Gawking, Balking, or Walking?

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.  But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.  —    John 2:23-25

During Jesus’ ministry, there were masses following Him and running to Him when they heard of his arrival in their town. 

· Some were curious, just gawkers – not unlike today’s highway rubber-neckers who star and gape mindlessly. 
· Others were balkers, those who dismissed the gospel, the good news or had disdain of Christ – not unlike today’s lost, unbelievers who dismiss the gospel or disdain Christ and his believers. 
· Lastly, there were those who were walking with, following Jesus, being disciples who received the good news with joy, chose the life to live by walking in the truth of His teachings – not unlike today’s Christ follower.

Today many don’t embrace Christ’s teachings, followers, or church.  They're honest with themselves, religion, and Christ; whether they’re gawking or balking, they will not be walking in Jesus.  

 

But, here is a question to ponder:

If you go to church are you walking with Christ, are you His disciple; or are you a church going gawker or balker? 

What are your thoughts on this?

Owen <><

To the Beat of the Drum

“Christ beats His drum, but He does not press men; Christ is served with volunteers.”
 - John Donne (English Lawyer, Poet, Clergyman; 1572-1613)

In Donne’s day, the call to service, military service, was accomplished by a formation of the king’s troops entering a public place, while beating the drum – the drum beat being the call into the king of England’s service.  

Those who were being inducted, drafted into military service, or in the language of the 1600's, were being “pressed” into service and were taken to serve that day – at the king’s will. 

 

The contrast we find with here is forced to serve, verses volunteer service.  We have many citizens who are patriots, yet, unwilling to be “pressed into service.” Jesus, the King of kings, beats the drum, as He calls followers.  He does not “press,” draft any into service, he waits on a faith response.  The issue of free will for followers of Jesus, Christians, is to submit and serve in God’s Kingdom, or reject Christ and not press into His service.  James writes, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” (Jas 2:18).  James teaches us that a born again follower only naturally, as a new creation, wants to serve, Christian’s are not pressed into service, but of one’s own free will presses self into service.

 

Blessings,

Owen

 

Followers of Christ – priests in God’s Kingdom – “sing a new song” and serve: 

“And they sang a new song:

 … with your blood you purchased men for God
 from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, …”

—Revelation 5:9-10 Lyrics from a song of the redeemed, those who serve.

What fazes you?

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41

Can you imagine being in a small gathering of believers, in the midst of many people who do not have a relationship with Jesus, but then, one of us stands up, begins to tell them of Jesus, and within a short time we now have over 3,000 new believers, born again saints, for us to embrace?  I can only think, “Wow!”  Is that not the case of every congregation worldwide, a few of us in the midst of a multitude of those without Christ?

In the Midst of Many without Christ - Witnessing Acts 2:5-40  

I saw this comment, by the late evangelist Leonard Ravenhill:
“Isn't it staggering when you think that one sermon on the day of Pentecost produced 3000 people? And we had some cities yesterday where 3000 sermons were preached and nobody was saved. And it doesn't even faze us.”

I have to ask, what does faze you?  The placid complacency of being in the midst of fellow believers who share the same theology and know your assigned pew, … or, is it when you experience gut wrenching nervousness as you share Christ, find someone new in your pew and you are are immersed in the process of love and fellowship that is simply summed up as:  making, baptizing, and teaching disciples?

Fazed when “nobody was saved,”

Owen <><

Your Great Battle or His Humility

My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. —Psalm 131:1

What was King David expressing from his heart as he penned these words in the Psalm?  What comes out of David’s heart is humility, a rarity among us – yet, a requirement of all who profess to be a follower of Christ.  David displayed a character that is in conflict to the spirit of society!   We live in world where “bigger is better,” success is measured by precepts of pride.  R. T. Kendal states, “But the key to success in the world is the way of disaster in the things of the Spirit.” 

So, how do we handle pride? 

You have a choice. 
1) You go into your great battle, in the war against pride.  But, remains a prideful approach, exalting yourself to battle and conquer your weakness, and not allow God to work in you, defeating pride. 
Or
2) Live a life with your focus and all effort into submission, obedience to being Christlike – living in His humility. Jesus said, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt 23:12, Like 14:11, 18:14).  Jesus did not say fight your battle against pride, he said, humble yourself, depend on Me – that’s success when God exalts, or lifts you up – that’s salvation fulfilled. And, why David said, "I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me."

To be filled with humility, is being filled with Christ, to completely rely on God for your life.  As Andrew Murray writes, “Humility, the place of entire dependence on God, is, from the very nature of things, the first duty and the highest virtue of the Christian.” 

Owen <><

Finally 2013

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and receive honor, just as it did with you …”    2 Thessalonians 3:1 (CJB)

Beginning a new year of our Lord, I want to finally, brothers and sisters remind you of the importance of the message, the gospel of Christ – and, to pray for the message to be spread. 

Paul asked, “Finally, brothers, pray for us,” likewise, I ask that you, in the fullness of Christ, pray for “us” to deliver the message of salvation in Christ.  I add, if you’re a Christ follower, a Christian, then, you are one of “us.”  Thus, your challenge is to pray in faith, and then, act upon your prayer by faith of God’s empowerment to rapidly spread the message and give our Lord honor in doing so.  You and I – “us” – are to pray “that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly,” then, we go about doing this, not someone else.

Called, commanded, empowered, and spreading the message to honor the King,

Owen <>< 

SEE:  Matthew 28:18-20 – Mark 16:15-18 – Acts 1:8