Comments on: Comments Please (what’s significant)

By: Have I “Been With Jesus?” « Blake Comer

Have I “Been With Jesus?” « Blake Comer — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:45:05 +0000

[...] I “Been With Jesus?” 03Jun08 Dustin and Beau have started a conversation about the difference that takes place when someone has [...]

By: Weekend Review (& the Holy Spirit) « dustin willis

Weekend Review (& the Holy Spirit) « dustin willis — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:02:19 +0000

[...] Later this week we will get back into the Acts 4:13 discussion a little more. 21 comments means that more discussion needs to take place. Incredible thoughts by the way. I learned so much from you guys. If you haven’t read the comments go back and read them here. [...]

By: Chris Reeder

Chris Reeder — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 22:32:07 +0000

Neal McGlohon left a comment… now when are you going to start blogging???

By: McGlohon

McGlohon — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:41:37 +0000

Leaders, followers, superstar communicators, volunteer public school mentor . . . on our watch we can still fall into the trap of assuming who can be movement makers. Who are movement makers? Every single person at least pursuing (notice not the most perfect or most talented) their potential and purpose by knowing him and engaging in HIS mission wherever they find themselves. Why did Jesus say, “you will do greater things than me”? Because even Jesus knew that a movement wouldn’t come from more “Sermons on the Mount” but by every single person who embraces His life being mobilized to His purpose. If Jesus saw success as multiplying His life and mobilizing people through His ministry, then we should see our ministry as a failure, if “our” people aren’t being mobilized and deployed back into the culture – even if we are drawing large crowds. I wonder if Jesus knew that in my city we would have more, bigger, faster growing church plants than ever in history, and yet our city is growing more lost than any other time in history. Practical: He knows that to influence every man, woman, and child, we need every life living and sharing good news where they are in culture. Spiritual: He prefers that God get the glory through every ordinary life as people are attracted to Him.

By: Bryan Plyler

Bryan Plyler — Sat, 31 May 2008 01:37:35 +0000

The council members were puzzled by two things that didn’t match: (1) these men before them were courageous and yet (2) these men were neither educated nor well-connected to the elite of their society. The council members were astonished because they would not have thought of being so audacious as Peter and John unless they could tout their education (the sayings of rabbinical writings) or the agreement of the crowd or at least their powerful peers.

What could make these 2 men so courageous? That’s when the “aha!” moment came…”These men had been with Jesus.” They recognized something familiar. Like Jesus, these guys spoke and acted with authority (Mark 1:27, Luke 4:36). The council may not have learned the principle themselves, but what their response to Peter and John tells us is simple and profound:

In the Kingdom, courageous leadership doesn’t arise primarily out of education or politics (Neither what you know, nor who you know–humanly speaking), but out of time spent by the Master’s side in earshot of his voice, close enough to see the calluses on his hands as he touches blind men’s eyes and lepers’ hands. What we learn there we do not easily forget and we do not easily back down from. Perhaps the council members couldn’t comprehend how being with Jesus would give such coursge, but they still recognized Jesus-likeness when they saw it.

“The dancers were thought to be quite insane by those who did not hear the music”

By: jay hardwick

jay hardwick — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:56:34 +0000

sorry i’m late to the party. so many great comments and thoughts so far…

chris reeder…i wondered the same thing. why do we get the Mr. tag…i’m giving benefit of the doubt and going with respecting elders…:-)

i love this verse and this story. the sanhedrin thought the Jesus thing was over with because they “got rid” of Him. now another miracle, the healing of the crippled beggar, but this time, it wasn’t the guy who said He was the Messiah…it was two regular, ordinary dudes who were His followers. this is when the Jesus thing became a movement…one that now the religious leaders knew they could not stop.

peter and john were ordinary, but they had been with Jesus. they had seem Him respond to need. they had seen Him forgive. they had seen Him put on a towel and wash feet. now, they are doing what they learned from their master. and the result was the same…frustrated religious leaders, a healed beggar, and hope for the oppressed.

great stuff, d. thanks for putting it out there for conversation!

By: Mayer

Mayer — Fri, 30 May 2008 06:36:29 +0000

The word “Courage” stands out to me! Even though they are unschooled, ordinary men, they differ from those around because of their bravery. They were able to face uncertainty and fear which allowed the others to acknowleged Christ through them. All Christians walk with the Holy Spirity but do we always show Christ’s love through our actions?

By: kent

kent — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:39:58 +0000

I can’t help but think how awesome it would be if we valued “being with Jesus” as highly as we value being extraordinary men (in the worldly sense).

By: Susanne Reeder

Susanne Reeder — Fri, 30 May 2008 03:51:34 +0000

“They were astonished and took note that these men had BEEN WITH JESUS”…

If we want to reach people, and impact them through God’s glory, we must first spend time at the feet of Jesus. He is our source, our strength, our hope…and the only hope we can offer to the world. People can spot a fake a mile away. The only way we can be authentic and genuine before them, is to walk in the footsteps of the Master.

By: michaelrhodes

michaelrhodes — Fri, 30 May 2008 01:17:58 +0000

People saw the courage of Peter and John and took note that they had been with Jesus. Is that true in my life? Are people noticing that I’ve been spending time with Jesus when they see certain virtues in my life? My hope is that people notice a glimpse of Jesus when they see me and the things I do.