​“I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink.”
—Matthew 25:35

   By now, most of you know this is the defining scripture for our Mountain Empire Craft Days Bottled Water Give Away. Over the last five years we have battled all kinds of weather and have successfully given away 12,000+ bottles of water. I know you may have thought me a bit touched when I first suggested this ministry. To be honest, it returns very little of immediate value to the church. I don’t know of anyone that has united with our church as a result of this outreach ministry. Yet, I know of 12,000 people that have received a bottle of water.

​   If you look closely at this passage of scripture, you will note that Jesus says, “When you did it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, you did it unto me.” (—Matthew 25:40) I don’t know about you, but that certainly makes it seem worth while. To think that by serving others, we were in essence serving Jesus.

    I say this in relation to my decision not to head up this outreach this year. When I came here five years ago, I said that I would be glad to show you how something is done. That is my role as the equipper talked about in Ephesians 4. However, it is now time for someone else to take the leadership role of this ministry. I can assist, but someone else now needs to come forward and do this ministry. I have “equipped the saints” to make this ministry happen. Now it is time for the saint or saints to step forward and say, “Preacher. I’ll make sure that people get water to drink. I want to make Jesus happy.”

    Water. It’s something we often take for granted, but it is something that we all need. Part of being a disciple and growing in our faith involves stepping up and leading ministries rather than just sitting back and letting someone else do it for you. This is not a difficult ministry, but is does involve a commitment of time to make sure it happens.

   So. Has God begun speaking to any of you about this ministry. We may have the option of doing it in town rather than on the MECC campus. It will all depend upon whether or not the Town of BSG also sponsors a craft festival like they did last year. So. Pray about it and talk with me if you feel God is leading you in that direction. Otherwise, we will not be giving away water this year.
 

​  In order to begin a disciple’s life, you have to start with Jesus. In particular, you have to make that conscious decision to accept him as your Lord and Savior. Without that piece of the puzzle in place, there cannot be any form of discipleship.

   At its very basic nature, a disciple is someone that chooses to follow a teacher, leader or philosopher. As a disciple of Jesus, you have chosen to follow him and his teachings. Therein, lies the problem that we face. “I’ve chosen to follow Jesus. What does that mean?” In the weeks and months ahead, I will attempt to answer that question. I will try to do so from a decidedly Wesleyan approach. In other words, I’ll try to answer that question in a manner similar to how Wesley may have answered to his followers. Wesley pointed them toward Jesus and them gave them some very specific instructions on how to live their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ.

   One of the first things that Wesley insisted upon was the role that Jesus played in your life. In Sermon 92 “On Zeal” he gave us a word diagram that presented a series of ever larger circles. (think of a bullseye) At the center of these concentric circles was Jesus. Jesus has to be a the center of our lives. He has to sit on the throne of our hearts. He has to be the purpose for which we live. Wesley also taught that there could be nothing that stands between us and our relationship with Jesus.

   This relationship formed the foundation of all that is to follow. From that foundation we will be able to forage out on a journey of growth as a disciple of Jesus. (You’ll hear more about that process in future lessons.) If anything, Wesley was methodical and provided a framework that seemed to work in the 18th century. I think that this framework can also work in the 21st century.

  You’ve seen the Provoking Question listed above. To help answer that question, when someone asks you, consider the following.

· Did I get to know Jesus through a Damascus Road type of experience or a more gradual awakening of his presence in my life?

· Was my giving my life to Jesus tied to some specific event or activity?

· What effect did my coming to know Jesus have on my life at the time?

· After careful consideration, do you truly think you have accepted Jesus as your Savior? Would you like to talk with someone about it? If so, the pastor is available.