Don't Be a Pharisee!

Read Luke 10:25-37 as this will be the context for this post.

In this section, Jesus is being questioned by an “expert in the law.”  Jesus uses this opportunity to mentor this man by asking him questions and telling him a story, both great ways to help someone discover Truth for themselves…most times when we discover Truth for ourselves, it has a much longer lasting impact on us than when someone just feeds us the information!

Jesus tells this man the story of the Good Samaritan and asks him which passer-by was the neighbor to the man injured along the road.  The expert gives the correct answer; “the one who had mercy on him.”  Step one complete!  The expert now understands the principle of love your neighbor as yourself.

However, if the expert just stops there, with an understanding of the principle, what good is it?  I mean, if we learn all that Jesus said in the gospels and hoard that info, or knowledge, and never apply it, we are no different than the Pharisees…the so called experts in the law! 

And that is precisely why Jesus then tells the man, “go and do likewise.”  Every parable, principle and lesson from Jesus is no good if we do not use that knowledge to change our actions.  We are to apply Truth to our lives and act upon that Truth to make a difference…to build His Kingdom!

Biblical knowledge without Biblical Action is meaningless…worse yet, it is downright Pharisaical!  Doing a little for the sake of the Kingdom, out of our love for Christ, is better than knowing a lot about the Kingdom…no-one in Jesus day, except Jesus of course, knew more about the scriptures than the Pharisees.  It was true then, and it is still true now…Biblical action trumps knowledge in the Kingdom of God every time!  A transforming life will always result in Kingdom action!  Otherwise, well, we are Pharisees!

Discipleship and Worldview Issues Affecting the Church - Raise Your Vision Conference

Below is the 2012 Raise Your Vision Conference session I had the honor of presenting on the topic of Discipleship and Biblical Worldview.  This session is being used by permission of The Vision Group, LTD.  I pray this message will encourage you to continue to develop a Biblical Worldview as well as begin those 1,000 conversations with everyone you come in contact with, those relational (mentoring) conversations, in hopes that many people will be drawn into the Kingdom and begin their God journey as they develop a Biblical Worldview and begin making disciples themselves!

March 7, 2012 - Raise Your Vision - Discipleship

 and Worldview Issues Affecting the Church

If you cannot view the video above, hit this LINK!  My session begins at 31:23 and lasts for approx. 24 minutes!

I want to personally thank Mike Stickler for giving me the opportunity to share what God has been teaching me over the past few years with an audience viewing this annual conference.  I am very excited to see how God will continue to draw me out of my comfort zone!  I also want to thank everyone who personally supported me and encouraged me over the past few years as well as the past few weeks in preparation for this event.  You all mean so much to me and I get a glimpse of Jesus by the relationships I have with many of you!  Keep building those relationship with Christ at your very core! 

I am excited to look ahead and see a vision of The Church; one that God has intended all along.  I believe we can get there, but we need to catch the vision Jesus left for our lives...to Go make disciples, Baptizing and Teaching!  Join me in this continuing conversation, discovering how we begin creating a generous and loving culture of Mentoring AND Discipleship; developing a Biblical Worldview and taking action - making disciples!

Remember...Biblical Action (Mentoring AND Discipleship) trumps more knowledge every time!  So, if you have a Biblical Worldview, get out there, use the gifts and passions God has given you, and make disciples!  No more coasting into the Kingdom...hoarding the knowledge of God that He intends for us to share!

As always, I welcome anyone to contact me to discuss your gifts and passions, or how to discern what those gifts and passions may be!  God gives every believer gifts to be used for His Kingdom...sometimes discerning those passions is simply opening your Spiritual Eyes to see what things really upset you in this world; typically, that is God getting your attention and birthing a passion!