30
Jun '25
Building a Lifetime Resume
30
Jun '25
Introduction: Think about the disciples. They built a lifetime resume that we are blessed to read. But actually, we too are “building a lifetime resume” as we follow Jesus. Well, how did that work for them? And more importantly, how
does that work for us?
does that work for us?
1. Think about the disciples’ call to follow Jesus Christ! (Matt 4:18–22) – “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.”
Actually, they stepped out in faith, left their livelihood to follow the Master! While the world sees that as
a wasted life, there are eternal dividends not only in this life, but more importantly in the life to come by
following Jesus.
2. Think about the disciples’ learning lessons! (Matt 5, 6, 7) – “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold, the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.”
What does anxiety have to do with birds, or the lilies of the field? Worry, hurry, and bury describes this short life of 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or maybe even 90 years. Happiness and fulfillment is the goal of humanity. However, Jesus Christ made it crystal clear that a relationship with God is the only key to finding and fulfilling one’s happiness. Look at Solomon. If anybody would know about searching for happiness in “wine, women, and wealth,” he would know. Yet, he concluded that all of the pleasure of the world ends up in a counterfeit happiness. Fearing God and obeying His will results in discovering our purpose.
3. Think about the disciples’ mountain top experiences! (Matt 17:1–3; Mark 9; Luke 9) – “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.”
Imagine what that was like! How would they be able to tell anyone what they had seen and experienced? Words would defy description. However, later, Peter, up in age, would be led by the Holy Spirit to talk about this indescribable time with Jesus up on the mountain in northern Israel called Hermon. The sights, the sounds, the scene was unbelievable.
4. Think about the disciples’ storms! (Matt 8:23–26) – “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”
Wow! Think about what happened to the disciples while riding on a boat going through a scary storm. Keep in mind these were “professional fishermen.” Yet, they were terrified. Can you feel the tension during the storm and then picture their calmness after the storm? There’s no doubt, this frightening occurrence that turned into a faith-builder forever changed their outlook on who Jesus was. “For even the wind and waves obeyed him.” Will you trust Him now?
5. Think about the disciples’ identity turned into security as they witnessed Jesus’ deity! (Matt 27, 28; Mark 14, 15, 16) – “And they all forsook him, and fled.”
These scared, wimpy disciples who ran for their lives when their Leader was helplessly being arrested would later become martyrs for their undeniable faith in Jesus. Fast forward. After witnessing His personal appearance following His resurrection, these bold men were willing to die because of their change in their identity, security, and final destiny.
Conclusion: Did you know that we are building a resume? What lessons have you learned? Where have you failed? How have you been restored? Who have you influenced? How are you doing? Remember—we only have one shot at this thing called life! So keep focused on “building your resume”!! All for the glory of God.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese