GBC Community Update: Practical implications of following Jesus

​Good morning!  I hope you’re making this a great week!  I hope, also, you get a chance to enjoy this beautiful, sunny day.
I’m starting today my new series of thoughts on what it means to follow Jesus. How can we do this?  What does it mean to be a disciple?   We’ll be looking at this over the next few updates. I hope it helps you grow in God
 
 
Return to Live Services
As I mentioned on Tuesday, with the premier’s announcement on Monday it looks like we’ll be able to return to holding live services next Sunday, the 21st. I’m super excited to welcome those of you back who will come. Just a quick reminder though- we will be maintaining our protocols from the past in terms of the proper wearing of masks, check-in and screening on arrival and the like.  I’ll review our procedures more fully next week when we get confirmation Monday from the government.  Can’t wait!
 
 
Join us on Sunday!
Join us on our livestream Sunday.  I’ll be stepping back a bit in the narrative and looking at Jesus statement: “I AM the good shepherd” as part of our series “I AM: Jesus in his own words”.  This has a powerful truth for the future but also an impact for today. I hope you’ll join me to find out what that is.
 
We continue to work on the quality of our livestream experience in regards to the bandwidth issues we’ve had the last couple of weeks. I’m confident we have things well in hand.  Remember, you can connect through our website www.guelphbiblechapel.ca  our YouTube channel as well as Facebook LIVE
 
 
Thought for the day:  Practical Implications of Being a Disciple of Jesus
What does it mean to follow Jesus? There are lots of books written about it, blogs and podcasts too. There’s no lack of information out there. Still, what does it mean to FOLLOW Jesus?
 
When Jesus called His first disciples He simply said, “Follow Me.”
 
These humble fishermen responded by leaving their careers, their possessions, and even their families to follow Him.  This wasn’t just a part-time project for them where they could change their minds in a few days and go back to their profession as fishermen. They left everything — and by doing so they were making a promise to complete the course and finish this new assignment.
 
By agreeing to follow Jesus they consented to be His students or His learners in the Jewish method of a Rabbinical school of discipleship. They recognized Him as a teacher and a leader, and they made this commitment to be His disciples.  What Does it Mean to ‘Follow’ Jesus? It’s a commitment and a choice and yes, it does cost us but its so worth it.
 
So this is what I’m going to be looking at over the next couple of weeks. For today I’ll add this: being a disciple of Jesus means to learn from Him and to stay close to Him. These two imperatives are the very core of true discipleship. These two requirements were essential for Christ’s disciples then — and likewise are necessary for followers of Christ today.  We’ll go deeper into these in my next number of updates.
 
In His grip,
Pastor Chris