“Follow Me”

Jesus Calls the First Apostles

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

In the Great Commission, Jesus told His apostles to go out and make disciples. A disciple is a follower of Jesus. Therefore, the Great Commission was about finding people who would follow Jesus.

This is also what Jesus did while on the earth – He made disciples. But while His apostles would call people to follow Jesus, He would tell them, “Follow Me.

There are a few examples in the gospels in which Jesus offered this invitation – “Follow Me.” In this article, we are going to look at these statements in the book of Matthew and make some applications.Continue Reading

“In the Lord I Take Refuge”

Mountain with Bird

In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain; for, behold, the wicked bend the bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string to shoot in darkness at the upright in heart” (Psalm 11:1-2).

Throughout his life, David faced numerous challenges, hardships, and trials. All of us will face difficulties in life, though the severity and duration will vary. Job succinctly described this reality: “Man, who is born of woman, is short-lived and full of turmoil” (Job 14:1).

However, in the passage above, David confidently declared that he was able to “take refuge” in the Lord. God was able to provide him with the security and hope that he desperately needed. The same is true for us – we must “take refuge” in the Lord. David wrote elsewhere, “O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).

Why was David confident that he could take refuge in the Lord? Why are we able to have the same confidence? The psalmist provided four reasons:Continue Reading

Suffering as a Christian (Season 10, Episode 7)

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Suffering as a Christian (Season 10, Episode 7)

In this season, we’re discussing some lessons from Peter’s first epistle.

Suffering is going to be a part of our lives as Christians. As Peter explained, we need to be sure we are suffering as Christians and not justly as evildoers.

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Great Days in History (Part 8): Today

Great Days in History

For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said, ‘Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me’” (Hebrews 3:14-15).

In this final lesson, we are not going to keep moving further down a timeline. There is nothing past the day of eternity. Instead, we are going to talk about today to see what we need to do with what we have learned in this series.Continue Reading

Through Many Tribulations (Part 4): Persecution

Through Many Tribulations

As we continue looking at the apostle Paul, we will see that he did more than just sacrifice his time and effort in laboring for the cause of Christ, along with a degree of material and mental well-being. He also faced persecution for his faith.

He told Timothy, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:8-10). Not only did Paul suffer as a criminal, but he willingly endured this. Why? He said he did so “for the sake of those who are chosen” (2 Timothy 2:10). He also told Timothy later in this same letter, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). He endured persecution in order to obtain salvation – for himself and for others. In his second letter to the Corinthians, he described some of the ways he faced persecution.Continue Reading

Through Many Tribulations: Introduction

Through Many Tribulations

As Paul and Barnabas returned to the churches they established during their first preaching tour, they encouraged the disciples to “continue in the faith” as they would go “through many tribulations” in order to “enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The kingdom to which this referred was not the church – these brethren were already in the church. Instead, this was the eternal kingdom where we will enjoy the reward of heaven. These Christians would have to endure “many tribulations” before they reached that reward.Continue Reading

Lord, Come Quickly

Clouds

After receiving the revelation contained in the book of Revelation, John gave a final statement from Jesus: “I am coming quickly” (Revelation 22:20). John then expressed his desire for Jesus to do this: “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). He wanted Jesus to come quickly.

Why would John desire Jesus to come quickly? When we think about the return of Christ in which He will judge the world and reward the faithful, why should we desire Jesus to come quickly? Furthermore, what does it say about us if this is not our desire? We will explore these questions in this article.Continue Reading