It's nice to know that you can always turn back if the path ahead looks less than desirable or presents the unexpected. What about those times when there is no turning back? Stories from Elisha's call and some of Jesus' travel teachings to his disciples help us understand the qualities required in one who serves God and Kingdom.
When the point of no return is crossed, it doesn't matter what's up ahead. You're simply going to have to deal with it and have faith that it will work out.
The prophet Elijah has been ordered to recruit his successor. A fellow plowing his fields named Elisha gets the unusual call by having a mantle or cloak placed across this shoulders. Elisha understands what's happening, but he isn't quite ready to head off in this whole new direction. While Elijah never says, "Come with me," and Elisha never says, "Yes, I'll go," the point of the story is told by the actions that each one takes.
In Luke 9, the disciples are coming off a series of blunders, blusters, and blown opportunities. Not yet finished, James and John actually talk and say something ... stupid. The text says simply that Jesus "rebuked" them; perhaps his actual words were unprintable!
Then there are three accounts of people wishing to join Jesus in his mission or who Jesus calls to his mission. There are different issues with each one. With Jesus sure that the end days are imminent, there is no time and there is no turning back.
There is turning involved. So, what have you turned from? What have you turned toward? Explore these questions and get the whole story in the sermon video below.
When the point of no return is crossed, it doesn't matter what's up ahead. You're simply going to have to deal with it and have faith that it will work out.
The prophet Elijah has been ordered to recruit his successor. A fellow plowing his fields named Elisha gets the unusual call by having a mantle or cloak placed across this shoulders. Elisha understands what's happening, but he isn't quite ready to head off in this whole new direction. While Elijah never says, "Come with me," and Elisha never says, "Yes, I'll go," the point of the story is told by the actions that each one takes.
In Luke 9, the disciples are coming off a series of blunders, blusters, and blown opportunities. Not yet finished, James and John actually talk and say something ... stupid. The text says simply that Jesus "rebuked" them; perhaps his actual words were unprintable!
Then there are three accounts of people wishing to join Jesus in his mission or who Jesus calls to his mission. There are different issues with each one. With Jesus sure that the end days are imminent, there is no time and there is no turning back.
There is turning involved. So, what have you turned from? What have you turned toward? Explore these questions and get the whole story in the sermon video below.
| 11-18-18-audio.mp3 |
| 11-18-18-ff-answers.pdf |
| 11-18-18-no_turning_back.pdf |