“So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” – Acts 11:25-26

Here we catch a glimpse of a pivotal moment in the history of our faith. Most of the time we Christians want to keep doing church the way we like to do church. It’s familiar and comfortable for us. It helps us worship more easily. We don’t tend to like change and strongly prefer to keep doing what we’ve always done. Not so with the church in Antioch! They had the courage to change church and in the process, they changed the world!

This was the first church to actively reach out to non-Jews with the good news of Jesus Christ. When those non-Jews started believing in large numbers, the church had to adapt. The church was growing rapidly and the culture of the church was changing radically. Those new believers weren’t like the old believers. No doubt there was tension between the groups. There were challenges about how to disciple people coming into the church from a pagan background.

However, this church didn’t ignore those challenges or waste the opportunity God provided. Barnabas went and found Saul (aka Paul). Saul was a brilliant scholar, a formally trained Jewish teacher, and a man who knew how to navigate the Gentile world and speak effectively to those from a Greco-Roman background. In this bold decision to bring in a unique (and relatively inexperienced) new leader, the church positioned itself to become the church we know today. From the Antioch church would come the great missionary journeys that would spread the faith across the Mediterranean world. It was in Antioch where The Way came to be known as Christianity.

Give thanks for these Christians who didn’t hold so tightly to how they’d always done church that they missed out on reaching the world for Christ! Be inspired by their flexibility and courage. Examine yourself and see where God might be calling you to set down some preferences and traditions for the sake of reaching those who are far from God today. #FollowJesus

“But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’” – Acts 4:19-20

Ordered to stop talking about Jesus, this was the answer given by Peter and John. It was respectful, yet blunt. They HAD to keep talking about Jesus. Why? Because He’d commanded them to and because the good news of Jesus is just so good that everyone needs to hear it. With all due respect to earthly authority, love and obedience required them to keep telling people about Jesus. So they did!

Would you do the same? Are you doing the same? The good news of Jesus Christ is still so good that everyone needs to hear it. Like Peter and John, you have also been commanded by Jesus to talk about Him with others. People need to know that there is hope in Jesus. They need to know that they are loved by Jesus. They need to know that they can have their sins forgiven through faith in Jesus. They need to know that there is healing and reconciliation with God available through Jesus. They need to know there is purpose, meaning, and dignity for their life in Jesus.

You’ve got good news to share, so share it! Don’t let fear of anyone keep you from telling people that good news. Don’t let rules and regulations keep you from telling people that good news. Fall so in love with Jesus that you can’t help but talk about Him with others. #FollowJesus

“And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” – Acts 1:9

What a moment!!! Can you imagine it? The disciples had probably gotten used to the idea of the resurrected Jesus suddenly appearing amongst them, teaching them, and explaining their future. He’d been doing it for weeks. Then this happened… Jesus rose up to heaven right before their eyes!!! As He rose, a cloud reminiscent of God’s presence on earth surrounded Him and takes Him from their sight. Incredible!

Think about this moment as you think about Jesus today. This event was witnessed by many people who went to their (early) graves swearing to its truth. Jesus not only rose from the dead, He ascended into heaven right in front of people’s eyes. Wow! Hopefully that thought makes you want to break into worship and praise of King Jesus! Go ahead and worship Him right now if it does…

Jesus is there in heaven right now, ruling and reigning at the right hand of God the Father. He is alive. He is in authority. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Lion of Judah, the Lamb that was Slain. Praise Him and #FollowJesus!

“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” – John 20:30-31

It’s very nice of John to tell us exactly why he wrote his Gospel. Out of all the stories he could have told about Jesus, the ones in John’s Gospel are meant to give us certain, confident faith and knowledge that Jesus is the anointed Christ, the eternal King descended from David, AND the Son of God. More importantly, John wrote his Gospel so that we will receive eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

The miracles recorded in John’s gospel are such “wow” moments that we must understand and embrace that Jesus is God come in the flesh to rescue us from our sins. Changing water to wine! Healing from a great distance! Healing a man who’d been handicapped for decades! Feeding the five thousand! Walking on water! Healing a man born blind! Raising someone who’d been rotting in a tomb for four days back to life! Rising from the dead Himself!

Jesus has comprehensive power over nature, illness, disability, and death. Jesus is not merely a teacher, prophet, example, or holy man. He is the anointed one of God! He is the eternal Son of God come to earth in the flesh! His death and resurrection break open the doors death and hell to set everyone free who believes in Him! Believe in Him! Tell others about Him so they will also believe and have eternal life in His name. #FollowJesus

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” – Matthew 28:18

This is a critical part of what it means when you call Jesus “Lord”. Lord isn’t merely a title like “Mr. or Sir”. “Lord” acknowledges this particular truth about Jesus. He has ALL authority both in heaven and on earth. He received it through His death and resurrection. Jesus doesn’t just have some authority. He doesn’t just have a lot of authority. He has ALL AUTHORITY. Jesus has absolute authority over the entire created universe and everything and everyone in it. Jesus IS King.

Think about that for a moment. Jesus has 100% authority over every aspect of your life. Do you believe it? Do you live like you believe it? Most of us prefer a “split-model” of authority. There are parts of our lives we’re happy to hand over to Jesus and other parts we want to firmly hold onto ourselves. If Jesus is Lord, then He has all authority over every aspect of your life.

Does Jesus have authority over your dreams? Your hopes? Your plans? Your relationships? Your family? Your friends? Your finances? Your time? Your music? Your entertainment? Your ambitions? Your education? Your career? Your retirement? Does Jesus have authority over the most intimidate details of your life (your health, your wealth, your sexuality, your identity)?

Jesus has that authority, but are you still fighting Him for it? Have you yielded every bit of your life to Him? It’s OK to be honest – most Christians struggle with this. As you’ve reflected on the authority of Jesus in your life, take time in prayer to turn over to Jesus whatever it is you’ve been trying to hold onto. Tell Him, “Jesus, you have authority over _____. Your knowledge is perfect. Your wisdom is perfect. Your power is perfect. Help me to respect your authority and stop fighting you for it.” #FollowJesus