THE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is athand. {7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished course, I have kept the faith: {8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

There are many types of followers of Jesus but I believe the ones that bring Him the most honor are the ones who are faithful unto death.
I have sat by the deathbed of some saintly old senior citizens and have even been in the room as some of the passed on to be with the Lord. There was no struggle, there was no fighting it. There was just a peace that passes all understanding.
I have heard many who were nearing their departure talk of going home as if it was a place they knew well and that they longed for.
One day will come when we have done all that God placed us here to do and then too it will be time for us to go. It will be wonderful if we can say I am now ready to be offered. I have fought a good fight and I have followed Jesus to the very end.

THE SACRIFICIAL FOLLOWERS

2 Corinthians 8:5 And , not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

There are millions around the world (many right here in our own country and area) who need to hear about Jesus. Thankfully there are thousands of missionaries to carry the gospel to them.
Many times missionaries can not be added to the field because there are not enough funds to send them.
There are other needs that must be met and they are met by the people in the pew who are willing to make sacrifices. It might surprise you to know that many people don't realize why the church needs to take offerings. They do not realize that the church has the same types of bills as anyone else. Besides the salaries of the pastor and staff there are things like building payments, utilities, insurance, educational materials, maintenance and upkeep and , well you get the idea.
I have always been humbled by the fact that my living came from those who were willing to sacrifice and give to the Lord. Just like Paul, they first gave themselves to the Lord and then gave to me by the will of the Lord. (It makes you want to make sure you are a good steward over what they do give you.)
One of the lessons I learned as a pastor was that I never needed to ask the people for anything. All I had to do was ask Him and He dealt with the hearts of the people and so far I have not had a need that has not been met. Praise God and I thank Him for His followers who were willing to give themselves to Him first.

THE FEARFUL FOLLOWERS

Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

So often we are afraid to really trust God. If we can trust Him with our souls can't we trust Him with everything else. Can't we give Him more of our time, our talents, and our substance.
I have known many who were truly talented who would not use their talents regularly because they were afraid. Some could sing beautifully but would hesitate to sing specials because it made them nervous. Whenever they could be persuaded to sing usually you could see that their music helped others to worship and draw closer to God.
Many are afraid to speak out in class or answer a question because they are afraid that they may not know enough. Just to make you feel better you probably know about as much as anyone in the class and if you don't, remember, that is why you are there --- to learn.
Many people will not trust God with their substance. I am not just talking about tithing. I want to make something very clear. God does not need your money. He created everything. We do need to learn to trust God with everything we have. Not just a tenth but it all belongs to Him.
Let us not be fearful but let us be bold and trust God as we follow Him.

THE GLORY SEEKERS

3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

In my thirty something years since I surrendered to the ministry I have met a lot of different types people. I suppose I am more perplexed by those who seem to have no spiritual inclinations but have a desire to run the Lord's church as if they were left in charge of it.
They seem bound and determined to have things their way even if the majority is against it and even if it goes against the teachings of the Bible. I suppose they feel like if they have the preeminence that the Glory will be theirs.
We should never seek our own glory. If we glorify the Lord and we are humble and submissive, God will be Glorified and He will in turn Glorify us.
I once heard a story of a church janitor who did an extraordinary job of keeping the church clean. A visiting preacher commented to the pastor that he certainly should make sure the man was well paid because he did such a terrific job.
The pastor then informed him, "We don't pay him a cent. He is one of the richest men in this community and he is retired and he does it for free. He came to me one day and said he saw a need for someone to do a good job of cleaning the church and he would like the job. He said that he didn't feel he could teach or do some of the other things but he knew he could do a good job of keeping the Lord's house clean. He has been cleaning it ever since and he does a terrific job because he is doing it out of love for Jesus. Most of the people in the church aren't even aware it is him that cleans it."
We should do whatever we do for God's glory, now our own.

FOLLOWERS OF JESUS

INTRODUCTION:There are many types of followers of Jesus. Some are not really following Him at all but are just trying to associate with Him for their own gain. The next few devotionals will deal with some of the types of people who want to associate themselves with Him and the church.
THE BREAD SEEKERS

John 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

Many people follow Jesus not for the Bread of Life but out of hopes that He will satisfy the flesh. They seek Him for healing, for answered prayers, for their daily needs, and they use Him more for some kind of good luck charm than as the Son of the Living God who should be their Lord.
Many want to associate with the church because it is good public relations. It helps their business and it helps their standing in the community. They are the type that seeks God's hand but never seeks His face.
We should want to have a close relationship, one that changes our lives, with Jesus. We should want to follow Him because it is right and it will help us conform to His will. We must crucify our own flesh and our own desires and submit ourselves to Him.

FOLLOWING JESUS

John 21:18-19 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (19) This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

THE CALL STILL COMES LOUDLY FROM CHRIST FOLLOW ME:
I. WE MUST FOLLOW JESUS TO THE CROSS

A. TO FIND FORGIVENESS

B. TO FIND PEACE WITH GOD

C. TO FIND A NEW BEGINNING

II. WE MUST FOLLOW JESUS TO THE WILDERNESS OF TEMPTATION

A. WHERE WE ARE TESTED

B. WHERE WE ARE PROVED AND APPROVED FOR SERVICE

C. WHERE WE EXPERIENCE HIS GRACE IN AVOIDING SIN

III. WE MUST FOLLOW JESUS TO THE MOUNTAIN OF PRAYER

A. WHERE WE FIND STRENGTH

B. WHERE WE FIND COMFORT

C. WHERE WE FIND ASSURANCE

IV. WE MUST FOLLOW JESUS INTO THE FIELD OF SERVICE

A. TO SEE THE NEED

B. TO FIND HIS WILL

C. TO LABOR FOR SOULS

V. WE MUST FOLLOW JESUS TO THE GARDEN OF SORROW

A. WHERE WE ARE TOUGHENED

B. WHERE WE ARE TAUGHT

C. WHERE WE ARE TENDERED

VI. WE MUST FOLLOW JESUS INTO THE RESURRECTED LIFE

A. A NEW START

B. A NEW NATURE

C. A BRIGHTER FUTURE

VII. WE MUST FOLLOW JESUS INTO HIS ETERNAL GLORY

A. A NEW BODY

B. A PERFECT ENVIRONMENT

C. A PERFECT LIFE