Sail On...: Examining the "Ships" of the Christian Life

By Roger D. Mardis

Sail On Examining the "ships" of the Christian life. In many ways the life of a Christ follower is like a journey on the water. There are days when the sailing is smooth and easy - enjoyable! There are other days when the wind and waves seem to be working against you.

It should come as no surprise that many of the traits, activities, and events of the Christian are called a "ship." In fact, it seems that faith has a fleet of its own. Some of these include:

? Discipleship ? Lordship ? Stewardship ? Battleship ? Hardship

? Fellowship ? Membership ? Workmanship ??? Worship ??? Citizenship

These ideas, and so many more, are featured in the book, Sail On. Every chapter is a life lesson with some aids for your navigation.

Wherever you are in your life's journey, you are sure to profit from these very applicable words. Read them and reap!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512740646

Roger D. Mardis

Roger D. Mardis has served as a pastor for almost four decades. Most recently, he pastored Agape Baptist Church in Scottsboro, Alabama. Today, he serves as President of Friends of Nazareth, Inc. He is also the author of Big Doors Swing on Small Hinges: A Little Word Can Make a Big Difference (2014) and Sail On … Examining the “Ships” of Christian Life (2016). Mardis and his wife, Michelle, live in Florence, Alabama.

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Copyright © 2016 Roger D. Mardis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-4063-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4065-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4064-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016907446

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/10/2016

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1.   Worship

John 4:22--24

2.   Discipleship

Luke 14:25--35

3.   Membership

1 Corinthians 12:14--27

4.   Fellowship

1 John 1:1--3, 5--9

5.   Internship

Luke 6:12--16

6.   Lordship

Matthew 7:21--23

7.   Hardship

2 Timothy 2:2--4

8.   The Gar-Barge

Micah 7:18--19

9.   Gar-Barge 2

Isaiah 53:6

10.   When My Sailing Gets Tough

Mark 4:35--41

11.   Authorship

2 Timothy 3:16

12.   Worship 2

2 Chronicles 20

13.   Jumping Ship

Hebrews 10:23--25

14.   Township

Micah 5:2

15.   Workmanship

Ephesians 2:8--10

16.   Noah's Ship

Genesis 6:11--7:1

17.   Relationship

Matthew 5:21--24

18.   Citizenship

Philippians 3:20--21

19.   Battleship

Ephesians 6:10--20

20.   Castaway

I Corinthians 9:27

21.   Sonship

John 3:16

22.   Ambassadorship

II Corinthians 5:20

23.   The Love Boat (Partnership)

1 Peter 3:1--9

24.   Pastorship

Acts 20:17--37

25.   Stewardship

1 Corinthians 4:1--2

26.   How To Survive A Shipwreck

Acts 27:1--44

27.   Leadership

Exodus 18:1--24

28.   Churchmanship

Matthew 16:18

29.   Friendship

Proverbs 17:17

30.   Championship

1 Corinthians 9:24--27

31.   Followship

Matthew 4:19--20

32.   The Lure of the Lighthouses

Conclusion

Foreword

Roger Mardis is a man of God. I have known him for over fifty years. When I was a teenager, he was a little boy. We grew up in the same church and his dad was a groomsman in my wedding. It has been my joy to see God save Roger, call him to preach, and mature him in the faith. He is a much loved pastor, an outstanding expositor of the Word, and an intriguing writer.

The Bible teaches us that the Christian life is a journey. Salvation is not the end of that journey; it is the beginning. Too many Christians are like the little boy who fell out of bed in the middle of the night. When his mother asked what had happened he answered, I was sleeping too close to the getting in place. God does not intend for his children to remain at the getting in place. Instead He expects us to embark on the journey set before us.

In a very interesting way the author of this book describes the journey of faith in nautical terms, very familiar to those who have sailed the seas on board mighty ships. Without any hesitation, I recommend this book to pastors and lay persons alike. You will be encouraged, challenged, and perhaps convicted, but definitely blessed.

Bob Pitman

Evangelist

Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Preface

Through the years I've read my fair share of books and have heard hundreds, if not thousands, of sermons, lectures, and speeches. During that time I've often written down a quote, idea, pithy statement, illustration, or sermon note. It never crossed my mind to document all of my sources or subjects so no one would later accuse me of plagiarizing their idea.

Thoughts and ideas of that kind often find their way into the mind of a pastor -- or into his pen. I don't pretend to say that every idea in this book is original with me, for as Solomon said, There is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). If, however, I've found a bullet that will fit my gun, I've fired away! As one pastor said, I've milked from a lot of cows, but made my own butter. That's what you'll find in Sail On.

The purpose and goal of this writing is not to reveal my scholarship, but to aid your relationship. Don't approach this work with a critical eye, but with a teachable heart. If you do, your life and walk will be enhanced.

Acknowledgments

This book, like so many others, is not just the work of an author. Many people have contributed in many ways to make Sail On become a reality. I hope I don't leave anyone out, but I do wish to thank the following for their efforts:

• Cheryl Bellomy has been my assistant for the last 15 years---she can interpret my handwriting, read my mind, and convey my thoughts. Thanks so much!

• Agape Baptist Church is where I work, worship, and serve. I so appreciate their confidence in me and their encouragement to my daily tasks.

• Many people proofed and corrected this work before publication. Thank you Mae Beth, Max, Louise, Dianne, Rachel, Carol, Sheila, and Priscilla.

• Many thanks to Daughtry and Lisa Perritt for their encouragement to this work.

• My team at Westbow Publishers has been extremely helpful. Thank you folks!

• To my wife Michelle, thank you for your patience and understanding as I've finished this project. You make the journey enjoyable.

• Last but not least, this book is penned for the glory and honor of our Lord Jesus. It is a joy to serve Him.

Blessings,

Roger D. Mardis

Scottsboro, Alabama

rogermardis.com

MardisChildrenDedicationPage2.jpg

Andrew and Caitlin Mardis, Zach Mardis, Stephen Mardis, and Mae Beth Mardis

It's an honor to dedicate this book to my amazing children. Psalm 128 says, Children are a gift of the Lord... a reward. I am so thankful and proud of each of you -- truly, I'm blessed! Know that my prayer remains, I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth (3 John 4).

Love you all,

Dad

TallShipasSea3.jpg

Introduction

Many years of my life have been spent in close proximity to water. When I was in college, my family moved to the lake. That was the term folks used that lived on the water. In our case, on the water meant the Tennessee River.

After I married, my bride, our young child, and I moved to Memphis, Tennessee so I could complete my seminary training. Of course, Memphis is right on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. I'm not so sure how mighty it was, but it was very muddy!

Once my seminary days were over, we moved to the state of South Carolina, just a few miles from Lake Hartwell. Many of our friends had homes or cabins on the lake, and we would tag along with them as much as possible. Come to think of it, we weren't invited that much. Shame on you, Palmetto friends!

A few years later, God led us to Chesapeake, Virginia. Here we found water everywhere we looked. The Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, the Intercoastal Waterway, the Sound off the ocean, the James River... and more. Here, I learned about shipyards, shipbuilding, the Norfolk Naval Base, and the timing of drawbridges.

In 1997, we seemed to come full circle as we moved back to Alabama and back on the Tennessee River. I grew up in Florence, but now I was in Scottsboro; however, I was still looking at the same beautiful flowing river. A few years ago, my family moved to the lake. No, we're not on the water, but I'm across the street, and I have an amazing view of Sand Mountain, soaring eagles, roaming wildlife, and the Tennessee River. Ah... life is good!

Being on or close to the water has afforded me the opportunity to see many different kinds of boats and watercraft. I watch barges and bass boats, ski boats and sailboats; there are cruisers, pontoons, yachts, and paddle boats. You name it, and it's on the water. While living in Virginia, I saw my first ships. Many of the men in our church were either in the Navy or they worked at the shipyard, so I heard a lot and learned a little about ships.

In 1980, my life was forever changed when I gave my heart to Jesus. As a new Christ follower, I started reading God's Word, attending church with meaning, and learning about issues of Christianity. No one ever said it quite like this, but I learned that the Christian life has its own fleet of ships. Some of you are wondering, Who in the world taught him that?

Well, what I mean by this includes terms such as lordship, fellowship, worship, discipleship, and stewardship. Scripture also speaks of our relationship, citizenship, ownership, and Christ's workmanship. You get the idea, right? On the pages that follow, we are going to explore these, and many more issues that are all part of faith's fleet. If your Christian walk is to grow and prosper, mature and be fruitful, each of these ships will have to be boarded, explored, and mastered.

My challenge to you is to join me and other spiritual sailors over the course of the next 31 days as we set sail on the high seas of our Christian life. Each day, you will board a ship by way of a devotional thought. Allow these words and ideas to sink deep into your being. There are also some study questions at the end of each chapter. Use these to help you go deeper and explore more, or use them in your small group Bible study or class. They can help you navigate life.

After over three decades of preaching and pastoral ministry, I've found the necessity of each of these areas in the life of God's people and his church. I truly believe your life and your walk will be enriched by our study. I'm looking forward to sailing the high seas of the Christian life with you.

All aboard!

Worship

John 4:22--24

I've been in and around churches long enough that I've seen just about every style of music and worship, and honestly, there aren't many of them I can't enjoy. Perhaps my favorite of all the ships we will board is worship, or as one writer said, worth-ship. We love our worship when we understand God's worth, his value. Worship is about so much more than just music, but music, no doubt, is a big part of our worship.

Here in the States, I've worshipped in large mega-churches with giant choirs and glorious anthems. I've been in services we call traditional, blended, and contemporary. I've been in small rural churches that sing by letter, they just open up and let'er! I've been blessed by praise teams, choirs, quartets, and soloists. I like pianos, guitars, drums, orchestras, and tambourines. As I said, there is not much I don't like or can't enjoy.

I've also worshipped in other countries with other cultures. I recall with fondness, the African sound of natives in the bush country of South Africa. Much of what was being sung by their mouths I couldn't understand, but I had no problem understanding their hearts. In Cuba, the natural island sound was off the charts. These believers assuredly had more passion in their hearts than orthodoxy in their heads, but the sound was majestic and so honoring to God. In Eastern Europe, I grew to love many Moldovan Christians. Their sound, whether acapella or with music, was one I could never forget. These believers, with Soviet control so close in their rear-view mirrors, sang with compassion, conviction, and tears.

On a recent trip to Israel, I worshipped with a group of Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem. I have to tell you, this worship experience was one of the highlights of my adult life. In one service, there were Messianic Jews and Palestinians from multiple countries, many American Christians, and only God knows who else. When the service began, it was as if we were in heaven!

It is true---worship can be very different and it can be very much debated. Imagine that---the one event the redeemed will do throughout the ages... debated? Yep. Sad, isn't it?

In John 4, there is an enlightening encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman. They have an interesting dialogue. Finally, Jesus makes a statement, You worship what you do not know... (John 4:22). I've met a lot of people just as clueless; in fact, I've pastored a few! (Don't worry, I'll not name names.) Jesus goes on to say that God is looking for worshippers who will worship properly. Come to think of it, most of us pastors are looking for the same.

I don't know much, but I have learned a few necessary realities about our worship. Let me share some with you:

True Worship Involves Sacrifice (Genesis 22:1--5)

Abraham has been called the father of our faith. He, and Sarah, had waited for many years for their promised son, and now God was asking this dad to do the unthinkable, to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Are you kidding me? At the same time today, many believers argue with the Lord over a measly ten percent!

There are many valuable lessons one could draw from this account. Abraham was obedient, eager, and confident. God was present, powerful, and would provide. In addition, as we read this amazing story, we are challenged to consider our own level of obedience and our willingness to sacrifice those things of importance to us.

Lesson: When life doesn't make sense---worship anyway!

True Worship Requires Focus (2 Chronicles 20:1--12)

If you are not familiar with this episode in the reign of King Jehoshaphat, you should take a moment to read it. The king and his people were in deep trouble and were being quickly approached by their enemy---and the enemy was close!

For this great leader and people, things certainly looked bad. They were surrounded, outnumbered, and desperate. One could easily say they were on the "horns of