Obedience Week 3
- Sep 2, 2024
- 6 min read
INTRODUCTION :
This week we will wrap up our discussion on Obedience with a focus on Reproducing a Personal Faith
If we have our eternal perspective glasses on, which we should always have on, we are constantly increasing our awareness of God’s greatness and His willingness to intervene at any time to overcome our limitations.
The quality of our discipleship is measured by how closely those we influence are able to grasp, own, and reflect the character and purpose of Jesus Christ.
The quantity of our discipleship is measured by our vision and confidence in multiplying the character and purpose of Christ in the lives of the multitudes to whom God has given us the privilege to influence.
Church history shows us that God is much more familiar with multiplication than addition. My constant prayer is that we too will grasp the scope and multiplied vision of His love.
This week, we want to go beyond maintaining and growing in our own faith, which is what we have been focused on the past couple weeks, to transferring and cultivating it in the lives of others.
We want to expand our vision to develop an eye for future disciples and have a heart for truly reaching our community and world with the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ, understanding the personal sacrifice required of this kind of follower of Jesus.
This week we start in,
2 Timothy 2:1-3…
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
We read here that Paul is encouraging Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. He advises Timothy to pass on the teachings he has received to faithful individuals who will be able to teach others as well.
Strength through grace is powerful, much more so than strength on our own will or might.
Pass on to faithful men – referring to their fidelity/integrity.
Pass onto those able to teach- others must also be trained up to properly teach these sacred truths to others.
Paul uses the metaphor of a soldier to emphasize the need for endurance and dedication in the face of hardships.
He encourages Timothy to endure suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus, focusing on his mission and not getting entangled in civilian affairs. (basically we got stuff to do Amigo! Lets GO!) but yeah suffering will probably happen along the way as it is with any good soldier
Truths to Take Away
We are called to take what we have been taught and pass it onto others who are also faithful. But there needs to be a check of authenticity, trust that the message and truth will be preserved –
“Heard from me in the presence of many witnesses”-so that my words cannot be twisted or falsified. They must be delivered just as he had received them.
“entrust to faithful men, who will be able” – those who pass on these words must also be trustworthy, faithful and able.
We don't want these truths to become watered down or lost, so that they can be shared accurately on and on.
Now let’s look at,
Matthew 19:16-22
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus 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.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
So what is the real issue in the life of the young ruler?
Here are some thoughts:
Materialism vs. Spirituality: In a world that often emphasizes material success and wealth, this passage reminds us to prioritize our spiritual well-being and relationship with God over accumulating possessions.
This man highly valued earnings. He wanted to earn his way into the kingdom. He didn’t want to let go of all the possessions and wealth he had already earned.
Generosity and Compassion: Jesus’ instruction to the young man to sell his possessions and give to the poor encourages us to be generous and compassionate towards those in need. It highlights the importance of using our resources to help others.
Wholehearted Commitment: The young man’s struggle to part with his wealth serves as a reminder that following Jesus requires a wholehearted commitment. It challenges us to examine what might be holding us back from fully dedicating ourselves to our faith. It is a control/trust issue as well. He trusted himself to get things taken care of- To be asked to give everything up shows the idolatry he placed on things, but it also reveals the lack of trust and faith in the promise of an eternal treasure.
Christians today, especially in our western world, are too comfortable, want the easy way. They want to be liked, have nice things, be good people – but to really be all in for Jesus, is too big of a sacrifice.
You can’t do anything to get into heaven. It’s all by faith and grace. Some have a problem with that. They think they are not good enough or have done bad things and could never be accepted into heaven. Some, like the young man, think that they have to be perfect. So Jesus said if you want to be perfect sell everything and give to the poor.
Takeaway:
Overall, Matthew 19:16-22 encourages us to live with a focus on eternal values rather than temporary, worldly gains.
Jesus invites us to reflect on our own lives and consider what we might need to let go of in order to grow spiritually and follow Jesus more closely.
CONCLUSION:
So to wrap it up… How does this all tie into reproducing a personal faith?
It starts with us, with you and me personally and our relationship with Jesus. A self evaluation of our own heart and just like Paul’s charge to Timothy we are called to be good soldiers ready to get stuff done, salute and execute for The Creator and sometimes there will be sufferings, maybe small ones like missing out on a “thing” or big ones like moving to a new place you are being called to, taking steps that feel scary. (like evangelism 🙂)
Heck maybe it's walking across the room to talk to someone you don't know, or seeking forgiveness to heal a relationship.
But you don’t have to do it alone…
Acts 1:8 tells us
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit is the power that drives and enables the continuation of Jesus ministry. It is the same power that Jesus had physically here on the earth, and would now be a gift that all who believe can now receive. With the power of the Holy Spirit we are to spread the gospel to every part of the earth.
And Romans 8:26-27 says
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. This weakness is not just a reference to the times we fail, or fear, or don’t understand – it also encompasses how the Spirit comes to our aid in all the areas where flesh and spirit are not in alignment. We don’t always know how or what to pray. But the Spirit intercedes for us, praying and making intercession for us.
The role of the Holy Spirit in our lives is so vital because the selfless acts of putting the Kingdom first, having an eternal perspective isn't always cakes and pies and sunshine filled days, but multiplication is a real calling for the Believer. Sometimes it is hard, BUT the reward….that is eternal.
Think of a dandelion. One single flower that when it produces seeds and the wind blows, sends out hundreds of seeds to be scattered and to reproduce more dandelions.
Thoughts/Questions To Consider:
Motivation is a major driving force in all we do. What is your motivation to go out and to “multiply” for God’s Kingdom?
The young man was willing to give of his time and his talents but when asked to give his treasure, he left sad. What is it that we are unwilling to give?
Today’s Scriptures:
2 Timothy 2:1-3
Matthew 19:16-22
Acts 1:8
Rom 8:26-27