Teaching Notes

Go be the light to a dark world.  God is seeking who will be willing to light the paths for others?  Will you?  Will you be the light to help someone else see their need for the true light and light giver?

I Will Follow

Matthew 4:18-20 (The Message)

18-20 Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.

Note: This is Jesus calling his disciples to come with him.  He addresses Peter and Andrew in this scripture.

Question: Why do you think they followed Jesus?

Answer: We do not know the presence that must have be evident in Jesus, but there was something in him that made them want to go with him.  He called them to come and they left everything to do it. They dropped their nets, which was their livelihood to follow Jesus.  How easily do you think it would be to drop everything that is important to you to follow Jesus?

I can tell you it is not easy.  Yet, that is just what we are all called to do.  We are to drop everything and follow Jesus.  He is waiting to see who will come at his asking. Will you?

Prayer: Lord if you are asking who will come and follow you, today I want to say, I will.  If you say who will go for us, I want to say send me.  Lord help me today to be a true follower of Christ.

Teaching Notes

I saw these three vases of flowers sitting on a table in the hallway of the hotel.  I am not sure how many people saw them and took time to admire their beauty.  Many were probably to busy trying to get to their destinations to take time to notice.  However, I believe some saw and maybe even commented on their beauty.  Others may not have commented, but was able to enjoy the area simply because the flowers presence added to the charm.  That is you.  Sometimes people will notice you standing there comment on what you add.  Some may not say anything, but surely if you were not there, you presence would be missed.  Others, well they simply are moving to fast to notice the beautiful flower of you standing there, but keep standing because some one needs to smell your fragrance, it will make their day better.

I Will Follow

Numbers 27:21-23 (The Message)

18-21 God said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun—the Spirit is in him!— and place your hand on him. Stand him before Eleazar the priest in front of the entire congregation and commission him with everyone watching. Pass your magisterial authority over to him so that the whole congregation of the People of Israel will listen obediently to him. He is to consult with Eleazar the priest who, using the oracle-Urim, will prayerfully advise him in the presence of God. He will command the People of Israel, the entire community, in all their comings and goings."


22-23 Moses followed God's orders. He took Joshua and stood him before Eleazar the priest in front of the entire community. He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, following the procedures God had given Moses.

Notes: It is now time for Moses to turn over the leadership of the Israelites into the hand of Joshua. Joshua has followed Moses' leadership and he is now ready for the new job.

Question: How do we know Joshua is ready for leadership?

Answer: The scripture says that the Spirit of God is in Joshua. The instruction given to Moses is present Joshua before the people and give him your approval as the new leader.  If this happens, the scriptures says others will follow him.  If you want to be a great leader in your life you first have to be like Joshua, willing to follow someone else.  Then you must also be like Moses.  You must be willing to pass on your authority or influence and power to someone behind you.  You must follow, accept and then pass on (and repeat the process) throughout your life. 

The first place to start is with God.  follow him, then accept the positions he has for you.  He will present himself in you amongst the people and then pass on what God has planted in you, to someone else.  And the continue to repeat the process.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be a true follower (disciple) of Christ today.  If there are any areas where I do not follow as I should, help me to turn away from what keeps me away from you.  Help me to turn to you and do as you desire.

Teaching Notes

This is a large chandelier that hangs in the hotel I was recently in.  There were a few of these large lights and they were quite brite.  However, they hung by themselves.  They were not right next to each other.  As I look at this, I think about us.  Sometimes you may be the only "light" in an area but if the many facets of God are evident in you, you will be bright enough to light up the area.  You can be one great light, with many beautiful smaller "lights" sparkling.  Each of those talents and gifts in you add to show us you.

I Will Follow

Numbers 14:23-24 (The Message)

20-23 God said, "I forgive them, honoring your words. But as I live and as the Glory of God fills the whole Earth—not a single person of those who saw my Glory, saw the miracle signs I did in Egypt and the wilderness, and who have tested me over and over and over again, turning a deaf ear to me—not one of them will set eyes on the land I so solemnly promised to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with such repeated contempt will see it.

24 "But my servant Caleb—this is a different story. He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately. I'll bring him into the land that he scouted and his children will inherit it.

Notes: The children of Israel had to wonder in the wilderness for 40 years because of their constant complaining.  They had made it from slavery, but they would never reach the fulfillment because they refused to be obedient to God.  Caleb was different, he would be allowed to see the promise land.

Question: Why was Caleb able to do this?

Answer: He was different, he obeyed God passionately.  This scripture says he follows me passionately.  Did you know that when you follow God with great joy and passion, you will be able to reach those things promised to you?  It is when you mumble, complain and disobey that you may be forgiven, but never truly reach all the potentional of what you could become?  Don't you want to have the fullness of what God has for you?  In order to do that you must make up in your mind like Caleb, no matter if everyone else disobey God around me, I will follow him with my whole heart and reach my God appointed assignments and purpose.

Prayer: God, today we say help us to be like Caleb, sure and passionate about your truth.  Help us to be on fire for your works and your way.  Strengthen us so that we can obey you.

Teaching Notes

This is my mentor, Rev. Cynthia Thomas.  God has appointed her to help me.   She has gone in ways that I have not yet ventured and it is with a humble heart I must listen to her wise counsel.  If you want to follow God and keep his commandments, it is wise to find a good mentor in the Lord that can walk with you and then you must humble yourself to hear what they speak.

I Will Follow

Numbers 9:1-3 (The Message)

1-3 God spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai in the first month of the second year after leaving Egypt: "Have the People of Israel celebrate Passover at the set time. Celebrate it on schedule, on the evening of the fourteenth day of this month, following all the rules and procedures."

Notes: The Lord gives Moses instructions to the people regarding the Passover celebration.  The people have been free from Egypt and God wants them to honor what he has done for them.

Question: What did the people need to do?

Answer: The people were to celebrate the Passover on a scheduled time and they were to also follow all the rules and procedures.  While we do not have them listed here, it is clear that none of them could be changed because it says all must be followed.

What this teaches us is this, when God delivers you from slavery (sin) you must honor him by keeping his commandments as he instrusts.  You cannot keep some and do not do others.  He expects you to keep them all.  Not by your own works, but because he has equipped you through his Spirit to be able to do it.

Prayer: Lord help us follow you with our whole hearts.  You have saved us from slavery, so help us to do as you have instructed us to do, which is to follow your commandments.

Teaching Notes

Would you willing walk into those trees?  Most of us would say no, we do not know where it leads.  That is how it feels to us when God ask us to follow him, it feels like he is leading us into some thick trees and that can be quite scary.

I Will Follow

Genesis 24:60-62 (The Message)

61 Rebekah and her young maids mounted the camels and followed the man. The servant took Rebekah and set off for home.

Notes: Abraham sent his servant to get a wife for his son Issac.  The servant is now taking Rebekah to met her new husband.

Question: Why do you think Rebekah followed?

Answer: We do not have the complete picture, but in essence Rebekah went because it was evident that she should follow this servant.  She was going to a place she had never been before, to a people she had never seen before, but she was to trust the one leading her to that place.

It is just like us today.  Sometimes some strange things happen that require you to trust God in.  He will ask you to do somethings, go some places they you have never seen before or done before.  It will take you to some places and people you do not know.  It will require you to trust in the one leading you. 

The one leading you today, is God's Spirit.  If you trust in him, he will lead you into all trust.  Won't you let him?

Prayer: Lord, help me today to follow you willingly even in those areas that are strange and seem unfamiliar to me.  Help me to trust you even if I do not have any idea where we are going.  I will trust you, because you will never lead me wrong.