Radical follower spurring on other radicals…

When we follow Jesus, we are called to surrender to him and abandon self. Jesus said, if anyone would come after him, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow him.

The other day, I was watching a sermon by Francis Chan from his series on the end of the world. He talked about Paul’s letter to Timothy warning him that in later times men will be lovers of self, lovers of pleasure, lovers of money, and will have a facade of godliness but denying its power. 

I had to examine my heart during this message and see how much I have been about SELF lately. Everything I have been worrying about and focusing on has been SELF, and I have had to repent and put my trust back in my King Jesus. 

As we journey together to know Jesus, may his Holy Spirit lead us to test our hearts and live RADICALLY and PASSIONATELY for KING JESUS. Let’s surround ourselves with these people, because without them, it will be a lonely and harder journey.

To spur you on, I’m including 2 quotes I found fascinating and exhilarating:

The historian D’Aubigne writes: “A great work of God is never
accomplished by the natural strength of man. It is from the dry
bones, the darkness and the dust of death, that God is pleased to
select the  instruments by means of which He designs to scatter
over the earth His light, regeneration and life.” [- D’Aubigne’s
“History of the Reformation”].

Another writer has observed: “In the various crises that have
occurred in the history of the church, men have come to the front
who have manifested a holy recklessness that astonished their
fellows. When Luther nailed his theses to the door of the cathedral
at Wittenberg, cautious men were astonished at his audacity.
When John Wesley ignored all church restrictions and religious
propriety and preached in the fields and by-ways, men declared
his reputation was ruined. So it has been in all ages. When the
religious condition of the times called for men who were willing to
sacrifice all for Christ, the demand created the supply, and there
have always been found a few who have been willing to be
regarded reckless for the Lord. An utter recklessness concerning
men’s opinions and other consequences is the only attitude that
can meet the exigencies of the present times.” [Quoted by Frank
Bartleman in “Azusa Street”, pg 46. (Also published as “Another
Wave Rolls in”). - Another brilliant book!]

Learning about Church

Greetings!

I am watching my weekly video podcast of Cornerstone’s messages. They are currently doing a series on Community and speaking specifically on Church.

I have really been gripped by this idea of what “Church” is supposed to be biblically vs. how it looks in big mega churches today.

I have loved so much about what Francis Chan is saying, especially about the need to be community that deeply loves each other like we see in the early Church.

I have so much hope in the Church of Jesus Christ and how God is stirring his church to love one another so that world may see in give Glory to God.

1 John 4:11 says, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. ”

And I think of Paul’s charge to “Love the brotherhood”! We are care so deeply for each other and carry each other’s burdens.

I pray that God would empower us by His Spirit to do this well!

Check out this series if you want to gain more insight into The Church!

CLICK HERE FOR CORNERSTONE

Learning to Love,
Ken