C4: Why Follow Jesus?

If following Jesus is hard to do, and can cause me to miss out on some of the fun that life has to offer then why do it? Why Follow Jesus?

2 main reasons

1. Because, according to the Bible, he is the only way to God the Father. If you want to have a relationship with God and have your sin taken care of then you must follow Jesus. Now, don't get me wrong... I think there is nothing better than following Jesus... truly. But regardless of my thoughts on the matter, I need to follow him...


2. Following Jesus is crazy awesome...and scary all at the same time. When I follow Jesus and truly let him have my life... it can be scary because I am not sure what he will do with it.

In my case... God called me to be a pastor when I was around 15 years old. At the time, I felt like he was ruining my life. I would be poor and single forever was my fear. The truth is that God has made me so rich because I trusted his path for my life. Not rich in money (Although I am not poor either), but rich in friendship and experience.

If I had not followed him, I would have missed out on Elmbrook and all of the students there that I love so much.

I would not have met and married Emily... and I would not be having a Baby with her...

I might have had a few more moments of fun here and there... but would I really trade my life now... and all of its blessings for anything else? I never would.

Choosing to Follow God... even though it is hard at times... was the best decision I could have ever made.

C4: Why would Paul choose to suffer so much?

Colossians 1:24 tells us why Paul chose so much suffering... Paul suffered for those who did not yet know Christ. In his own words he said:

~Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

Saul's dramatic conversion to Jesus, and his acceptance of the suffering of following Jesus changed the world.

With great personal cost, he spread the truth about Jesus to the far reaches of the Roman world. While Jesus suffering on the cross made a way for all to be restored in their relationship with God, Paul's suffering ensured that everyone heard about the amazing God who loved his creation so much that he suffered for them.

When we consider Paul's willingness to give it all for the sake of those who have not heard about the awesome love of God, it motivates us to also be active in sharing out faith with others.

Colossians: Saul's story

Once there was a man named Saul who murdered those who followed Jesus. Saul went from village to village looking for Jesus followers, and when he found them, he dragged them out of their houses and arranged to have them stoned. Once when a famous Christian missionary was being stoned, Saul, held the robes of those who threw the stones that killed him. Saul hated the followers of Jesus and did everything that he could to stop them.

While he was traveling looking for Christians to imprison or kill, he decided to head to Damascus.

(Acts 9) 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6 "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

 "Yes, Lord," he answered.
11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

From this point on, Saul became known as Paul. Paul had caused many to suffer for their belief in Jesus, but none as much as he was to endure. God charged Paul with taking the Gospel to the furthest reaches of the world. Paul did this very successfully, but at great personal price. Later in Paul’s life, after he had done what God required of him, he wrote about his suffering to a church that he had cared for deeply. He wrote:

(2nd Corinthians 11:) “Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. … Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own people, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.”

Saul's dramatic conversion to Jesus, and his acceptance of the suffering of following Jesus changed the world. With great personal cost, he spread the truth about Jesus to the far reaches of the Roman world. While Jesus suffering on the cross made a way for all to be restored in their relationship with God, Paul's suffering ensured that everyone heard about the amazing God who loved his creation so much that he suffered for them.

Colossians 1: Created vs. Creator.

There is a big difference between things that are created and the one who created them. If I make a little playdough man, then I am infinitely more capable than he is... I am alive and he is not. I can destroy him, remake him, deform him, or whatever else that I want. His only hope is that I have some compassion for him, or he is toast.

In the same way, God created us and is way more than just our personal genie or rabbits foot. He is the creator and deserves our attention.

In Colossians 1 it says,

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
~Colossians 1:16-17

Jesus was before all things and in him all things hold together... than means that even as I doubt God's existence, God is the one holding my molecules together so that I can doubt him...

In the Ancient days people used to make idols out of wood and stone and metal. Today we make them out of people. We created celebrities and then we worship them as if they have something to tell us about how we should live. The problem though is that they are often famous for all the wrong reasons and have nothing truly important to say.

Jesus on the other hand, sits above the circle of the earth and knows everything, sees everything, and loves everyone.

You choose.... worship a lifeless wooden statue... a clueless celebrity who is only famous because she can sing, act, or be pretty... or worship the only one who can create... sustain... and rule the universe.

Its not such a hard choice after all...

Interested in the Lenses Devo? It is available here: .:Click here!:.

What is C4?

Yes it is an explosive that is often used by terrorists in tv shows and movies, but that is not what we are talking about.

The Mosaic C4 challenge is all about the Book of Colossians. There are 4 chapters... SO.. C as in Colossians... and 4 as in chapters...

...so what is the c4 challenge?

Read Colossians 4 times in the next 4 weeks. Read one chapter a day, and spend one additional day reflecting on what God is teaching you in the book.

This is really a specialized version of the 5-3 challenge that we have already done. (read about the 5-3 challenge here)

SO start today.... take 10 minutes out of your day and them spend
5 minutes reading Colossians, 5 minutes talking to God about what you read, and then try to do this 5 times this week!


THEN... post cool comments here on the Blog.

I will try to post about cool Colossians stuff almost every day!

five3challenge: John 21

"Jesus liked a good fish fry."

During the trial of Jesus, Peter denied knowing him three times. After Jesus was crucified, Peter, and all of the disciples were at a loss. They had traded the lives for a life of following Jesus... and now that he was dead, they didn't know what to do.

Obviously, when Jesus was resurrected, they were all so happy... but for Peter, it wasn't all happiness. Now he would have to face the one that he denied even knowing... the one that he failed so miserably...

John 21 gives us a little window into how Peter dealt with this...

If you remember Jesus had come to Peter and the rest of the disciples and told them to "Follow me" These words were most likely and invitation to become disciples of Jesus, who was a Rabbi. In today's language a disciple would be sort of like and apprentice or intern... except a lot more dedicated in that they would come and live with the person who was teaching them...

Their Rabbi, or teacher, was their new life...

For Peter to say, "I'm going out to fish," most likely meant that he was going back to his career as a fisherman that he had before he left it to follow Jesus.

It is interested that Jesus does not leave him there... he finds Peter and renews his calling on his life.


Jesus chose Peter, even though he failed... He loves and works with imperfect people...

Imperfect people like us...

five3challenge: John 20

After Jesus was tried, he was crucified. On the Cross he took upon himself all of the guilt of humanity. Jesus became our sin so that we might be restored to a right relationship with God.

But then, Jesus rose from the dead three days later.

The first time he appeared to his disciples, Thomas was not present. He told the others that he would never believe unless he touched Jesus himself... and low and behold... a little while later Jesus showed up again, and thomas got his desire.

In John 20:29 we see Jesus response to this.

Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."

I think Jesus was talking about us. If it was hard for Thomas to believe, how much harder for those of us who live so long after Jesus... and yet... hard as it may be... i think that God pours out special blessings on us so that we can find him and find belief!

Having doubts? Ask God to help you to find him!

five3challenge: John 19

"The Trial of the century!"

After Jesus was arrested, he was tried first by the Jewish authorities, but since they were under Roman rule, they had no real authority.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John all talk about the encounter between Jesus and the Roman Governor named Pilate.

In John 18, this account begins when Pilate called for Jesus to be brought to him.

"Are you the king of the Jews?" he asked him.

Jesus replied, "Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?"

"Am I a Jew?" Pilate retorted. "Your own people and their leading priests brought you to me for trial. Why? What have you done?"

Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world."

After this happened, Pilate actually attempted to let Jesus go... This is really strange because if Jesus truly were a king, he would have been viewed as an insurgent and should have been killed to keep him from stirring up a rebellion. Why did the Roman government not care that Jesus claimed to be a king?

The answer is the statement that Jesus made. His kingdom was not of this world. Jesus did not come to gain political or military power, if he had, then he easily could have raised an army and defeated even rome... After all what good are chariots against the one who created the universe?

But that was not Jesus intent. Rather than political power or might, he was going to save the universe simply by an act of utter humility.

It is interesting to think about what this means to us living today about power.

Jesus in weakness, was stronger than Pilate's political strength.

When we are weak, but depend on Jesus, then we are actually strong...

five3challenge: John 18

"Jesus was sold out for some silver"

Judas, one of the disciples who betrayed Jesus for a little money, led the soldiers to arrest Jesus. He knew exactly where Jesus was, because normally he would have been with him...

Judas had witnessed all the same miracles, healings, teachings, and awesome acts of compassion as the rest of the disciples, but his heart had not warmed toward Jesus... all he saw was the money...

Before we are too hard on him, I think we need to ask ourselves a hard questions. Judas betrayed Jesus for silver... what is my price?

What are the things that I am so swayed by, that I would "sell out" and deny Jesus, betray Jesus or Abandon Jesus for.

~For some it is popularity and acceptance... they will do anything to fit in, including abandoning the person they know Jesus wants them to be, or even pretending like they are not followers of him so people will not make fun of them.

~For others it is success and money... they will do anything to get ahead in school or life... even ignoring God to get better grades or work longer hours...

~For others it is pleasure... they will do anything for the next rush... be it sexual, drug related, alcohol and partying... it doesnt matter as long as it brings a moment of fun...

~For some it is relationships... they will do anything to have a boyfriend or girlfriend... even if it means being with someone who pushes their morals or doesn't care about God...

~Still others have other reasons...


How about you... where are you the most tempted to sell out and walk away from loving Jesus, even though you have already learned so much about him?

five3challenge John 17

"Jesus need to spend time with his father"

So today we are going to take a look at John 17, but really only to set it up so it makes sense. The entire chapter is a prayer that Jesus prayed to his father right before he was betrayed, arrested, and ultimately crucified.

If we take a peek in the other three Gospels, the story becomes a little more complete.

Matthew 26 JESUS PRAYS IN GETHSEMANE
36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray."37 He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed.38 He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."
40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour?41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"
42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, "My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away* unless I drink it, your will be done."43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn't keep their eyes open.
44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.45 Then he came to the disciples and said, "Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Up, let's be going. Look, my betrayer is here!"

So it seems like John placed the prayer in John 17 around this time in the Garden. I think it makes sense that Jesus spent the night praying with his disciple and alone considering that he knew what was coming next.

five3challenge: John 16

"Jesus was pretty demanding"

At the end of Chapter 15 Jesus is finishing up with a teaching about why the world hates him and his father. He points out that if his followers truly live and love like Jesus that they too will be hated. The reason is simple, people do not want to accept God's role as the ruler of the universe. They want to live their own way... and if God is God and Jesus is God... then as God they are the true rulers of the universe and the rest of us should submit. So with this in mind, Jesus warns his disciples:

15:26 "But I will send you the Advocate*—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.27 And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry. 16:1 "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I'm telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn't tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.

Jesus first promises his followers that they will never be alone... that the Advocate... who is the Holy Spirit will always be with them. Then he tells them that they must testify to who Jesus is... and help others to understand.

That is when it gets tricky... He tells them that, "I have told you these things so that you won't abandon your faith." Why would they you ask?

Well... remember that in only a few hours Jesus is taken from them and crucified... Plus... Jesus warns them that if they truly follow him that they too will be hated by the world... and people will try to kill them.

Isn't amazing that these first followers of Jesus kept right on telling others about God becoming Man in Jesus and saving the whole world from their sin...

Often their testimony cost them their life...

What has your faith cost you?

five3challenge: John 15

"Jesus was one connected guy"

If you think of an internet connection, you will get a good picture of what it means to be connected to God. You computer can do a lot on its own, but if it is disconnected from the internet none of the things it does can really be shared with others... You cannot IM, facebook, myspace, youtube, email, surf, download iTunes, movies, or get you fix of news updates unless you are connected...

in the same way, it is impossible to really achieve the spiritually vibrant life God wants us to have without a connection to him that is "plugged in."

A few years ago I had a dial up connection to the internet that was really slow and only worked when I dialed a number and logged in. Then I got a cable connection that is always on and now I would never go back... it is fast and always available.

How about your connection to God? is it "dial-up" or "Broadband?"

five3challenge John 14... a few more thoughts...

Hey... there were a few verses in John 14 that I did not touch on, but still wanted to.

In 14:12 Jesus says

"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

This is pretty cool to me... it means that the greatest works of God on earth are still to come. Obviously Jesus death on the cross in unrepeatable, but when we are faithful and follow him, there are still great works left to be accomplished by faith... Great works like the ones God can do through you when you are seeking to be faithful to him....


In 14:15 Jesus says

"If you love me, obey my commandments."

This seems easy enough to understand. God is loving and forgiving... but if I really love him then I will want to show him by living the life he demonstrated for us... the best kind of life that seeks to obey him in all things... If I have no desire to obey... it could be that my love has grown cold.

Finally in 14:16 Jesus talks about the Holy Spirit saying,

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,* who will never leave you.17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth."

This is so cool because it means we are never alone... God's spirit is always with us... PLUS... it is his spirit that leads us into the great truths about God... Try this... the next time a verse is confusing to you, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to understanding.!

five3challenge John 14...

Jesus is the truth...

Jesus is the way...

Jesus is the life...

First off, you need to take note of John 13:37-38.

37 "But why can't I come now, Lord?" he asked. "I'm ready to die for you."
38 Jesus answered, "Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.

Did you catch that? John is making it clear that Chapter 13 is the beginning of the night that Jesus is arrested and ultimately crucified. Even though chapter 14-17 don't say much about this, this whole section is his final discourse to his most trusted disciples. 13 -18 all take place in the period of 24 hours or less.

That said, lets look at chapter 14. Verse 14:6 is one of the most famous in the Bible:

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

This passage makes it clear how important Jesus is. he is the Way... to reconnection with God. He is the truth... that sets you free. He is the Life... that comes from God and never stops... eternal life.

What happens next explains how Jesus can be all these things...

John 14:7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.* From now on, you do know him and have seen him!" 8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus replied, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don't know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you?

Jesus is so much more than simply a child descendent from God... He is GOD.

God is three persons in one being. God the Father... God the son... and God the Holy Spirit...

Jesus is the way to God... because he is God...

five3challenge: John 13

"Jesus does a mean pedicure!"

Often at meals when someone entertaining guests, their servants would wash the feet of those in attendance. As you can imagine, it was not a highly sought after responsibility. Most likely the servant who was the lowest in rank would have to perform the task.

Now Jesus flips the whole thing on its head. Rather than it being a servant who did it... the Master did it, and set an important example while he did.

What is most interesting about this is the words that set the situation up.

1 ... Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. 2 It was time for supper ... Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

Jesus realizes that all authority has been given to him... SO he gets up and washes the disciples feet.

I know that in my life, I always wanted to be in charge because I thought that was the way to get what I wanted. When Jesus realized that he was fully in charge, he took it on himself to do the lowest available task... to serve in the most dirty and unappreciated way...

Then he said we should do the same...

How are you doing at being a servant? Have you been able to use your position in life and status to serve others.... If you are an 8th grader, or the oldest sibling, or even just a little above someone else you have an opportunity to live and love like Jesus by voluntarily choosing to serve... even when no one is going to make you.

five3challenge: bookmark for week 4

five3challenge: John 12 (Part 2)

"Jesus was an awesome performer"

John 12:37 says,

Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.

Why?

Why after such clear evidence did so many people still reject Jesus. What after "seeing for themselves" did people who witnessed the miracles first hand still not turn to follow Jesus?

There are many reasons I am sure, but one basic one is at least true.

They did not want to.

You know, this is true still today. Some people raise all kinds of objections to faith, God, the bible, Jesus, etc... but really these are just a smoke screen for their own desire to not believe.

Why would someone not want to believe in Jesus?

That is simple... if you believe in Jesus... then you have to live like you mean it... You have to let him be the God of you life and you have to serve him...

Thoughts?

five3challenge: John 12

Jesus smelled really good...sometimes...

Not long after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus is having dinner at his house. At the dinner Mary, Lazarus sister, took some very expensive perfume and poured on Jesus feet. Then with her own hair she wiped his feet.

As many have pointed out... this perfume was most likely intended for Mary's wedding, but following Jesus raising of Lazarus... life would never be the same for Mary

Even if she married, she would never get over knowing that she had met the One who had power of Death.

She had experienced such wonderful things in Jesus... that all the treasures of life were now secondary... even human love.

She was ruined for Jesus...

But Jesus was so fragrant that the whole house was filled with the smell...


Have you been ruined for Jesus yet? What crazy things have you been moved to do simply because you love him so much?

five3challenge: John 11:37-57

Jesus was the LIFE of the party!


When Jesus showed up to late to save Lazarus, many people murmered about him, saying things life,

"Could not the one who opened blind men's eyes, save this man?"

Even Lazarus' sisters were disappointed that Jesus had not done more...

But Jesus was not swayed by the opinions of others... he knew what would bring the most glory to his father, and it was not healing this time. It was Resurrection.

Jesus told Mary (11:25-26),

"I am the resurrection and the life.
Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

So at Jesus command, the people present removed the stone that covered the grave of Lazarus, and when Jesus prayed to his father, Lazarus rose. He had been dead for three days.

Why let him die and then resurrect him?

"Father... I have said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."

Jesus was trying to help his followers to understand who he was and to trust him no matter what. After all... if he could raise the dead, what could possibly not be possible for him.

How much do you trust him? Has it occurred to you what he is capable of?

Roots Series: Connection (prayer)

We were made for connection with God.

Once, in the garden of Eden, this connection was face to face as the first humans walked with God...

after the humans disobeyed God their connection with him was broken. This connection could only be re-established by the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross.

Now the connection is available to everyone who follows Jesus. Still many choose to segment their faith to only certain areas of their life.


This means that God is more than a Genie, and prayer is more than simple "wishes."

Prayer is communicating with God.


We were designed for constant connection with God, but often we forget about him for long stretches of our day, week, or life.

If we really want to know him and follow him, then we must learn to establish a constant connection with him.

Whats the the bottom line?

Prayer is about connection with God... it is mysterious... through it we enter into relationship with the invisible world that surrounds us all the time...

Some questions to consider about this topic:
1. . How connected do you feel with God?

2. What are your current habits regarding God's prayer? What keeps you from talking with God, and developing that connection? What has worked for you?

3. What would help you to stay connected with God all the time? Is there a prayer equivalent to text messaging or IM?


4. How do you think you could begin to grow a rhythm of prayer in your life?

5. If you really believed that whatever you prayed for would come true in 30 seconds... what would you pray for first? Second?