Follower of One : Missions For The Rest Of Us

What would you do with salt that didn't taste salty? Jesus says we would throw it away. Luke 14:26-35 is a challenging passage about discipleship. Some are tempted to consider a disciple as a special class of Christians based on this passage.

The crowds were growing and Jesus was becoming very popular. Jesus is upsetting the Jewish status quo and many appreciate his message. But Jesus makes being a disciple sound pretty harsh, especially in verses 26 - 33. Then in 34, he almost switches gears. But I believe this passage explains his earlier point.

After having told everyone that being a disciple means you have to give up your family and friends and belongings, I believe these verses tell us why. If we love those things more than Jesus, we won't make a difference. We'll look like the rest of the world. We'll be salt without taste. Jesus' followers are to be salt. We preserve and we flavor. Our life should make a difference. But if our life isn't any different, what's the point? Jesus saves us and leaves us here to use us as salt. We're to be part of his plan.

Does your life matter? Do you do anything because you believe in Jesus? Ask God to use you to make a difference in the lives of others. I believe Jesus will challenge you to practice our five daily activities, pray, appreciate others, know what you believe, serve others, and speak for yourself. Those activities put us in the position to be salt that is not tasteless.

We're told to make disciples. But the choice to become a disciple of Jesus rests on each of us. Our activities are to follow Jesus in such a way that others may see our good works (Matthew 5:16) and to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

Early in Acts, the believers, all of them, are called disciples. Notice throughout Acts that the term disciples is used quite often. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus. And the numbers were increasing. The term disciple or disciples is used 30 times in Acts alone. A disciple is a Jesus-follower.

We choose to follow Jesus, but God is involved. He draws us to himself. The act of making disciples involves living as a disciple. We're given an opportunity to live as followers of Jesus so that others can see what following Jesus is all about. 

A disciple isn't some super saint. A disciple is someone who follows Jesus. Let's follow Jesus today and do what he says. 

In Matthew, as well as Mark 2:22 and Luke 5:37-39. Jesus is recorded as making this statement. This illustration is about disciple of Jesus. He's telling the Jewish leaders and us and everyone throughout time about the actions of a disciple. Or rather, he's telling us about something different.

In this day, a disciple was a student. It meant a learner. They followed the rabbis around and learned from them and did what they were told. If you've watched The Chosen television series, you'll see this illustrated. Mostly they were Pharisees and Saducees. The pupil would apprentice with the teacher. 

In all 3 of the Gospels, Jesus has just selected Matthew, the tax collector to be one of his disciples. To the people who followed John, and those who followed any respectable Jewish leader, they wouldn't let anyone follow them who had been a traitor to the Jews. But Jesus initiated the conversation and invited Matthew to follow him - radical.

The new wineskins are you and me. Jesus is telling them his disciples won't be like the disciples of the Jewish leaders? What can that mean for us? Today, let's do what Jesus did. Let's serve others and lay down our life for them. We'll look at another verse about disciples tomorrow. Today, remember our job is to appreciate others and serve them. Remember Mark 10:45 where Jesus said that he came to serve rather than to be served. Find a way to serve someone today.

Would you also consider paying it forward so one other person can join us and take the Marketplace Mission Trip. Head over to www.FollowerOfOne.org and click the button to donate. Also, sign up for the next Mission Trip while you're there, too!

Often we think that we're saved because we believe. But notice that Jesus died for us first. He paid for all of the sin first. We experience his salvation when we believe. Does that mean everyone is going to heaven? I don't think so. We're also told that if we don't know Jesus, if we don't follow him we will experience his wrath. 

Jesus died in our place. He took our sin and died for us. His payment is credited to us when we believe. Many people think that's it. We believe in Jesus and then we go into a holding pattern until we die. Once we die, we enter the next phase. But if that's the case, why did Jesus save you and then leave you here?

I think it was Oswald Chambers who said we don't go to hell because we sinned. We go to hell because we refused to follow the One who saves us. Today, let's follow Jesus. Ask him what you can do because you follow him. He will put you to work. I was recently reminded of a story told by a couple who took the marketplace mission trip. They decided to purchase a video game for someone because they were on the trip. They went to this local game store to try and get this game which is no longer made. They were willing to buy a used copy for their friend because this was a rare item. But there were no used copies. The store clerk checked inventory, though and found a new copy. It seems someone reserved that copy 2 years earlier. Coincidence, or God? You decide. 

Jesus died for your sin before you ever committed one. God knew you would. And he made a perfect way for you to have your relationship with him restored. Today, punch in. Tell God you're ready and willing to be part of his work today. He will put you to work and you will experience the joy this couple experienced too. 

And why not pay it forward. Make a contribution to Follower of One on our website so we can host more mission trips and mobilize more of God's people in the weeks, months and years to come. Go to  www.FollowerOfOne.org and click the Donate button. 

Where do you fail to trust? Mike thinks we all come up short somewhere. He talks about regularly praying that Jesus would help his unbelief. 

Are you willing to pray that prayer? We want to see Jesus move? We want to experience the glory of God. But just before this experience, can you imagine how this father felt? His son was in a terrible way. And everyone he spoke with up until this point couldn't help. He was discouraged and helpless.

My wife has some health challenges related to auto-immune disease. She gets discouraged as a result. She struggles with it regularly, but nothing seems to work. 

There are 2 common misconceptions. The first is that there is something we can do about them. If our behavior changed, our situation would change. Maybe. But also maybe not. The second misunderstanding is that nothing can be done. Jesus simply says, "If you can?" and he states it as a question. He's challenging how this father would question his ability.

Jesus is able. So please ask and keep asking. Sometimes our request may result in a miracle like what he did for this father and son. Other times our request is delayed or rejected. Paul prayed for healing in 2 Corinthians 12 but God told him no. It happens. 

Let's ask him today to help our unbelief. And then let's trust him to use us no matter what. One day we will see him, and know him. Until then, every opportunity is a chance for Jesus to help our unbelief.

Do these podcasts help you bring your faith with more daily intention? If so, please consider going to our website and making a contribution to pay it forward. And please share this with your friends. Our world needs the church to be more like Jesus. Maybe this podcast will encourage someone to trust Jesus more and serve others. So please tell one friend. Thanks very much for being a marketplace minister.

In this week's episode of the Follower of One Podcast, Mike speaks with Bob Tiede. Bob is a Leadership Development expert with over 49 years of experience with Cru Global and currently works as the Director of Global Operations Leadership Development for Cru as well as an international blogger on his website - Leadingwithquestions.com. Please welcome him to the community!

Episode Breakdown

00:50 - Meet Bob Tiede

2:25 - Leadingwithquestions.com

3:25 - How Bob joined the Cru team

9:00 - Bob's advice on being more spiritual in your daily life

13:10 - Bob's Published Books

19:25 - Bob's Confession

23:10 - How to become a better "Asker"

29:25 - Bob's advice for Christians during this time

30:50 - Bob's Story

34:40 - The Importance of Listening

Asking Questions and Listening

This is a theme in today's podcast with Bob. Understanding one another is the most important thing we can aspire to do and the way to accomplish that goal is foreshadowed in this title! However, this isn't easy for everyone. Some are shyer than others and sometimes we get in our way of really getting to know one another. Bob has several books on the topic (we will link below), it all starts and ends with questions and answers. Now, let us ask YOU a few questions - What have you done recently to get to know your co-workers? How do you listen? What is stopping you from making that first step? Let us know and tune in to Bob's books and blog so we can help you get there! 

Taking Opportunities 

We have been through a lot in 2020. I know it sounds like a broken record but we, as a society, and better yet, as a faith, have never been more tested together than we are now. It matters that we are still here and healthy. It is time to not lose sight of the bigger picture and start taking opportunities that are given to us. How can we spread the word of God? What situations have we been ignoring that can blossom growth in our relationships and our everyday work? These are the questions we need to be asking ourselves because we all miss 100 percent of the shots we don't take! Let's grab these open doors while we see them and make the most of our situation while we still can. Sometimes during adversity, we make the greatest strides to our goals! 

Interview Quote

"If you want to connect with people, if you want to see change take place - you ask them questions and let them discover their own answers"

Connect with Bob

Bob's LinkedIn

Cru Website

Bob's Blog

Download all of Bob's Books here

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Join us over in our Online Community, get social with us; Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel. Listen to our podcast on your way to work and subscribe using your favorite podcast app. Be a part of our next Marketplace Mission Trip!

What do you expect will happen? We spend much trying to guess the future. We predict the weather and the election. As I record this, the election hasn't happened yet. But what do you expect will happen now that the US election is over. If you're elsewhere in the world, you probably don't even think about it. 

Paul was in prison. People reported to him that some others were preaching about Jesus and yesterday we talked about how Paul rejoiced that Jesus was being proclaimed. He moves from that into this verse explaining how he has banked his whole life on the truth of Scripture. And here, he says, he eagerly expects, or confidently expects that he will in no way be ashamed. Paul is looking forward to his hope being realized.

But it is still hope. God pulls back the curtain for us when we see him in creation and we experience his joy. But the curtian can get pretty tight and things can look pretty grim when you're in prison, or lockdown, or stuck where you can't do what you want. Can we eagerly expect? Do we have confidence as the NET bible says? 

Regardless of your circumstances, today, pray for someone else. Ask God to use you and then, when he gives you an idea, do what he says. Don't question it. Do you need to restore a family relationship? What about a relationship with a coworker? Can you invest a little of your precious time to glorify Jesus and do what he says? Ask Jesus to give you direction, and an eager expectation that you will experience his glory and his joy. 

Do you enjoy these podcasts? Do they challenge you? Would you consider becoming a monthly supporter? This podcast is the most expensive single thing we do at Follower of One. Would you pay it forward to help others hear these messages, and walk in their faith? Go to www.followerofone.org and click donate. Thank you for being a marketplace minister.

Paul is in prison. And people who aren't as good or as accurate as he are talking about Jesus. Rather than instruct the Philippians to go straighten all of these other people out, Paul confirms his plan. I will rejoice. In pretense and in truth, since Jesus is proclaimed, Paul will rejoice.

When we're thankful, we experience joy. We rejoice. List everything you can think about today. I know most people listen to this podcast when they're getting ready for work. So, if you're listening after Thanksgiving, be thankful anyway. Our thanks is an opportunity for us to rejoice. Remember who is the source of every blessing you have and then thank God. He is the source. Our gratitude makes us happier. It reduces the friction so common to human interaction. When we interact, we create friction. Gratitude lubricates. Our grateful spirit makes it easier for us to appreciate others. Our grateful attitude of simply remembering how God has blessed us gives us the power to bring light and energy and joy to someone else.

So exercise thanks today and rejoice in God. Thank You for following God. Jesus was God in the flesh. He is our savior and our example. We have been given everything we need. Like Paul, whether we're in a tough spot or an easy one, let's rejoice in Christ today.

Through Jesus, let us give a sacrifice of praise. Notice how when we give God thanks, we praise him. As I said yesterday, we acknowledge he is our source, our provider, the giver of everything. Our thanks sets up as praise. We recognize our rightful place.

Can you praise God when the not-so-good things happen? Notice there is no mention of our circumstances here. Are you looking forward to 2 days off of work? Do you even like your job? Can we praise God for things we don't like? 

That's my exercise today. Let's thank God for things we dislike. Think about something you dislike about your job and then thank God for it. Think of something you dislike about your career, or your background. Think about something you dislike about where you live or how government behaves. Now ask God to give you a spirit of thanksgiving. When we thank God for the negative, we don't resign. We recognize he is in control. He can do whatever he wants. And I want the joy and peace that come from thanking him and trusting him.

Today, thank God. He will reward your sacrifice.

Through Jesus, let us give a sacrifice of praise. Notice how when we give God thanks, we praise him. As I said yesterday, we acknowledge he is our source, our provider, the giver of everything. Our thanks sets up as praise. We recognize our rightful place.

Can you praise God when the not-so-good things happen? Notice there is no mention of our circumstances here. Are you looking forward to 2 days off of work? Do you even like your job? Can we praise God for things we don't like? 

That's my exercise today. Let's thank God for things we dislike. Think about something you dislike about your job and then thank God for it. Think of something you dislike about your career, or your background. Think about something you dislike about where you live or how government behaves. Now ask God to give you a spirit of thanksgiving. When we thank God for the negative, we don't resign. We recognize he is in control. He can do whatever he wants. And I want the joy and peace that come from thanking him and trusting him.

Today, thank God. He will reward your sacrifice.