1.
JESUS WAS OUR MODEL FOR DECISION MAKING
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
NOTE: Jesus had to make many important decisions quickly for His time in history was
going to be limited and He would die young. He made choices as to who would be His
diciples and where He would go to preach, and who He would heal, and who He would eat
with etc. He made endless decisions and choices and become our model for living a life like
His.
John 1:43 New International Version
The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.
Finding Philip, he saidto him, "Followme."
"What we know to be true about Jesus is that He chose ordinary and
unrefined men. They were the commonestof the common. They were from
rural areas, farmers, and fisherman. Christ purposely passedoverthe elite,
aristocratic, andinfluential men of societyand chose mostlythe men from the
dregs of society."
Jesus Chooses andUses Failures
Article by Jon Bloom
Staff writer, desiringGod.org

2.
“Simon, sonof John, do you love me?”
Peterwas grieved. Sitting on the beachafter breakfast, Jesus hadjust asked
him for the third time if he loved him. Peterhad already wholeheartedly
answeredyes twice. What else was he supposedto say?
With these questions, the Lord was putting his finger on a very tender wound
in Peter’s heart. Peter’s failure on the night of Jesus’trial had been simply
horrible. In the hour of his Lord’s greatestanguish, Peterhad denied even
knowing him. This sin shook Peterto the core of his being.
Jesus had told him that he would do it.1 But in the Upper Room, over the
Passovermeal, with his fellow disciples around him, Peterdid not believe it.
He could still hear himself proclaim, “I will lay down my life for you.”2
He had had no idea how weak he really was. He had imagined himself boldly
standing before the Sanhedrin side by side with Jesus, come whatmay. But
that night, as Jesus was doing that very thing, Petercouldn’t even stand
before a servant girl. “You also are not one of this man’s disciples are you?”
He had completely caved: “I am not.”3
I am not. Those words had kept Peter up at night. He was supposedto be a
rock.4 Thatnight he had crumbled into pieces. He was not who he thought he
was. Peterhad never been less confident in himself.
So when Jesus questionedPeter’s love for a third time that morning, Peter
grieved that he might have lost the Savior’s trust. He had failed. But he did
love him. All he could do was appealto Jesus’omniscience:
“Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
And Jesus did. In fact, later Peterrealized what Jesus had done in that painful
conversation. He had not doubted Peter’s love at all. Rather, he had allowed
Peterto confess his love for every wretcheddenial he had made on that
dreadful night. Amazing grace.
And the Lord had a word for Peter. In the future there would be another
opportunity to confess his love publicly in the face of greatcost. And then he
said, “Follow me.”

3.
Shame over pastfailures and sins can haunt and inhibit us in many ways. And
Satanseeks to stealand destroy our faith by shoving our failures in our face.
But Jesus intends to redeem us completely.
When Jesus chose you to be his disciple, he foresaw your future failures as
sure as he foresaw Peter’s. We may not want to believe that we could deny
Jesus by engaging in a sin that contradicts everything we believe. But Jesus
knows what is in us.5 So he exhorts us along with Peter to “watchand pray
that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak.”6
And when we do fail, we must remember what Jesus saidto Peterbefore his
failure: “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you
have turned again, strengthenyour brothers.”7 Peterwas going to sin —
miserably. But Jesus had prayed for him. Jesus’prayer was strongerthan
Peter’s sin, and it’s strongerthan our sin too. “He is able to save to the
uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to
make intercessionfor them.”8
And Jesus is the greatrestorerof failures who repent. Jesus had said to Peter
“when you have turned again[repented], strengthenyour brothers.” And
there on the beachhe againgave Peterthe greatestinvitation any of us can
receive on earth: “follow me.” The failure was to be left behind. There was
kingdom work to do, and eternal life to enjoy.
Peter’s failure did not define him. And ours will not define us. They are
horrible, humbling stumbles along the path of following Jesus, who paid for
them all on the cross.
And Jesus specializesin transforming failures into rocks of strength for his
church.

4.
John 13:38 ↩
John 13:38 ↩
John 18:17 ↩
Matthew 16:18 ↩
John 2:25 ↩
Matthew 26:41 ↩
Luke 22:32 ↩
Hebrews 7:25 ↩
Jon Bloom(@Bloom_Jon)serves as author, board chair, and co-founder of
Desiring God. He is author of three books, Notby Sight, Things Not Seen, and
Don’t Follow Your Heart. He and his wife have five children and make their
home in the Twin Cities.
RAY PRITCHARD
Why God ChoosesSplendid Sinners and Lovable Losers
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Listen to this sermon
I am not quite sure how I came to this sermon title, except that it startedwith
an apparently random comment I heard recently when a goodfriend
confessedto being a “repetitive sinner.” I pondered that expressionbecause I
hold this friend in high esteemas a truly godly person. I see much to admire
and very little that seems like “repetitive sin” to me. And yet there it was.

5.
Repetitive sinner.
In truth, that’s the way I feelabout myself much of the time. If I am honest, I
freely confess that I fall far short of what I want to be. With the Apostle Paul
in Romans 7, I declare that what I don’t want to do I do, and what I want to
do I don’t do. Which makes me a repetitive sinner and (in the language of
Romans 7), a “wretchedman.”
To put the matter that way calls to mind these lines found in the prayer of
generalconfessionfrom the Book ofCommon Prayer(written in 1662):
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have
done those things which we ought not to have done;
Those two sentences diagnosethe truth about my own condition. I am a
repetitive sinner, guilty of sins of omissionand commission.
The particular phrase “splendid sinners” comes from something I read a few
months ago by J. C. Ryle, the famous evangelicalAnglicanbishop of the late
1800s.In his book calledHoliness, he wrote about how all the saints fall short
of perfection:
The holiestactions of the holiestsaint that ever lived are all more or less full
of defects and imperfections. They are either wrong in their motive or
defective in their performance, and in themselves are nothing more than
“splendid sins,” deserving God’s wrath and condemnation.
This is a much-needed word for a generationof Christians with an inflated
sense ofself-importance. Apart from God’s grace, evenour bestefforts are
nothing more than “splendid sins.” In my better moments, which are all too
few, I realize that even my best efforts fall well over into the “splendid sins”
category. Ryle has told the truth about the best of us and the restof us. This
side of heaven, we’re a pretty sorry lot, but that’s where God’s grace comes
in. No one will be savedby what they do. Our only hope of heaven is to run to
the cross andlay hold of Jesus Christ. And we won’t even do that unless God
helps us to do it, and even then he must give us the strength to hang on and to
keepbelieving.

6.
Apart from God’s grace, evenour best efforts are nothing more than
“splendid sins.”
We are all …
Splendid sinners,
Lovable losers,
Miserable misfits, and
Fantastic failures.
During a radio interview I was askedwhy so many of the heroes ofthe Bible
had serious flaws. My answerwas simple. That’s all God has to work with. All
the perfectpeople are in heaven. The only ones on earth are the folks with
serious weaknesses. The talentpool has always been pretty thin when it comes
to moral perfection. So God works with sinners because that’s all he has to
work with. In heaven we will all be vastly improved–perfected by God’s grace.
But until then, he uses some pretty ornery people who fall short in many
ways–andhe does some amazing things through them.
Considerthe roll callof God’s imperfect heroes:
The talent pool has always beenpretty thin when it comes to moral perfection.
Noahwho got drunk.
Abraham who lied about his wife.
Jacobwho was a deceiver.
Moses who murdered an Egyptian.
Rahab who was a harlot.
Samsonwho had serious problems with lust and anger.
David who was an adulterer.
Paul who persecutedthe church.

7.
Peterwho denied Christ.
If God chose only well-rounded people with no characterflaws, some ofthe
credit would inevitably go to the people and not to the Lord. By choosing
flawed people with a bad past, a shaky present, and an uncertain future, God
alone gets the glory when they accomplishamazing things by his power.
In case we don’t understand this, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 makes it abundantly
clear. If you want the message ofthis passagein one sentence, here it is: God
won’t tolerate human pride, so he chooses people who have nothing to brag
about.
I. The FactStated
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Notmany of you
were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of
noble birth” (I Corinthians 1:26). Paul begins by reminding them of what they
were when God savedthem. The word “called” refers to their position in the
world when they came to Christ. Not many of them came from the educated
or upper classes ofsociety. Notmany had what the world calls “good
breeding.” (The term “noble birth” translates a Greek wordfrom which we
get the English word “eugenics.” The Corinthians by and large did not come
from “blue blood.”) In a sense, he holds up a mirror and says, “Take a good
look. What do you see?” Ifthey were honest, they didn’t see many impressive
people. They saw ordinary men and women, from undistinguished
backgrounds, whose lives had been utterly transformed by Jesus Christ.
Memory can be a blessing or a curse. In the spiritual life, it canbe very
healthy to remember what life was like before we met Jesus. If you remember
where you started, you’ll appreciate much more the grace of God that has
brought you to where you are today.
In the spiritual life, it can be very healthy to remember what life was like
before we met Jesus.
Our text tells us that when God chooseshis team, he starts with the people the
world chooses last. He actually prefers to choose the weak insteadof the
strong. We must not miss the implication of this teaching. It’s not as if God

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intends to take equal numbers from every socialclassin the world. And it’s
definitely not true that God populates the church from the upper classesbut
sprinkles in a few from the lowerclasses. The opposite is closerto the truth.
God populates his church with the rejects of the world and then sprinkles in a
few wealthy and powerful people. He prefers losers. Goddeliberately chooses
the forgottenof the world and he prefers the company of the poor. He loves to
save the uneducated, the foolish, the addicted, the broken, the downcastand
the imprisoned. In short, he specializes in saving those whom the world counts
as nothing.
II. The ReasonGiven
“But God chose the foolishthings of the world to shame the wise;God chose
the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of
this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the
things that are, so that no one may boastbefore him” (I Corinthians 1:27-29).
In these verses Paul makes his teaching even clearer. Godchooses“weak
things” and “lowlythings” and “despisedthings” and even “things that are
not.” These “things” are actually people—weak people, lowlypeople, despised
people, and people who are invisible to the world. In short, God makes a
choice, and the choice he makes is to choose the people the world would never
choose. The words of Isaiah55:8 come to mind, “‘For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’declares the Lord.” Here’s a
simple wayto remember this truth: God is different. Ponder that statement
for a moment. God is different from us. He is different in what he thinks and
he is different in what he does. He does not do what we expecthim to do
because his thinking is entirely different from ours. He nullifies the mighty by
using the weak instead. He nullifies the proud by using the humble. He
nullifies the wise by using the simple. He nullifies the professionalby using the
blue-collar worker. He nullifies the PhD by using the high schooldropout.
God’s “nullification” demonstrates how fundamentally different he is from us.
This truth—elementary as it may seem—is actuallyquite vital to a healthy
Christian worldview. Our God stands alone. He does not bind himself to do
what we think he ought to do. He is holy and he is sovereignand he is
absolutely free to do whateverhe pleases to do. He can humble the proud any
time he chooses. No one has the power to stand againsthim.

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Our God stands alone. He does not bind himself to do what we think he ought
to do.
Considerthe implication of the text. When the world throws a party, the
beautiful people are always invited. You know the names: Ben Affleck, J-Lo,
JessicaSimpson, Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Tom Cruise, 50 Cent, Halle Berry,
Shania Twain, Jennifer Anniston, Mariah Carey, Brad Pitt, George Clooney,
Miley Cyrus, and the restof the current crop of Hollywood superstars. They
rent a nightclub and hire a security team to keepthe ordinary people out.
Only the “in crowd” makes it past the rope line. Helicopters circle overhead
and the paparazzi strain to a get a picture they cansell to People magazine.
It’s all about who shows up and who is wearing what kind of dress, and trying
to match this man with that woman. That’s how the world throws a party. But
God does it differently. Jesus told a story in Luke 14:15-24 abouta certain
man who invited many guests to a huge banquet. All the invited guests made a
series ofexcuses—theywere too busy, they had other plans, they had business
to attend to, and a hundred other “legitimate” excuses. So the master ordered
his servants to go out into the highways and byways and invite the poor, the
crippled, the blind and the lame. When that had been done, there were still
some empty seats so he told his servants to go out into the country roads and
find anyone who had been overlookedand invite them to come to the party
because the master declaredthat every seatmust be taken. If those who had
been invited first would not come, then the master would go after the outcasts
who would never otherwise come to such a fine affair. That’s how Goddoes it.
He goes afterthe people the world overlooks becausethe “beautiful people”
have no interest in coming to him for salvation.
God does it this way for three reasons:
1) To destroyall human pride,
2) So that no one canboast, and
3) So that all would be equal in God’s family.
We need to hear this word because AmericanChristianity is entertainment-
oriented and celebrity-driven. We are far too prone to swoonoverthe latest

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“celebrityconversion” and to rush the latest“hot convert” to the pulpit so
that we can all applaud and congratulate ourselves oncatching such a big fish
for God. When I first came to the church in Oak Park, there was a certain
very important personwith a large public reputation who attended our
church. To be precise, he had attended some years earlier and had left to go
elsewhere.But he came on my first Sunday and attended another six or seven
times over my first couple of years at the church. I know how many times he
came because everytime he came, every single time, someone (usually several
people) would come rushing up to me with the news, “PastorRay, Mr. So-
and-So is here. You’d better go and say hello to him.” It was big news because
he was so well known. And I guess it made us feel better somehow that he was
here.
I experiencedthe same thing years later when someone rushed up to me and
said, “PastorRay, StevenCurtis Chapman is here today.” It was true, and I
met him, and I’m happy to report that he was a very gracious, humble,
unassuming sort of person. Not at all the celebrity persona you might have
expected. For that matter, the “very important person” from many years ago
was also quite friendly. To be clearabout it, I’m happy when anyone visits the
church, and I think it’s wonderful when well-knownor popular people come
to worship the Lord. That’s always an encouraging thing. Nothing wrong with
celebrities coming to church and nothing wrong with being glad to see them.
But I’ve been waiting for someone to say, “PastorRay, guess what? We’ve got
two prostitutes visiting the church today. Isn’t that wonderful?” Or “Pastor
Ray, there’s a man here with AIDS and he wants to know Jesus.” Or“Pastor
Ray, here’s a single mother with six children. This is her first time to visit.”
Or “PastorRay, this man just got out of jail and he came to worship with us
today.” The sin is not that we make much of the celebrities;it’s that we make
so much less ofthe other people who visit us. And while I’m on the subject, I
should mention that occasionallysomeone will say, “I wish so-and-so would
get saved. They have so much to offer,” which usually means they have money
they could give. Is God so broke that he needs another banker in his family?
Is God so confused about the economythat he needs another stockbroker on
his team? Nothing could be more worldly than valuing lost people basedwhat
we think they could contribute to God’s Kingdom.

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III. The Purpose Explained
“It is because ofhim that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us
wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness andredemption.
Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let him who boasts boastin the Lord’” (I
Corinthians 1:30-31). The reasonGoddoes what he does is to demonstrate
that he alone is the source of our salvation. “It is because ofhim that you are
in Christ Jesus.”It’s not your wisdom or your intellect or your memorized
Bible verses that brought you to Jesus. And you are not a Christian because
you are a goodperson or a church member or because your father was a
preacherand your mother was a Sunday Schoolteacher. Paulsays plainly: “It
is because ofhim.” Salvationis of the Lord. God wants us to know that he is
the reasonwe came to Christ. And in Christ we find wisdom, righteousness,
holiness and redemption. If we believe this, then our boastwill be in the Lord
alone. When it comes to salvation, we contribute nothing but the sin that
makes it necessaryto be saved. Goddoes the rest. God chooseswhom he
pleases, andhe does so by choosing those whom the world overlooks.
Nothing could be more worldly than valuing lost people basedwhat we think
they could contribute to God’s Kingdom.
If we believe what this passageteaches, itwill change the way we look at
ourselves, and it will change the way we talk about ourselves. Some of us talk
so much about ourselves that we hardly talk about the Lord at all. Our real
problem is the vast difference betweenour view and God’s view.
We look at the outward. God looks atthe inward.
We value popularity. God values character.
We look at intelligence. Godlooks at the heart.
We honor those with money. God honors those with integrity.
We talk about what we own. God talks about what we give away.
We boastabout whom we know. God notices whom we serve.
We list our accomplishments. Godlooks for a contrite heart.

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We value education. God values wisdom.
We love size. God notices quality.
We live for fame. Godsearches forhumility.
Our view is shallow. God’s view is deep.
Our view is temporary. God’s view is eternal.
We list our accomplishments. Godlooks for a contrite heart.
At the end of the day, we discoverthat God destroys human pride two ways:
1) By sending a Saviorto die on a hated Romancross,
2) By choosing the weak over the strong to be part of his family.
We wouldn’t have done it this way, but that brings us back to the
fundamental point that God is different. He doesn’t play by our rules.
When we lived in Chicago, I often heard the Chicago Cubs described as
“lovable losers,” a reference to the fact that they haven’t won the World
Series since 1908.Thatfact is a source of sorrowfulpride to Cubs fans
everywhere because a true Cubs fan says, “If it takes forever, I’m sticking
with my team.” It’s been a long time since their last championship, and even
the most loyal fans might be tempted to give up, but as Harry Carayfamously
remarked, “Any team can have a bad century.” I remember the heartbreak in
2003 whenthe Cubs were five outs awayfrom going to the World Series. How
did they manage to lose those lasttwo games? It’s still a mystery to me. I
thought about the term “lovable losers” as I prepared this message. That
strikes me as a gooddescription of those whom God choosesforhis church.
No matter where we come from, in God’s eyes we are all just “lovable losers.”
In the spiritual sense, we’re allCubs now. When God chooses members for his
team, he doesn’t look for superstars. He goes after“lovable losers” and he
picks them out one by one. “But I can’t pitch,” you say to the Lord. “I can’t
hit or field or bat. I don’t even know how to play baseball.” It doesn’t matter,
the Lord replies. “Jesus is the captain of the team, and he’s never lost a game
yet.” There is a method to God’s selectionprocess.When the team finally

13.
wins, Jesus alone will getthe credit, not the “lovable losers” who played
alongside him. We didn’t do so well, but in the end, it doesn’t matter because
the Captain of our Salvation won the victory, and when he won, we won with
him.
No matter where we come from, in God’s eyes we are all just “lovable losers.”
By arranging things this way, God destroys human pride and glorifies his Son
at the same time. Only God could have conceivedofa waythat losers could
become winners through associationwith his Son.
Church of the Pathetic Losers
A few years ago during the annual Pastors Conference atMoodyBible
Institute, Alistair Begg, pastorofthe Parkside Church in the Clevelandarea,
spoke on our need to depend fully on the Lord and not on our own resources.
As he came to the close, he told the story of how King Jehoshaphatprayed in 2
Chronicles 20. As the enemy armies closedin on Jerusalem, the king cried out
to the Lord in the presence ofall the people, “We do not know what to do, but
our eyes are upon you” (v. 12). Alistair Begg commentedthat he was really
saying, “Lord, we’re just a bunch of pathetic losers. And if you don’t help us,
we’re sunk.” He went on to saythat he had discoveredthat this was the true
mission statementof the church he pastors:“We’re just a bunch of pathetic
losers and if God doesn’t help us, we’re sunk.” That’s a goodname for a
church: “Church of the Pathetic Losers.” Youwould never run out of
prospects.
I think he’s absolutely right. Apart from God’s grace, that’s all we are—just a
bunch of pathetic losers. Without God, we don’t have a chance, we don’t have
a thing to offer, and we don’t even know what to do next. Sometimes I think
the hardestjob God has is getting his children to admit how desperatelythey
need him. So let me sayit clearly to everyone who reads these words:I am a
pathetic loser. Apart from the grace ofGod, I own up to the truth that in me,
that is in my flesh, there is nothing goodat all. Whatevertalent I possess,and
whatevergoodI have accomplished, the power to do it has come from the
Lord, and he alone gets the credit.

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Sometimes I think the hardest job God has is getting his children to admit
how desperatelythey need him.
At the same Pastors Conference, JosephStowell, then president of Moody
Bible Institute, commented that many days he is sick of himself. I understand
that and say“Amen” to it. When I mentioned that in a sermon, a man told me
he had stayed up all night wrestling with the Lord because he too was sick of
himself. A womanadded, “Sometimes I geton my own nerves.” All of us (if
we are honest) are sick of ourselves sooneror later.
I heard about a pastorwho came up with a phrase that he printed at the top
of their church bulletins even though some of the leaders didn’t feel
comfortable with it: “Blunder Forward.” After serving 27 years in pastoral
ministry, I cantestify how true that is. Even on our best days, we struggle as
God’s people to simply “blunder forward.” And some days we can’t even do
that.
Are we really “pathetic losers?”Yes, and we don’t know the half of it. And
that brings me back to the original question. Why does Godchoose splendid
sinners and lovable losers? Why are there so many miserable misfits and
fantastic failures in God’s family? The answeris two-fold:
1) God chooseslosers because that’s all he’s gotto work with.
2) God chooseslosers because thatway he alone gets the credit for anything
goodwe accomplish.
Here is the goodnews. When splendid sinners and lovable losers and
miserable misfits and fantastic failures band togetherto seek the Lord,
amazing things happen. The Red Sea parts, the walls come tumbling down,
the enemy is routed, and the church rolls on for the glory of God. Amen.
12 Disciples – How Did Jesus Choose His Twelve Disciples?
by Bob Pardue

15.
Postedon
July 29, 2018
12 disciples
“Follow me.” This is the simple statementmade by Christ which changedthe
world forever. This study includes how Jesus chose the 12 disciples.
How Jesus Chose The 12 Disciples
Today’s Bible study lessoncomes from Mark 3:13-19.
It tells how Jesus chose some fishermen& a tax collector, along with others –
and turned them into His twelve disciples who became heroes of the Bible.
What are the names of the twelve disciples? I Had to Look Them Up – How
about You?
This is common question which is answeredhere along with the simple way
Jesus chose His 12 followers.
These were simple men who would accomplishgreatthings in history; as we
will learn in this Bible study lessonfrom Mark.
Jesus Chooses His 12 Disciples
And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself
wanted, and they came to Him.
And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could
send them out to preach, and to have authority to castout the demons.
And He appointed the twelve:
Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), and James, the son of Zebedee, and
John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which
means, “Sons of Thunder”); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and

16.
Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and
Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. – Mark 3:13-19
NASB
So, What are the 12 Disciples’Names?
No, I couldn’t name them all either. But, to refreshyour memory – here are
the 12 disciples names (not in any certain order)…
Simon – Now knownas Peter
James sonof Zebedee
John (James’brother)
Andrew
Phillip
Bartholomew
Matthew
Thomas
James sonof Alphaeus
Thaddaeus
Simon the Zealot
Judas Iscarlot
Why Did Jesus ChooseTwelve Disciples?Why Not Eight – Or More?
Just a little backgroundabout the disciples. Why would Jesus pick 12 disciples
– and not 5, 20, or even 1,000 disciples?
A footnote to this passageaboutthe disciples is that Jesus had many disciples
who followedHim. These followers wentout and spreadthe word about His
ministry.
But, the twelve disciples were the “inner circle“, so to speak.

17.
Here is a Possible Answerfor Why There Were 12 Disciples
According to Matthew 19:28, the number 12 is very significant as it relates to
the twelve tribes of Israel.
And, it shows the relationship betweenthe newness of Jesus’messageand the
old religious systemunder Jewishlaw.
“And Jesus saidto them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followedMe,
in the regenerationwhenthe Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you
also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” –
Matthew 19:28 NASB
Jesus had crowds of people following him. But, He focusedmore on training
the 12 chosento be Apostles.
An Apostle is someone who represents oris a messenger. Jesusneededpeople
with the willingness to obey him. In modern times, an apostle ofthe Bible is
someone who actually saw Christ in person.
How do We Compare to the Twelve Disciples?
12 disciples
The disciples were simple people. They ranged from fishermen to tax
collectors.Mostwere not well educated. But Jesus chose them according to
God’s plan.
We may be more talented, more educated, know more people, or show more
leadership ability than many of the disciples. But, the key word in the
scripture is Obey.
These twelve men will go on to catapult the beginning of Christianity – risking
their own lives in the process.
We most likely won’t have to risk bodily harm to tell others about Jesus.
But, are we as willing as these 12 disciples when it comes to obeying Christ
when He calls us to do a task?

18.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you are curious about the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ,
please take a moment to look at John 3:16 to discovermore.
6 Times When Jesus Chose Solitude Over People
by Ward Cushman
There’s A Place ForSolitude In All Our Lives
T
here are two ways we learn from the Bible. The first is how you would expect,
through instructions. Forexample, we’re told, “Be angry and do not sin; do
not let the sun go down on your anger” Ephesians 4:32. This verse teaches us
that 1) angerisn’t automatically sin, 2) it’s something we have to be careful
about, 3) we’re not supposedto stay angry at people. The Bible is filled with
teaching like this to help us in our Christian lives.
A secondway we learn from the Bible is by examples, both goodand bad. The
Bible is full of stories that tell us about how people succeededand failed in
various circumstances. As we read them we learn lessons thathelp us through
life. There are some topics that the Bible doesn’t instruct us about that we
only learn about this way, such as seeking solitude. Some people rejectthe
idea that solitude is important for Christians because there’s no verse in the
Bible that says to seek solitude. Those same people, however, don’t reject the
idea of going to church even though there’s no verse that explicitly says to go
to church.

19.
The way to learn about solitude is to watchwhat Jesus did
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The best wayto learn about the value of solitude is from Jesus’life. We’re
fortunate that the Bible records a number of times when Jesus separated
himself from people. In looking through these we cansee there were 6
different reasons why Jesus spenttime alone.
6 ReasonsJesus ChoseSolitude Over People
To prepare for a major task Luke 4:1-2, 14-15. After Jesus was baptized He
spent 40 days praying in the wilderness. After this He was tempted by Satan
and then beganHis public ministry.
To recharge after hard work Mark 6:30-32. Jesus sentthe 12 disciples out to
do ministry. When they returned He encouragedthem to separate from the
people who were following them to rest.
To work through grief Matthew 14:1-13. After Jesus learnedthat his cousin
John the Baptisthad been beheaded, He went awayby Himself. Yes, even the
Son of God grieves.
Before making an important decisionLuke 6:12-13. Earlyin His ministry
Jesus spentthe whole night alone in prayer. The next day He chose his 12
disciples.
In a time of distress Luke 22:39-44. Hours before Jesus was arrestedHe went
to the Mt. of Olives and went a short distance awayfrom His disciples to pray.
He was in great emotionalagony knowing what he was about to face.
To focus on prayer Luke 5:16. Many times in Jesus’ministry He spent time
alone in prayer.
Time spent in solitude with Godis not time spent alone
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20.
Solitude can benefit us greatlyif we use that time to sort through with the
Father whateveris on our minds and in our hearts. Think about your day and
plan to carve out some time to spend alone with the Father.
Do you find it hard to spend time in solitude? Why is it hard to do? Leave a
comment or question below.
Why did God choose me?
Question:"Why did Godchoose me?"
Answer: In John 15:16 Jesus says, “Youdid not choose me, but I chose you
and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—
and so that whateveryou ask in my name the Father will give you.” Ephesians
1:4 says, “He chose us in him before the creationof the world to be holy and
blameless in his sight.” First Peter2:9 says, “You are a chosenpeople, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, God’s specialpossession, that you may declare the
praises of him who calledyou out of darkness into his wonderful light.” It is
undeniable that God has chosenthose who are believers in Jesus. But why? Is
there something specialabout me that led God to choose me? The short
answeris, no, God did not choose us because ofanything inherent in
ourselves. He chose us out of His love and mercy, and for His glory.
Ephesians 1 goes onto say, “In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship
through Jesus Christ, in accordancewith his pleasure and will—to the praise

21.
of his glorious grace, whichhe has freely given us in the One he loves” (verses
5–6). We see that God’s choosing ofus is linked to His love. God’s choice is
something that gives Him pleasure and brings Him praise. God’s choosing of
us highlights His gracious character, notour merit. As we know from
Ephesians 2:8–9, we are not savedbecause of our goodworks but solely
because ofGod’s grace. We are all sinners who fail to measure up to God’s
glory (Romans 3:23). Apart from Jesus alldeserve death (Romans 6:23). But
in Jesus we can have life. It is not because ofwho we are that God chooses us
but because ofwho He is. As 1 Peter 2:9 indicates, the proper response to
being chosenby God is to declare God’s praise and give Him worship.
God also chose us so that we could join in His work in the world. Ephesians
2:10 says God has prepared goodworks in advance for us to do. Jesus spoke
of His followers’bearing fruit that would last. Ephesians 1:4 links electionto
being holy and blameless in God’s sight. God chose us because He has a
purpose in mind for our lives.
The Old TestamentfocusesonIsrael as God’s chosenpeople (Deuteronomy
7:6). In Deuteronomy7:7–9 Mosestells the children of Israelwhy God chose
them: “The Lord did not sethis affectionon you and choose youbecause you
were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewestof all
peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to
your ancestors thathe brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemedyou
from the land of slavery, from the powerof Pharaohking of Egypt. Know
therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his
covenantof love to a thousand generations ofthose who love him and keephis
commandments.” Once again, we see that God’s choice is not basedon the
merit of a particular person or nation, but solelyon His love and faithfulness.
Just as God chose Israelout of love and not because ofsomething impressive
about the nation, God choosesus out of love. As 1 John 3:1 says, “Seewhat

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greatlove the Fatherhas lavished on us, that we should be called children of
God!” Why did God choose me? BecauseofHis great love, His lavish love.
The doctrine of predestination is difficult to grasp. We naturally tend to think
that those who are predestined are chosenbecause ofsome merit of their own.
After all, that is how we tend to choose.We remember picking teams for
P.E.—everyonechoosesthe tallest, fastest, mostathletic, most popular, etc., to
be on their team. But God is not like that. His criterion for choosing is not
basedon us. “Consideryour calling, brothers: not many of you were wise
according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of
noble birth. But God chose whatis foolish in the world . . . God chose whatis
weak in the world . . . God chose what is low and despisedin the world, even
things that are not . . . so that no human being might boast in the presence of
God. And because ofhim you are in Christ Jesus”(1 Corinthians 1:26–30,
ESV).
Why did God choose me? He chose you to demonstrate His character. He
chose you that you may know Him and love Him. He chose you because He is
love (1 John 4:8), He is gracious, He is merciful, and He has a glorious plan
for you.
https://www.gotquestions.org/why-did-God-choose-me.html
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES

23.
Bringing Men To Jesus
John 1:42
D. Young
Jesus asksAndrew, "Whatseek ye?" and the question soonshows fruit in
Andrew seeking outhis own brother Simon. The New Testamentdeals with
spiritual things, but that does not prevent it from being full of natural touches.
What Andrew did is just the very thing which in like circumstances we might
have been expectedto do. And surely it is the most reasonable ofconjectures
that Andrew, who began by bringing his own brother, must have been the
bringer also of many who were mere strangers. Interestin natural kinsmen
would soonbe merged in the wider interest a Christian must feel in humanity
at large. Peterwas Andrew's first gift to Jesus, and he may have been the
easiest. To bring a human being into real, loving contactwith Jesus is not an
easything; but what a service, whata blessing and a joy, to every one
concerned!
I. Andrew was able to bring Peterto Jesus because HE HAD FIRST OF ALL
BEEN BROUGHT HIMSELF. Andrew had first of all been himself the
subject of spiritual illumination. God must have shined in his heart to give the
light of the knowledge ofthe glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. He had
been brought to Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. The acquaintance had been
very short, but a great dealmay be done in a short time when the human
heart has been getting ready to meet with Christ, when there is perfect
openness and simplicity of mind - truth on one side and an eagerseekerafter
it on the other. To get other people as far as Peter, we must first of all have got
as far as Andrew ourselves. How should the blind lead the blind? We must not
wait for an Andrew. God has his ownagencyfor us. He may send some John
the Baptist, saving, "Behold!" to us. We must considerwell the obstacles in
our way to Jesus, whichnone can remove but ourselves - procrastination,
bosom sins, spiritual indolence, neglect'of the Scriptures.
II. CONSIDERWHO IT WAS THAT ANDREW BROUGHT. his own
brother Simon. So natural brotherhood is distinguished from that spiritual
brotherhood which afterwards sprang into existence as regeneratedbelievers

24.
in Christ felt the strong tie binding them together. What brother ought not to
be to brother, and yet what he may very easilybecome, is shownfrom Cain
and Abel, and Josephand his brethren. What brother ought to be to brother
is shown in this seeking ofSimon by Andrew. Great opportunities are given
by natural brotherhood, mutually cherished. Give every goodthing in nature
a chance to become also a minister of grace.
III. CONSIDER WHAT ANDREW SAID TO PETER. "We have found the
Messiah."This is as much goodnews for us as it was for Peter. What Andrew
said he said at first, after a very brief acquaintance;but he would go on saying
it all the more as day after day opened up the riches of Messiah's missionand
power. Observe the plural form of the announcement. The other disciple
agreedwith Andrew in his judgment. Look out for those and listen to them
who bear the same messageas Andrew, though not in quite the same form.
We have words and acts of Jesus constantlyforcedon our attention. If we
cannot be brought to Jesus, Jesus is brought to us. All bringing of men to
Jesus must be preceded, more or less, by bringing of Jesus to men. Andrew
must have brought such a vivid and powerful accountof his talk with Jesus as
would amount practically tea bringing of Jesus. - Y.
Biblical Illustrator
Jesus... findeth Phillip.
John 1:43, 44
Moralimitation
D. Thomas, D. D.
I. MAN'S MORAL CHARACTER DETERMINESHIS DESTINY. "As a
man thinketh in his heart, so is he" in his —
1. Experience, whetherhappy or miserable.
2. Prospects, whetherterrific or inviting.

25.
3. Influence, whether useful or pernicious.
4. Relations.
(1)To God, whether approved or condemned.
(2)To the universe, whether a blessing or a curse.
II. MAN'S MORAL CHARACTER IS FORMED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF
IMITATION. This is seenin children, and the Romans, recognizing this,
placed in their vestibules the busts of greatmen, so that the young might be
reminded of their virtues. The seedof a child's actionis not teaching, but
deeds.
III. THE FORMATION OF A GOOD CHARACTER REQUIRES A
PERFECTMODEL. SirJoshua Reynolds found after years of study that he
had been imitating, not Titian, whom he desired to make his model, but a
forger. After this he resolvedto make nature his model, and thus became a
greatmaster of his art. According to his model, so will a man be. One reason
why human characteris so depraved is because the perfect model is little
known and less appreciated.
IV. THE ONLY PERFECTMODELIS JESUS CHRIST. Who is the most
imitable character?
1. He who has the strongestpowerto command admiration.
2. He who is most transparent in character.
3. He who is most unchangeable in the spirit which animates him.Conclusion:
Follow Me.
1. This is an epitome of the moral laws of God.
2. Herein is man's life and perfection.
3. Imitate Christ by inbreathing His moral spirit.
(D. Thomas, D. D.)

26.
The callof St. Philip
P. B. Power, M. A.
No trumpet summoned the soldiers of the Cross to the battle-field; no hand
like that at Belshazzar's feastcame forth to beckonhim; no miracle made
them take up a distinctive post. And, yet, what a callthis was!how noble,
singular, useful, profitable I Such a call came to Judas, and he soldit.
I. THE ORIGIN OF THIS CALL WAS THE WILL OF CHRIST. Jesus "goes
forth" in searchofevery sinner. But the mere "going forth" of Christ is not
enough. There must be an exercise ofHis secretpower. This poweris
pervasive, leavening, and so works upon man's free-will that it comes into
union with the heavenly will. Without this there can be no discipleship.
II. THE POSITION IN WHICH THIS CALL PLACES THE PERSON BY
WHOM IT IS RECOGNIZEDAND OBEYED. It makes him follower, and
when man becomes a follower —
1. He abridges his right over himself, his property, time, etc.
2. He sets aside his ownwisdom, and accepts thatof His Master.
3. He follows always, evenunto the end.
III. IN THIS CALL THERE IS —
1. Exclusiveness,jealous refusalto admit of any division of the heart.
2. Mystery.
(1)It separates us from the nothingness and delusions of the world.
(2)It joins us to the invisible and heavenly.
(3)It opens up new hopes, scenes, andsources ofimmeasurable wealth.
(P. B. Power, M. A.)
Delaying Christian profession

27.
Homiletic Monthly.
— The command is for instant obedience. A common objection is, "I have no
confidence in my future strength. I must wait until I am strongerbefore I
profess to have devoted my whole life to Christ." Reply —
I. YOU ARE LIVING ONLY IN THE PRESENT. The future is not. For you
there may be no earthly future, for you may die to-night. Your responsibility
is for the now.
II. DUTIES WILL COME NOT IN THE MASS, BUT ONE BY ONE.
Strength for eachis all you will need.
III. YOU WILL GROW STRONG FOR COMINGDUTIES ONLY AS YOU
PERFORMPRESENTONES.No one can step to the top of the pyramids; but
he can climb one block;and from that he can reachanother. Says Robert
Browning: "I see a duty and do it not, and therefore see no higher."
IV. GOD'S GRACE IS PROMISED ONLYFOR TIME OF NEED. No man
to-day canbe prepared for tomorrow's duties.
V. GOD'S STRENGTHIS OUR ONLY STRENGTH, AND THAT IS
PLEDGED. "Iwill be with you even to the end of the world." He "will not
suffer you to be tempted beyond that you are able, but with the temptation
will provide a wayof escape."
(Homiletic Monthly.)
The motive for following Christ
It is related in the annals Of the Ottoman Empire that when Amurath
II. died, which was very suddenly, his son and destined successor,
Mohammed, was about a day's journey distant in Asia Minor. Every day of
interregnum in that fierce and turbulent monarchy is attended with peril. The
death of the deceasedSultan was therefore concealed, and a secretmessage
despatchedto the prince to hasten at once to the capital. On receiving the
messagehe leaped on a powerful Arab charger, and turning to his attendants,

28.
said, "Let him who loves me, follow!" This prince afterwards became one of
the most powerful sovereigns ofthe Ottoman line. Those who approved their
courage and loyalty by following him in this critical moment of his fortunes,
were magnificently rewarded. There is another Prince — the Prince of peace
— who says to those around Him, "Let him who loves Me, follow."
The method of following Christ
H. G. Trumbull, D. D.
Faith includes works;loyalty involves service;love carries devotedness. It is
not merely that, if we have trust in another, we ought to conform our conduct
to the directions or suggestions orwishes or example of the trusted one; but it
is that, if our trust is a reality, it will show itself in our conduct. It is folly for a
child to tell of his love for his mother if he has no regardto her wishes;it is
folly for a patient to say that he believes in his physician if he pays no
attention to that physician's prescription; it is folly for a soldier to say that he
is devoted to a commander whom he will not obey in the heat of a campaign;
it is folly for a man to sayhe has faith in Jesus if he does not seek to follow
Jesus. Jesussays, "Ifye love Me, keepMy commandments."
(H. G. Trumbull, D. D.)
COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(43) The day following, that is, the fourth day from the inquiry by the
Sanhedrin (see John 1:29; John 1:35; John 1:43).
Findeth Philip.—Just as he was going forth from his lodging of the previous
night (John 1:39). Philip is mentioned in the other Gospels onlyin the lists of
the Twelve. The touches of characterare all found in St. John. (Comp. John
6:5; John 12:21;John 14:8.)

29.
Follow me.—This command, so full of meaning, is never used in the Gospels
exceptas spokenby our Lord Himself, and is addressedto but one outside the
circle of the Apostles, the rich young man whom Jesus loved(Matthew 19:21;
Mark 10:21). In other parts of the New Testamentit is used but once, in the
words of the angelto Peter(Acts 12:8). We cannot, therefore, limit the words
to an invitation to accompanyHim on that day’s walk, though this is included,
and in that walk from Bethania to Bethsaida there came the revelationwhich
made the “Follow Me” a powerbinding for the whole of life. (Comp. Matthew
8:22.)
MacLaren's Expositions
John
THE FIRST DISCIPLES:III. PHILIP
John 1:43.
‘The day following’-we have a diary in this chapterand the next, extending
from the day when John the Baptist gives his officialtestimony to Jesus, up till
our Lord’s first journey to Jerusalem. The order of events is this. The
deputation from the Sanhedrim to John occupiedthe first day. On the second
Jesus comes back to John after His temptation, and receives his solemn
attestation. On the third day, John repeats his testimony, and three disciples,
probably four, make the nucleus of the Church. These are the two pairs of
brothers, James and John, Andrew and Peter, who stand first in every
catalogue ofthe Apostles, and were evidently nearestto Christ.
‘The day following’of our text is the fourth day. On it our Lord determines to
return to Galilee. His objects in His visit to John were accomplished-to receive

30.
his public attestation, and to gather the first little knot of His followers. Thus
launched upon His course, He desired to return to His native district.
These events had occurredwhere John was baptising, in a place calledin the
English version Bethabara, whichmeans ‘The house of crossing,’oras we
might say, Ferry-house. The traditional site for John’s baptism is near
Jericho, but the next chapter{John 2:1} shows that it was only a day’s
journey from Cana of Galilee, and must therefore have been much further
north than Jericho. A ford, still bearing the name Abarah, a few miles south
of the lake of Gennesaret, has latelybeen discovered. Our Lord, then, and His
disciples had a day’s walking to take them back to Galilee. But apparently
before they set out on that morning, Philip and Nathanaelwere added to the
little band. So these two days saw six disciples gathered round Jesus.
Andrew and John soughtChrist and found Him. To them He revealed
Himself as very willing to be approached, and glad to welcome any to His side.
Peter, who comes next, was brought to Christ by his brother, and to him
Christ revealedHimself as reading his heart, and promising and giving him
higher functions and a more noble character.
Now we come to the third case, ‘Jesus findeth Philip,’ who was not seeking
Jesus, and who was brought by no one. To him Christ reveals Himself as
drawing near to many a heart that has not thought of Him, and laying a
masterful hand of gracious authority on the springs of life and characterin
that autocratic word ‘Follow Me.’So we have a gradually heightening
revelation of the Master’s graciousnessto all souls, to them that seek and to
them that seek Him not. It is only to the working out of these simple thoughts
that I ask your attention now.

31.
I. First, then, let us dealwith the revelation that is given us here of the seeking
Christ.
Every one who reads this chapter with even the slightestattention must
observe how ‘seeking’and ‘finding’ are repeatedover and over again. Christ
turns to Andrew and John with the question, ‘What seek ye?’Andrew, as the
narrative says, ‘findeth his own brother, Simon, and saith unto him, “We have
found the Messias!”‘Then again, Jesus finds Philip; and again, Philip, as soon
as he has been won to Jesus, goes offto find Nathanael;and his glad word to
him is, once more, ‘We have found the Messias.’It is a reciprocalplay of
finding and seeking allthrough these verses.
There are two kinds of finding. There is a casualstumbling upon a thing that
you were not looking for, and there is a finding as the result of seeking.It is
the latter which is here. Christ did not casuallystumble upon Philip, upon
that morning, before they departed from the fords of the Jordan on their
short journey to Cana of Galilee. He went to look for this other Galilean, one
who was connectedwith Andrew and Peter, a native of the same little village.
He went and found him; and whilst Philip was all unexpectant and
undesirous, the Mastercame to him and laid His hand upon him, and drew
him to Himself.
Now that is what Christ often does. There are men like the merchantman who
went all over the world seeking goodlypearls, who with some eagerlonging to
possesslight, or truth, or goodness, orrest, searchup and down and find it
nowhere, because they are looking for it in a hundred different places. They
are expecting to find a little here and a little there, and to piece all togetherto
make of the fragments one all-sufficing restfulness. Then when they are most
eagerin their search, or when, perhaps, it has all died down into despairand
apathy, the veil seems to be withdrawn, and they see Him whom they have
been seeking allthe time and knew not that He was there beside them. All,

32.
and more than all, that they soughtfor in the many pearls is stored for them
in the one Pearl of greatprice. The ancientcovenant stands firm to-day as for
ever. ‘Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.’
But then there are others, like Paul on the road to Damascus orlike Matthew
the publican, sitting at the receiptof custom, on whom there is laid a sudden
hand, to whom there comes a sudden conviction, on whose eyes, notlooking to
the East, there dawns the light of Christ’s presence. Suchcasesoccurall
through the ages,for He is not to be confined, bless His name! within the
narrow limits of answering seeking souls, orof showing Himself to people that
are brought to Him by human instrumentality; but far beyond these bounds
He goes, and many a time discloses His beauty and His sweetness to hearts
that wist not of Him, and who canonly say, ‘Lo! Godwas in this place, and I
knew it not.’ ‘Thou wastfound of them that soughtThee not.’
As it was in His miracles upon earth, so it has been in the sweetand gracious
works of His grace eversince. Sometimes He healed in response to the
yearning desire that lookedout of sick eyes, orthat spoke from parched lips,
and no man that ever came to Him and said ‘Heal me!’ was sent away
beggaredof His blessing. Sometimes He healed in response to the beseeching
of those who, with loving hearts, carried their dear ones and laid them at His
feet. But sometimes, to magnify the spontaneity and the completenessof His
own love, and to show us that He is bound and limited by no human co-
operation, and that He is His own motive, He reachedout the blessing to a
hand that was not extended to graspit; and by His question, ‘Wilt thou be
made whole?’kindled desires that else had lain dormant for ever.
And so in this story before us; He will welcome andover-answerAndrew and
John when they come seeking;He will turn round to them with a smile on His
face, that converts the question, ‘What seek ye?’into an invitation, ‘Come and
see.’And when Andrew brings his brother to Him, He will go more than

33.
halfway to meet him. But when these are won, there still remains another way
by which He will have disciples brought into His Kingdom, and that is by
Himself going out and laying His hand on the man and drawing him to His
heart by the revelation of His love. But further, and in a deeper sense, He
really seeks us all, and, unasked, bestows His love upon us.
Whether we seek Him or no, there is no heart upon earth which Christ does
not desire;and no man or womanwithin the sound of His gospelwhom He is
not in a very real sense seeking thatHe may draw them to Himself. His own
word is a wonderful one: ‘The Fatherseekethsuchto worship Him’; as if God
went all up and down the world looking for hearts to love Him and to turn to
Him with reverent thankfulness. And as the Father, so the Son-who is for us
the revelationof the Father: ‘The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that
which was lost.’ No one on earth wantedHim, or dreamed of His coming.
When He bowedthe heavens and gatheredHimself into the narrow space of
the mangerin Bethlehem, and took upon Him the limitations and the burdens
and the weaknesses ofmanhood, it was not in response to any petition, it was
in reply to no seeking;but He came spontaneously, unmoved, obeying but the
impulse of His own heart, and because He would have mercy. He who is the
Beginning, and will be First in all things, was first in this, that before they
calledHe answered, and came upon earth unbesought and unexpected,
because His owninfinite love brought Him hither. Christ’s mercy to a world
does not come like water in a well that has to be pumped up, by our petitions,
by our search, but like waterin some fountain, rising sparkling into the
sunlight by its own inward impulse. He is His own motive; and came to a
forgetful and carelessworld, like a shepherd who goes afterhis flock in the
wilderness, not because they bleat for him, while they crop the herbage which
tempts them ever further from the fold and remember him and it no more,
but because he cannot have them lost. Men are not conscious ofneeding
Christ till He comes. The supply creates the demand. He is like the ‘dew which
tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.’

34.
But not only does Christ seek us all, inasmuch as the whole conceptionand
executionof His greatwork are independent of man’s desires, but He seeksus
eachin a thousand ways. He longs to have eachof us for His disciples. He
seeks eachofus for His disciples, by the motion of His Spirit on our spirits, by
stirring convictionin our consciences,by pricking us often with a sense ofour
own evil, by all our restlessnessanddissatisfaction, by the disappointments
and the losses, as by the brightnesses and the goodness ofearthly providences,
and often through such agenciesas my lips and the lips of other men. The
MasterHimself, who seeks allmankind, has sought and is seeking youat this
moment. Oh! yield to His search. The shepherd goes outon the mountain side,
for all the storm and the snow, and wades knee-deepthrough the drifts until
he finds the sheep. And your Shepherd, who is also your Brother, has come
looking for you, and at this moment is putting out His hand and laying hold of
some of you through my poor words, and saying to you, as He said to Philip,
‘Follow Me!’
II. And now let us next considerthat word of authority which, spokento the
one man in our text, is really spokento us all.
‘Jesus findeth Philip, and saith unto him, “Follow Me!”‘No doubt a greatdeal
more passed, but no doubt what more passedwas less significantand less
important for the development of faith in this man than what is recorded. The
word of authority, the invitation which was a demand, the demand which was
an invitation, and the personalimpression which He produced upon Philip’s
heart, were the things that bound him to Jesus Christ for ever. ‘Follow Me,’
spokenat the beginning of the journey of Christ and His disciples back to
Galilee, might have meant merely, on the surface, ‘Come back with us.’ But
the words have, of course, a much deeper meaning. They mean-be My
disciple. Think what is implied in them, and ask yourself whether the demand
that Christ makes in these words is an unreasonable one, and then ask
yourselves whether you have yielded to it or not.

35.
We lose the force of the image by much repetition. Sheepfollow a shepherd.
Travellers follow a guide. Here is a man upon some dangerous cornice of the
Alps, with a ledge of limestone as broad as the palm of your hand, and
perhaps a couple of feetof snow above that, for him to walk upon, a precipice
on either side; and his guide says, as he ropes himself to him, ‘Now, tread
where I tread!’ Travellers follow their guides. Soldiers follow their
commanders. There is the hell of the battlefield; here a line of wavering,
timid, raw recruits. Their commander rushes to the front and throws himself
upon the advancing enemy with the one word, ‘Follow’and the coward
becomes a hero. Soldiers follow their captains. Your Shepherd comes to you
and calls, ‘Follow Me.’Your Captain and Commander comes to you and calls,
‘Follow Me.’In all the dreary wilderness, in all the difficult contingencies and
conjunctions, in all the conflicts of life, this Man strides in front of us and
proposes Himself to us as Guide, Example, Consoler, Friend, Companion,
everything; and gathers up all duty, all blessedness,in the majestic and simple
words, ‘Follow Me.’
It is a call at the leastto acceptHim as a Teacher, but the whole gist of the
context here is to show us that from the beginning Christ’s disciples did not
look upon Him as a Rabbi’s disciples did, as being simply a teacher, but
recognisedHim as the Messias,the Sonof God, the King of Israel. So that
they were calledupon by this command to acceptHis teaching in a very
specialway, not merely as Hillel or Gamalielaskedtheir disciples to accept
theirs. Do you do that? Do you take Him as your illumination about all
matters of theoreticaltruth, and of practicalwisdom? Is His declarationof
God your theology? Is His declarationof His own Personyour creed? Do you
think about His Cross as He did when He electedto be remembered in all the
world by the broken body and the shed blood, which were the symbols of His
reconciling death? Is His teaching, that the Son of Man comes to ‘give His life
a ransom for many,’ the ground of your hope? Do you follow Him in your
belief, and following Him in your belief, do you acceptHim as, by His death
and passion, the Saviour of your soul? That is the first step-to follow Him, to
trust Him wholly for what He is, the Incarnate Sonof God, the Sacrifice for

36.
the sins of the whole world, and therefore for your sins and mine. This is a call
to faith.
It is also a call to obedience. ‘Follow Me’certainly means ‘Do as I bid you,’
but softens all the harshness of that command. Sedulously plant your
tremulous feetin His firm footsteps. Where you see His track going across the
bog be not afraid to walk after Him, though it may seemto lead you into the
deepestand the blackestofit. ‘Follow Him’ and you will be right. ‘Follow
Him’ and you will be blessed. Do as Christ did, or as according to the bestof
your judgment it seems to you that Christ would have done if He had been in
your circumstances;and you will not go far wrong. ‘The Imitation of Christ,’
which Thomas a Kempis wrote his book about, is the sum of all practical
Christianity. ‘Follow Me!’ makes discipleshipto be something more than
intellectual acceptanceofHis teaching, something more than even reliance for
my salvationupon His work. It makes discipleship-springing out of these two-
the acceptance ofHis teaching and the consequentreliance, by faith, upon His
word-to be a practicalreproduction of His characterand conduct in mine.
It is a call to communion. If a man follows Christ he will walk close behind
Him, and near enough to Him to hear Him speak, and to be ‘guided by His
eye.’He will be separatedfrom other people, and from other paths. In these
four things, then-Faith, Obedience, Imitation, Communion-lies the essenceof
discipleship. No man is a Christian who has not in some measure all four.
Have you gotthem?
What right has Jesus Christ to ask me to follow Him? Why should I? Who is
He that He should set Himself up as being the perfect Example and the Guide
for all the world? What has He done to bind me to Him, that I should take
Him for my Master, and yield myself to Him in a subjection that I refuse to
the mightiest names in literature, and thought, and practicalbenevolence?
Who is this that assumes thus to dominate over us all? Ah! brethren, there is

37.
only one answer. ‘This is none other than the Son of God who has given
Himself a ransom for me, and therefore has the right, and only therefore has
the right, to sayto me, “Follow Me.”‘
III. And now one lastword. Think for a moment about this silently and swiftly
obedient disciple.
Philip says nothing. Of course the narrative is mere sketchyoutline. He is
silent, but he yields. Ah, brethren, how quickly a soul may be won or lost!
That moment, when Philip’s decisionwas trembling in the balance, was but a
moment. It might have gone the other way, for Christ has no pressedmen in
His army; they are all volunteers. It might have gone the other way. A
moment may settle for you whether you will be His disciple or not. People tell
us that the belief in instantaneous conversions is unphilosophical. It seems to
me that the objections to them are unphilosophical. All decisions are matters
of an instant. Hesitation may be long, weighing and balancing may be a
protracted process, but the decisionis always a moment’s work, a knife-edge.
And there is no reasonwhateverwhy any one listening to me may not now, if
he or she will, do as this man Philip did on the spot, and when Christ says
‘Follow Me,’turn to Him and answer, ‘I will follow Thee whithersoeverThou
goest.’
There is an old church tradition which says that the disciple who at a
subsequent period answeredChrist, ‘Lord! suffer me first to go and bury my
father,’ was this same Apostle. I do not think that at all likely, but the
tradition suggests to us one last thought about the reasons why people are
kept back from yielding this obedience to Christ’s invitation. Many of you are
kept back, as that procrastinating followerwas, because there are some other
duties which you feel, or make to be, more important. ‘I will think about
Christianity and turning religious when this, that, or the other thing has been

38.
got over. I have my position in life to make. I have a greatmany things to do
that must be done at once, and really, I have not time to think about it.’
Then there are some of you that are kept from following Christ because you
have never yet found out that you need a guide at all. Then there are some of
you that are kept back because you like very much better to go your own way,
and to follow your own inclination, and dislike the idea of following the will of
another. There are a hostof other reasons that I do not need to deal with now;
but oh! brethren, none of them is worth pleading. They are excuses,they are
not reasons.‘Theyall with one consentbeganto make excuse’-excuses,not
reasons;and manufactured excuses,in order to covera decisionwhich has
been takenbefore, and on other grounds altogether, which it is not convenient
to bring up to the surface. I am not going to deal with these in detail, but I
beseechyou, do not let what I venture to callChrist’s seeking ofyou once
more, even by my poor words now, be in vain.
Follow Him. Trust, obey, imitate, hold fellowship with Him. You will always
have a Companion, you will always have a Protector. ‘He that followeth Me,’
saith He, ‘shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ And if
you will listen to the Shepherd’s voice and follow Him, that sweetold promise
will be true, in its divinest and sweetestsense, aboutyour life, in time; and
about your life in the moment of death, the isthmus betweentwo worlds, and
about your life in eternity-’They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the
sun nor heat smite them; for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them,
even by the springs of watershall He guide them.’ ‘Follow thou Me.’
BensonCommentary
John 1:43-44. The day following — The next to that lastmentioned, on which
he met with Peter;Jesus would go forth into Galilee — And there enter on his
public ministry; and findeth Philip — Whom he intended to chooseto be one
of his apostles;and saith to him, Follow me — Which he accordinglydid,
being secretlyinfluenced by Christ’s grace. Whenwe considerhow suddenly

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some of Christ’s disciples left their statedemployments to follow him, it seems
reasonable to allow some singular kind of impressionon their minds, as there
was in the calling of Elisha, (1 Kings 19:19-21,)which, though for the present
it supersededthe necessityof arguments, yet it did not exclude their attending
to that afterward, which might be necessaryto defend their conduct to others.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew — “As it appears from the
subsequent part of the history, Philip was already acquainted with our Lord’s
character, and believed on him, this observation is made by the evangelist, to
show by what means he was brought to Jesus;his townsmen, Andrew and
Peter, had done him this favour.”
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
1:43-51 See the nature of true Christianity, it is following Jesus;devoting
ourselves to him, and treading in his steps. Observe the objectionNathanael
made. All who desire to profit by the word of God, must beware of prejudices
againstplaces, ordenominations of men. They should examine for themselves,
and they will sometimes find goodwhere they lookedfor none. Many people
are kept from the ways of religion by the unreasonable prejudices they
conceive. The bestway to remove false notions of religion, is to make trial of
it. In Nathanaelthere was no guile. His professionwas not hypocritical. He
was not a dissembler, nor dishonest;he was a sound character, a really
upright, godly man. Christ knows what men are indeed. Does He know us?
Let us desire to know him. Let us seek and pray to be Israelites indeed, in
whom is no guile; truly Christians, approved of Christ himself. Some things
weak, imperfect, and sinful, are found in all, but hypocrisy belongs not to a
believer's character. Jesus witnessed whatpassedwhen Nathanaelwas under
the fig-tree. Probably he was then in fervent prayer, seeking directionas to
the Hope and ConsolationofIsrael, where no human eye observedhim. This
showedhim that our Lord knew the secrets ofhis heart. Through Christ we
commune with, and benefit by the holy angels;and things in heavenand
things on earth are reconciledand united together.
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
Would go forth - Was about to go.

40.
Into Galilee - He was now in Judea, where he went to be baptized by John. He
was now about to return to his native country.
Findeth Philip - This does not refer to his calling these disciples to be
"apostles," forthat took place at the Sea of Tiberias Matthew 4:18, but it
refers to their being. convincedthat he was the Christ. This is the object of
this evangelist, to show how and when they were convinced of this. Matthew
states the time and occasionin which they were called to be "apostles;" John,
the time in which they first became acquainted with Jesus, andwere
convinced that he was the Messiah. There is, therefore, no contradiction in the
evangelists.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
43. would go … into Galilee—forfrom His baptism He had sojourned in
Judea (showing that the calling at the Sea of Galilee [Mt 4:18] was a
subsequent one, see on [1763]Lu5:1).
Follow me—the first express callgiven, the former three having come to Him
spontaneously.
Matthew Poole's Commentary
All this while Christ seemethto have been in Judea, which was the most
famous province. The day after Peterhad thus been with him, he had a mind
to go into Galilee;out of that he designedto choose his disciples;and that
being the country where he had been educated, he designedin a more special
manner to honour it with the first fruit of his public ministry. There findeth
Philip (the name signifieth, a lover of horses). He callethhim to be his disciple.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
The day following,.... Notthe day after John had pointed out Christ, as the
Lamb of God, to two of his disciples;but the day after Simon had been with
him, being brought by Andrew:
Jesus would go forth into Galilee;from whence he came to Jordan, to John, to
be baptized by him; and which being done, and his temptations in the
wilderness over, it was his will, resolution, and determination, to return to

41.
Galilee, the place of his educationand conversation, till this time; and
therefore chose to begin his ministry, and miracles, there, both to give honour
to it, and to fulfil a prophecy in Isaiah9:1; and besides this, he had doubtless
another end in going thither: which was to call some other disciples that dwelt
there:
and findeth Philip; as he was going to Galilee, or rather when in it; not by hap
or chance;but knowing where he was, as the shepherd and bishop of souls,
lookedhim up and found him out, and calledhim by his grace, and to be a
disciple of his; See Gill on Matthew 10:3,
and saith unto him, follow me; leave thy friends, thy calling, and business, and
become a disciple of mine: and such powerwent along with these words, that
he at once left all, and followedChrist; as the other disciples, Peter, and
Andrew, James, and John, and Matthew did, as is recordedof them, though
not of this; but the following history makes it appearhe did.
Geneva Study Bible
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and
saith unto him, Follow me.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Expositor's Greek Testament
John 1:43. καὶ ἤγαγεναὐτὸν πρὸς τὸν Ἰησοῦν. He was not contentto allow his
report to work in his brother’s mind, but induced him there and then, though
probably on the following day, as now it must have been late, to go to Jesus.—
ἐμβλέψας … Πέτρος. Jesus may have knownSimon previously, or may have
been told his name by Andrew. “Thouart Simon, Jonah’s son, or better,
John’s son. Thou shalt be calledKephas.” This name, Kephas or Peter, stone
or mass of rock, Simon did receive at CaesareaPhilippi on his confession of
Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:17-18);a confessionprompted not by “flesh
and blood,” that is, by his brother’s experience, but by his own inwrought and
home-grownconviction. The reasonof this utterance to Simon is understood
when it is consideredthat the name he as yet bore, Simon Barjona, was
identified with a characterfull of impulsiveness; which might well lead him to

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suppose he would only bring mischief to the Messiah’s kingdom. But, says
Christ, thou shalt be calledRock. Those who enterChrist’s kingdom believing
in Him receive a characterfitting them to be of service.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
43. The day following]Better, as in John 1:29; John 1:35, The next day: the
Greek is the same in all three verses. We thus have four days accurately
marked, (1) John 1:19; (2) John 1:29; (3) John 1:35; (4) John 1:44. A writer of
fiction would not have caredfor such minute details; they might entangle him
in discrepancies. Theyare thoroughly natural as coming from an eyewitness.
See on John 2:1.
Follow me] In the Gospels these words seemalways to be the callto become a
disciple. Matthew 8:22; Matthew 9:9; Matthew 19:21; Mark 2:14; Mark
10:21;Luke 5:27; Luke 9:59; John 21:19. With two exceptions they are always
addressedto those who afterwards became Apostles.
Bengel's Gnomen
John 1:43. Ἠθέλησεν ἐξελθεῖν, would go forth) and He did go forth, which ch.
John 2:1 implies. By comparing with this ch. 2, especiallythe 11th verse, “This
beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifestedforth His
glory,” etc., it is evident that the word for going forth is significant. He went
forth to action, to the carrying on of His work.
Pulpit Commentary
Verses 43, 44. - On the morrow - i.e. on the fourth day after the deputation
from the Sanhedrin - he willed - or was minded - to go forth into Galilee, to
commence his homeward journey. Whether this implies an actualbeginning
of his route, or suggests, before any step was takenin that direction, that the
following incidents occurred, cannotbe determined, though commentators
take opposite sides, as though something important depended upon it. The
former supposition is, however, in keeping with the considerable distance, on
any hypothesis of the site of Bethany, betweenit and Cana. And he (the Lord

43.
himself "finds;" the two earliestdisciples had soughtand found him) findeth
Philip; very probably on the route from the scene ofJohn's baptism to the
Bethsaida on the westernshore of the Lake of Galilee. And Jesus saithto him,
Follow me; become one of my ἀκόλουθοι. The arguments, the reasons, which
weighedwith him are not given at first, but we find that he soonlearned the
same greatlessonas that which the other disciples had acquired, and he
clothes them in memorable words. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city
of Andrew and Peter. This is a remark of the evangelist, who did not consider
it necessaryto sayfrom what city or neighbourhood he had himself issued.
This town has utterly perished (Matthew 11:20), although some travellers
(Robinson, 3:359; Wilson and Warren) believe that indications were found
north of Khan Minyeh, and others have identified it with Tell-Hum. Some
writers ('Picturesque Palestine,'vol. 2:74, 81, etc.)discoverit in Ain et
Tabighah, where some remains of a fountain reservoirand other buildings are
found. It was identified by Thomsonwith Abu-Zany, on the westof the
entrance of Jordan into the lake. The two pairs of brothers must have been
familiar with Philip. Some interesting hints of characterare attainable from
John 6:5, in which an incident occurs where Philip revealeda practical
wisdom and confident purpose, and againin John 12:21, 22, where Andrew
and Philip are made the confidants of the Greeks, andPhilip is the one who
seems able and willing to introduce them to Jesus. In John 14:8 Philip uttered
one of the great longings of the human heart - a passionate desire to solve all
mysteries, by the vision of the Father; but he lets out the fact that be had not
seenall that he might have seenand knownin Jesus himself. Subsequent
history shows that Philip was one of the "greatlights of Asia," and was held in
the highestesteem(Eusebius, 'Hist. Eccl.,'3:31). He must not be confounded
with Philip the evangelist, whose daughters prophesied(Acts 8; Acts 21:8).
Vincent's Word Studies
Jesus
The best texts omit.
Would go forth (ἠθέλησεν ἐξελθεῖν)

44.
Rev., better, was minded to go. On the constructionsee on Matthew 20:14. On
the verb to be minded, see on Matthew 1:19.
And findeth
Note the graphic interchange of tenses:was minded, findeth. The coordination
of the two clauses,whichby other writers would be placed in logical
dependence, is characteristic ofJohn. Even where there is a real inner
dependence he uses only the simple connective particles. Compare John 2:13
sqq.
Philip
See on Mark 3:18. For hints of his charactersee John6:5, John 6:7; John
12:21 sqq.; John 14:8, John 14:9.
Saith
The best texts insert Jesus:"And Jesus saidunto him."
Follow (ἀκολούθει)
Often used in the New Testamentwith the specialsense offollowing as a
disciple or partisan. See Matthew 4:20, Matthew 4:22; Matthew 9:9; Mark
1:18; John 8:12. Also with the meaning of cleaving steadfastlyto one and
conforming to his example. See Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24;John 12:26.
The verb occurs but once outside of the writings of the Evangelists, 1
Corinthians 10:4. It appears in the noun acolyte, oracolyth, or acolothist, a
church-servant ranking next below a subdeacon, whose duty it was to trim the
lamps, light the church, prepare the sacramentalelements, etc. Under the
Byzantine emperors the captain of the emperor's bodyguard was called
Acolouthos, or the Follower. See Scott's "CountRobertof Paris."
Question: "What are the biblical principles for solid decision-making?"

45.
Answer: Solid decision-making begins by discerning the will of God. God delights in
revealing His will to those who are eagerto follow His precepts (Psalm 33:18; Psalm 35:27;
Psalm 147:11). Our attitude towards decision-making should be that of Jesus Himself who
affirmed, “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42; Matthew 6:10).
God reveals His will to us primarily in two ways. First, through His Spirit: “When the
Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own
authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that
are to come” (John 16:13; see also 1 John 2:20, 27). And, second, God reveals His will
through His Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm
119:105; see also Psalm 19:7-9; 2 Peter 1:19).
The process of decision-making includes making a judgment about an attitude or action.
Decisions are an act of the will, and they are always influenced by the mind, the emotions,
or both. The decisions we make actually reflect the desires of our heart (Psalm 119:30).
Therefore, a key question before making a decision is “do I choose to please myself, or do I
choose to please the Lord?” Joshua set the standard: “If serving the Lord seems
undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for
me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15; cf. Romans 12:2).
God sees the whole picture—the past, present, and future of our lives. He teaches and
counsels us as He reveals Himself to us through His Word and Spirit. God has made this
promise to us: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel
you with My eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8; cf. Psalm 25:12). There will be times when God’s
will may seemundesirable or unpleasant, when our heart follows our own desires instead
of trusting God. But we will eventually learn that God’s will is always for our benefit
(Psalm 119:67; Hebrews 12:10-11).
Again, the chief key to solid decision-making is knowing God’s will and not following the
desires of our own hearts: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way
to death” (Proverbs 14:12; cf. Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 21:2). As we put our trust in God,
rather than ourselves, we soon discover what decisions are pleasing to Him.

46.
First, God blesses those decisions that He initiates and that line up with His Word: “I have
taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness” (Proverbs 4:11;
see also Psalm 119:33). Second, God blesses decisions that accomplish His purpose and
depend on His strength: “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His
good purpose” (Philippians 2:13; see also Philippians 4:13).
Additionally, God blesses those decisions that result in His glory: “Whether you eat or
drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). He blesses
decisions that reflect His character, that promote justice, kindness and humility: “He has
showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly
and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8; see also 1 Corinthians
10:31; 1 Timothy 4:12). And He blesses those decisions that come from faith: “Without
faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He
exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
We must not forget God’s promise to give His children wisdom when they ask: “If any of
you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and
it will be given to him” (James 1:5; cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:17). And when we pray for
wisdom, we must trust God to answer our prayer: “When he asks, he must believe and not
doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossedby the wind. That
man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-7). Patience is
important, too, as we wait for God’s timing: “After waiting patiently, Abraham received
what was promised” (Hebrews 6:15).
Decision-making is more difficult when it involves a painful choice. Sometimes, the right
course of action will also hurt us in some way. This is where we need grace the most. Are
we really willing to suffer for the glory of Christ? “Since therefore Christ suffered in the
flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh
has ceasedfrom sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human
passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1-2).
Making a decision today? Look to God’s Word for direction. Take comfort in the peace
which only He can provide (Philippians 4:7). Ask for wisdom, trust His promises, and He
will guide your path: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own

47.
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths”
(Proverbs 3:5-6; see also Isaiah 58:11; John 8:12).
Recommended Resource: Decision Making and the Will of God by Friesen & Maxson
https://www.gotquestions.org/decision-making-Bible.html
Question: "What does the Bible say about indecision / being indecisive?"
Answer: To be indecisive usually means to have a difficult time making up one’s mind.
Indecision can also apply to team collaboration in which no solution is reached. An
indecisive issue is one that is not clearly marked out. We are indecisive when we are
irresolute or lack strong conviction about a matter. Indecisiveness is common when we
have to make a decision that will result in unpleasant consequences. There are times when
remaining indecisive is wise. We may lack all the information, for example, or the issue is
of little importance and an opinion would only be divisive. However, for the most part,
indecision shows a lack of willingness to commit to absolute principles and to speak up for
those principles. In that sense, indecision is a weakness (John 12:43).
Several places in Scripture show the folly of indecision. Lot’s wife perished because of her
inability to decide between Sodom and obedience to God (Genesis 19:26). Joshua reminded
the people of Israel of the necessity of choosing sides concerning their worship, and he
clearly stated his decision: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether
the gods your ancestors servedbeyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose
land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua
24:15). On Mount Carmel, as the prophet Elijah confronted Ahab and the prophets of
Baal, he addressed the fence-sitting, indecisive Israelites: “Elijah went before the people
and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him;
but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing” (1 Kings 18:21). Under
conviction by the Holy Spirit, Felix refused to make a decision and sent Paul away until a
time more “convenient” (Acts 24:25). Jesus warned us that “no one can serve two masters”
(Matthew 6:24).

48.
Romans 14:15 addresses indecisiveness about personal convictions: “One person considers
one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should
be fully convinced in their own mind.” God has given us His Word to instruct us in vital
matters (Psalm 32:8; 119:105), but He leaves room for personal opinion and conviction in
lessermatters as we strive to be pleasing to Him in all things. What the Bible does not
condone is wishy-washiness. When we pray for wisdom, we are to believe that God hears
and will answer (1 John 5:15; James 1:5). When we ask in harmony with God’s will, we
must “ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and tossedby the wind” (James 1:6). In other words, faithless prayer is spiritual
indecisiveness.
We must seek wisdom in order to know what issues are worth being decisive about
(Proverbs 2:2–6). Social media blazes with scorching opinions on every subject, but many
of those fueling the fires would benefit from being more indecisive. Our culture has
substituted opinion for truth and passion for conviction. We need not have a hard and fast
opinion on every subject, nor feel pressured to “take a side” when we lack all the
information or education on an issue. Taking time to hear all sides of a matter is a mark of
wisdom (Proverbs 18:13, 17).
But when it comes to the basic tenets of the gospel or the infallibility of God’s Word, we
must not be indecisive (2 Timothy 3:16; John 17:17). More information is available to us
than everbefore in history, so there is no excuse for a Christian to be ignorant about God’s
standards on the moral, civic, and relational topics of our day. Much spiritual
indecisiveness is motivated by the fear of man, not a lack of knowledge (Galatians 1:10).
When we adopt the mindset that our opinion can challenge the time-tested declarations of
God, we are creating an atmosphere of indecision where it need not exist. Simply because a
biblical standard makes us uncomfortable or conflicts with political correctness does not
mean we should be indecisive about it. When nationally known preachers are questioned
about specific topics the Bible clearly addresses, it is an insult to that same Bible to
communicate indecisiveness. That is not diplomacy; that is merely cowardice. It is
interesting that Revelation 21:8 lists cowards first among those who will be cast into the
lake of fire. Clearly, God takes this seriously.

49.
The minds of healthy Christians are settledon the things that matter and humbly teachable
on the things that don’t. They continue to study to show themselves approved unto God (2
Timothy 2:15) so that they form godly convictions about eventhe “gray areas” of life. They
are careful not to judge others who serve God differently (Romans 14:1–4), but they are
decisive about God’s plan for their own lives. When we live in ways that are true to those
convictions, we will not be shaken by every new idea or cultural whim (Matthew 7:24–27).
Indecisiveness about what God has declared to be true has no place in the life of a
Christian.
Recommended Resource: Decision Making and the Will of God by Friesen & Maxson
https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-indecision.html
Jesus’Modelfor Making Decisions
Cindy Spear
Leaders, Stewardship
8 Comments
Elmer Towns and John Maxwell
Our personalsuccessin our Christian lives will be governedby our
willingness to seek Godfirst. The consequenceswe meettoday are a result of
the decisions we made yesterday. And the decisions we make today will
determine our happiness tomorrow. Notice how Jesus made life-changing
decisions.
Jesus chose.The key word in making decisions is to “choose.” We are not
what we are today by accident. We are the sum total of all the decisions we
have made in our lives, plus those times we did not make decisions. We arrive
where we are in life by decisions and non-decisions, and we are responsible for
both. Therefore, it makes sense to be like Jesus and control our lives and
destinies as much as possible by choosing to choose.

50.
Jesus withdrew. When we make spiritual decisions, we have to withdraw from
the world’s system so we will not make worldly decisions. Jesus withdrew
from the world so He could spend time in prayer. He went alone to think His
way through decisions. He went into the wilderness for forty days before
beginning His ministry. He prayed all night before choosing the twelve
apostles. He spent time alone in prayer before every major decisionor
circumstance in His life and ministry on earth. What Jesus did is no different
than what we also must do if we are going to made the right priority decisions
in life.
Jesus prayed. If Jesus who was God felt it necessaryto spend time in prayer,
how can we do otherwise? The urgency of His decisioncompelledHim to
pray. How much more should earthly people spend time in prayer, for we do
not have the perfection that Jesus had. As we make decisions, we should first
of all ask Godfor the wisdom from able that only He can give (James 1:5).
When confronted with a major decision, it is wise to accompanyour prayer
for wisdomwith a period of fasting (Isaiah58:8-9).
Jesus obeyed. Jesus made all decisions in keeping with the Word of God. Jesus
said, “Mymeat is to do the will of Him that sentme” (John 4:34). By this He
meant His food was to obey the Father. A gooddecisionhad to be in line with
God’s will, which is found in God’s Word. As He made decisions in life, He
did so with an underlying commitment to obey the directives of His Father.
We should have an attitude that we will always obeythe directives and
guidance of God in making a particular decision;that is settled aheadof time.
We need to study the Scriptures and seek Godin prayer to discern His will,
but we should not have to pray about doing what we already know God wants
us to do.
Jesus declared. Jesus knew anyand every decisionneeded to be declared. He
was willing to tell others what He had decided. Sometimes this step will make
us popular with others who like the consequences ofour decisions. Other
times, we will encounter oppositionand criticism. Regardlessofthe
anticipated consequences,we need to declare our decisions. When we make
proper priority decisions in life, we candeclare those decisions knowing that

51.
regardless ofthe immediate consequences, ultimately our decisions will prove
to have been the best course ofaction.
How Did Jesus Make Decisions?
May 25, 2016
Decisions,decisions,decisions. ShouldI acceptthis job? Should I marry this
person? Should I listen to that person’s advice? How do I know what to do?
If I had a dollar for every time I getaskedthat question, I’d be a rich man.
Young and old, rich and poor, married and single, spiritual and non-spiritual
people – all struggle with the same question: how do I know the “right” thing
to do in the situation I’m in?
This question isn’t an easyone; there’s no simple answer. There’s no formula
that I cangive you that says “Saythis prayer, read this passage andyou’ll
know what to do.” Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. We aren’t
talking about math class where everything breaks down into a nice and neat
formula. We’re talking about life and life isn’t always black and white.
So how then are we supposed to figure it out?
Recentlysomething struck me about Jesus and His ministry and how He
always knew what to do. I was reading Mark 1 and in it, I realizedsomething
about Jesus that I had never fully graspedbefore. He seemedkinda
inconsistent, didn’t He?
I mean, at one point He is teaching the crowds and healing their sick and
casting out demons from among them (see verses 21-34). He is gaining
popularity and fame which would seem to be in line with His mission of
spreading the gospelto as many people as possible (see verses 14-15).

52.
But then, just a few verses later, He decides somewhatabruptly that He is
leaving now and moving on to another city:
“And Simon and those who were with Him searchedforHim. When they
found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” But He saidto
them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for
this purpose I have come forth.” (Mark 1:36-38).
What happened here? Why leave so quickly? Were there no more people
here in need of teaching? Or healing? Or casting out of demons? They were
all looking for Him which seems like something that He’d like and that would
be in line with His mission. So why leave all of a sudden?
And then what’s even stranger is that after He leaves and goes to the next city,
He runs into a man suffering from leprosy. The man approaches Jesus in the
middle of the street and begs for healing. What will Jesus do?
“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying
to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” ThenJesus, moved
with compassion, stretchedout His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I
am willing; be cleansed.”(Mark 1:40-41)
HUH? What’s going on here? Why sayno to some people and then yes to
others? Jesus was justin front of many sick people who were asking for
healing and He said no. So why say yes now to this guy?
This issue isn’t just in Mark 1 – you see it throughout the life of Christ. Yes
He opened the eyes of the blind, but there were many more blind eyes that He
never touched. Yes He healedmany sicknesses, but surely there were many
that weren’t healed. Yes He raisedLazarus from the dead, but there were
many more dead people that He didn’t raise weren’t there?
So how did He know what the right thing to do was?
The easyansweris to saythat He is God and He knows everything. Ok, that’s
true, but there’s gotto be more to it. That answerdoesn’tgive me much hope
that I canfigure out the right thing to do since I am not God.

53.
WHAT DO I DO? HOW DO I KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT? HOW SHOULD I
MAKE MY DECISIONS?
Unfortunately, there’s no right answerto these questions. I have my answer
and I'll be more than happy to share it with in two ways.
First, you can read my answerby checking out THIS POST that I wrote a few
years back. Secondly, you can tune in to my scope todayat 12:30 pm EST and
hear my thoughts on the subject. I will never claim to be an expert on making
goodchoices, but I've learned a thing or two in my experience as a priest and
I'll be sharing those thoughts today.
Either way, I hope you realize that ultimately your life is nothing more than
the sum of all your decisions. Makegooddecisions andyou’ll probably find
yourself in a goodplace. Make bad decisions and you’ll find the exact
opposite. That's why the million dollar question is: HOW DO I MAKE THE
RIGHT DECISIONS?
I'll see you at 12:30 pm.
In Spiritual Growth
Tags decisions,intentional living, pleasing others, prayer, success
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54.
Preview PostComment…
Q 2 years ago · 0 Likes
My normal personality is to intervene in problems of those I love until the
problem is resolvedor until the people who the fight is among see my
perseverance andsadness and halt the fight just for my sake (kinda cool, tbh!
to have people who will stop fighting just for the sake ofmy comfort).
However, I have done so in a recent situation with no resolution. I am
emotionally drained, and have completely takenmyself out of the situation. I
feel bad for doing so, and the parties involved are blaming me for doing so,
but I simply cannot continue trying to resolve this problem by myself. How do
I determine whether the point of this issue being presentin my life is to teach
me to continue persevering or to learn when to stop trying to assuage
situations around me? I've been praying for guidance as instructed by my
FOC, but I am very emotionally drained by this whole spiel. I think it's a
"gift" that the people around me try to resolve issues among them with my
intervention- am I wasting my gift by taking myself out because ofhow I am
feeling? I realize that you may not have an answer, I am mostly just thinking
out loud
Preview PostReply
Fr. Anthony Messeh2 years ago · 0 Likes
I wish I had an answerfor you Q, but I think it really depends on the
circumstances and details of your specific situation. I don't know the answer,

55.
but I know that God does. So stayclose to Him and trust that He will guide
you when you do.
Preview PostReply
Martine 4 years ago · 0 Likes
Hello, I am currently reading the life of Abraham by F.B. Meyer, God spoke
to him to promise him that he will have as many children as the stars....andhe
believed in the Lord and is righteous (Rom 4:3, Gal3:6, James 2:23)how do I
apply this in my own life when I'm in a waiting period to figure out upcoming
decisions? I don't find it that simple to believe and sometimes wanna take
matters in my own hands. Secondquestion, I ask myself will I ever know if
Gods answeris delayed or simply a no? When I see how long Abraham waited
for his child, any one of us would've said that's it, not the will of God....what
do you think? I know his story is particular to him but trying to learn what to
take from it. Thanks for sharing your blog, it's a real blessing!
Preview PostReply
Fr. Anthony Messeh4 years ago · 0 Likes
Greatquestion Martine. As I mentioned in the scope on this post, the key is
cultivating one's relationship with God. It takes time and practice to hear
God's voice and, as with any relationship, the more we hear His voice, the
easierit will be to discernit. So be patient. Invest in your relationship with
God and trust that He'll speak whenneeded.
Hope that helps.

56.
Preview PostReply
Martine 4 years ago · 0 Likes
Thanks Abouna, please remember me in your prayers :)
Preview PostReply
Marian 8 years ago · 0 Likes
Hi Abouna, this is so timely for the crossroads my family is at, in more ways
than one, so thanks for writing about this. I do have questions of a practical
nature re quiet time with God: one, how/when does a mother of young
children do this when she wakes up and has to hit the ground running with
feeding, pottying, etc, and two, how to keepthat attention span long enoughto
have a quiet time with God? I often feel tempted to not getup earlierthan the
kids because I'm so exhaustedand just trying to gearup for all the work that
awaits me as a stay-at-home mom...orI want to just relish the sound of
nothing and the ability to do whatever I want (and I wish that natural
inclination or yearning were time praying, etc, but most of the time it's not)
when they nap...thx.
Preview PostReply
Fr. Anthony 8 years ago · 0 Likes