New - New Commandment

Message Notes:

One theme from Byron’s message suggests:

•One definition of “failure” is resorting to Plan B when Plan A gets too risky, costly or difficult.

•There are people who start out with a dream, but when the pathway to the dream becomes too challenging, they quit or resort to Plan B.

•The historical account about Hernan Cortes and the burning of his ships (before the conquest of Mexico) provides a fairly clear example of the importance of clinging to one’s Plan A.

A powerful Old Testament illustration of this is found in 1 Kings 19:19-21 (the call of Elisha).

•After Elijah calls Elisha to be his apprentice, Elisha ends up slaughtering his oxen, cutting up his plow, and inviting his community to share in the ox meat dinner.

•Major question: Did he “have to” do this as part of his response to the call? The answer is “no.” 

•But this response is an indication of his unequivocal commitment to the calling.

A corollary point that Byron draws from this: Every good decision involves two components.

•Taking a positive (faith) step forward into your new future. (a “yes”)

•Dealing decisively with (Burning up) anything and everything that would allow you to slip back into your old life. (a “no”)

•This is true in so many aspects of life.

•Look at the story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19); and the story of Ephesus (in Acts 19:18-20).

•See Philippians 3:13-14.

Discussion Questions:

Have you ever had a time that you quit on something of value because it was too hard? Discuss. Have you ever settled for something “less” because something “better” was too costly?

Discuss Byron’s statements about “every good decision / commitment:”

•Taking a positive (faith) step forward into your new future. (a “yes”)

•Dealing decisively with (Burning up) anything and everything that would allow you to slip back into your old life. (a “no”)

•Discuss their relation to 1 Kings 19:19-21, Acts 19:18-20 and Philippians 3:13-14.

Can you name the one aspect of your life that represents your greatest struggle and does the most to keep you from living a beautiful Christian life? What would it take for you to “burn that ship?”