Special Note from our president, Jason DeZurik: In April 2025, my earthly father went to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Though it has been incredibly hard losing him physically here on earth, I am so honored to share with you writings of his from over many, many years of journaling from his personal devotion time while here on the earth. Admittedly, I considered just keeping these for our family to enjoy, but I know my father would want these to be shared with the world. If these writings will help to bring only one person into God’s Kingdom, that is enough for my wonderful earthly father, Frank DeZurik. I believe he has not only given to me and our family a great gift but also a gift for all of us to meditate on and enjoy as well. The following is just the first of many installments to our blog from my father posthumously.
1 Peter 1:3-9
Even when Christ died on the cross, there were many who taunted and jeered and looked upon Jesus’ crucifixion as just the death of another criminal. They knew His death was very different from those they observed in the past, and even with all the happenings were blinded because of the choices man made. Yes, God could have stopped it, BUT God’s plan for His son was drawing to a close.
All through Scripture, we’ve read how the blood was an atonement for sins, and it needed to be one spotless and pure. From the Old Testament to the cross, we read and come to our understanding of the purity, the cleansing power, and its atoning power, the last sacrifice necessary to cleanse us and usher us into God’s throne room of grace.
Today, those so inclined go to, of all things, a blood bank. Of course, the importance here is to give life to someone whose own supply is dangerously low because of some injury, whether an accident or because of bad choices made by others.
Now, not all who donate or want to donate can because of something they’ve contracted through tainted food, or because of some bad choice made, and someone has HIV-AIDS. Now, I know accidentally you can contract AIDS. The thing is, we should not even be dealing with this disease if, through the course of time, man had chosen to follow God’s law and teaching rather than his own selfish, lustful desires, but this is a whole other matter.
Let’s see Christ’s death, a perfect sacrifice, His blood shed for the atonement of the world, when He took His last breath, and the heavy curtain that separated man from God was torn in two, meaning we can all now have direct access to God. BUT each of us, like in the Old Testament, needs to bring before God a perfect sacrifice for our sin. That is our personal relationship of knowing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. NOTHING else will do, nothing else in and from this world can take the place of the cross, not even our own self-believed perfections.
Yes, we can donate blood, give blood to help save someone to live for another day, BUT how about offering them the blood of life to save them to live for all eternity?
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As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.
Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.
- Titus 3:12-15
The book of Titus ends in what may look like a simple farewell. Paul gives travel plans, names a few companions, and closes with greetings. At first glance, these verses might seem unremarkable compared to the powerful doctrinal and practical truths earlier in the letter. But as we’ve seen throughout Titus, every word is inspired and intentional. Even in Paul’s closing words, there are deep lessons for the church.
This final passage of the letter gives us a glimpse into the everyday rhythms of early Christian community and mission. It highlights the importance of faithful people working together, the call to generous support of gospel workers, the priority of living productive lives of service, and the unifying power of grace. For the church today, these verses are not merely historical footnotes but living instructions.
In verse 12, Paul reveals his strategy. He plans to send either Artemas or Tychicus to relieve Titus, freeing him to join Paul at Nicopolis. This verse underscores a vital truth: gospel ministry is a team effort. Paul depended on co-workers, not only to spread the gospel but also to encourage one another.
Artemas is otherwise unknown in Scripture, yet Paul trusted him enough to send him to Crete, a difficult mission field. Tychicus, however, appears several times in Paul’s letters as a faithful messenger and servant (see Ephesians 6:21 and Colossians 4:7). Whether well-known or obscure, both were useful to Paul and to Christ. Also, notice Paul’s desire for fellowship. He wanted Titus with him during the winter months, likely for mutual encouragement, planning, and prayer. Ministry is not just about tasks but about relationships.
The church today must remember that ministry is never a solo mission. Pastors, leaders, and laypeople alike need co-laborers. Churches should cultivate partnerships, not competition, across congregations and denominations. Every believer, whether more in the spotlight like Tychicus or relatively unknown like Artemas, has a vital role in God’s work. Do not underestimate your place in the Kingdom. Leaders should prioritize not only work but also relationships – spending intentional time encouraging and strengthening one another in Christ, to build this community of co-laborers.
In verse 13, Paul emphasizes the responsibility of the church to provide for traveling missionaries and teachers. Zenas, possibly trained in Roman law or Jewish law, and Apollos, the eloquent preacher from Alexandria (Acts 18:24-28), were evidently on mission. Paul urges Titus and the church in Crete to ensure they are well-supplied. This highlights the biblical principle of supporting those who labor in teaching and spreading the gospel. Ministry requires practical provisions like food, lodging, travel expenses, and encouragement. Gospel partnership involves generosity.
Churches should be eager to support missionaries, pastors, and Christian workers, not minimally but generously, ensuring they “have everything they need.” We as believers should ask ourselves, How am I partnering financially, prayerfully, and practically in the advance of the gospel? Support goes beyond just money. Hosting, encouragement, prayer, and friendship are invaluable gifts to those serving in ministry.
Verse 14 ties the whole letter together. Throughout this letter, Paul has emphasized “doing what is good” (see 1:16, 2:7,14, and 3:1,8). Here, he reinforces the point: believers must be devoted to doing good, not just casually interested. Why? To meet urgent needs and avoid unproductive lives. The believers in Crete faced a culture of laziness and dishonesty (1:12). Paul calls them to a countercultural lifestyle of service, productivity, and usefulness for Christ.
Good works are not the means of salvation (Paul has already stressed that salvation is by grace in various places), but they are the evidence of salvation. Productive Christian living means putting faith into action in tangible ways. Churches should regularly teach believers to be intentional in meeting urgent needs in their communities, whether poverty, loneliness, injustice, or disaster relief. Christians should evaluate their lives: Am I living productively for Christ, or am I wasting my time and energy on trivial pursuits? Productivity in Scripture is not about worldly success but kingdom fruitfulness: lives touched, needs met, and people pointed to Christ.
Paul ends with greetings and a blessing in verse 15. These simple words reflect the warmth of Christian fellowship. The gospel binds believers together across geography, culture, and background. Paul’s final prayer is for grace – the same grace that saved, sustains, and empowers the church. Notice Paul greets not just leaders but “those who love us in the faith.” The church is not an institution but a family, united by love in Christ. And grace, not law or performance, has the last word.
The Church must cultivate authentic relationships, marked by love for all who are in Christ. Believers should regularly encourage one another with words of grace. The church should be a community where people are refreshed, not drained. Grace should shape not only the beginning of our faith journey but the ongoing life of the church.
The closing verses of Titus remind us that even the “ordinary” parts of Scripture are filled with extraordinary wisdom. This passage calls us to invest in relationships, practice radical generosity, live productive lives, and embrace grace in all we do. May God’s grace empower us to live productive, fruitful, Christ-centered lives until the day we see Him face to face.
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Jesus was arrested and taken straight to trial by the Sanhedrin. They were ready for Him. This shows very easily that the whole thing was a setup. They needed enough of the seventy members to make a quorum, and clearly, they did not call ALL the members for this quorum, but the ones who were opposed to Jesus, not the ones who supported Him. At the seat of judgment, leading this trial, was Caiphas, the High Priest. Caiphas was very political and hated Rome with a passion, but he did everything to keep the peace with Rome, knowing that to trigger Rome would steal their power and would lead to their destruction. Rome was actually beneficial to the Sadducees because Rome kept them in power. And here came Jesus, a very clear threat to the system, and just a few days ago, he made a huge scene with the cleansing of the temple and even evading the tax question. They wanted Jesus dead, but now they had to find a reason to do so.
So they tried to get witnesses to lie about him, but they needed at least two to agree. Despite a multitude of witnesses, none of them could actually agree on it. This trial was a setup, but it was also a rush job. We have an example of another setup back in 1 Kings 21, when Jezebel got two scoundrels to testify together against Naboth and had him executed on false charges so Ahab could take Naboth’s vineyard. Yet here, the quorum could not get any two witnesses to agree until two finally stepped up and relied on Jesus’ claim to destroy the temple and bring it back in three days. And Jesus kept silent until Jesus was forced under oath to say if he was the Son of God. Then Jesus simply said, “You said it,” and then added that He wasn’t merely a human, but the Son of Man referenced in Daniel. They knew precisely what Jesus was saying: He wasn’t just claiming to be the Messiah but to be God Himself. The Sanhedrin found Jesus guilty of death; however, they only had the legal right to execute anyone on Temple grounds. So they went to their next step: appealing to the Romans.
Jesus was sent to Pilate because Pilate had to order the crucifixion. He was expected to just comply with the Jews on their sentences, but Pilate had his own political issues. He was under pressure from the Capitol for carrying out too many executions, and the political pressure with the Passover feast, where over a million people had gathered, equating the population of Rome itself. In the center of it was Jesus: the now-famed miracle-worker who had just raised Lazarus from the dead and created a scene in the Temple. Pilate wanted nothing to do with this and then sent Jesus to Herod, who played the role of a king, but knew more of Jewish custom. Both Herod and Pilate could find nothing wrong with Jesus, who did nothing to defend Himself.
Finally, Pilate got Him back and sought to set Jesus free, baffled that Jesus would not defend Himself. He wondered if Jesus was even taking this seriously enough that Pilate could have Him executed, but Jesus basically said, “You don’t have any authority over Me except what My Father lets you have.” There was nothing Pilate could find. But he had to deal with the Jews. So he offered a notorious criminal, Barabbas, thinking they’d actually choose to have the criminal executed, but they chose Jesus. So Pilate took a bowl of water, washed his hands, and declared he was not going to be held responsible for this. And with that, Pilate signaled for Jesus to be crucified.
The amazing thing in all this is Jesus’ silence. Jesus would not defend Himself. Yes, we know He had to fulfill Scripture and be silent as a lamb before shearers, but Jesus endured all sorts of slander, mockery, and insults and did not raise a finger to defend Himself. Before, He stood when Pharisees tried to stone Him and asked, “For what do you stone Me?” Not this time. Jesus remained silent, demonstrating one of His key teachings: turning the other cheek. This is echoed throughout Scripture: Repay evil with good. Scripture tells us to suffer well, even when people lie and slander about us, and live so that no accusation can be proved. This is no easy task.
There is a place to defend ourselves. Paul did to avoid another farce trial in Jerusalem while under Roman protection, and he appealed to Caesar when it showed he wasn’t going to be able to be released without facing the Jews in Jerusalem. But part of this was knowing that he was to go to Rome. Paul knew his journey wasn’t over. Jesus knew His earthly journey was over. This was to be His death, and it had to be a death in which He gave His life. It could not be taken from Him.
We have a SEVERE problem in our culture, and we don’t have a “doctrine of suffering” because we in the U.S. have not suffered. Sure, we have been mocked and ridiculed, but we haven’t experienced actual suffering for our faith. Yes, I am aware of MLK Jr., and yes, Charlie Kirk is still fresh on our minds, but those were more politically motivated as opposed to Gospel related. They weren’t killed simply because they were Christians and preaching a Christian message. They were killed because their political views, which came out of their faith, had greatly disturbed the status quo.
But we are now at the verge of facing true persecution. With AI and Deep Fakes being very easy to manipulate and perform, it is vital that we learn how to keep our mouths shut – except at the proclamation of the Gospel. We need to learn when to properly defend ourselves and when not to, and at any cost, don’t give the enemy reason to question our character because they’ll see weakness and then seek to get us to say something to incriminate ourselves. We must be watchful.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.
- Proverbs 3:5-8
The title of this blog post is a quote that my good friend Shane Adams says a lot. For those of you seeing it possibly for the first time, it basically refers to the importance of everyone who is a part of an organization or of a group needing to get on the same page in their beliefs before moving forward. “Alignment Before Assignment.” It conveys the idea that when dealing with a group of people, it is wise to try and get everyone not necessarily to be thinking the same thing, but to get them heading in the same direction before giving a destination of where we should be heading. “Alignment before assignment.” This is, in essence, how Jesus taught His disciples, and it is virtually the example of Christ in leading people. It seems that many, even inside the Church, struggle with this idea.
Some of you might be wondering why I write that many inside the Church struggle with this idea. Relating to denominational differences, this is attributed to John Wesley: "In the essentials, unity; in the non-essentials, freedom; in all things, love."
This quote is something I heard many, many years ago while serving under Pastor Derik Hines and Pastor Marc Quinter. It is a quote I learned to embrace as a youth minister. It helped me think through and realize not just the importance of working with all Christians to advance the Kingdom of God, but the importance of embracing our differences in theology and differences in methods – our denominational differences. Though I learned this and attempted to practice this for many years, I had not yet realized how many others struggled with this concept and putting this into practice in their own lives. This is part of the reason we started Worldview Warriors.
At the inception of this ministry, I had no idea about the incredible journey God was about to take me, my wife, my children, and some close friends on. I freely admit that I was naïve, mainly because we had not taken the journey yet. Throughout this time, I came to embrace the very fact that people are people and that not all differences are bad or should be a struggle in relationships with one another. Many people today seem to want to change someone else to be in their “own image” or make that person do their “bidding,” instead of embracing who God has made that person to be with the gifts and talents He has given to that person. Hence, dare I say, many people end up abusing others for the sake of growing their own little kingdom here on the earth, instead of growing the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven.
I write all of this because for years, I struggled with the very fact that, in my mind, some Christians just didn’t seem to “get it” regarding the importance of advancing God’s Kingdom here on the earth. I have come to realize this was pride and arrogance on my part. I was being incredibly judgmental of others at that time, and I apologize for doing this. I hope and pray that if I have offended anyone that you can come to a place of forgiving me.
Now, with all that said, I have found “my tribe,” if you will, and I have come to realize the importance of the meaning of John Wesley’s words even more than before. This journey we have been on has brought us to a congregation named Evangelical Pietist Church of Chatfield, just north of Bucyrus, Ohio. Two years ago, by becoming the pastor of this small congregation in Ohio, the Lord has brought me much peace of mind in loving God, loving others, and truly striving to live for Him in all that I do.
“It is not enough to have knowledge of the Christian faith, for Christianity consists rather of practice. Christianity should not be docile, but active. We should therefore awaken a fervent love among our Christians, first, toward one another and then toward all men.”
- Philipp Jakob Spener, the father of Pietism (1635-1705)
While understanding the grace that God gives is incredibly important, we also must begin to understand and strive to put our faith in Jesus Christ into action. It’s both/and. It’s not an either/or proposition. In my personal experience, with many people inside the Church, pastors as well as those lay leaders who belong to the priesthood of believers, many seem to believe that it’s one or the other:
#1. The grace of God only inasmuch to where we have no responsibility whatsoever in advancing the Kingdom of God here on earth or
#2. Work, work, work, work, work! In and for the Lord, but work. It’s both/and. We need to be studying, reading, and listening for the voice of God and then putting His word into action. Hear the voice of God and obey. It really is that simple.
Some of you might be wondering how this all connects with the ministry of Worldview Warriors. For years, we here at Worldview Warriors have been about encouraging and equipping students and the saints to Impact this generation for Jesus Christ. Short of the Lord leading us in a completely different direction, we won’t stop doing that. But we know we need to get better at discipleship. We have been encouraging and equipping not only students but their parents and grandparents in being prepared to share their faith in Jesus Christ, and now we are looking to engage even more with small groups and discipleship. This is all still a work in progress, but know that as a ministry, we are seeking the Lord as individuals and in groups through prayer and studying God’s Word for guidance and direction for ourselves and for Worldview Warriors.
What does the future hold? I truly don’t know. What I do know, though, is that this is a very exciting time during this part of the journey. I hope and pray you will come along with us during this amazing time of uncertainty and transparency. Please continue to pray.
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
- Psalm 1
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Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
- Titus 3:10-11
Every church, no matter its size, faces challenges in relationships. While the gospel calls us to unity in Christ, human pride, selfishness, and stubbornness often create conflict. Some disagreements are normal and can even be healthy when handled with humility and love. But what happens when conflict hardens into division, and a person refuses to repent?
Paul gave a warning against these in verse 9 just before this: “But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” Now, after that warning, Paul gives clear instructions to Titus about handling divisive people in the church. His words remind us that unity in the body of Christ is precious, fragile, and worth protecting.
What does “divisive” mean? The Greek word Paul uses is the root of our English word “heretic.” In this context, it refers not only to false teachers but also to anyone who stubbornly chooses their own path and rejects correction. Such a person creates factions, stirs division, and threatens the unity of the church. This doesn’t describe someone who simply has questions, wrestles with doubt, or disagrees respectfully on secondary matters. A divisive person is someone who refuses correction, promotes their own agenda over the gospel, stirs conflict intentionally, and puts themselves above the unity of the body.
Division is a serious issue because it undermines the witness of the church. Jesus prayed in John 17 that His followers would be one, so that the world may believe. The gospel message is obscured when the church is torn apart by factions and quarrels. Paul repeatedly warns against division, including passages like 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 and Galatians 5:19-21. For him, divisiveness is not a small issue; it’s evidence of sin and rebellion.
Paul instructs Titus to follow a clear process when dealing with divisiveness, outlined in verse 10. The first step is confrontation. A divisive person must be warned, lovingly but firmly, that their behavior is damaging the body. This warning should be clear, specific, and grounded in Scripture. The goal is repentance and restoration, not punishment.
Then, if the person refuses to listen, Paul says to warn them again. This second warning reinforces the seriousness of the matter and provides another opportunity for repentance. It reflects God’s patience and mercy; He is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
If, after two warnings, the person remains unrepentant, Paul says to “have nothing to do with them.” This echoes Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:15-17 about church discipline: if someone refuses to listen even to the church, “treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” The purpose is not cruelty but protection, guarding the church from further harm, and a last effort to bring the person to repentance by showing the seriousness of their sin.
The church is one body, and division is like a disease. Just as a doctor removes an infection to save the body, leaders sometimes must separate a divisive person to preserve the health of the church. When unbelievers see a church consumed by quarrels, they are repelled from Christ. But when they see a church that values truth, love, and unity, they are drawn to Him. Protecting against division is not just about internal harmony; it’s about the church’s mission.
Paul then gives a strong assessment in verse 11: “You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.” The word “warped” conveys being twisted, turned from what is straight and true. A divisive person is no longer aligned with God’s truth but has distorted it for their own ends. Paul names the root issue: sinfulness. Division is not just a personality quirk; it is rebellion against God’s design for His church. But perhaps the most sobering phrase is that Paul says they condemn themselves. By persisting in sin and refusing correction, they bring judgment on their own head. The church doesn’t condemn them; their own actions do in light of God’s standards.
As believers today, we need to recognize the danger of division. In an age where individualism is celebrated, it’s easy to downplay division as a difference of opinion. But Paul calls it a serious sin. Churches today must recognize that unity is not optional; it is a gospel issue.
Paul outlines a clear process for dealing with this issue: warn, warn again, and separate if unrepentant. Churches should not skip steps, even when we are tempted to avoid confrontation out of fear or rush to separate without patience. Discipline must be carried out with love, prayer, and humility.
It is also important to remember that not everyone who disagrees is divisive. Healthy discussion, even disagreement, can build the Church. The issue is those who display stubborn, unrepentant behavior that undermines unity. Leaders must exercise discernment and avoid labeling sincere questions as divisive.
It’s easy to point fingers at others, but we must also examine ourselves. Do we contribute to unity or division? Do we promote Christ or our own agenda? Paul’s words remind us that division often begins in prideful hearts.
The Church is called to unity in Christ, but division threatens that unity. Paul instructs Titus (and us) to deal with divisive people firmly but patiently: warn once, warn again, and if unrepentant, separate. Protecting the unity of the church is not optional; it is essential for the health of the body and the witness of the gospel. By following Paul’s guidance, we can guard that unity, preserve our witness, and reflect the heart of Christ, the one who gave His life to make us one.
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Jesus was a man of prayer, and He would make a purpose to sneak out and slip away to be with His Father. Here, Jesus is about to face the very moment for which He came to earth and became a man, and He needed His Father more than ever before. He was about to face the wrath of God and bear the sins of mankind. The one who knew no sin and never experienced the Father’s anger was about to, at the fullest force. Jesus knew of God’s wrath by seeing it in action and the judgment upon mankind throughout the ages; none was a greater judgment than the Flood of Noah’s day. But what Jesus was about to endure was more severe than anything this world has ever known. In His humanity, Jesus needed help more than ever before. So He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to go do battle in prayer before His big showdown.
Jesus had eight of His disciples stand guard because Judas had already left to run his “errand,” and He took Peter, James, and John with Him into the interior. Jesus wanted companions but also knew these three could not go with Him all the way, so He had them stand, watch, and pray while He went further in. Jesus went in with great sorrow. I find myself often skimming over such emotional descriptions because the words simply don’t give the reality of the emotion such justice. To truly describe the grief Jesus was facing at this moment would take pages because we simply don’t have the language for it in just a phrase or word. The grief of a miscarriage or the betrayal of a parent/mentor, as severe as those are and no marginalization whatsoever of that type of pain, doesn’t compare to what Jesus was going through at this moment. Jesus was under such distress and dread of facing the full wrath of the eternal, holy, righteous, and just God that His body began to sweat literal blood. The physical stress caused by these emotions was so great that His heart was about to burst, and His blood vessels couldn’t take it.
Jesus had a simple prayer: “If it may be, take this cup from Me. But not My will but Your will be done.” Jesus was begging His Father to find any other route to save mankind without Him going to the cross. This was a temptation Jesus frequently faced. Why go through the suffering of the cross if He could have been given the world easily by the enemy? Even Peter rebuked Jesus for even thinking of dying. But Jesus knew His mission, and He knew His calling. This was Jesus’ humanity pleading before God for one last attempt at mercy from having to go this route. But as He had done His whole life, Jesus submitted His will to the will of the Father. He was not about to turn back now at the moment of decision.
Jesus went back and found His disciples sleeping. He understood and knew they didn’t have what it took to stand guard. They were emotionally exhausted from the Last Supper meal in which Jesus gave one of the hardest messages He had to give: that He was leaving His friends. It wasn’t just hard on Jesus; it was harder on the Apostles. They didn’t have the Holy Spirit yet, and the very Messiah who had poured His life into them was leaving them. Not without hope, but leaving physically. And Peter was wrestling with the fact that Jesus told him he would betray Him that night. We tend to think they were just tired from the day, but this was an excessively exhausting day mentally and emotionally. As a teacher, I feel fine physically after the day, but I am exhausted mentally. This was an emotional exhaustion, and there was a spiritual pressure here that was even above and beyond that. When I think about this, it is no wonder they fell asleep.
So Jesus went back and prayed again and then found the disciples sleeping again. And Jesus prayed a third time, this time sealing the deal and fully committing Himself one last time to go through with what He was about to face. He knew His mission, He knew the calling, and He had the strength He needed; it was now time to go face it. He got up, and His disciples followed Him straight towards a crowd that was led by none other than their own Judas.
Jesus stood His ground. He was not going to be captured. He was going to surrender. Just in identifying Himself, the group and mob fell backwards. Peter, in such a confused mess, drew his sword and, with bad aim, ended up cutting off Malchus’s ear. Jesus healed him and then surrendered Himself on the premise that they let His disciples go, and they scattered quickly.
One thing needs to be made clear, that I am going to re-emphasize. Jesus was never conquered; He was never beaten. He surrendered. He allowed Himself to be captured for this moment. Every single thing He did in ministry and every word He said was designed to lead up to this moment. Each of Jesus’ miracles was not merely to get the attention of people or to be compassionate to the people, but to prove to the system that He was the Messiah. Each of Jesus’ teachings wasn’t merely to instruct people how to live, but to set the stakes so high that it made Him a threat to the system. And then His rebukes to the system only enraged them all the more, but each step, each miracle, and each word spoken built itself to this moment. Jesus forced the Pharisees’ hands to take action and, in their desperation and in the sovereignty of God, their reaction to Jesus perfectly set up this moment so they would beg for Jesus’ death and do exactly what God intended all along.
I love how God uses His own enemies to fulfill His purposes and give Him glory, and here we are seeing that in action. If the enemies of Christ actually knew what they were doing, they would not have crucified Him. But Jesus directed all these events towards this moment in accordance with the will of the Father, and now it was time to finish the job.
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Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
– Romans 12:2
When I was still living in Seattle, Washington, in the 1990s and living my own way, God brought an amazing man into my life who challenged me greatly, both in the way I was living and the way I thought about things connected to life. I was not a follower of Jesus Christ by any stroke of the imagination, but he sure was. Even while my friends and I would be hanging out at the clubs, living our lives the way we wanted, there he was hanging out with us, drinking his Coca-Cola. Even though we were flat-out heathens, he chose to work and live with us, “godless heathens.” Little did I realize how God was going to use this man in my life to help draw me closer to Him.
For about four months, Danny discipled me in the strangest way. He not only lived with us, but he also challenged me in my thoughts and beliefs with a lot of questions. He would always ask me questions like, Why do you think that’s true? Or, how do you know you are being told the truth? Then he would give me something to read up on and dig into. We would then talk about that, and he would keep leading me to Jesus Christ, the Author and Creator of life. In and through that time, I grew in the Lord immensely; I just didn’t know it. I was going to go wherever truth took me, and that journey to truth led me to Jesus Christ.
I have also been blessed to be discipled by many incredible men of God over my lifetime. Their biblical beliefs and convictions have impacted me greatly as a follower of Jesus Christ. At the time, I really had no idea how much this would impact not only me but my family as well. Consciously choosing to take the “narrow path” Jesus Christ teaches on is an amazing journey, but it can also be a very difficult journey. Now that I am an older man, I make certain that when I am about to begin discipling someone, I try to warn them about the cost that this journey will have, not only on their own life, but with human relationships they have as well.
Choosing to follow Christ is not for the faint of heart. He is, after all, I believe, the strongest man to ever walk this planet. If you don’t agree with my assessment, please consider that He took on all of the sin of the world for all time onto Himself. He did this while all of His earthly friends deserted Him, and His Father in heaven left Him. I am in awe of what the Savior of the world did.
Over the past year, I have been meeting with not only a small group of young men, but a small group of older men as well. It’s becoming more and more clear to me about what God is not just calling Worldview Warriors to do, but it’s more and more clear to me about what the Church is supposed to do. It’s time for those who are older to genuinely sink into the younger generations with not only the good news of Jesus Christ but to challenge them to live for Christ in all they do, truly following the example of Jesus Christ. The older generations need to see that many in the younger generations desire to seek and serve the Lord and have much to offer, too.
With all of that said, I am planning to start a discipleship group for young men interested in growing in the Lord, starting on Saturday, October 11, at 10:15 am for 7 weeks. We are planning to meet at Evangelical Pietist Church of Chatfield, located at 3535 Chatfield Center Road, Bloomville, Ohio. If you or someone you know might be interested in joining these young men, you can write me at epcpastor.1@gmail.com for more information and direction. You can also message us on the Worldview Warriors Facebook page.
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