Lake Eufaula Christian Church
When the time had come for Jesus to reveal his worldly purpose, He started His ministry with a road trip. First, though, although faultless, He was baptized as an example for all of us. Then he let the Holy Spirit lead him to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan in the desert, where He fasted and prayed for 40 days, leaning on scripture for his only support.
He started his journey as a solo traveler in Capernaum, a fishing village where He pulled his “faith bus” up by the Sea of Galilee and got his first four passengers on the road trip that was destined to help change the world.
Jesus knew these four men were not perfect, but teachable. He told them to leave their fishing business and “fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) Jesus called them away from their productive trades to be productive spiritually—to help others find God. Simon (Peter) and Andrew, then, James and his brother John were the first disciples to leave their jobs to follow Jesus— immediately. They didn’t make excuses about why it wasn’t a good time. They realized at once that following Jesus was not to be an occasional practice, but a continuous commitment and way of life.
Jesus called people like you and me to follow Him. He didn’t get Pharisees and Kings or proud, boastful people who thought they were better than everyone else. He called ordinary people. Working class. Somewhat uneducated. Anyone can come to Jesus. But Jesus called those with a humble, teachable spirit to become His disciples.
What is a disciple, anyway? A learner. A follower. A pupil of the teacher. That’s a disciple. Yes, Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. But He also came to make disciples, to teach them God’s will, so that they could know God and help change the world. He kept calling more people to follow Him and learn God’s will, and these new disciples watched Him teach, preach, and heal people in a miraculous way.
Jesus’s style of discipleship was intentional, instructional, and relational.
He intentionally brought others with Him to empower them and to teach them how to proclaim the gospel. The idea of discipleship doesn’t mean just sitting around being Christ-like. It means shining for the Kingdom of God, living life in a way that proclaims Jesus’s goodness and also inviting others to follow Him.
Jesus’s style was also instructional.
He told his 12 disciples, “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” (Luke 9:5,6) They probably didn’t feel at all prepared, but they didn’t protest as they set out on their mission to win souls.
Jesus camped out and lived with his disciples, ate with them, and walked the roads of the Holy Land with them. He had a close relationship with them, and He still wants the same with you.
We at LECC adore and value that relationship, which we honor at Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday night all-age activities at 6:30 p.m.
If you’re unchurched, please stop making excuses, come visit us at 415897 Highway 9, Eufaula, and join us in trying to be Christ-like in your road trip of faith.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
