Greg Denham

MAKE YOU FISHERS OF MEN

Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men!” (Mk 1:17)

What did Jesus mean by this?

For Jesus to say, “Follow me …” tells us that Christianity is highly relational. It’s a relationship with, Jesus Christ! When Jesus said, “…I will make you fishers of men” He was communicating that those who follow Him will have a unique influence upon their fellow man. He wants our lives to have an impact in the work of the Gospel. The Lord wants our lives to have a godly, healthy and inspiring influence to those around us. Boiled down, Christian’s are to lead in this way!

Here’s the question I want to pose to my fellow brothers in Christ, “What does a man of God’s influence look like?” Or, “What does it mean that a man of God, leads the way?” Below are eight points that begin to answer that question. It is not a complete list(there’s more to come), but it’s a good start!

MAIN THING THE MAIN THING

#1 Keeps the main thing the main thing (I Cor 2:2; John 15:26; John 14:6; Phil 3:12-14)

Men of God love Jesus, grow in Jesus, and obey Jesus! What is the main thing? The Son of God, the Word of God and the Spirit of God! When the main thing is the main thing: the Spirit of God is satisfied, the Word of God is prioritized, the Son of God is glorified and the Church of God is edified! When this takes place the church is a powerful influence that will make Christ known and make new disciples of Christ!

STEWARD

#2 He is a Steward (I Cor 4:1-2; 1 Peter 4:10; I Cor 6:20)

A man of God lives with a high level of awareness that he is responsible with what is not his. He is a steward of the Gospel message. He is a steward of the resources, opportunities, gifts and the time that has been given to him. He is also a steward of his own body knowing that his life does not belong to himself.

CAUSE, FIRST

#3 He puts the cause of Christ, first! (1 Cor 6:7; Acts 20:24)

This means that a man of God is willing to give up their rights and liberties for the greater good for the cause of Christ. They are willing to be disadvantaged personally, so  that the community is advantaged corporately! They are willing to suffer privately in order to avoid contributing to influences that undermine the greater good of the body of Christ. Paul wrote, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

 WILL OF GOD

#4 He understands and is committed to doing the will of God! (Eph 5:15-17)

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” 

The word “time” carries the idea of opportunity or special moments. It does not refer to time on the clock. (i.e. Chronos)

Perspective: The speed of the “game of life” is faster than ever! Information, transportation and expectation have all picked up in pace! Unless a man of God has identified the chief opportunities and priorities that are to define his life, there is a high likelihood that his his witness for Christ will get left in the dust. Ask yourself, “Lord, what are the priorities that are to define my life and glorify you?”

 LOVE

#5 He has a heart of God for the people of God (John 13:35; Acts 2:46; Rom. 16:17-18).

Jesus said “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Jn 13:35)

This means that a man of God demonstrates love to all Christians, not just some. What is love? Love is patient, gracious and kind. A Christian is to love all who make up the most diverse family on earth. A man of God exemplifies unity in the essentials, liberty in the non-essentials, but love in all things!

TEACHABLE

#6 He is teachable and is always learning (I Tim 4:15-16; Pr. 9:9; Mt 11:15)

Eight times Jesus said, “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”. Paul instructed Timothy, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” (1 Tim 4:15-16)

Leaders are learners!

Pr. 9:9 reads,“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Abraham Lincoln said, “I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.”

Peter grew as a man of God, as a leader, and became more influential in his generation largely do to the fact that he remained teachable. In Matt 15:15 Peter asks Jesus to explain a difficult parable. Matt 18:21, he asked how he needed to forgive. Matt 19:27 he asked about the reward that the disciples would get for following Jesus. Mark 11:21, he asked the meaning of the withered fig tree. John 21:20-22, Peter asked questions of the risen Christ. He wanted to know what he didn’t know. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading!

It’s been said …

“The quality of your life in any area of your life will be determined by the kind of questions you have the courage to ask yourself in that area. If you don’t ask the right questions in your life you won’t get the right answers. If you don’t get the right answers you can’t build the right strategy. If you can’t get the right strategy you won’t get the right results. So regardless of what you do in life you have to ask the right questions. Questioning is an art. It is a skill that you can develop. You can get good at it.”

 INTEGRITY

#7 He is a man of integrity (Eph. 5:18; 2 Tim 2:21)

A man of God is not perfect but he is honest and authentic. Men of God do not allow compartmentalizing in their life. They are the same behind closed doors as they are in public. Integrity carries the idea of a unit of one. It comes from the word, “integer”. They are Spirit filled (i.e. controlled) Eph 5:18. God can overlook a lack of intelligence. He can overlook a lack of gifts. But God will not use a dirty vessel. 2 Tim 2:21 reads, “Those who make themselves clean from all those evil things, will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed” (2 Timothy 2:21 TEV).

 PERSEVERES

#8 He never gives up! (2 Tim 4:7; 1 Cor 15:58; James 5:11; Heb 6:10)

Men of God persevere. Without perseverance there would be no redemption, church, missions, evangelism, godly legacy or family! Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Tim 4:7

A man of God understands that at times their efforts will produce measurable results but at other times they will not (at least before men), and often not until the next generation. But they know that the Lord’s Spirit is always at work in and through His people and more often beyond comprehension. Ultimately, whether one’s efforts are measurable in this lifetime or not, faithfulness is always seen by God, weighed by God and rewarded by God — and glorifies God!

So be encouraged and remember Paul’s admonition: “…my beloved brethren be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Arriving home from church today our daughter Sarah told Stephanie and I that Pastor Chuck has been diagnosed with lung cancer. It was like time stood still for me. It wasn’t long before I heard Stephanie weeping. I picked up my phone and noticed that Dennis Agajanian and Don Stewart confirmed the news via text. We don’t have many details. The Dr’s are still evaluating his condition. We do know surgery is scheduled for next week. Please join us in praying for this godly and precious man. The Lord is in the miracle business!! p.s. for those who may not know of Pastor Chuck, I write about what what he has meant to me and millions of others. You can learn more about him by clicking the “Influences” and “My Story” options at the top tool bar of this web site.

The Three Things You Can Give God

Below is a blog written by pastor/ author Greg Laurie. I really enjoyed it and I know you will too!!

As we enter into a new year,here is something to remember-

When it’s all said and done, we have three things we can offer God: our treasure, our talent, and our time. Each of these is given to us by God, and each of them should be given back in generous portions.

First, there is our treasure.

I urge you to commit yourself to give faithfully and generously to the Lord in this coming year. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21 nkjv). Whenever we put our money into something, we develop a vested interest in it.

It makes sense to us that we would place our treasures where our hearts are. If we love reading books, or being entertained, or the latest technology, we spend our treasure on those things. And if our heart’s desires change, that changes where we put our treasure.

But it works the other way too: Where we put our treasures, our heart will follow.

Do you want your heart to be in the things of God? Then put your treasures in the things of God! Develop a vested interest in God’s kingdom.

The second thing we can give to God is our talent.

God has gifted each believer in different ways. Everyone has something to offer for the work of the kingdom.

Romans 12 says, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us different work to do” (nlt).

Finally, there is our time.

Let’s say that one day your phone rang and it was the president of the bank that you use. He told you that an anonymous donor who loved you very much had decided to deposit 86,400 pennies into your bank account each and every morning.

At first, maybe that didn’t seem like a lot. But then you figured out that it was $864 a day. At seven days a week and 52 weeks a year, those pennies add up to almost $315,000 each year!

But the bank president added one thing: “The anonymous giver said you must spend all of the money on the day you receive it! No balance will be carried over to the next day. Each evening the bank must cancel whatever sum you failed to use! Remember, what you don’t spend is lost.”

That may sound like fantasy, but here’s the reality: Every morning, Someone who loves you very much deposits into your “bank of time” 86,400 seconds, which represent 1,440 minutes, which of course equals 24 hours each and every day.

God gives you that much to use each day. Nothing is ever carried over on credit to the next day. There is no such thing as a 27-hour day.

It’s called time, and you can’t escape it. Time is ticking away right now. The Bible tells us to “redeem the time”—to make sacred and wise use of every opportunity.

Offer God your treasure, your talent, and your time. Live this year as if it were your last…because it could be.

Make those minutes count!

You’ve heard it said, “It doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you are sincere with your beliefs”. The idea that ideology plus sincerity makes a belief true, good or helpful — is at best silly — and at worse destructive. You can sincerely believe two plus two is, 5 but that’s silly and obviously wrong. Hitler sincerely believed that Jews were subhuman and the source of problems in the world, but such a belief is not only wrong but unspeakably demonic and evil!!!

The Bible places a huge importance on belief and faith, why?

Below is a five-fold-perspective on why what you believe is important:

One, what you believe will fuel and inform your outlook on life – your decision making – your priorities – your choices – your lifestyle and the direction of your life and how you respond to the circumstances of your life!

Two, what you believe has consequences good, bad or ugly. Jesus identified what could be called “blessed beliefs” or “dead end beliefs!” A blessed belief would be for example, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled.” (Matt 5:6) A “dead end belief” would be what Jesus was referring to when He identified beliefs that led to the destruction of the Jerusalem saying,  “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace!” (Lk 19:41-44) Their belief led them to a dead end and brought bad consequences.

Three, what you believe is like a “door”. It literally has the potential to bring realities into your life or shut them out. Jesus said, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36). So depending upon what you believe will determine whether “everlasting life” enters the door of your life or whether it remains outside the door of your life. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

Four, what you believe will either be the result of intentional thinking or nonthinking. Many people form beliefs about God not because of intentional thinking but because they are parroting the ideas of others. Boiled down, you’ll either determine your beliefs or someone else will. Each of us have the moral responsibility to validate our own beliefs. And each of us will be ultimately responsible before God in what beliefs we held and what beliefs informed our lives.

Five, God commands that we take hold of the management of our mental processes that shape our beliefs. God calls for us to make a turning point in our life. He calls for a paradigm shift in our life! This paradigm shift is called “repentance!” In short, repentance means to change your mind which is the key to the blessed-beliefs of God! There needs to come a time in each of our lives that we choose to have our thinking shaped and changed by the Word of God. This will result in a change in our heart which will then result in a change in our lifestyle! The most important area that our thinking needs to change is accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord!

p.s. Please join us for a new teaching series called, “Credo” beginning Wednesday, January 4th, 2012. “Credo!” (Latin = “I believe!”). These studies will be in-depth on the subjects of Bible Doctrine and Christian Growth. Don’t miss it!

I want to thank you for reading the blog this past week! I had planned to upload pictures and videos to share with you but unfortunately I had computer problems once we arrived. I hope to upload videos that I think you’d enjoy once we return. In short, it has been a totally blessed trip with a great group from our church!!! Thank you for your prayers!!!! I hope to see everyone this Wednesday for a special presentation on Israel and video clips from our trip 6:45 pm main sanctuary. We send our love and can’t wait to see everyone. From Jerusalem, Greg and Stephanie. Acts 1:8

To be physically handicapped in the ancient world was a particular hardship and challenge.
In effect your life was relegated to begging and dependency upon others.

The Gospel of John chpt 9 tells us that Jesus took an active interest in a blind man in Jerusalem. This was a man who had been blind since birth, having never seen the light of day, the brilliance of a flower, not even his mother’s face.

 What did Jesus do? He put mud in the mans eyes and instructed him to wash in the pool of Siloam and the man was healed!

Today we visited the sight where this miracle took place in Jerusalem, the pool of Siloam.

But before we read the passage as a group at the pool, I asked everyone to consider what the key to the mans healing actually was? Was it the mud? The waters of the pool of Siloam? 

What we concluded was that the man simply listened to Jesus and responded to His directive. Though he could not see, he could hear! The key to his healing was his hearing. Would you believe that hearing is often the key to seeing? In fact often what we see trips us up. Often the key to seeing reality more clearly  begins with hearing! 

Maybe you’re in a place where you can’t “see” clearly what’s going on? You’re in a trial. Your amidst a hardship. The circumstances of your life are confusing. Here’s the good news — you can hear.

Jesus said, “If you continue in my word you will be my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free!” (Jn 8:31-32) In other words, “do you want to “see?” Do you want to see what often you can’t see? Than “hear” and “respond” to the Lord. And you will “see”, in fact, you will be “set free!” 

Paul wrote, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” 2 Timothy 4:14-17

How could Paul say this? Because Jesus said “Lo I am with you always!” Mt 28:20 The key to Paul “seeing” the Lord and being encouraged and comforted was hearing the promise of Jesus!

The question that I want to ask you is, “What does God want you to ‘see’ today?” 

Here’s what I want to encourage you to do:  open the Scriptures today with a heart to hear. Ask the Lord, “Lord what do you want me to see/ understand?” The most important reality that we all see is that Jesus is the Son of God and that we follow Him! 

Blessings on you from Jerusalem!! We send our love!!
Greg and Stephanie

Thank you for stopping by to read the blog. I’ve wanted to write more but I’ve had a few computer and connection challenges(I’m pecking away on my IPhone). We are presently on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. This morning we’ll get on a boat and enjoy the lake and then visit Capernaum the City Matthew indentifies as “his city” in the North and during most of the Lord’s public ministry. This morning Stephanie and I awakened very early and sat on the shore of the lake facing East. We are very close to the 1st Century Magdela. I spent a lot of time thinking of when Jesus prepared breakfast for Peter and the others. After His resurrection He assured Peter of His love and the call the Lord had on Peter’s life despite his failure of denying Jesus in Jerusalem. We send our love and we are praying for you!!!

Today we began by making our way to the Mt. of Olives that overlooks Jerusalem from the East. It is a view that is both surreal and breathtaking. To be atop the Mt and muse on the fact that Jesus descended the Mt of Olives riding a Donkey entering the City the very week He was crucified is beyond words. Years prior King David ascended the Mt of Olives fleeing his son Absalom in betrayal. Jesus on the other hand descended the Mt of Olives entering the City to face betrayal by Judas and to bear the reproach and sin of the world.  
 
Below are some of the Scriptures that we read while overlooking the City. They provide great perspective on how everything is moving toward the Coming King. Some of the descriptions are graphic, describing how Jesus will bring justice to earth. But the reality is there is not a greater friend of Israel, the Jew, the sinner — the world, then the Lord Jesus Christ. He will return at the darkest hour in Israel’s history. He will return at the darkest hour in world history. He is the Savior and He is the Lord! I hope everyone reading this blog is ready for Jesus return!!
 
Enjoy these Scriptures!
 
The promise of His return (Acts 1:4-12)
Jerusalem Center Of World Attention (Zechariah 12:1-3)
Return To Bozrah (Isaiah 63:1-6)
Judges armies surrounding Jerusalem (Joel 3:1-31/2 – Vs. 9-17)
Israel looks upon the Lord who was pierced (Zech. 12:10)
Jesus ascends “Olives” as triumphal King (Zech. 14:3-4)
 
I hope to have some videos uploaded soon.
 
Shalom, Shalom – from Jerusalem!
We send our love
Greg and Stephanie

We arrived in Israel where we made a b-line to Mt Scopus just north of the Mt of Olives and read many
passages underscoring the person and work of Jesus in Jerusalem. It was incredible! Then we checked in our Hotel had dinner and walked to the Old City and Western Wall. We literally just got back. I’m writing this on my IPhone. Tomorrow we begin at the Mt of Olives and end up at the garden tomb. I’ll have videos for
you soon along with more insightful blogs. Thank you for your prayers and I’ll blog more tomorrow. Shalom, Shalom, Greg

HOW GOD WORKS ALL THINGS OUT FOR THE GOOD

Romans 8:28-39

There is a reality that when understood and experienced — is a major life changer. It is a source of joy and strength like nothing else!!

It has to do with the reality and promise of Romans 8:28 that says,“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

There are two main points …

#1 In Christ you’re secure in God’s love Relationally, Provisionally, Redemptively and Eternally (Relationally = He’ll never leave you nor forsake you; Provisionally = He will provide the grace you need in whatever situation you are in; Redemptively = In short, He will take lemons and make lemonade; Eternally = His love is forever!)

#2 In Christ God is active in our midst and in ultimate control with His Sovereign hand working all things out for the good.

** Am I responsible for the decisions I make? Yes

** Do my choices have consequences? Yes

** Should I make the best decisions I can possible make? Yes

** Does God have a will for my life? Yes!

** What is His will? It primarily has to do with the person you are!

John MacArthur writes, “You see, the will of God is not primarily a place. The will of God is not first of all for you to go there or work there. The will of God concerns you as a person. If you are the right you, you can follow your desires and you will fulfill God’s will. Again, if you are the right you, if you’re becoming the person God wants you to be you can follow your desires and you will fulfill God’s will”

***** What you can do is trust that God is working out all things not despite your choices but through them!

Remember how God took care of Joseph!

At the end of Joseph’s life he said, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good …” (Gen 50:20)

What good?

#1 God would use Joseph to save hundreds of thousands of lives under his leadership/ administration in providing food for the known world.

#2 In addition, God provided refuge and safe harbor to Israel during the SEVEN year famine/ tribulation under his leadership in Egypt.

#3 Future generations would be blessed! The Sovereign hand of God has a long reach into future generations.

#4 During this time the tribes of Israel were taking refuge in Egypt from a growing Pagan culture back in the land of Canaan. God protected them from the compromise in Canaan.

#5 The Sovereign Hand of God was shaping Joseph into a man of God: like Christ!

When you stand on Romans 8:28, here’s what you’re doing: you’re trusting #1 In Christ and the security of His love relationally, provisionally, redemptively and eternally. #2 In Christ God is active in our midst and in ultimate control with His Sovereign hand working all things out for the good.

**When you say, “I am trusting in the sovereign hand of God” you are saying, “I am going to stand on God’s promises!”

** When you say, “I am trusting in the sovereign hand of God” you are saying, that “the Father’s chief aim is growing me to be more like Jesus.”

** When you say, “I am trusting in the sovereign hand of God” you are saying, “that although I don’t understand, I stand on what I do know, and that it just may be that God will use the challenges today to impact generations to come.”