Last night Pastor King taught on being "all in" for Jesus out of Luke 9:57-62 (I am going to use The Message translation for this blog). In this passage, Jesus spoke of 3 men who said "Lord, I will follow You wherever You go" but they each had some sort of excuse as to why they couldn't immediately follow Him. The first man had the motive of thinking it is going to be an easy road but Jesus is quick to tell him in verse 58, "Are you ready to rough it? We're not staying in the best inns, you know". Through this Scripture, we learn that Jesus thrives in uncomfortable places, not the Ritz Carlton. Are you willing to "rough it" for Jesus? To go places that are NOT comfortable to reach His people?
The second man Jesus talks about has misplaced priorities. He tells Jesus that he will follow him BUT "first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral (vs. 59)." Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom (vs. 60)!" So this man wanted to bury his father first, probably to inherit money, land, etc. that would be coming to him before he would follow Jesus. But what he didn't realize is Jesus is not going to be second to anyone or anything. He is ALWAYS FIRST and He doesn't wait on anyone. Nothing in your life should ever come before Jesus, not your family, money, work, worldly possessions, etc. Those can be good things but they can also come between you and Jesus so you have to be careful how you prioritize the things in your life. Are you willing to make Jesus FIRST in your life and to put everyone and everything second? Do you live by the motto "I Am Second, Jesus is First"? Do people see this in your life?
The third man said "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home" (vs. 61). And Jesus responded in verse 62 "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day." So this guy was being hesitant, wanting to go home and probably say goodbye to his family but Jesus was quick to tell him NO because His call to us is more important than anything on our own agenda. Are you willing to drop everything and follow the call Jesus has placed on your life? How can you sow good seeds for Christ if you are constantly looking around and backwards at the things in your life (family, friends, job, etc.)? The purposes of God are more important than anything else in your life but are you willing to "deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23)"?
The second man Jesus talks about has misplaced priorities. He tells Jesus that he will follow him BUT "first excuse me for a couple of days, please. I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral (vs. 59)." Jesus refused. "First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: Announce God's kingdom (vs. 60)!" So this man wanted to bury his father first, probably to inherit money, land, etc. that would be coming to him before he would follow Jesus. But what he didn't realize is Jesus is not going to be second to anyone or anything. He is ALWAYS FIRST and He doesn't wait on anyone. Nothing in your life should ever come before Jesus, not your family, money, work, worldly possessions, etc. Those can be good things but they can also come between you and Jesus so you have to be careful how you prioritize the things in your life. Are you willing to make Jesus FIRST in your life and to put everyone and everything second? Do you live by the motto "I Am Second, Jesus is First"? Do people see this in your life?
The third man said "I'm ready to follow you, Master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home" (vs. 61). And Jesus responded in verse 62 "No procrastination. No backward looks. You can't put God's kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day." So this guy was being hesitant, wanting to go home and probably say goodbye to his family but Jesus was quick to tell him NO because His call to us is more important than anything on our own agenda. Are you willing to drop everything and follow the call Jesus has placed on your life? How can you sow good seeds for Christ if you are constantly looking around and backwards at the things in your life (family, friends, job, etc.)? The purposes of God are more important than anything else in your life but are you willing to "deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23)"?
So we can learn from these three men the following things that can keep us from being "All In" for Jesus:
1. Wrong Motives
2. Misplaced Priorities
3. Hesitation/ Procrastination
No matter what you lose, what others think about you, are you willing to be totally ALL In For JESUS?!?
1. Wrong Motives
2. Misplaced Priorities
3. Hesitation/ Procrastination
No matter what you lose, what others think about you, are you willing to be totally ALL In For JESUS?!?
To my big sister, my best friend, my mentor in Christ:
ReplyDeleteAs you prepare to go on your first international mission trip, I feel led to pour out my heart to you. First and foremost, I am beyond proud of the Godly woman you have become. I look back over the years, the trials, the troubles and the tears you have endured, and it is now (with a hindsight vision) that we understand what we questioned then, God had a reason and a purpose for your life since day one! He has been carefully molding and shaping you, as the ocean does a pearl, layer by layer. No you are not "perfect", but thank God you are not who you used to be! You have become a humble, selfless, beautiful woman of God. I have had the pleasure of being there with you all along your spiritual journey. From the times when God wasn't first in your life (or any of our lives), to now where He has become your LIFE, your BREATH, your one and only true heart’s DESIRE, you have encouraged me so much in my own growth with God and I give Him all the praise and thanksgiving because He has used you in my life! I have stood back and watched you grow and glow in His spirit of Love. Anybody who knows you can see it! You are a walking light and testimony. Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden...in the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven."
I pray God anoints you in His Spirit as you take His word and His light and share it with those who may not have the freedom or opportunity to hear it as we do. When you stand up in front of those people, I pray He would give you the strength to speak boldly, the wisdom to know just what to say, the confidence and faith that you are a voice of hope and love that these people need to hear, and a peace so that you will not be nervous (and talk fast) but be comfortable sharing the Gospel, for the same power that conquered the grave, LIVES IN YOU! I believe in Jesus name that lost souls will be saved and lives will be changed, including your own! You will be blessed! Whether it is a simply one-on-one conversation or speaking to a crowd, you will be evangelizing and spreading the TRUTH!
As Pastor King said last night, "are we going to be ALL in for God?” I believe you are going ALL IN for Him sister, and I want to go with you ;-)
I Love You,
LeAnn