Wednesday, October 28, 2009

October 29, 2009

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20
This week we have been learning quite a bit about discipleship. What are the marks that identify a disciple of Jesus?
A disciple holds to faith that is evidenced by faithfulness. disciples are also followers of Jesus. They follow Him fully, above all else that is sacred and important to them. And fully devoted disciples of Jesus are fearless because they live in His power and His presence. It does not mean that they are never afraid it means that they don't let fear nullify their faith. A fully devoted disciple is also focused on fulfilling the mandate Jesus gave them. Fully devoted disciples are fruitful. That means they produce results and the results they produce are other disciples. A certain mark of discipleship is that disciples reproduce themselves in others. Another mark of a disciple is he has a familiar place.
There is yet another mark of a disciple that I notice in this portion of Scripture. A disciple has fellowship.
Disciples have fellowship with other Christ followers. Their common faith and common focus creates a bond that unites them. These eleven had shared life for three years as they followed Jesus together. They had become like brothers as they laughed together, cried together, worked together, and learned together at the feet of Jesus. Few things are sweeter in life than the fellowship shared by God's people. Disciples are blessed with fellowship.
Not only does a disciple have fellowship with other disciples, he gets to enjoy the fellowship with those he is discipling. When a follower of Jesus is used by God to win a convert to Christ, a special bond is forged. Leading someone to Christ is almost like having a child and in a sense, he is a spiritual child. Some of my best fellowship has been with men I have had the privilege of developing as disciples.
Fellowship with other disciples, fellowship with those being discipled, and the best fellowship is the fellowship we have with Jesus, Who promises "to be with you always, even to the end of the age". Enjoying fellowship with Jesus is a preview of eternity because Heaven will be highlighted by unending fellowship with Jesus in the presence of God!
Disciples are blessed by fellowship. They enjoy fellowship with one another, fellowship with new believers, and fellowship with Jesus. You cannot be a disciple without enjoying fellowship. There are no "lone ranger" Christians.
How is your fellowship? Who are you sharing life with as you follow Jesus?

October 28, 2009

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20
What makes a one a disciple of Jesus Christ? What does one of those look like?
Over the past several days we have been sketching a picture of what that looks like. A disciple holds to faith that is evidenced by faithfulness. disciples are also followers of Jesus. They follow Him fully, above all else that is sacred and important to them. And fully devoted disciples of Jesus are fearless because they live in His power and His presence. It does not mean that they are never afraid it means that they don't let fear nullify their faith. A fully devoted disciple is also focused on fulfilling the mandate Jesus gave them. Fully devoted disciples are fruitful. That means they produce results and the results they produce are other disciples. A certain mark of discipleship is that disciples reproduce themselves in others.
One more mark of a disciple is they have a familiar place. The Scripture says that, "The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go." At this critical and strategic time in their lives the disciples retreated to a place where they had met Jesus before. It is important to have a place like that.
As a rule, there are not many comfort zones for a disciple. Most things that come naturally for us must be forsaken in order to walk in the Holy Spirit and in fellowship with Christ. Disciples are called to deny themselves and crucify their flesh. But one familiar thing we are allowed is a familiar place to meet with Christ.
Do you have a familiar place? Where do you go to meet with God? You don't have to go to a mountain, although you could! Choose a place that is comfortable and accessible and private. It could be a certain room. It could be a chair or a couch in that room. It could be a porch or a patio. Can you identify such a place?
When Jesus told the eleven to meet Him on the mountain they knew exactly where to go. Where does He tell you to go to meet with Him? Do you have such a place? If not, will you find one? Will you invite Him to meet you there? Will you retreat to that familiar place today?
Disciples have a familiar place to meet with Jesus.