FROM THE MINISTER'S DESK           
                                                                     

Follow

I Corthinians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. (KJV)

Paul has been choosen by the Lord to serve as the apostle to the Gentiles. His life portrays a tremendous transformation from a persecutor of those of the faith to a leader. He challenges the readers of the first letter to Corinth to follow him. We see Paul as contestant in the spiritual race set before him wherein he discounted the previous status as a Pharisee and leader among the Hebrews. He then desires the path the Christ Jesus has taken as the epitome of goals. As he travels the road of righteousness he extends to many, with whom the Lord has given him interaction, to follow him. Timothy and Titus were obvious examples of those invited to such following. If we followed him today what would the condition of the Church of Christ be? Would there be great change in each of us if we followed Paul? Would our terms and subject of communication remain as it is, or would there be a change? If we followed him would our attendance in Bible study increase or be the same. If we truly followed Paul, would our attendance and involvement in worship be the same or would it increase? If we followed him would we increase in personal study of the word of God or would time and effort remain as it is now is? If we followed him would our offering increase or remain the same? If we genuinely committed to following Paul would we vist the sick and help the needy more than we do now? If we followed Paul would our love and concern for others in the Church and out of the Church be the same, or would it radically increase? If we followed him would we be able to say to others "BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME, AS I ALSO AM OF CHRIST"

BE YE FOLLOWERS OF ME
I Cor. 4:15-17

15 For though ye have ten thousand instructions in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. (KJV)