Lesson 20: The Cost of Discipleship

The lesson for this week invites us to consider what it costs to be a disciple. Christ comes to separate us from everything that would keep us enslaved, but I see his offer as hurtful at first glance. “Give up everything? For what?” Our lesson presents that when we allow Jesus to divide us from the world we gain unity in the Body of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus separates us from the world and the Holy Spirit unites those of us who have been separated into a living Body, that then can be equipped to be Christ to the world. What does this dividing entail? Here is a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer in his book “The Cost of Discipleship”:

“When the Bible speaks of following Jesus, it is proclaiming a discipleship which will liberate mankind from all man-made dogmas, from every burden and oppression, from every anxiety and torture which afflicts the conscience. If they follow Jesus, men escape from the hard yoke of their own laws, and submit to the kindly yoke of Jesus Christ. But does this mean that we ignore the seriousness of his commands? Far from it. We only achieve perfect liberty and enjoy fellowship with Jesus when his command, his call to absolute discipleship, is apppreciated in its entirety. Only the man who follows the command of Jesus single-mindedly, and unresistingly lets his yoke rest upon him, finds his burden easy, and under its gentle pressure receives the power to persevere in the right way. The command of Jesus is hard, unutterably hard, for those who try to resist it. But for those who willingly submit, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light.” p. 40

We must count the cost of what we are committing to when we become disciples. In reality I give up nothing that I will not have to give up at some point in life. Everything on this planet is wasting away, including me. But what I gain by walking with Jesus is power for today and hope for tomorrow. Listen to our memory verses this week:

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Let Jesus cut you free from any tie that still binds you to the temporal world. What you gain in this is eternal connection with His Body, and a full understanding of His will for all of us.

Our church desperately needs disciples who can discern God’s will. Be one of us!

Lesson 19: Be Ready!

JID is now active in three different classes, so it is impossible to have all of the lessons active on the blog. I’m going to be attempting to present common themes that will address all the classes.

This video today is on the progress in brainwave technology that allows persons to control computers and other technology simply by thinking. The advances are very interesting and are easy to believe. My point in presenting this to disciples is to contrast how difficult it is to believe that we can contact God and have him work in our lives through prayer.

The question I ask myself is “Do I want to be able to trust my computer to meet my needs, or should I work on having a stronger spiritual connection with God in order to have my needs met?” I’m choosing to work on my relationship with God. What’s your choice?

Lesson 12–The Stumbling Block of Knowledge

Knowledge: The fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association.  (Merriam-Webster) 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been on the planet for over 50 years.  That seems like a long time and every day I continue to experience things.  I find that it is more difficult to recall certain facts, but perhaps this is just a result of my skull being full!

In our discipleship lesson for the week, we read about looking out for the stumbling block of our own knowledge.  What does that mean?

Part of my problem is the fact that I am over 50 years old and have been a Christian for most of those years.  I do have a relationship with Christ, and so hearing the story of Jesus and walking with him seems normal.  Everyone sees the world the same way I do, right?

For a moment, if you will, try to imagine what it must have been like for Paul’s audience when he was active in ministry.  Look at our scripture from 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 1:22-25 (Amplified Bible)

   22   For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs and miracles and Greeks pursue philosophy and wisdom,

    23  We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense.

    24  But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek (Gentile), Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.

    25  [This is] because the foolish thing [that has its source in] God is wiser than men, and the weak thing [that springs] from God is stronger than men.

When Paul preached the gospel most of his audience was unimpressed.  What did they care about what happened to an unknown Jewish rebel? When Jews heard the message they were scandalized (Greek word skandalon).  They stumbled over the knowledge that God would use a crucified messiah to be Lord and Savior of the world.  Messiah was supposed to free the Jewish people from Roman rule and put them in charge of things.  Jesus couldn’t be the one!

The Gentiles on the other hand felt the whole thing was silly. The original Greek behind “nonsense” is moria, from which we get the English word “moronic.” How ridiculous to think that someone who had been crucified, which was a form of death reserved for the lowest of criminals, could be Lord of anything.  Foolishness!

Like we talked last week, Jesus’ heart is open to those who do not understand him.  His whole purpose of taking on the form of a human and dying for our sins was to help us to come to him.  Only the Holy Spirit can open our hearts and minds to accept the fact that the God of all creation loved us enough to die for us.  This fact should fill us with gratitude. 

Have you ever thought of the Gospel as being nonsence or even foolish? Do you know people who may feel this way? How does your knowledge of God help or hinder your life with him?

I will never fully comprehend the love of God in Christ.  But I’ll keep learning!

See you on Sunday.

The Test of Discipleship–Obedience

In our Journey into Discipleship one important thing to remember is that the Word of God must be relevant to our daily life.  We live in a world of extremes.  Right-wing extremists, left-wing extremists, muslim extremists, etc.  All truly believe that they are absolutely correct and everyone else is wrong.  Look at this video on the Taliban’s training of young suicide bombers.  Of special interest is the final 2 minutes.

In Lesson 11 Dr Thomas refers to John Wesley’s sermon on enthusiasts as being persons who are so tied to their own position that they become closed to any other possibility.  Extremists have some truth, but by following their own understanding are terribly wrong.

Last Sunday was Pentecost Sunday, where the Christian church remembers the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church in Jerusalem.  If you were at service, there was a powerful sermon and then on Sunday evening in the sanctuary many persons came to be filled and refilled with the Holy Spirit.  It was a glorious time!

There is a test of discipleship in this Pentecost experience however.  In Mark 9:2-13 we read the story of the Transfiguration, where Jesus was changed in the presence of Peter, James and John providing them a glimpse of the reality of who He is in his full glory.  Peter and the others were frightened and they offered to build shelters so that the four of them could stay in the presence of God.  I find that an understandable response.  “This is great Lord, let’s just stay here…forever!”

Then God Himself speaks to them “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Mark 9:7b.  What did Jesus say to the three frightened, excited disciples? First he tells them to not tell anyone about what they had witnessed until He had risen from the dead. Next Jesus leads them to rejoin the other disciples who were caught in a controversy with the teachers of the law over their inability to cast a demon out of a child.

After Jesus heals the boy, the disciples need another lesson on spiritual warfare and how to overcome satan effectively.  The point of discussion for this lesson is summed up in one word: “obedience” 

Discipleship Lesson 11: The test of discipleship is to hear God’s word and keep it.

We can be in error by being too enthusiastic over feelings, because being in the presence of God can be very emotionally intense.  It is tempting to seek out the experience again and again because we enjoy the feelings. There is another extreme, and that is to attempt to experience God only in our rational mind and thus reject any emotional experience.  We can enjoy following the rules and find comfort in these. Or, we can test our discipleship by following God’s command in the Gospel of Mark: “This is my Son whom I love.  Listen to him!

A Christian agrees to die for the Lord Jesus Christ.  This is not by physically blowing oneself up, but by willingly laying down one’s life daily in favor of service to our Savior.  When we give up our lives in Christian love, everyone around us will find new life.  That is true extreme living.

Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

As a disciple I agree to allow Jesus in live in me.  He can direct my thoughts and actions moment-by-moment.  I can trust Him to keep me balanced and free from dangerous extremes by knowing and obeying His commands in real time.

See you on Sunday.

Lesson 10–That First Stumbling Block

Hopefully you have survived the storm this morning.  I was looking at some pictures from NASA and came across this one of the northern lights and it encouraged me in the face of the storm.  God’s light will always overcome the darkness, and often it is quite beautiful as well. Find more of these photos here http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html

In the lesson this week the focus is on living a life of grace and avoiding the stumbling block of legalism.  Here is Dr Thomas’ definition from Lesson 10:

What is legalism?  Legalism is simply substituting religious rules for the Spirit of Christ.  Legalism is trying to drive out all of those unwanted things in our lives through living by rule instead of living by grace.  Legalism is a religion of rules instead of a life of grace.  Legalism emphasizes what man must not do, instead of what God will do.  Legalism stresses the weakness of man, instead of the power of God in Christ.  Why does legalism make us empty?  Because it closes the door of faith by putting our trust in ourselves.  Why does legalism invite in seven worse devils?  Because it closes the door to faith and opens the door to self-righteousness, to a critical spirit, to judgmentalism, and to pride.

Grace seems slow and out of control.  How can I overcome the constant onslaught of evil that presents itself, seemingly on every side.  The love of God, how can that help?  The way of faith is to allow God to provide a picture of His Spirit at work.  How does God overcome evil?  By transforming it into something beautiful.  That process begins in my spirit as I allow the Spirit of God to fill me and transform me.  My thoughts and attitudes are the first to be transformed and then I can better know how to pray and fight against evil.

Where is your battle today?  Are you under condemnation that the problems you face are the result of you not obeying God’s rules?  Lay that burden on the Lord. 

Matthew 11:29 (The Message)

 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

See you on Sunday.

The Power in Prayer–Lesson Eight

In case you haven’t read it yet, Discipleship Lesson Eight is:

The power in prayer is receiving God’s Holy Spirit

There is much to be learned from this lesson, but a primary thought for today is to understand the difference between knowing “about” the Holy Spirit and actually receiving the Spirit.  There are many misconceptions on prayer, how to pray powerfully, etc.  One example of misunderstanding the power in prayer is Simon in the book of Acts, Chapter 8: 9-24. 

Simon was a sorcerer in Samaria and had for several years amazed people with his trickery.  Then Philip came and began to preach  the word under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Lives were transformed and people were healed physically and spiritually.  This got Simon’s attention and the Bible tells us that he believed and was baptized.  He began to follow Philip around, amazed at the power he saw demonstrated.

Peter and John came down to Samaria to pray for the Holy Spirit to be given to the new believers saved through Philip’s teaching.  Simon was watching and again was amazed that the power was given to believers by prayer and the laying on of the apostles’ hands.

Because he only knew what he had seen, Simon acted from his human nature.  He offered the apostles money in order to have the ability to lay hands on people and have them receive the Spirit.

Peter corrects him rather sternly, over the thought that God’s power can be bartered on a human scale!  Why was Simon rebuked? Because his heart was not right before God (Acts 8:21).

In looking for spiritual power it is very important that we, as disciples, have a right heart before God.  All of the lessons up to this point have been leading us to this.  Think back if you will.

We must be honest before God with an unveiled face (2 Cor. 3:18)

We must allow the Word of God to pierce us to the core (Hebrews 4:12)

We must lay down our idea of life in favor of God’s plan for our life (Matt. 10:38)

We must realize that God calls us to be part of the Body and equips us to bear fruit (John 15:16)

We must be wary of spiritual pride, our greatest danger (Matt. 23:12)

We must follow Jesus in loving service, not pious acts (Luke 10:27)

Then we receive power (Acts 1:8) to be witnesses for Jesus to the world.

This power is fully demonstrated through prayer (Matt. 6:14-15) and the power in prayer is receiving God’s Holy Spirit. 

Luke 11:9 & 13 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

See you on Sunday

Some Thoughts on this Week’s Lesson

In preparation for this week’s lesson I am having a few thoughts that I’ll share here.

What does it mean to share in the prayer life of Jesus?

In Lesson 5 we studied about seeing people with the eyes of Jesus, feeling with the heart of Jesus, thinking with the mind of Jesus, and then acting as Jesus would act.  Then last week in Lesson 6 the concept of receiving from Jesus before acting came into the process. 

So…what if we connected with Jesus through our own time with Him, and allowed Him access to us today: “Lord Jesus, use my eyes and look out through me into this world.  As I see and interact with this world and the people in it, Lord help me to feel what you feel (here I must warn you that this may feel uncomfortable…so be alert).  Then Lord, help me to think of these people, or circumstances, or events, as you would think and to act according to what you would do.”

For me this morning as I practiced this, it has been interesting.  I felt a sadness that I could not explain.  It seemed to come from nowhere, but I knew something was going on, and it wasn’t just me.  In prayer I felt Jesus saying “Thanks for carrying this with me” and that felt some better.

At the office, however, I had a surprise phone call to discuss a person who is truly bewildered (contact me and I’ll go through the “bewildered” lecture with you).  As I visited with this person I felt the burden I had been carrying begin to lift and as I write this, I am joyous.

Here’s why I’m sharing this in the blog.  We  need to be practical about these discipleship lessons.  Jesus really does want to walk with us and use us as his hands and feet on the planet, in order for us to do greater works than he did.  If we don’t actually do what Jesus tells us, we are going to fall back into the trap of being hearers of the Word without doing anything about it.  JID is about changing the model from all teaching with no practical usage to walking with Jesus and doing what he did. 

Receiving from Jesus and giving what you receive out into the world is what it means to share in the prayer life of Jesus and live a life of prayer.

So, what is going on in your walk with Him?

Watch this from Francis Chan

The Holy Spirit is moving in our church in power.  There are testimonies this week of healings from cancer and a man in Patria who had hearing restored in his left ear.

Watch this from Francis Chan on walking in the Spirit, being discipled and discipling others.

http://vimeo.com/10825354

Check your Memory Verses Here:

http://prezi.com/mnx7iwnymhzj/

Billy Graham on Technology and Faith

In preparing for Sunday’s Lesson I came across this 1998 talk from Billy Graham on the failure of technology to change the heart of man.  Very interesting talk given to the conference of Technology, Entertainment & Design (TED).

Watch this: