Come Follow Me

Newsletter #36
Lambert Dolphin with Lawrence Hoppis

Easy believism has, for decades plagued our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Jesus! This is very misleading!!

But Jesus actually said:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
(Matthew 7:13-14)

Whoever said the Christian life is a bed of roses? Tain’t so! A simple choice of one’s will is all that is required for Jesus to enter one’s life and change everything. God never forces Himself on anyone nor is He the least bit intimidating. But Jesus does ask that we identify with Him in His death, burial and resurrection—which means anyone following Jesus will be radically changed from self-centered to self-giving.

Many drop out when they glimpse who Jesus is and what He asks of us.

“Brothers, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.“ (Philippians 3:17-21)

Discipling Means Being Personally Trained by Jesus

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.'” (Matthew 16:24-27)

A new car can’t be placed on the market until it’s been thoroughly tested way above what will be demanded of it by the buyer!

The Big Picture

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

(2 Timothy 2:2)

"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3)

"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:4)

"The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained." (2 Timothy 2:5-6)