The Making of Fishers of Men (Part 2)

Process  ……  

Exploration – Growing – Moving Closer – Christ Centered/Others Minded = (Fisher of Men)

Last week we discussed the process of developing a person, from someone who is just investigating life’s path, into becoming a follower of Jesus and fisher of men.  We looked at the first phase of all of our lives, which we called the exploration phase.  We saw the awesome benefit of making places in our lives, like our gathering environments, a place where explorers can be invited so they can search out Christ with a friend at their side.

We spoke of the need to keep our eye on the destination or prize and not just look at the phase we are presently in.  Far too many people get stalled because they only see the value of where they are, rather than where God is trying to take them.  Keep moving!

In the initial phase of exploration often friends have a more influential voice than someone who sits in a position of authority.  Don’t condemn these friends, as they will be the people that this new explorer will be willing to tell their story to.  Instead, tell why you chose in your life to trust God’s voice over every other voice even your closest friends.

I hope you haven’t checked out already because you think this is too elementary for you as a mature believer.   The fact is that if you are somewhere else on this journey you still need to listen and learn so you can help others and so you can continue to move. The first disciples dropped their nets and followed Jesus but weren’t truly Christ followers until after they had been through the exploration phase.  

Again an unhealthy stall takes place if we stay undecided or uncommitted after finding the true answer in Christ.  People who spend all their time looking at the many forms of religion seeking to find the one that requires the least from them or fits their own concept of God will never be fulfilled.   The Bible is sure and faithful as is it’s author.  Let’s look at the next phase.

Process  …… 

Exploration – Growing – Moving Closer – Christ Centered/Others Minded = (Fisher of Men)

Growing

Exploration eventually finds the seed of the word of God and it is planted in the heart of a person.  It begins to germinate and the person is born of a new source that is the spirit.  We call it born again based on the word of God.

This is the first phase for someone who has made a decision to make Christ savior.  The cross becomes real and we choose to submit to its power to rescue us from eternal death.  The journey really only begins however at the point the person determines to make Jesus Lord and we become His disciple.   The word disciple means learner and imitator not just learner.

We find ourselves here after a spiritual encounter with God Himself or one of His messengers.  If we taste God’s goodness we often become ravenous in our spiritual eating habits. Personal feeding by learning the Bible is valued above most other things.  If our meal is brief or laced with unsavory religion we may starve and stagnate in our faith.   Sometimes people get stalled by just seeing the value of consuming and never get to the goal of becoming Christ like/Others minded.

The idea of having a personal connection to God is begun in the growing phase.  Often people who get excited about their personal connection can’t always see the value of the assembly or group so you hear these young spiritual beings stating they only need God and themselves; all the while God is trying to get them to see the world around them through His lens.  This growth phase should never end as God instructs us to study to know Him.

2 Timothy 2:15 …Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.     

One thing we’ve seen is that often people who connect to God are excited to share their faith because they have yet to learn to be afraid.  They’re so thrilled with their newfound peace, joy and contentment that they just explode in the lives of those around them.  We’ve seen more of this in our midst in recent years and God is very pleased.  We must do everything possible not to minimize that energy while they develop their faith.

At CFC we use Foundation and Membership Classes, Beyond Sunday, Sunday Mornings and Life Groups to bring you toward Jesus, not merely make you smarter.  We understand and teach that we grow as we spend time with Jesus in His word, prayer and worship.

Romans 12:2 …And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.   

As with any journey there are a few potholes along the way.  If we’re not careful in the pursuit to learn more we will equate knowledge with the goal.  Remember the goal is becoming Christ like/Others minded which is His perfect will.

John 5:39-40  …You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.    

Remember that the process or journey is not the thing we rely on but rather the God of the journey.  Don’t fall in love with the document about God; fall in love with the God of the document.  Make a special note that when you are born anew, you are instantly qualified to share your journey, because it is real to you, not because you’ve completed a phase.  Tell your story.

Next week we will investigate the next phase, which I’ve identified for the purpose of study as “Moving Closer”.

Process ….. 

Exploration – Growing – Moving Closer – Christ Centered/Others Minded = (Fisher of Men)

Notes from Pastor Pasch’s March 15, 2009 message, to get a free CD of the complete message, contact Christ’s Family Church @ 651.437.2340.