Look around America. What are some of the major trends shaping our society today? Who are we becoming as a nation? Would you agree that America is turning away from God and God’s principles for living life as He designed it to be lived to the full (John 10:10)? Do you see that a growing self-centeredness, selfish materialism, disconnect from deeply caring relationships, imploding family structure, decaying morality, disregard for God, and more trends are rapidly changing us? Our team in India this week and 33 Calvary people just returned from Haiti are two great examples of Jesus-following people who are saying NO to the national drift. They are joined by hundreds of us who have discovered this powerful truth: Generosity is the antidote to selfishness. Compassionately serving others defeats self-centered isolation. For several weeks, we’ve been considering what is involved in Building Legacy for God’s Glory. Each of us is everyday building a legacy, so stop for just a moment and look closely at yours. Selfish or generous? Serving others or withdrawing from other people? When God was here, in the person of Jesus Christ, He said, “Come, follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mark 1:17) The men to whom Jesus was speaking were busy guys… fishermen. They had work to do, families to feed, a business to grow. But God was inviting them to more… a life of greater purpose. Have you heard Jesus say to you, “Come and follow Me”? “Come” suggests that I need to choose… stay where I am or change, draw near to God. “Follow Me” is another choice… live my life aware of God, maybe even religiously, or live it “in lock step with Jesus.” Stop, think, look in the mirror. Where are we with this, friends? How do we “live in lock step with Jesus”? “I will make you fishers of men,” Jesus said to those guys. God made you and me first when He created us. If you have trusted Jesus to be your Savior, He has re-made you into a “new creation in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17). What more would He like to do in you and me if He re-shaped us to be “fishers of men”? Here’s one simple phrase that explains what a “fisher of men” is and does… “Draw and Connect people to Jesus.” Isn’t that what Peter, Andrew, James, John, and millions of us since then have done as we live our lives everyday following Jesus? But why bother? Because God touches our broken world with His Gospel power and individual help through those who are living in lock step with Jesus as “fishers of men.” It’s an exhilarating way to live! It’s dramatically different from the national drift of America today! It starts with hearing Jesus’ invitation and answering YES, and then turning your heart to Jesus! Digging Deeper ~ Pastor Doug Anderson
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 12:00:00 +0000
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