 2:6) This is also where we obtain our guidance for disciplemaking. It’s not really about getting people to do spiritual things like reading the scriptures, praying, or even practicing grace. I could have all these things and miss the One most important. (Jn 14.6) The Pharisees had become experts in spirituality and completely missed the way to the Father (Jn 5.39, Mt 6.5, Mt 23.15) Our job as disciplers is to continually point people to Jesus Christ. Initially they will watch our example and we explain that we are following the model Jesus set for us (1 Cor 11.1). Ultimately, we want to wean a person off of us and primarily to Christ. That is why it’s important for the disciples to personally get into the Word to see Jesus. That is why the young disciple needs to pray for themselves in order to personally relate to the Father the way Jesus did. Every spiritual discipline, every action, every thought revolves around the one goal of becoming like Him. (Col 1.28,Gal 4.19) At the end of the day I must ask this question; “Are the men and women I disciple becoming more like Jesus?” FJ45

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Mt 4.18-22, Mk 1.16-20, Lk 5.1-11

Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
(Matthew 4:18-19)

We know from the Gospel of John chapter 1 that Jesus already knew these two brothers. Andrew was introduced to Jesus by John the Baptist. And in turn Andrew introduces his brother Peter to Jesus. These early relationships would be crucial on three separate occasions. This was the first. A formal call to follow the rabbi.

You never know where a relationship will end up. Some are casual and remain so. Others may change the world. As we are ministering to people our objective is help them grow in their relationship with Christ. But some people will be future leaders for the Kingdom. There is a big difference between laborers and leaders. Laborers are in the business of helping people the way Jesus did and leaders are in the business of training laborers the way Jesus did. If you are not looking for potential leaders as a disciplemaker you will ultimately run out of resources and will be constrained to a ministry of addition. The chances of the ministry living beyond your generation are slim. Leaders, not only multiply laborers but future generations of leaders. As you are involved in helping people, keep your eyes open for those who are willing and able to lead. Give them special attention in their development and multiply yourself for the next generation. As you labor keep looking for leaders. If you want to be a leader in the Kingdom, get trained by someone you know is able to produce laborers and leaders for Christ. (Heb 13.7)

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Mt 4.13-16

…and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
(Matthew 4:13)

After being rejected in His home town of Nazareth, Jesus left and made His headquarters in Capernaum. This was not only a fulfillment of a major prophecy but it was a ministry strategy that He practiced. He would later instruct the 12 to do the same as they went into the cities with the gospel message. (Mt 10.11-14) When people received the message, He stayed. When they rejected Him, He pressed on to the next town. His basic strategy could be boiled down to a simple formula: Find those who will listen.

Witnessing tactics vary based on who you talk to but I learned one in 2003 that has increased my fruitfulness in helping people find Jesus. Instead of just zeroing in on one individual and jamming the gospel down their throat, find the hungry. Start by asking very simple questions. “Would you like to come to Bible study?” Would you like to come to church?” “Tell me about your spiritual journey.” Simple questions that can spark very natural conversations and lead you to those who are hungry. Those who are interested in talking about spiritual things will let you know. If they are not interested, press on. I’m not suggesting that we don’t develop evangelistic relationships with a neighbor or co-worker that we naturally spend time with. But I am suggesting that we work a little broader and be open to the hungry strangers that are all around us. Aggressively initiate discussions that will give you a read on the hunger level of a person. When you find someone who is hungry, focus on that person. To me, it’s like picking the low hanging fruit.

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Lk 4.16-31a

And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
(Luke 4:22)

And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things;
(Luke 4:28)

Jesus was teaching His hometown crowd in Nazareth and He had them eating out of His hand. Suddenly, He aims His message at their hearts. He cuts to the chase by describing how they will respond when He tells them the truth. He uses the example of Old Testament Gentiles being more receptive to God’s message than the Jews. The Prophet’s prediction is immediately fulfilled. The comparison pushes His audience over the edge and within minutes they go from admiration to rage.

Why did Jesus do that? Didn’t He know that you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar? Maybe He wasn’t trying to catch flies! Jesus certainly knew what He was doing. He was always calculated in His teaching. This audience would have stayed in a superficial state of religion had Jesus not stirred things up. He wanted them to be real and expose their innermost attitudes. The truth (Jesus) always has that effect. The light blazes into the darkness of our hearts and there is nowhere to hide.

This is actually the toughest part of disciplemaking for me. I would rather be liked than to help a person see their error. How selfish. If the integrity bridge is out in a man’s heart, how will he avoid spiritual disaster unless I warn him? Disciplemakers do the loving thing by telling the truth. Sometimes it’s gently and other times it comes with blunt force trauma. Truth should always be told in love with the object to heal but the truth must be told none the less. The truth and people’s relationship with Jesus must always be more important than our reputations. Disciplemakers must be willing to go from hero to zero for the sake of the flock. FJ42

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Jn 4.46-54

When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and was imploring Him to come down and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
(John 4:47-48)

It seems like a pretty harsh response to a panicked request. The official was begging Jesus to keep his son alive and at first glance, Jesus appears to turn the plea into a theology class. “People do not believe without signs and wonders.” I don’t think Jesus was trying to be smug or condescending. I think He was simply stating this as a matter of fact. Because He does heal the man’s son and the man does believe and the scriptures do record this as Jesus’ second sign (vs 54).

It’s not necessarily bad for people to look for clues, evidence, data, or authentication. I think it’s wrong when we ignore the signs and wonders that have already been given. Case in point. I watched a fascinating documentary where Rick Larson uses the scriptures and an astronomy computer program to reveal evidence that the stars did point to the birth of Christ. It was convincing, compelling, and pegged out my faith meter. He basically authenticates the whole of scripture, the life of Christ, the creation of the universe, and the sovereignty of God by looking at astronomy (not astrology). Pretty powerful stuff.

The next morning I was up before the sun so I went out to look at the stars. Full of renewed faith and thankfulness, I marveled at the signs and wonders that have been churning in the sky since the beginning of time. The skies have been pointing to God and the Word of God predicted it. (Ps 97:6) It was right in front of my eyes and I missed it until Rick explained it to me. There is evidence of God all around us. Are we astute enough to point it out to young disciples? Do we know the scriptures well enough to recognize the signs? Are we helping those around us to see the majesty of God in His Word, creation, life, and circumstances? The signs and wonders are all around us we just need to open our eyes.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Rom 1:20)

FJ41

Rick Larson – www.bethlehemstar.net
Documentary DVD – The Star of Bethlehem

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Mt 4.17, Mk 1.14b-15, Lk 4.14b-15

Now after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
(Mark 1:14-15)

When Jesus preached He included the component of repentance. Repentance means “to turn from sin.” Jesus sees this attitude and action as a necessary part of embracing the Kingdom of His Father. The Apostle Paul brings an even greater degree of understanding as he explains real repentance will lead us to salvation but simple remorse is not enough (2 Cor. 7:9-10).

Sometimes we are reluctant to include repentance as a part of the gospel because we are afraid it sounds like we are saying “good works” are being added. And since salvation is not by works (Eph 2.8-9, Titus 3.5), we feel like turning from ones sins in order receive salvation means that a person had to do something to “earn it.” I see two grave errors in this thinking.

The first is a failure to recognize Jesus as the absolute authority in the Doctrine of Salvation (Heb 12.2). If this is what He preached, then this is what I should be preaching. It was what the Apostles understood as an implied part of their preaching when they were sent out (Mk 6.12). Jesus’ example should be good enough.

The second is rooted in confusion about God’s grace and my responsibility. The Father is the one who brings repentance into my life (Act 11.18, Rom 2.4). God sovereignty leads us to turn from our sins, that is grace. But I have a responsibility to respond to His kindness and change my attitudes and actions. So in my freewill, I repent (Act 26.20). My actions demonstrate the sovereign will of the Father that brings me into this right relationship with Him (Jn 6.44).

Repentance is both a gift and a responsibility. It is present in every true believer and it is a key component of disciplemaking. Preach it! FJ40

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com

Read Jn 4.43-45

So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.
(John 4:45)

The Galileans were at the feast in Jerusalem at the same time Jesus taught and worked many miracles. Seeing Him in action helped bolster their faith in Him. And when He returned to Galilee they received Him with open arms.

Jesus was always in the business of showing people how to live life. He was in a constant demonstration mode. I’ve found that in modern American Christianity we tell people what to do rather than show them how to do it. Modeling shows the disciple not only that it can be done but how it is done. For Jesus, the whole of life was the classroom. Class was always in session. But there is a cost. The price tag on such a ministry is that you must live life with your students. More time equals more the influence. They get to see you living for Christ in all kinds of circumstances. I try to get around the guys I’m discipling at least four times a week (or even better, I move him into my spear bedroom). By spending so much time together you can’t help but have real life interrupt your canned lessons. Life lessons are lasting lessons. FJ39

For questions or comments drop me a line at charleswood1@gmail.com