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Follow Him

The Apostle Paul was bold and courageous to say, Follow me as I follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1).  Can you imagine the scrutiny he would engage in today’s media? With Twitter, Facebook, blogs, Google, and CNN just guess what kind of reviews he would get with riots, shipwrecks, guys falling out of windows while he preached and verbally dressing down Peter in front of his homies.

 

The beauty of his statement was not that he promised he would be perfect. He didn’t even claim to do what Jesus would do. He said he would follow. That is the essence of being a disciple; one willing to follow. That means you keep your leader in sight, you do what you see them doing, you don’t give up when you feel like quitting, you don’t make the rules or choose the path—you follow.

 

I love it that Paul had the moxie to invite others to follow him. I think whether we say it or not, that by our choice to plant a church or lead a church that reproduces, we are saying the same. Have you thought that through? What if your peeps follow Christ like you do? What if the only example your community has of what it means to be a follower of Christ is what they see in you?

 

I’m challenged in a positive way by Paul’s words. This is a worthy cause! Don’t be intimidated. Take up the challenge. I will. How about you?

 

In a day where we hear so much about leadership, let’s start this year concentrating on following—this might just be the best leadership lesson you could offer this year.

 

Happy New Year!

Posted on Fri, January 1, 2010 by Gary Kendall filed under

2 comments (Add your own)

1. wrote:
When Paul said "follow me..." I believe he meant "imitate me, just as I imitate Christ" NKJV

I'm confused. What are you saying is the worthy cause? Following Christ or following Indian Creek's choice to plant a church? What exactly is the challenge?

Also, if the only example my community sees of what it means to be a follower of Christ is what they see in me, then we're all in trouble.

I believe that one can be both a follower and a leader by following Christ's example.

"Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,...for even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others... Matt.20 : 26, 28.

Mon, January 4, 2010 @ 9:19 PM

2. brandon Michael wrote:
I've heard it said that true leadership is living by example. I believe that and that is what I try to do. I stay focused on the goal, stay focused on Christ.
Philippians 3v12-16 I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
When I get down, unmotivated, discouraged, fearful, worried, or anything like that I come back to this verse, its like this is the verse that refocuses me, gets me excited, and reminds of where I came from, where I'm at and where I am going in this life and in the next.

Wed, January 6, 2010 @ 2:12 PM

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    Belinda Kendall

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    Indian Creek Community Church

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