WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

BY STEPHEN DUNN

About a year ago we made a fundamental shift in the language of the congregation that I serve as Lead Pastor. We began speaking of disciples instead of members.  The latter tends to be an exclusive and organizational word.  And thanks to Mastercard and other marketers, membership has come to connote privileges rather than responsibilities.

Disciple on the other hand is a more organic term and it infers lifestyle and learning.  A disciple has not arrived, they continue to become as they learn to think, act and be like the One of whom they are a disciple.  It was in a Finance Commission meeting where we were discussing how to get members to give their fair share, to measure up to the expectations and needs of the Church.  Tithing, of course, was part of this conversation.  It was then when one of our older members said, "This is not a membership issue, it's a discipleship issue." He went on to note that members think in terms of what is necessary to be in good standing. Disciples give. It is who they are.

Profound, isn't it?

It's more than semantics.  It is a religious world view.

Now at the church we teach discipleship and form groups of people on mission with Jesus.  We have Membership Orientations to describe the formal needs of the organization.

We also use this definition of disciple.

A DISCIPLE IS A PERSON WHO LIVES IN DAILY OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL AND PURPOSE OF GOD, COMMITTED TO BEARING FRUIT FOR THE KINGDOM.

This linguistic change is helping us make a cultural shift from membership to discipleship.  It is moving us beyond maintaining the organization to mobilizing for mission.

(C) 2012 by Stephen L Dunn

EXTREME MAKEOVER:; DISCIPLESHIP EDITION

I tend to detest reality shows but I am huge fan of EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION.

On the show's page on the ABC web site, you read this testimony.

Keep a box of tissues handy for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition because…

A)  The tears of joy WILL flow.

B)   You may need to plug your ears when Ty Pennington belts out his famed "Move that bus!!!!"

We don’t know about you, but it is what’s lurking behind that big bus which keeps us absolutely riveted from week-to-week: a house pimped out to the extreme. It's extremely uplifting, as the renovated home always belongs to a deserving family. It's extreme transformation. And it’s extremely community-oriented.

You’ll see dingy kitchens get completely tricked out, spa-inspired bathrooms built where icky ones once were, and olympic-sized swimming pools installed in what were once shabby overgrown yards. It's stuff we know you’d want at your own pad—and then some. And Ty and his crew do it from the ground up, adding five-star luxuries and the occasional theme park attraction.

From the moment he gives his “Good Morning” wakeup call, Ty is bent on bringing neighbors together—one environmentally-friendly brick at a time. It’s a race against time on a project that would normally span several months, involving a team of designers, contractors and hundreds of workers who all have just seven days to totally rebuild an entire house!

Before you start getting all jealous, the lucky homeowners always have a heartening back-story: Heroes, community leaders, and a plethora of inspirational families are truly the heart and soul of the show. There's that saying, "home is where the heart is," and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition puts the heart right where it belongs.

*Sniff*

 Now excuse us while we have a good cry.

Have you thought lately about another EXTREME MAKEOVER?  The one I am talking about is the makeover from the man who is slave to sin to the man who is free to serve God.

That makeover begins with a cosmic intervention by the God of all the Universe, the one and only Holy One.  We have just finished the celebration of His work on the Cross by which we are given a new life.
We are given a life that was God's intention for us when he created us, but was lost when sin became our landlord.  It took his death and burial in the grave to eradicate the sin in which had to live. But on the first day of the week all of heaven shouted, "Move that stone!" And we beheld our new dwelling and new life when the Risen Savior emerged from the Tomb. What that divine demolition team had completed its work, God's construction team created a new life for each and every one of us.

So what comes next? How do we open the door on our new life and take possession of the keys?

"... to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." John 1:12-14

And then we have to begin thinking like a new person. We are no longer living in the toxic, broken down house of sin. We are living in the life-affirming Temple of God.  So we respond to this new life as Paul taught:  "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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." Romans 12.1-2

Good Friday is over. Easter has come.  Now it's time to say "Move that stone."

SKYE JETHANI ON WHY THE MASS EXIT FROM THE CHURCH

PRESS ON TO POSSESS

Kay Wray writes a thoughtful blog called Quiet Times Reflections.  This post reflects one of the important truths as we grow in Christ.

Press on to possess

What would happen if I rode my bike, went for a walk, drove my car or cooked a meal all the while not looking forward but behind me? Well, if you knew me you would realize I wouldn’t need that reasoning for falling off my bike or tripping while walking (I do that quite well looking ahead!!). A car accident would be more than probable and cooking would be a disaster. What about our relationships? If we always remember and base any present or future relationships on what he/she/they did to us are we not living in the today with our hearts looking backwards?

In order to look forward the Apostle Paul had a lot to forget. Not only in whom he had become or what he did to others in the name of religion, but what was now being done to him in the name of religion.
“…I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me…forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on…” *

The possess Paul describes as central to this process is the same described in the gospels when people brought their loved ones to Jesus for deliverance. This possession is a total takeover of our minds, hearts, a seizing of all of us by Christ. But just as importantly, and we tend to miss, is our possession of Christ; a desperate seizing, a grabbing hold of, and a willful abandonment of all of me, for all of him. When we forgo our righteousness and allow Christ’s to become ours we can release the hold our past has on us today.

I love the vulnerability of Paul! “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…”* It’s ok to admit we don’t have it altogether, and at times we may even fail. But I also love the encouragement Paul gives, “… we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”* This speaks of present, actively pursuing and looking forward, taking the hard road and doing the work by not giving up or in to past behaviors or thoughts.
It is a permanent forgetting of the past in order to create and build upon the present and future.

Wherever you are in this process be assured you are not alone. We all have a lot of work to do…don’t give up! “Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”*
Our promise: “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Phil 2:13)

*Philippians 3:9-16

One of the blogs I subscribe to is  called CALM-IN-THE-CHAOTIC.  Written by a young woman from Great Britain named Rebekah, she states her purpose as: “The purpose of this blog is to explore, along with my readers, what it means to find calm in a world full of chaos, by looking into biblical truths using music and poetry as a stimulus.”  This past Saturday evening, having put my Sunday morning message to bed I was doing some on-line reading and delved into her archives.  This post spoke to me powerfully. – Steve

Not Just Wise Words But Wisdom Personified

November 15, 2011

tags: God, Jesus, Poetry, The Bible, Wisdom

 

Again, I have forsaken my first love — poetry that is. So, to make up for it, here’s a section from Proverbs, the kind of poetry which is edifying because it is the very Word of God. It is, as Paul writes, God-breathed*. Proverbs was written by Solomon (the son of King David, the poet-king) and is known as wisdom poetry. 

Here is an example of Solomon’s poetic skill in the use of idiosyncratic personification to characterise wisdom and folly:

Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn out its seven pillars.
She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her maids, and she calls
from the highest point of the city.
“Let all who are simple come in here!”
she says to those who lack judgment.
“Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your simple ways and you will live;
walk in the way of understanding.
Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
For through me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”
The woman Folly is loud;
she is undisciplined and without knowledge.
She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way.
“Let all who are simple come in here!”
she says to those who lack judgment.
“Stolen water is sweet;
food eaten in secret is delicious!”
But little do they know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of the grave. ~ Proverbs 9 

The end of this chapter is sobering. The foolish (literally: morally deficient, which, if we’re honest, is characteristic of mankind at its core) end up in the grave. As Glenn Scrivener says, “We are spiritually foolish” as “a fool is just a person who trusts in themselves – who relies on their own strength, their own decision making, their own plotting and planning and strategising to make life work.  If you rely on yourself to get through life and not on Jesus Christ, the Bible would say you’re a fool.” The last sentence in the Proverbs passage reminds me of Paul’s words in Romans: “The wages of sin is death…” Thankfully the sentence doesn’t end there. It is followed by a life-changing but:

“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“So we can make wise choices if we belong to Jesus Christ because He is Wisdom and we become wise in relationship with Him… It’s not ‘make right choices so you become a right person’ – it’s ‘become a right person in Jesus Christ. Then you’ll start to make right choices.’” (Glen Scrivener)
For a full explanation of this rich passage from Proverbs, I would highly recommend Glen Scrivener’s insightful talk on guidance (click on the link to listen).

* “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

TO READ MORE FROM THIS BLOG GO TO CALM …

CULTURE WARS ARE NOT OUR PURPOSE

Has anyone read the Great Commission lately?  Allow me to refresh our collective memories:

We generally connect this commission with the proclamation of the Good News.  Mark1:15 describes the Good News proclamation of Jesus Christ, “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”  Others summarize the Good News in the words of Jesus recorded by John, "For God so loved the world, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (3:16)


If this is the Commission and if this is the Gospel, then why do we spend so much time and energy fighting a culture war?  So many Christians who even bother at all to engage the people in the prevailing culture spend their time and energy and words on telling the world what is wrong with it, or what they disagree with - instead on announcing the arrival of God's grace.

Our insistence in majoring in culture war instead of Good News proclamation so often has people putting up their defenses instead of opening their minds.  Evolution versus creation is not the issue.  Humanity's desperate need for a Savior is the issue.


Our culture wars are not evangelism, they are politics.  They are philosophical battles aimed at making this world respect us and agree with our worldview instead of becoming disciples of Jesus Christ.  Agreeing with our understanding of moral truths is not the same as entering into a relationship with the One Who is Truth.  It is not doctrinal correctness that saves us from our sin, it is the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross.


So maybe the time has come to dial back the culture wars, the political campaigns, the philosophical shouting matches and focus on proclaiming the Good News.  "The Kingdom of God is near because the One who loves us has come into the world to set us free from our sin."  Forget the monkeys.  Believe in Jesus and trust Him with your life.

(C) 2012 by Stephen L Dunn

CALLING OPEN M INDS: THE KINGDOM OF GOD NEEDS YOU

CAME ACROSS THIS POST FROM THE BLOG The OOze

Calling Open Minds: The Kingdom of God Needs You (by Dr. Bradley Duncan)

The kingdom of God needs open minds. The kingdom of God, also called the kingdom of heaven or the church in the broadest sense of the word, is God’s work on this planet. Jesus calls believers to a great mission to spread his message and deliver freedom to all people. To do this he’s enlisting those with open minds to help with the cause.

Calling Truth-Lovers: The kingdom of God needs people who love the truth. The message that God has for today. The point. What the speakers recorded in the Bible would say to us today if they were standing here on the stage. People who can hear the challenge in the words. People who grapple with less-than-obvious meanings. People who care about the harmful effects and missed opportunities, when we believe “easy” interpretations passed down by tradition instead of grappling with the hard concepts ourselves. God is calling open minds!

Calling Good Listeners: The kingdom of God needs people who can listen. To teach others we have to engage them in discussion. Hear their opinions, thoughts, beliefs and questions. Have an open mind about what we will hear. Guide them to the water but don’t make them drink! We need to care and relate. We need to share ourselves with people — using our ears more than our mouths! The kingdom of God needs people that can deliver God’s good news through listening! What’s more, to hear God calling we need to be good listeners. We need to be open to what he will say. If we want to know truth we need to open our ears!

Calling Thinkers: The kingdom of God needs people with diverse ideas and from diverse backgrounds. We need to understand how different people view the world. We need to hear ideas we don’t agree with! We need to hear solutions, plans, visions and dreams of people willing to think out loud. The kingdom of God will not prosper through inward focus of like-minded people, but through expansions across all boundaries. Calling Scientists! Tell us how you see the world, in its vastly intimate detail. Calling Philosophers! Can you help us understand the complexity of being human? Calling Literary Geniuses! Can you teach us the swelling power of human language to both bind us and liberate us? God is calling thinkers to join his cause!

Calling People with Differences: The kingdom of God needs to meet you. It needs to understand you. It needs to learn from you. Will you please come and tell us what we have been too blind to see? Will you please tell us your story, your concerns, and the ways you have been misunderstood? We’ve never invited you in, so we really don’t know you at all! God is calling you, and we need you as partners. Armed with diversity we can avoid isolating ourselves, avoid the blinders, avoid the narrow, controlling, suffocating pressure to conform. All we need is some people with diverse backgrounds and ideas! Please join us, and please help us to open our minds.

Calling Justice-Lovers: The kingdom of God needs you! Jesus came to liberate the captives, and sent his Holy Spirit to continue the work through people. He needs people who will open their arms to humanity in all its diversity of backgrounds and mindsets, to be ready to accept them into the kingdom as God pours out his love and extends his call to all. The kingdom of God needs people who are ready to accept the unexpected! Because here they come! God needs people who will open their hearts to the oppressed and abandon their own comfort in order to speak up for them! Still slaves? Still exploited? Still without advocates and without options? People are in desperate need of liberation. The kingdom of God is coming to find those people! God is calling justice-lovers to partner with his mission.

Calling Compassionate Hearts: The kingdom of God needs people who can be open to people with needs. Who else will God send if we don’t go? Calling Humanitarian Innovators! We need massive global organization of people who care, to fight hunger, sickness and poor living conditions. Can you help us!? The kingdom of God needs to reach the world and bring God’s love. We need open hearts. We need talent and innovative thinking! Calling Financial Wizards! We need to invest our resources in things that matter, things with lasting return! We need organic, compounding growth of every dollar we invest, by wisely investing in change and in people who can bring change! We need no-nonsense guidance on how to do this! God is calling the workers into the fields, to carry compassion to the world and gather the harvest of the rescued masses of hungry, naked, homeless, sick and poor. Who will respond to this call?

Calling Women: The kingdom of God needs you! You are now free and unlimited. Please don’t hold back in providing your wisdom and leadership. We all the know that the men have typically held the roles of leadership and responsibility, while women worked along-side. But we need the diversity of opinions, talents, and emotions to find a way to reach others. We want the women to step up (and some of the men to step down to make room), because we need the balance and the differences that you bring. We need your talents that we have swept under the rug for too long! We need the “other half” of the church! How can we accomplish anything if we’re only 50% utilized, and lop-sided at that! We don’t need only “hunter-gatherers” to build the kingdom. That will leave us out in the woods! God is calling women. God is calling men to make way.

Defenders of the Future: The kingdom of God needs people who care about the Earth, sustainability, global sciences, and global clean-up. We live in our garbage and exhaust! We burn the Earth’s limited resources to fill the sky with soot. We have focused so long on spiritual things that we’ve made a mess of our house. We need a wake-up call! God’s kingdom on Earth is not just in the present, or for our children or grand-children. Though the future is unknowable and God’s timing is likely to be surprising, we need to prepare for the long haul! What if the kingdom of God on Earth is to continue for hundreds or thousands of generations!?!? How many zeros can we put on God’s plans for this planet? Future generations will be affected by the decisions we make today. Defenders of the future, please speak up. Please guide us to find better solutions for a sustainable planet.

Calling Global Business Experts: The kingdom of God needs you, because the global economy is supported on the backs of slaves, exploited children, and unappreciated laborers. Please help us leverage economic influence to end modern-day slavery! We don’t need the chocolate, coffee, or cell-phone chips so badly that its worth using humans as battery-powered machines to feed our consumption. Help us bring massive change to the businesses that provide our goods, help us apply pressure and generate public awareness. Help us use our dollars (or Euros or whatever) as votes to end exploitation! We don’t want it any more. The kingdom of God needs visionary leaders who can help us free the slaves through a massive grass-roots movement and the will of consumers to reject slave-made goods.

Calling the Spiritually Sensitive: The kingdom of God needs people who can sense God, hear him calling, and lead us in responding. Where is God going? What is he up to? What will change when we listen and follow his new direction? Can we keep up with God? We have lots of questions and we need those connected people, those relational types, those spiritually aware and open-minded people, to offer their guidance, to help answer our questions. We need a Vision! A Vision of a better world and a Vision of what God is calling us to create in his kingdom. We pray “May your kingdom come, may your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven”. So what is God’s will on Earth? Please help us see it. God is calling visionary leaders to show us his thoughts and movements for today. God is calling us all to step up, with open minds and hearts, with open spirits, to hear him calling and to bring change. We just need to respond.
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Dr. Bradley Duncan is an aerospace engineer living in Boston. He blogs athttp://GraceEmerges.blogspot.com and started the “Open Church Initiative” Facebook page.