Present your Discipleship

We are to be the example of Christ in this world today. That means, not just living out what He commands of us, but also presenting ourselves as He presented Himself to those around Him and the world.

“³⁴A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. ³⁵By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 (ESV)

I have studied this passage a few times before. This morning the LORD provided a similar lesson as in the other times. Here is one of the notes I have written in my Bible; “Presentation of God’s Love through your action is our declaration of who we follow.” This is such a true statement of the lesson God has presented for me this morning. I have been blessed to have the LORD in my life and I am doing what I can to emulate Him to those around me and the world. I have to remember that my actions are those of love and not just of action.

Jesus loved through His actions each and every day of His time on earth as man. We tend, I believe, to forget that Jesus spent 33 years in this world and yet only really look at the last 3 years as He was active in His ministry and teaching. We forget that at about the age of 12 He was teaching in the temple. We forget that He had friends He ran with as a child and youth. We forget that He demonstrated love to everyone every day of His life as the example for us to follow in our lives.

Jesus presented the Love of God through His actions declaring His following of the Father. We are to take that example and present the Love of God through our actions to declare that we are disciples of Christ. This is not just a one time thing or something for the short period of life. As Jesus did we are to present God’s Love every step of the way for our entire existence in this world.

How do others know who you follow? Are you reliant on telling them and hoping that they remember? What if you were to present your discipleship through your actions of loving as Jesus loved in His time in this world?

To Be a Disciple, Abide in the Word

Disciple: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as – b: a convinced adherent of a school or individual – Merriam-Webster Online

Again with the definition of “disciple”. The title of my writing this morning alludes to what it takes to be a disciple. Let me go a little deeper. Becoming a follower of Christ is easy in the actions needed, admit that you are a sinner and need saving and then accept Christ as the savior of your life. Easy by all accounts to do those two things. And then there is what it takes to become a disciple of Christ as you see in the definition.

“³¹So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,^’” – John 8:31 (ESV)

Abide: to accept without exception: to continue in a place – Merriam-Webster Online

There are other definitions of the word “abide” yet these fit what I believe John is referring to in the verse above. As we have become a follower of Christ, we will then begin our study of His word. In that study, we are to accept His word and continue in it to learn and grow in Him.

Whereas the becoming a follower of Christ is easy with the two actions I described above, the disciple part is much more challenging a there is a long commitment that requires daily attention. We are to follow yes, but as a disciple we are to accept without exception and continue the study and understanding of His word as we move through this world.

I myself have been a follower of Christ since I was about 14 yrs old. But I believe that I have been a disciple of Christ for only about the last 20 yrs of my 54. So there were about 20 yrs I went through life as a follower of Christ having only really taken the first two easy actions.

Being a disciple is not as difficult as we think. It is about dedication, devotion, and commitment. We are to be in the Word of God on a daily/regular basis. Learning all that we can to carry out that which He has for us to carry out. Being a follower of Christ is the easy part, it takes our abiding in Him and His Word to become a disciple of Christ.

What would you count yourself in your relationship with Christ? Are you a follower who has taken the first two steps? What if you were to abide in the LORD and His Word to become a disciple of Christ?

Go

“¹⁹Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

We start with the word “go” and everything else is from there. We have to take action. Our commission in the name of the LORD is to make disciples of those around us, and the first thing that Jesus says to us related to the commission is to “GO”. We are to be out there doing and not just sitting around waiting.

I know that I have said a number of times that I am not the most outgoing person. I am comfortable on my own and do not “need” to be in the presence of others. But that is not the commission that I signed up for with the LORD. I am to be out there engaging with others and bringing the Gospel to them to guide them in there growth and learning of the LORD and all that He has for them and us.

This “going” is where it gets a bit tricky. Are we to go far from where we are to bring the Gospel to those who would not otherwise receive it, or are we to go where we are and focus on those in our immediate proximity. The answer is “YES”. We are to go to both. We are to start near and in our immediate proximity and gradually go out from there.

Think through the verses above. We are to “go” and make disciples. We are disciples and we are to go and make more. And they will go and make disciples, and they will go, and they will go. The idea is that as we make disciples we are continuing to add more and more and more to the followers of Christ.

We have to remember that the process of making disciples is not a quick one. Take for instance the discipleship group I was in last year and the one I am in this year (see that it is on the year). The guide we use is set to take 25 weeks of study. That is at minimum, a half of a year. This is no short term process. The time investment is substantial and that in itself does not lend to being too far from home. So it does stand to reason to “go” where you are first and make disciples and then they go and in some cases they may have the capacity to devote the time further to all nations, but it does all start where we are. Even when the apostles were sent out by Jesus, they went to the towns in the area bringing the Gospel. It was not until later that they ventured out a lot further.

We have been commissioned by Jesus to “GO” and make disciples and that is the call to action and not just that we are to sit and wait.

What does your discipling look like? Are you sitting and waiting for the LORD to do something great in your life so that you can go far out to make disciples? What if you did just “go” where you are and allowed God to work as you make disciples where you are to begin?

Christ is the Number One Priority

I am surprised that it appears that I have not studied this passage before as I do not have any notes in my Bible. But as is the case with the LORD, He leads me where I need to be when I need to be there.

Everything is important and deserves our attention, but if that is true, then nothing is important. Where is our priority, and what do we do first? On our list, everything and everyone cannot be in the top spot.

“²⁶If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” “³³So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” – Luke 14:26-27 & 33 (ESV)

Jesus is to be in the top spot and everyone and everything comes after. The title of the passage I am studying this morning in my ESV Bible is “The Cost of Discipleship”. This title and the passage itself re-enforce our full devotion to Jesus Christ as we embark on discipleship with Him. It is not for the fickle and is not something that is we can do on the weekends. Following Christ as His disciple is costly, it requires a great deal from us.

Disciple: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: such as – b: a convinced adherent of a school or individual – Merriam-Webster Online

I looked up the definition of the word “disciple” this morning and where there was reference to it related to being a disciple of Christ, it was the other reference as you see above that applied to my thoughts this morning. A disciple is one who is fully invested in another’s teaching, and will go to great lengths to spread those teachings to the world around them. A disciple is completely devoted to the one and in this case, to the LORD.

Our devotion to the LORD is costly. We move others down the list of priority in our lives to place Christ at the top spot. Where other things may have importance and are worth spending time and energy on, it is the LORD who gets our time and energy first of all. All other things fall to the side and become less important in the wake of Christ.

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ ²²When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” – Matthew 19:21-22 (ESV)

The above verses describe the cost the cost. Where in the passage the man is asking what is needed to have eternal life, it applies to our following of Christ in the context of cost. We are to place the value of everything and everyone below the value of Christ. We are to “sell” out for Jesus. This man was not willing to do that and walked away as the cost was too high for him.

The cost is extremely high. The LORD is asking us to place Him in the top spot on our priorities and everything and everyone else are to moved down. To follow Christ means He is our number one priority.

What is important to you? Are you placing those things in the top spot and missing out? What if you were to ensure that Jesus is in the number one spot on your priority list and all else comes after?

You First

“³⁷Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; ³⁸give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:37-38 (ESV)

A pretty common couple of verses. As I continue my study of the word “disciple” the LORD led me to this passage in Luke’s gospel titled “Judging Others” in my ESV Bible. The verse I was led to I have looked through in another writing, but as usual, God leads me where He needs me to be.

The above verses speak of not judging others to keep from being judged ourselves and what great wisdom that is. This passage is filled with wisdom from the LORD related to judgment of others and we will likely recognize the below verses that bring that wisdom home.

“⁴¹Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? ⁴²How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” – Luke 6:41-42 (ESV)

Who am I to judge others when I have many things in my life that I need to get right. I have to think of my walk with Christ before I can talk to others about their walk. I have to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me from my heart before using my mind to lead others.

“⁴⁰A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” – Luke 6:40 (ESV)

As a disciple of Christ I have to remember that I can only work to be like Christ and not be Him. Where Jesus was perfect with no “log” in His eye, I am without those logs. I will never have all of the logs out of my eye and there for I have concern myself with my own faults and growth as opposed to others. I have to be first in the order of getting things right. I have to work to remove the log from my eye as it is certainly in the way of clarity when it comes to “knowing” what is “right” for others. If I am not right how can I know what is right for you.

My walk with Christ is ongoing and will lead to many realizations. I have to concern myself with getting right and guiding others to Christ so they can be led by Him to get right. I am not the one to “know”, I can only guide you to the one who does, JESUS. I am a disciple or student of Christ, not the teacher and certainly not Him. I have my own struggle and opportunities and that is where my focus should be. I gotta get right before I judge anyone on where they are.

How are you viewing others? Are you telling them what is what? What if you were to concern yourself with you first and allow the judgment of other to our teacher, Jesus Christ?

Christ’s Rewards are Shared with Disciples

“⁴⁰Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. ⁴¹The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴²And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” – Matthew 10:40-42 (ESV)

I am continuing my study of the word “disciple” and this morning I am still in Matthew 10 as Jesus is directly speaking to, instructing, and guiding His disciples. A disciple can only be like his teacher as Jesus indicates when speaking to them (Matthew 10:24-25a). And that carries forward in the rewards that are received as a result of being a disciple and doing the work of Christ.

In the above verses, we see that as we do the work of Christ, we are working on His behalf and we are received as Christ is received. We are treated as Christ is treated. And we are rewarded as Christ is rewarded.

The reward that we receive is as Christ would receive for the work. That reward could be persecution or consolation. Either way, we can expect a “shared” reward with Christ. The reward is shared as remember, we are like Jesus and as such we receive as He receives. We do not share our reward with Christ in the sense that we are allowing Him a portion of our reward, we receive a share of His reward for being disciples of Jesus.

I am embarking on a discipleship journey this week to be more like Christ every day. I had not really thought of being rewarded as a share of Christ’s reward until reading and studying this morning. I am proud to be a follower of Christ and have a better understanding of my reward as a result. My reward is not my own, but a share of the reward of Christ.

What is your thought on the reward you receive? Are you looking at things from the selfish side and the reward is all yours? What if you approached the work you do for Christ as being his disciple and knowing that the reward you receive is a share of the reward He receives?

A Disciple Can Only Be Like His Teacher

No matter how we count it, Jesus is bigger than we are. He endured more and will always be the example of who we are to be.

“³Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” – Hebrews 12:3 (ESV)

The above verse is a reference one as pertains to where I was led this morning in study of the word “disciple”, Matthew 10. Jesus is sending the twelve out and is letting them know that they will be persecuted in their work. Their journey and work are not going to be easy and they should stick together and rely on their teachings and the LORD to get them through. Jesus also reminds them that they are only like Him, but not Him and certainly not greater than He.

“²⁴A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.” – Matthew 10:24-25a (ESV)

This should serve as a reminder to us that no matter how “big” or important we may be or get to, Jesus is bigger than we, and He will always be our teacher. We can only work to be like Him and not greater than Him.

I have to remember that Jesus came to save us all and He endured unspeakable persecution to the point of death, just for existing as who He was. No matter the extent of the work that I do, I will always be the disciple of Christ. Even as I take on the task of being a discipler, I will still only be a disciple myself. Jesus will always be bigger and more than I.

What is your thoughts on who you are in relation to Jesus? Do you feel that you will somehow reach heights greater than He? What if you were to see that Jesus is bigger and better and that no matter how “big” we may get, He will always be bigger and better than we?

With All Your Heart

I have been studying the word “heart” for the past couple of months and through my process, have a few weeks to go. In that time I have written a good amount on the subject of “with all your heart” and this morning is another installment, and really more focused on it.

I am currently reading in Jeremiah and have been led to the passage in chapter 29 titled “Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles” in my ESV Bible. Here Jeremiah is relaying the message of the LORD to the people that He will not abandon them and that he will raise them up again. But, as noted above, I am more focused on the one verse, 13, this morning.

“¹³You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)

I was really struck this morning by this verse, and the phrase “with all your heart”. I was reminded that in all that we do with the LORD we are to do so with all our heart, and not just flippantly or ceremonially. I think the word seek and how it is deeper than just looking. Merriam-Webster Online says: “to go in search of”, and where the second part of that definition is: “look for”, the third part is: “to try to discover”. There is work involved, by more than the eyes.

“³⁶Then Jesus went with them to a place call Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’” – Matthew 26: 36 (ESV)

When Jesus was facing His crucifixion, He did not pray to the Father where He was at the time. Jesus “went” to “go over there and pray”. He sought the Father, and did not just expect the LORD to come to Him. He went with all of Himself to the Father.

“³⁸The Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it.” – John 11:37 (ESV)

Jesus did not just say for Lazarus to rise, as He had every capability to do, he went and sought out the tomb of His friend and was fully there from His heart and mind and body to bring him back to the living. Jesus did all things from His heart and not just to do them because He could. Jesus was all in with all his heart and we should be as well.

I will admit that I am not a very outwardly emotional person. But that does not mean that I am not committed and deeply moved at things. When I commit to something, I commit to it fully to ensure that it is completed and it is done well. I have to remember that commitment is one that should be coming from my heart and not just from my dedication to completing a task. I have to be there with all my heart as the greatest example to me, Jesus, was. We have to be all in “with all your heart”.

How do you approach things? Are you there to complete a task or are you part of the ceremony? What if you approached all things “with all your heart” as Jesus did and we are instructed?

Christian Leadership Principles into Secular Roles

This morning I continue my study into Spiritual Leadership and have been led to the similarities and differences of Christian Leadership and Secular Leadership. This is a fascinating comparison that has many facets, yet this morning I cover(ed) one of them. The question in my reading from MasterWork this morning that generated the most thought was this: “Do leadership principles found in secular writing and seminars apply to work done in God’s kingdom?” and pastors will go with, “Will these same principles work for me as I lead my church?”

My answer to these questions is yes. Principles to leadership are translatable from one role to another. It is the need according to the LORD or the world that has to be addressed and the direction and outcome expected in each. I do believe that when applied to the need and the direction and outcome are considered, what is used in one role, say pastor, can be used in another role, say CEO.

Here is the thing, it is leadership principles of the LORD that should be emulated in the world, not the other way around. As I read and wrote on before, the church is filled with “leaders” that were not formally “taught” to lead. They did not receive a book or a course on true leadership in seminary, or did they?

The greatest leader of all time was, JESUS. Think about it. Jesus took men and women from all walks of life and over the course of three years, led them to take over His work in this world. They would go from place to place and apply the fruit of the Spirit wherever and with whomever they came in contact with. They were filled by the Spirit and let it shine from themselves to the world.

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

The principles above are from the LORD and not from the world. We see secular leaders in the world who introduce these principles as being great, and leaders, even pastors, all over gravitate to them. There is this belief that somehow these secular leaders have “cracked the code” of what real leadership is and all over, are looking to these secular leaders and “their” revealed secrets.

Thing is, a good number of these secular leaders, found these principles in their walk with the LORD and that is something that all are not aware. S. Truett Cathy, who founded Chick-fil-a is a devout Christian and even closed his businesses on Sunday’s to demonstrate that. Ken Blanchard, writer and professor, is very open with his faith. Stephen Covey, educator and writer, pulled directly from the principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Notice the above paragraph theme, some of the most espoused secular leadership principles, have their grounding in the teachings of the LORD. These principles are widely used and carried out in the secular world and yet they come from the LORD (not here to discuss the merits of different religions). So the questions in the first paragraph are proven to be answered as yes, the principles of the secular leadership world will work in the church, as that is where they originated.

“⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”

– Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Where are you getting your leadership principles? Are you leaning on the secular world’s writing and teaching? What if you went to the source and applied the Christian principles everywhere?

Overcome Through Maturity

Accepting Christ as my savior was great and certainly needed in my life, yet this is only the first step in overcoming the evil one. This morning I am in 1 John and have been reminded of the stages of Christian maturity.

“¹²I am writing to you, little children,

because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.

¹³I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, children,

because you know the Father.

¹⁴I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you are strong,

and the word of God abides in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.”

– 1 John 2:12-14 (ESV)

First, you have the “children” who have just learned of Christ and are beginning their relationship with Him. They have no history with Him and only now have opened their eyes and are on the journey to spiritual maturity. This can be the young or the older that have found Christ as their savior.

Second, you have the “fathers” who have been in the faith for some time and are fully comfortable as they work through the world. These know that Christ is in control and have dedicated themselves to His mission in their lives each day for some time. Again, this does not have to be the older, but those who have spent valuable time with Christ for some time.

Third, you have the “young men” who have been learning in their relationship with Christ, and yet still find persecution at every turn. They are building their strength in Christ and every day will grow stronger and stronger to overcome the evil one. These again may be youthful or older, but they are in the growing phase of maturity.

The further along we get in our maturity, the more fluid will be our strength to overcome. It does not mean that we will not face persecution or challenges as the evil one is around every corner. It is the light of the LORD in us that will overcome the darkness and keep the evil one at bay. It is our maturity in Christ through His Word as we meditate on it day and night that gives us the strength and wisdom to overcome. Whether you are the “little child”, the “father”, or the “young man” it is always the time to continue in our growth to and into maturity in Christ through His Word.

“¹Blessed is the man

who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

²but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.”

— Psalm 1:1-2 (ESV)

Where are you finding your strength to overcome the evil one? Are you looking to yourself and believe that you have already arrived with the strength? What if you were to realize that you are still maturing and should look to continued growth and maturity through God’s Word?