Who Or What Are We Following?

This is liable to be a very controversial post and trust me it has not been easy in preparation as I have been under conviction and rebuke from God in the areas where I am not following like I should, or am not following Him at all. So please keep in mind that this is being preached to me first and foremost. This may also be a series of posts, as there are several issues I feel led to touch on and a few I want to touch on and hope that I am able to.

As you can see from the above image we will be looking at what it means to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus, who we know is not only the Son of God, but Got manifest in the flesh and thus is also God. At Matthew 16:24 our Saviour says:

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

When we "come after" Jesus, we are going to be following Him, and here we are given very clear instructions. In fact, you can rightly say that Jesus commanded this. How though does Jesus feel about what He has commanded and what our responsibility is to His commands? He tells us at John 14:23:

If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

 WOW! That's a pretty strong statement, and honestly, I find it very clear and direct, very black and white with no gray area. John added to this at  1 John 2:3-5 where he said:

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

That's some strong stuff too. All of it truth. Most of it ignored by many who claim to be Christians. In these three verses we see a good definition of what a Christian is. It is a follower of Jesus Christ, who denies themselves and who keeps the words of Jesus. Another term would be a disciple. Just because someone responds to a Gospel invitation and is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, does not make that person a Christian. A person can be saved and not be a Christian.

Acts 11:26 is the first place in the Bible where the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians. Although you and I use the word as a synonym for a believer, the word, "Christian," is not necessarily a designation for every saved person, as no one was called a Christian before Acts 11:26, and these in Acts as we see were disciples.

What then is a disciple? Simply, it's a student, one who is learning. In this case, one who is learning about Jesus Christ and what He has commanded. At Matthew 28:18-20, commonly referred to as the Great Commission, Jesus said to 11 remaining apostles and to us:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Jesus commanded us to do more than just see people get saved. We are to also see them get baptized and discipled so that they can go and see others get saved, baptized and discipled and on and on it is to go.

As we go on from here, we will be looking at what all Jesus commanded in Matthew through John, and what the Holy Spirit inspired the rest of the writers of the New Testament to write down as commands for how we are to live.

This promises to be en exciting and challenging journey. Let's see where we are when it end........

Great Quote

I am taking these quotes from my friend Greg Stier as I find them 100% applicable to the state of Christianity and soul winning today. All emphasis and italics are from me.

So what are the lessons for us as followers of Christ? In a 21st Century quest for Hipster Christianity we must remember that the call of Christ is the call to be uncool. It’s the call to pick up our cross and carry a radical and sometimes unpopular message to a broken world. It’s the call to embrace Jesus’ as the narrow gate, though it may appear narrow-minded and exclusive, but to be open-hearted and handed when it comes to the hurting and hopeless.
We need to present the full Jesus to a lost and dying world. We let His life flow through our lives and our lips. Through our lives will pour out a passion for the poor and downtrodden. Through our lips will pour the radical message of hope and life, that can also be highly controversial, since Jesus said His way is the only way of salvation.

Christian, is your Gospel one that seeks to be hip? Is your Christianity so well adjusted to your culture that fit in more with that culture rather then having your life transformed by the message of the cross? Are you willing to risk souls just to be hip and popular?

I'm not.

Dare 2 Share: The UN tour

This weekend I was honored to serve at the Dare 2 Share UN  tour event here in Denver.

Friday night many teens responded to the Gospel and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. We had a powerful drama that left many eyes wet and you could tell had everyone thinking about how quickly people are dying and headed into eternity.

Saturday was a full day of preaching, teaching, and worship. We had the group Shane and Shane leading in worship all weekend. DJ Promote was there keeping things moving during the breaks. Propaganda was there and was one of the speakers. Both of these men were on last years tour, but this was the first time I got to talk to them and we enjoyed sweet fellowship while sharing what God was doing over the weekend.

Also speaking was crowd favorite Zane Black who is very passionate the life and purpose Jesus Christ has given him. Zane was on the wrong road of drugs and women when Jesus found him and transformed him. It was time at a Torchbearers Bible School in Winter Park Colorado where God realy begun this transformation on Zane. Today Zane serves at this same school as a director.

The main speaker was the founder and president of Dare 2 Share Greg Stier. Greg was pastoring and doing Dare 2 Share until April 1999 and the terrible tragedy at Columbine High School. After that day, he went full time with Dare 2 Share and God has been using this ministry to mobilize teenagers to relationally and relentlessly reach their generation for Christ.

The purpose of the UN tour, as every with every Dare 2 Share tour is to get teens equipped to live  THE Cause, to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples, and on and on until the return of Jesus Christ.

Here is the list of the rest of the tour stops on this years tour. Adults, they can always use Volunteers, and if you have any teens, you need to get them to this conference.

Columbus, OH	Feb 04-05 2011
Washington, DC	Feb 11-12 2011
Lincoln, NE	Feb 25-26 2011
Twin Cities, MN	Mar 11-12 2011
St. Louis, MO	Mar 25-26 2011
Chicago, IL	Apr 01-02 2011

Keep The Gospel Clear

In a chapel sermon at Dare 2 Share, Greg Stier clearly explains why you whould avoid using 4 very popular and common statements when sharing the Gospel. He explains why they are not Biblical, and also shares how to explain this Gospel.


Free Youth Ministry Resources

What Is Wrong With This Picture?

The above picture is from page 31 of the March 2010 issue of the Awake magazine.

Look at the picture, do you see anything wrong with it? Read the verses supplied and you will see two things wrong with the picture but not three things even though there are three lines. On page 14 of this issue the writers of this section list the answers. Yes they list three, but the truth is, there are only two.

On page 14 they list the following:

1. There should be only 11 apostles, not 12.
2. The bread should be unleavened and therefore flat, not raised.
3. The meat was lamb, not pork.

While I no doubt believe we will agree that #'s 2 & 3 are in error in the picture, I wonder how many of us would agree with the WTBTS that # 1 is an error? Should there be only 11 apostles and not 12?

First, let's look at the passages used with the picture to see if they support this belief or not.

Now on the first day of unfermented cakes, when they customarily sacrificed the passover [victim], his disciples said to him: “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the passover?” (Mark 14:12 NWT)

And as they continued eating, he took a loaf, said a blessing, broke it and gave it to them, and said: “Take it, this means my body.” And taking a cup, he offered thanks and gave it to them, and they all drank out of it.  And he said to them: “This means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many.  Truly I say to YOU, I shall by no means drink anymore of the product of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” Finally, after singing praises, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark 14:22-26 NWT)

So far, we don't have anything telling us how many apostles were there. Let's look further:

Now, because he knew before the festival of the passover that his hour had come for him to move out of this world to the Father, Jesus, having loved his own that were in the world, loved them to the end. (John 13:1 NWT)

After saying these things, Jesus became troubled in spirit, and he bore witness and said: “Most truly I say to YOU, One of YOU will betray me.” The disciples began to look at one another, being at a loss as to which one he was saying [it] about. There was reclining in front of Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, and Jesus loved him. Therefore Simon Peter nodded to this one and said to him: “Tell who it is about whom he is saying [it].” So the latter leaned back upon the breast of Jesus and said to him: “Lord, who is it?” Therefore Jesus answered: “It is that one to whom I shall give the morsel that I dip.” And so, having dipped the morsel, he took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Is·car´i·ot. And after the morsel then Satan entered into the latter. Jesus, therefore, said to him: “What you are doing get done more quickly.” However, none of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose he said this to him. Some, in fact, were imagining, since Judas was holding the money box, that Jesus was telling him: “Buy what things we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor. Therefore, after he received the morsel, he went out immediately. And it was night. (John 13:21-30 NWT)

This is interesting. Did you notice the parts in bold and blue? According to this proof text, Judas WAS there, so the picture is in fact correct.

In all four Gospel accounts there is reference to this supper that Jesus shared with His disciples. In all four it's clearly shown and seen that all 12 were present.

Let's read from the New World Translation (NWT):

First is Matthew 26:17-30:

17 On the first day of the unfermented cakes the disciples came up to Jesus, saying: “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the passover?” 18 He said: “Go into the city to So-and-so and say to him, The Teacher says, ‘My appointed time is near; I will celebrate the passover with my disciples at your home.’” 19 And the disciples did as Jesus ordered them, and they got things ready for the passover.

20 When, now, it had become evening, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21 While they were eating, he said: “Truly I say to YOU, One of YOU will betray me.” 22 Being very much grieved at this, they commenced each and every one to say to him: “Lord, it is not I, is it?” 23 In reply he said: “He that dips his hand with me in the bowl is the one that will betray me. 24 True, the Son of man is going away, just as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been finer for him if that man had not been born.” 25 By way of reply Judas, who was about to betray him, said: “It is not I, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him: “You yourself said [it].”
26 As they continued eating, Jesus took a loaf and, after saying a blessing, he broke it and, giving it to the disciples, he said: “TAKE, eat. This means my body.” 27 Also, he took a cup and, having given thanks, he gave it to them, saying: “Drink out of it, all of YOU; 28 for this means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell YOU, I will by no means drink henceforth any of this product of the vine until that day when I drink it new with YOU in the kingdom of my Father.” 30 Finally, after singing praises, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Now let's look at Mark 14:12-26:

12 Now on the first day of unfermented cakes, when they customarily sacrificed the passover [victim], his disciples said to him: “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the passover?” 13 With that he sent forth two of his disciples and said to them: “Go into the city, and a man carrying an earthenware vessel of water will encounter YOU. Follow him, 14 and wherever he goes inside say to the householder, ‘The Teacher says: “Where is the guest room for me where I may eat the passover with my disciples?”’ 15 And he will show YOU a large upper room, furnished in preparation; and there prepare for us.” 16 So the disciples went out, and they entered the city and found it just as he said to them; and they prepared for the passover.

17 After evening had fallen he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said: “Truly I say to YOU, One of YOU, who is eating with me, will betray me.” 19 They started to be grieved and to say to him one by one: “It is not I, is it?” 20 He said to them: “It is one of the twelve, who is dipping with me into the common bowl. 21 True, the Son of man is going away, just as it is written concerning him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been finer for that man if he had not been born.”
22 And as they continued eating, he took a loaf, said a blessing, broke it and gave it to them, and said: “Take it, this means my body.” 23 And taking a cup, he offered thanks and gave it to them, and they all drank out of it. 24 And he said to them: “This means my ‘blood of the covenant,’ which is to be poured out in behalf of many. 25 Truly I say to YOU, I shall by no means drink anymore of the product of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 Finally, after singing praises, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Now let's read Luke 22:7-30:

7 The day of the unfermented cakes now arrived, on which the passover [victim] must be sacrificed; 8 and he dispatched Peter and John, saying: “Go and get the passover ready for us to eat.” 9 They said to him: “Where do you want us to get [it] ready?” 10 He said to them: “Look! When YOU enter into the city a man carrying an earthenware vessel of water will meet YOU. Follow him into the house into which he enters. 11 And YOU must say to the landlord of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you: “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the passover with my disciples?”’ 12 And that [man] will show YOU a large upper room furnished. Get [it] ready there.” 13 So they departed and found it just as he had said to them, and they got the passover ready.

14 At length when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them: “I have greatly desired to eat this passover with YOU before I suffer; 16 for I tell YOU, I will not eat it again until it becomes fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And, accepting a cup, he gave thanks and said: “Take this and pass it from one to the other among yourselves; 18 for I tell YOU, From now on I will not drink again from the product of the vine until the kingdom of God arrives.”
19 Also, he took a loaf, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying: “This means my body which is to be given in YOUR behalf. Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” 20 Also, the cup in the same way after they had the evening meal, he saying: “This cup means the new covenant by virtue of my blood, which is to be poured out in YOUR behalf.
21 “But, look! the hand of my betrayer is with me at the table. 22 Because the Son of man is going his way according to what is marked out; all the same, woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!” 23 So they started to discuss among themselves the question of which of them would really be the one that was about to do this.
24 However, there also arose a heated dispute among them over which one of them seemed to be greatest. 25 But he said to them: “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those having authority over them are called Benefactors. 26 YOU, though, are not to be that way. But let him that is the greatest among YOU become as the youngest, and the one acting as chief as the one ministering. 27 For which one is greater, the one reclining at the table or the one ministering? Is it not the one reclining at the table? But I am in YOUR midst as the one ministering.
28 “However, YOU are the ones that have stuck with me in my trials; 29 and I make a covenant with YOU, just as my Father has made a covenant with me, for a kingdom, 30 that YOU may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

Lastly, let's see what John 13:18-30 says:

I am not talking about all of YOU; I know the ones I have chosen. But it is in order that the Scripture might be fulfilled, ‘He that used to feed on my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’ 19 From this moment on I am telling YOU before it occurs, in order that when it does occur YOU may believe that I am [he]. 20 Most truly I say to YOU, He that receives anyone I send receives me [also]. In turn he that receives me, receives [also] him that sent me.”

21 After saying these things, Jesus became troubled in spirit, and he bore witness and said: “Most truly I say to YOU, One of YOU will betray me.” 22 The disciples began to look at one another, being at a loss as to which one he was saying [it] about. 23 There was reclining in front of Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, and Jesus loved him. 24 Therefore Simon Peter nodded to this one and said to him: “Tell who it is about whom he is saying [it].” 25 So the latter leaned back upon the breast of Jesus and said to him: “Lord, who is it?” 26 Therefore Jesus answered: “It is that one to whom I shall give the morsel that I dip.” And so, having dipped the morsel, he took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Is·car´i·ot. 27 And after the morsel then Satan entered into the latter. Jesus, therefore, said to him: “What you are doing get done more quickly.” 28 However, none of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose he said this to him. 29 Some, in fact, were imagining, since Judas was holding the money box, that Jesus was telling him: “Buy what things we need for the festival,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 Therefore, after he received the morsel, he went out immediately. And it was night.

Dear reader, you be the judge. According to the Bible, were there 11 or 12 apostles present at the last Supper?

Dr. A. Ray Stanford and the Gospel hand Gesture

A Letter From Hell