Call to Discipleship Week 3
- Apr 21, 2024
- 7 min read
INTRODUCTION :
Jesus’ challenging call to commitment as a disciple was purposeful. In other words, the high Biblical standards of commitment for a true disciple are set in order to accomplish the incredibly high purpose that God has for our lives as His followers.
This week, we will look at the Scriptural purposes for a disciple and develop our ability to see circumstances and people through the lens of our purpose.
First, we will overview some of the passages that speak to the general purpose of a disciple.
Then we will look specifically at the vertical focus of a disciple (personal holiness) and the horizontal focus of a disciple (personal ministry) in achieving God’s purpose for each disciple.
I Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
Let me set this context for you in this section of scripture. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul was addressing a church that was struggling with many issues, including sexual immorality. He used these phrases to remind them of their spiritual identity and responsibilities. BUT here is the real kicker…. Even though this passage was written almost 2,000 years ago, its message is still relevant today.
Indwelling- Our Bodies Are Temples Of The Holy Spirit: Paul reminds us that our bodies are a place where the Holy Spirit resides. Remember, In the Old Testament, the temple was where the Israelites met with God, worshiped, made sacrifices, and prayed. Paul equates the body of the Believer to be equal to that.
Ownership- You Are Not Your Own: This means that believers do not serve the selfish desires of our flesh but are now servants of God’s kingdom. It calls us to no longer live for ourselves, but for God. In fact, we were never meant to live for ourselves. Ownership belongs to our Creator. We are here for His purpose not ours.
Redemption- You Were Bought At A Price: Simple… Jesus Christ paid a high price to redeem humanity with His own body and blood. As Believers, we know that while we were once slaves to sin and death, Jesus gave his life to free us.
Responsibility- Honor God With Your Bodies: This is a call to action for believers to live in a way that honors God, not just in spirit, but also in their physical actions. It calls believers to not let any part of our body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.
Takeaway - Think of it this way: Our body is a temple - a place of worship, reverence and holiness. We were bought at a price, our bodies are not our own. How we take care of our bodies and treat ourselves is a direct relation to how we take care of “God’s property” - good stewardship required.
Luke 6:39-49
“He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How 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.”
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Jesus and His parables. Gotta love em. I can't wait to have a 1:1 with Him and just ask Him to tell me a parable….
Let’s see, we have the blind leading the blind - that sounds incredibly difficult and I can only imagine how that would work out…..
We have a student and teacher and how the student must pay close attention to the teacher to become like the teacher.
We have good and bad trees here….some make good fruit…some make bad fruit or no fruit….
Specks and Logs make a showing and how they are in our eyes, making it hard to see and a bit hypocritical. Self-examination required.
This wraps up with the importance of not just hearing Jesus’s words but also putting them into practice. We read of a house’s foundation: those who hear and act are like a house built on a solid foundation, able to withstand floods. In contrast, those who hear but do not act are like a house without a foundation, which collapses when the flood strikes.
Takeaway - Jesus makes it very clear how important it is for us to receive proper and full training and to fill ourselves with the truth so that when we speak and teach and reach out to people, we communicate that truth.
BUT, hypocrisy ruins our witness. It makes our words and examples kind of worthless - or even worse, can actually create more problems.
We need to honestly evaluate ourselves, and repent of our own wrong doings.
We must practice what we preach.
People see the outside fruits (good or bad) before they can know of what's on the inside. Remember that.
John 21:15-17
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Jesus is so redeeming - He just asked Peter 3 times if he loves him and not too long ago Peter was denying him, remember? Oh and Peter denied Him 3 times. Hmmm… interesting. Jesus will always care for the redemption of our hearts.
We see this calling of Peter from Jesus, who is the great Shepherd, and he is handing over the care of his flock to Peter, and by extension to us and so on. We are called to tend to them, feed them and take care of them. When Jesus first called Peter to be His disciple, not only was his name Simon but Jesus also spoke to him in fisherman language. Now, during this transformational conversation between Jesus and Peter, Jesus uses shepherd language. Simon/Peter got both a name change and a career change during his discipleship process.
Matthew 28:18-20
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Let's wrap up with the Great Commission…
Matthew 28:18: Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. That is a bold statement, but it reinforces the next two verses…
Matthew 28:19-20: Jesus instructs His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything He has commanded. This is our mission, our calling or purpose as the Body, the Church and as Believers.
Jesus assures His disciples that He will be with them always, even to the end of the age. This assurance is meant to comfort and encourage His disciples, us, in our mission to spread the teachings of Jesus.
That was a lot I know! But think of it as a pregame speech or charge and a call to personal holiness so that your personal ministry will glorify God.
CONCLUSION:
In summary we are called to a personal holiness in these Scriptures all the while remembering, personal holiness is not about being perfect, but about growing in our relationship with God and striving to live according to His word and will. We don’t have to wait until we have received our “Certified Pure Heart” certificate from the Holy Spirit to begin - This work on the inside of us is ongoing throughout our entire lives, but God can use us wherever we are on that journey to still reach out to others who are ready to be taught. It’s a journey that helps us become more like Jesus, who is our ultimate example of holiness and along the way be an amazing witness to others.