Based on “Advancing the Gospel” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/3-4/10,
Message #6053; Daily Devotional #4 - “Training Wheels”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Do you remember learning to ride a bicycle? Before the ‘big’ bike you might have ridden a tricycle or small bike with training wheels, and you felt oh, so confident, pedaling down the sidewalk. And then the day came when mom or dad said it’s time to learn to ride without the security of the extra two, small, but stable wheels. With helmet on and the road clear, you started to pedal with hands gripped tightly to the handle bars, with the strong hands of mom or dad holding the front bar and back of the seat and then, they released you to ride on your own. At first there might have been a few crashes, but the moment eventually came when you felt the same confidence without the training wheels as you did before with them; and never once did your parents take their eyes off of you. The intimidating experience became an invigorating experience you wanted to share with everyone.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Can you imagine being one of the first disciples called by Jesus? Casting fishing nets by the sea, brothers Simon Peter and Andrew heard a Jewish carpenter say to follow Him, and they left their nets and did just that (Matthew 4:20). They heard Jesus teach the multitudes and followed Him throughout the region. Over the next three years, these disciples, or learners under discipline, gleaned much knowledge and wisdom from Jesus as they allowed Him to pour into their lives. Their obedience proved to be invaluable and led them to an intimacy with the Son of God that changed their lives. They heard Jesus teach that He would not always be with them but would go away and send a Counselor in His place (John 14:26). A mysterious promise, but one they discovered was very real in their day and one we can believe today. Jesus said to His disciples, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12). And when they saw Jesus healing, casting out demons, and raising the dead, they must have questioned their ability to do such things. The disciples rode their bikes with training wheels attached as they listened, learned, studied, followed, and prayed. Jesus’ command to carry out the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) was their moment of truth—the time had come to remove the training wheels and go forward knowing they were equipped and empowered to succeed on their journey. They did stumble here and there but kept riding with confidence to deliver the Good News to the world. Each disciple recognized that their encounter with Jesus was a divine appointment they did not know was set before time began. A mission impossible became a mission unstoppable when Jesus held the disciples up until it was time to release them. These ordinary men accomplished extra-ordinary things by a commitment and desire to be God’s mouthpiece of hope to the ends of the earth.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Because the disciples of Jesus were willing and obedient, the Good News has reached your neighborhood and mine. Why did Jesus choose fishermen and a tax collector as His followers? Jesus answers this by saying: “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. (Luke 10:22), and then said to His disciples, "…Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.” (Luke 10:23). The religious groups were blinded from seeing Scripture come alive right before their eyes. The mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), using us— mechanics, accountants, nurses, and teachers—to do it. The same mission given to His disciples has not been revoked, and the world is in desperate need to hear the Good News. The harvest is overflowing, but the workers are few (Luke 10:2). Stop, look, and listen; you will see what Jesus saw—people searching for purpose in life and desiring to know they are loved. If you are studying, learning, growing, and praying, you are a disciple of Christ. You have within you all that you need to ride ahead. The Light of the World will guide you, the Wonderful Counselor will provide wisdom, and the joy of the Lord will give you strength. And remember, never once does God take His eyes off of you (Psalm 34:15). Start pedaling …
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Are you still riding with your training wheels attached with no desire to remove them?
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Do you find yourself pedaling and going nowhere?
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Have you heard Jesus telling you to drop your nets and follow Him?
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Are you willing to say to God, ‘here am I, send me?’
Cultivating (Additional Reading): Romans 1:16; 1 John 4:4; Hebrews 13:6
KYR
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.