Discipleship

Next Year

December 31, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

As this year draws to a close, it seems everywhere I look people are writing about what a long and terrible year it has been, and how much they are looking forward to things changing next year. I’m beyond weary of reading these kinds of articles and hearing preachers deliver similar messages, so I hope to bring a different and Christ-centered perspective here. Because I can tell you that while this past year has brought many trials and challenges, I am confident next year will bring the same.

next year,commitment,mission,love,discipleship,selfishness,priorities,Matthew 28:18-20,great commission,John 16:33,you will have trouble,Psalm 46:1,ever present help in trouble,Mark 12:13-17,render unto Caesar,Luke 12:13-14,tell my brother to divide inheritance

They may not be the same problems, but our troubles won’t magically disappear when the calendar rolls over. We know this because Jesus promised us we will have trouble in this world (John 16:33). Until Christ returns, we can expect to be fighting an uphill battle. But before you tune out thinking this will be a depressing message, I have great news about the future for each of us who will rededicate themselves to the service of our Lord Jesus.

[Read more…] about Next Year

A Wasted Life

December 17, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

Millions of people around the world are wasting their lives living for things that don’t matter while professing to be followers of Jesus Christ. It is the rare follower of Jesus I encounter, whose life looks radically different from everyone else. I know my life too often looks more like someone pursuing (and sometimes even living) the American dream than it does that of a radical follower of Jesus. A wasted life.

a wasted life,surrender,commitment,discipleship,priorities,God's Kingdom,Luke 9:23-25,take up your cross daily,Matthew 7:21-23,depart from me;Matthew 25:31-46,sheep and goats,Matthew 25:14-30,parable of talents,Kingdom of God

Jesus calls us to live differently than our surrounding culture. When He was walking the earth, few things He did aligned with the social norms of His day. His life was radically different from those surrounding Him. Jesus wasn’t what anyone was expecting and everything they weren’t. We can talk about how different we are from others, but we find the proof in how we live.

[Read more…] about A Wasted Life

Moral Decline

December 10, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

I was hesitant to write this article. Some will undoubtedly misconstrue what I have to say and label me as a conspiracy theorist or prophet of doom. I assure you I am neither. I am speaking primarily in the context of America, the country in which I live, and specifically to the Church in America. As I survey the moral decline of the past few decades, I am stunned to observe how far we have fallen.

moral decline,persecution,America,church,discipleship,mission,commitment

The vitriol, immorality, and evil that pervade society is alarming. While it seems like this has occurred in a short time, looking back over the years reveals a steady deterioration that has culminated into the state in which we find ourselves today.

[Read more…] about Moral Decline

Our Opinions

December 3, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

We humans love our opinions. We have opinions about everything! If you don’t believe me, just ask someone for their opinion on anything, and I guarantee you will get an answer. Our opinions create our identity, or so we believe. It’s who we are. They run the gamut from food, style, décor, geography, language, and politics. And that’s just scratching the surface! Our opinions color each of our days. They control what we eat, who we’ll talk to, and what we’ll say.

To the casual observer, we are the sum of our opinions. You might say they are what make you unique. So, when Jesus invades our lives, it can be a most uncomfortable revelation to discover we must surrender our opinions to Him. Not just some of them. Not just those we hold to with a little less ferocity. All of them. If we want to follow Jesus, we must die to our opinions and allow Him to replace them with His own.

[Read more…] about Our Opinions

Wholly Devoted to Christ

November 30, 2020 by Tim Sherfy

The primary goal of my life is to live it wholly devoted to Christ; to become the person He created me to be. My second goal is to instruct and encourage others to do the same. I’ve read and listened to countless exhortations to put God first in your life, or to live a Jesus-centered life. I’ve written those very words on this blog many times.

What is often missing from these exhortations (and I stand guilty here as well) is an explanation of how to do this in practical terms. How do we center our lives on Jesus and live wholly devoted to Him when myriad distractions are assaulting us every day? How do we live for Heaven and still survive on earth?