Simple/house church has been one of the great opportunities for me to step out of the boat at the word of Jesus in order to follow him with greater abandon.
God spoke clearly to me at the beginning of this journey, “I will not give you a blueprint to follow.” His meaning was clear. He was bringing me to a new dependency on him that would require listening and following daily often without knowing where it would lead.
As Monte Dugger writes: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Follow me.’ To where? He did not elaborate. But this was actually the point. The life-journey of a disciple is less about what will happen, where we will travel to, and how we will meet our end, but more importantly about who it is that we are following.”
The house church journey has been a lot of simple re-discovery of what God’s word says about life, church (ekklesia), and ministry along with a willingness to walk out these Scriptures with fresh eyes. This often meant leaving the boat of the traditions and religious culture I was comfortable with. This often meant walking in ways that did not make sense from a worldly point of view. But always, always God met me in these times of faith and risk-taking confirming the truth and power of his word.
I received this email recently from someone stepping out of her boat that describes this well:
We have stepped away now from what we’ve lived so long……the American Church Christianity culture… Our hearts are being fed and the Holy Spirit is keeping us in peace and with expectation of what lays just ahead. We know the outpouring of the Spirit in these last of the last days will empower us and all the remnant in all our lack. We are waiting and dependent, for apart from Him, we can do nothing of any lasting value.
I am challenged to continue to walk each day with this kind of dependency on God and not settle into new ways of remaining in the boat.
I try to continually encourage myself:
- Listen afresh to God’s word every time I read and meditate on it
- Allow his Spirit to speak and impress upon me what he is saying without any preconceived notions
- Converse with God and respond with a ‘yes,’ as an intention to put into practice or step out at his word
- Trust, rest, and enjoy his leading and presence
When we follow him in such a way is there uncertainty at times? Yes. Are we fearful at times? Yes. But do we discover the joy of the spiritual journey and the faithful intimate connection with Jesus? Always.
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5 responses to “Out of the Boat to Follow Jesus”
We have done the same “in Christ” and God has been faithful and full of grace.
🙏🏽❤️ PnP On The Road
Needed to read this today. Thanks, Roger. 🙂💖
Just finished reading your book Simple House Church Revolution. Really loved it! Been doing house church now for about 8 years. The book is a great resource for those interested in house church. I shared it with our group and I’m posting it on my website. Blessings
““I will not give you a blueprint to follow.”
It appears God led you to learn and practice his “blueprint”.
“The house church journey has been a lot of simple re-discovery of what God’s word says about life, church (ekklesia), and ministry along with a willingness to walk out these Scriptures with fresh eyes.”
Jesus had a “blueprint” in mind from eternity past that He would implement and engage humans to join Him. Jesus didn’t dump the blueprint on those he called to follow Him. He taught it with words and example over 3 years. We can get the full dose with a “new and living way”. Heb. 10:19-25.
We’re still learning parts of the blueprint that has been there 2000 years but we have been blind. There are always new opportunities to get out of the boat and walk by faith with Jesus. The last time will not be the last time.
Thanks for the encouragement. I found myself in every word of the email you received.
I have described my most recent leg of the journey as a game of 52 Card Pickup. I’ve tossed up in the air everything I’ve been taught or thought I knew and asked God to show me where His Truth is. Picking up only what He guides me to pick up and being open to new ways, His Ways, on everything else.
The freedom is amazing, tho I still feel like I’m on a rocky cliff looking for my hinds’ feet. Yet, as I rest in His guidance, I trust He’ll keep me from falling and I’ll eventually climb the heights with Him.
Thanks again for a clear message of encouragement.