Journeying with Jesus

Spiritual Maturity• Putting into practice what

we know• Applied faith in action• Stop | Start mentality• Start | Stop mentality • “Jesus walked slowly

through the crowds”• Rick Warren

“Instead of following in the steps of Jesus we should follow in the stops of Jesus”

Interruptions• We all have them all the

time• Question – are you

interrupted most by:• Your boss or spouse• Your customers• Your colleagues or family• Yourself

• Life is full of interruptions – how we handle them is what counts

The Way of Jesus• Jesus always had time for individuals

• He always had time for people who wanted his time

• Jesus didn’t argue or debate with people

• Debate • Focuses on getting YOUR message across

without intrusion• Normally one-sided monologues

• Discussion• 2-way process to extract ideas/feelings• Constructive and facilitative• Frank and open

The Way of Jesus• Jesus always gave of His best and

expected the best• Needed time to get away• Didn’t see people in terms of needs and

agendas• Doesn’t look at our past to determine our

future• Jesus sees the best in us so He accepts

the worst in us• Jesus saw salvation as an event but

mission as a process• Called to be witnesses not sales people

The Challenge“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” – 1Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)“Therefore I urge you to imitate me” – 1Corinthians 4:16“We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” – Hebrews 6:12

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith” – Hebrews 13:7

“Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God” – 3John 1:11

The ChallengeThere is a difference between “serve-us” and “service”• Be available – give time to people• Be facilitators in discussion not

agitators in debate• Give of our best and think the best of

others• Recognise mission is a process; people

have the right to choose – it’s their responsibility