“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” 1Cor13:11
It’s not hard to look at our culture and see that many of us have not yet made the transition Paul speaks of here in his chapter on love. Having been a believer and follower of Christ for many years, I still have to ask myself, “Have I given up childish ways?”
The more we look into the gospel of Christ and His plan for each of us, the more it becomes clear that Jesus isn’t just interested in saving us for heaven. Upon receiving Him as our Savior, he begins a work of grace in each of us to bring us to maturity – to bring us from babyhood, through childhood, to maturity in Him. And while our physical bodies transition from infancy to adulthood relatively easily and with little effort, the journey of our souls is quite different. Maturity on the emotional, relational, and spiritual levels requires our will and a lot more. It doesn’t just happen. When adults act as children there is disharmony and chaos which will lead to death. (Romans 3:23)
I love to write about spiritual authenticity and maturity because it helps me process truth and grow. But I also see this as the primary issue facing believers in our world today.
Immaturity in believers will do nothing to move our world out of darkness into the light of Christ!
As we fail to model/value Christ-likeness (maturity) we can expect childish speech, childish thoughts, childish reasoning, and ways to continue to characterize our relationships, our churches, and our culture. With the vacuum of maturity, our families, friends, and neighbors are not compelled to grow up.
We shouldn’t be surprised to see childish ways among those who don’t know Him. Sadly, we see it being celebrated and applauded in our culture today perhaps more than ever. But as Christians, we must ask, “Am I pursuing maturity today?” “Am I worshiping/cooperating with God?” “Am I giving up childish ways?”
It’s no mistake that the apostle put these thoughts in the middle of his treatise on love. And love is what’s at stake in our families, our cities, and our world. Join me in the pursuit of authentic (Christ-like) love. What's your next step to being a fully devoted worshiper of God?
No Easy Button
“I will not take for the Lord what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 1Chron21:24
He was finally King. It took countless sleepless nights, countless turns and returns. Someone had been after him from the time his eligibility for King was announced (actually prophesied). He been betrayed, chased and finally vindicated.
As one of his first acts as King, David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. He wanted to put God first in the nation. He wanted the ark (a symbol of God’s power and salvation) at the center. He arranged to have the ark brought to Jerusalem as part of a joyous, worshipful event but something went wrong. God had specified that the ark must be carried with poles. When it was brought in on a cart, the oxen pulling it stumbled and the driver Uzzah, steadied it with his hand. That was death for Uzzah and it put an end to the procession.
Fast forward nearly 30 years toward the end of David’s life. Again he is seeking to worship God. This time at the direction of a prophet, David must build an alter. This would stop the pestilence ravaging the land because of his disobedience. Araunah, the owner of the threshing floor where the alter must be built tells David to just have his property and his oxen for the offering – no small gift I’m sure. It would have been EASY for David to just accept it and make the offerings. After all, he was the king right? Plus this would save him, and the kingdom some money right?
David however, was not willing. He’d learned something earlier about worship and God’s heart: “But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.”
There are lots of lessons from this story. You may have already picked some up yourself.
One is that WORSHIP IS NEVER FREE. It costs something to worship God. Let that sink in. As a Christian the amazing truth is that our ability to come before God and be accepted by Him, is not based on any offerings we can make. No matter how much we seek to “pay” for this acceptance it’s impossible – it costs too much. Jesus however, paid the price for us with his own life. This is the central message of our faith.
What we must continue to remember is that it costs to be able to worship God. It cost Jesus his life. I’m afraid that in our modern worship culture, sometimes we approach worship as if we are going to a movie, or a game, or something else for our own fulfillment, fun or satisfaction. We want our worship to be easy and we can ignore the price it cost for us to even think about entering God’s presence.
This is one reason we must always keep Jesus’ life and the cross at the center of our understanding when it comes to worship. I get nervous when I’m at a worship event, and amidst all the celebration, there’s no attention or meditation given to the cross.
Another lesson here is that while we don’t worship for acceptance before God, WORSHIP STILL INVOLVES SACRIFICE. Note that David’s sacrifices were also peace offerings – offerings that celebrated peace (acceptance) with God, as opposed to the burnt offerings for sin. Worship by its nature is about putting God first, not ourselves. It’s about honoring God through the “process” as well as the “product” of our worship.
The sacrifices we now offer are for God’s pleasure, to lift Him up above ourselves. Hebrews puts it like this: “ Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Heb13:15
How does our approach to worship, stack up here? Does our approach to worship embrace this principle of sacrifice? I think this primarily this means I must die to myself when I worship. I must take up my place in Christ – demonstrating His humility, His love, His obedience (i.e. my new nature.) I must die to myself – even in the small decisions. David learned this – to carry the ark with poles, – to not take the easy way but pay for his offerings, – to not build the temple when God had told him his son should build it etc.
And for me? And for you? What have we learned? Dying to self will look differently in different worship cultures. (It’s even different on different days for me!) The list of ways we should die to ourselves could go on and on couldn’t it? I must die to myself in order to worship authentically.
NO Easy Buttons allowed.
Are you part of the SDBA community?
It’s part of modern life that we identify with groups having an acronym or abbreviation. Whether it’s to show one's political, dietary, gender preference or school affiliation, etc., the labels fly around us and we identify and are identified by them - and often incorrectly! Of course, some of these labels are very superficial but others are very significant to us.
Our lives, however, are much more than just a label. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image. This should be at the forefront of our identity and thoughts of about others too. And I think we will be awestruck on that day when all things are restored - on that DAY when Christ returns. Will we even recognize each other? It think so, but it’s good to keep in mind C.S. Lewis’ words:
"remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations.” - “The Weight of Glory"
Still there’s more…as we grow in Christ we discover more of what He’s done for us and who we are through Him. We are Sons and daughters of God, Disciples of Christ, Bondservants of God and Ambassadors for Him - SDBA followers.
SDBA
These truths hit at the heart. They will truly change your life and perhaps even your destiny if you embrace them.It's a life-long process, but when individuals fully embrace their identity in Christ, their behavior and well-being are affected. When a community embraces this identity it stands out brightly in the world and attracts others.
In fact, it is revolutionary! It’s a revolution that started with Jesus and continues to this day.God has clearly bestowed these identities on all believers. The question is, "are we abiding and living from them and do we even understand them?" We naturally live in the world’s alternative: “I am who my parents said I am, what others think of me, what my performance has been, what group I belong to, etc.” But we must let God’s word confront and replace the false images the world has placed on us. You have been created in His image and though fallen because of sin, you can find restoration and newness of life in Jesus. Dig into His word and learn the biblical definition of these identities. Most of us have lost the meaning of many words, especially biblical terms.
Understanding, believing and applying these truths, by faith, will transform your daily living and interactions. Here are some Scriptures to meditate on and memorize. Use them confront the lies that attack your heart.
And ask yourself, “Do I really identify myself in this way? Do I believe this who I am at the core of my being or am I letting other 'labels' define me?” God has declared this about you. Believe them and live them out!
S - son (or daughter) of God. Definition: Having God as our father brings up many images from our past. Perhaps the place to start is with Jesus’ picture of a good father in Luke 15:11-32 - the prodigal son. This father was incredibly gracious and forgiving, longing for restoration and relationship. He celebrated over his wayward son’s return.
Having God as my father reminds me that I am delighted in and that he loves to be with me and care for me! I can rest in His love.
John 1:12
Romans 8:15,16
D - Disciple of Jesus Christ. Definition: . "The Greek term for “disciple” in the New Testament is mathetes, which means more than just “student” or “learner.” A disciple is a “follower,” someone who adheres completely to the teachings of another, making them his rule of life and conduct.” In the Jewish sense a disciple was a follower of the Rabbi. Disciples would seek to emulate their Rabbi in every way. And Jesus called his disciples, and He calls us to follow Him with complete abandon. Becoming a disciple occurs when we place our faith in Christ. Jesus bestows this title on us when we receive Him. And the fruit that comes from our faith is our discipleship. It's is a lifelong process and discovery of true life in Him. Are you taking up this identity? It may cost you everything in this world.
Having Jesus as my Rabbi reminds me that I am to be distinct from the world. And because He has redeemed me and gone before me, I can continue “in His steps” - continuing the cause - the revolution - he began in His resurrection power.
Matthew 28:18-20
Matt4:18-22
Luke 14:25-33
B - Bondservant of God. Definition: A bondservant in Biblical times was a servant who willingly enrolled to be His masters’ servant for life. He loved his master, trusted, and believed in his master to the point of life-long commitment. The writers of the New Testament liked to identify themselves this way. Notice how they often began their letters, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,...” Rom 1:1, Titus1:1, Phil 1:1 Also, James, Peter and Jude began their letters this way.
Having God as my Master reminds me that:
- God is my first audience - the One I aim to please in all things.
- I am His slave - He owns me - I’ll go wherever He sends and do whatever He wants. I die to my rights that I may live in His will.
- I live for His fame and His enterprises - not mine
- I am a steward of all he entrusts to me and will give account some day.
- I long to here Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” (Note: He’s already declared me “good” by my union with Christ!)
1Cor4:1
2Cor4:5
Eph 6:6
1Pet2:16
A - Ambassador (and soldier) Definition: Ambassadors and soldiers are sent to other countries to represent and bring the agenda of their homeland. They have a specific purpose for their existence in that country. Being God's ambassador and soldier reminds me that I am left on this earth, each day, for His purposes - to be a reconciling and restoring force where ever I am. There are battles I'm called to fight and truths I'm called to proclaim. We have Christ's commission until our King returns! God wants to use us to seek and save the lost. He wants to find us faithful until that day.
2Cor5:16- 21
Eph 6:10-19
2Tim2:3
So much more could be written about these identities (and has been by better writers than me.) 🙂 But, what are your thoughts? How do you confront the “false self” as some authors call it, and embrace your true self? What difference does it make? All of us live "from the inside, out."
Make these truths part of your morning declarations and the world will see a difference maker.
In the end it's about becoming who we already are in Christ - our sanctification - that we may reflect Christ's image to the world and do His will.
Soli Deo gloria!
Making Disciples
Discipleship is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching for his followers. His last words before the ascension make clear our calling. In the last post I tried to point out the need for the Church to recognize this calling and how sometimes we lose this vision amidst all of the activity of church life. It should however, be at the heart of all we do - inside and outside the church!
“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.” Matt 28:18-20
As I’ve thought about this in my own life, I know l could have done a better job at making disciples. I have missed opportunities and been distracted by other things good and sometimes bad. I’ve needed to be in better relationships where I am being discipled. And I certainly could have pursued discipling relationships more intentionally. Even though some people more “people oriented” than me, that does not the diminish the call for me, and each of us, to pursue the people the Lord has for us to disciple. Lord, help us to seize the day!
So how do we make disciples? A ton could be, and has been written about this. But here are a few thoughts to simplify this high calling.
This starts with sharing the gospel in deed and word, action and conversation, love and truth. People desperately need to receive Jesus Christ by faith, trusting his finished work on the cross. (Rom 3:25, John 1:12) When someone receives Christ, they're saying they want to be a disciple - a follower of Christ - and they do indeed become a disciple.First invite someone to become a disciple!
To be baptized means to be identified with or take on a new identity. It was a term used for dying fabric in which the entire color of a piece of fabric was changed. (See Greek "bapto") The external baptism with water was an outward expression of an inward change and it should be the same today. It is a proclamation to the world of my new life in Christ and recognition of my new identity.Second, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Don't let this word scare you.
This aspect of discipleship has to do with “being.” I am no longer identified by my old self, but by the new creation I now am in Christ. I like to think of it this way.
Being baptized into the name of the Father means I am now His son! As the prodigal son returned to his loving, forgiving, celebrating father, so we come the God the Father through the saving work of our elder brother, Jesus.
Being baptized into the name of the Son means I am now His disciple! Jesus, as the expression of God’s love, made it his mission to make disciples that carry on His mission on earth in word and deed.
Being baptized into the name of the Holy Spirit means I am now His servant on earth. The Holy Spirit is that person of God in the Trinity who is active on the earth. He is using His people to expand and build His kingdom. I am God's servant and He is my "audience of One" in all things.
Meditate on this! In Christ, I am:
- a son of the Father
- a disciple of Jesus
- a servant of God by the Holy Spirit
Lord, help us to accept and believe who we truly are in You. Let our “doing" flow from our “being" with You and in You. As a discipler, the challenge is to model and help others discover and receive these gifts of grace!
This is the doing. It is the behavior flowing from our an authentic union with God - the fruit of our transformation. And as we observe/obey, it brings more transformation toward Christ-likeness and knowledge of God. Together we become “salt and light” in a world of darkness.Third, teach them to “observe all I have commanded you.”
So I must ask myself, and you if you are a disciple:
Am I living and walking as a son/daughter of the Father?
- Do I believe He is a father who loves and cares for me - who has unlimited love and blessing for me as his son?
- Do I accept that I am His special creation, ransomed and given a new heart and life because of His sacrificial love?
Am I living and walking as a true disciple of Jesus?
- Do I believe all Jesus taught and am I following Him?
- Do I walk in all the ways of a disciple, losing my life for His sake, emulating the life of Christ on earth?
Am I living and walking as a servant of God, in the Holy Spirit?
- Am I in daily surrender to His Spirit - His wisdom, leading and empowerment?
- Am I accomplishing His mission of serving others for His sake?
When someone looks at my life do they see a follower of Jesus? Does God see this?
Lastly, how does this happen? How do I actually disciple someone? Certainly by “baptizing” and “teaching” but don't think of this through only our modern sense of formal education. Look at how Jesus related to His disciples. He was their Rabbi, their friend, teacher and much more. He loved them and they knew it. Which brings me to the final point.
Like Jesus, we must let the love of God flow through us to others for their good and transformation. And eventually, they should do that for others. This is Jesus' way for His kingdom to grow. It is how we will grow and be transformed. It must be at the heart of all we do. Let us be disciples and make disciples for His glory!We disciple through relationship not just teaching.
Lord, help us to cut through all of the distractions of life to the beauty and simplicity of being and making disciples. Let us make this the heart of all our relationships and ministry. Let us stand firm in You and fight for Your purposes on earth. For to be and walk as Jesus’ disciple is to walk in authentic love toward God and others. Help us fan into flame Your passion and purpose for us on earth. And let us remember:
"Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
No Discipleship?
As God’s people, we talk a lot about our church’s programs and the scope of our missions around the world. This is a good thing. After all, Jesus sends us out to be salt and light in our desperate and lost world. I’ve recently made part of my daily prayer that God would use me to expand His praise (2Cor4:15), renew His worship in the church, and disciple others, especially artists into His kingdom cause. These have been the pillars of our ministry over the years. Some years have focused more on one aspect more than another, but these days I’ve sensed God's Spirit impressing more to make disciples.
The need for expanding His praise (outreach) is overwhelming because huge populations of people are lost and disconnected from God. The need for the Church to be renewed to authentic worship is overwhelming too.It seems the majority of us, at least in the U.S. are distracted by lesser gods and disengaged from a life of worship. What will bring the needed change in both of these areas? And what is the role of discipleship in all of this?
I believe spiritual change in any of our lives doesn’t ultimately come from determination or self-reformation. I’ve discovered (and the Scriptures testify) that true change only comes through the gift of the gospel. The gospel is the best news for the lost and it's the best news for the distracted. It holds the keys to new life and zealous worship. If our hearts really grasp a who Jesus is and what He did - forgiving our sins and raising us to new life - we will live changed lives. (Eph 3:14-21) His grace truly is irresistible and life altering!
But how does the Gospel get to the lost and the wayward Church?
We westerners have tended to make sharing the gospel a production, a publication or a program. And while I think these have their place, when I consider how I came to Christ and how I’ve grown, it's been mostly through a trusted friend who demonstrated and shared the words of life with me.
Was it a mistake that Jesus said “Go and make disciples" rather than build big synagogues or mass produce tracts? I think not. If we take making disciples out of the equation, reaching the world falls flat on its face. And let’s remember that discipleship to Jesus was life-on-life. It was about a personal relationship with Him. It was about a Rabbi and his followers.
If there’s no discipleship, there’s no God-glorifying, word and deed proclamation of the gospel. Or at best it produces “inch deep” (half-hearted) Christianity which doesn’t please God. Rev3:16
If artists are not discipled, godly beauty is taken out of the world.
God’s gift of the arts and music are meant to bring beauty. The arts speak to us - to our hearts - and they help us process, grow, be restored to discover His awesomeness. Just as our artistic God creates beauty in creation and our our longing for Him is exposed, so artistic disciples share their redemption story through their art and people can be drawn to the beauty of the gospel. If artists are not discipled, proclamation of the gospel is taken out of the world.Whenever any believers are not discipled, their impact on the world is lost! This is why discipleship is so important.
In our post-modern, post-Christian, relativistic culture, artistic expression is even more strategic. The artist's seed-sowing and watering mission is to give glimpses of God’s heart that His Spirit will use to draw people to Himself. Oh how we artists must grasp this. Oh how young and old artists, alike, need to be discipled into His kingdom cause.
So, what am I saying?
- We must value discipleship because Jesus did. It was, and is still, His strategy.
- We must value discipleship because discipled people are God's means of sharing the gospel.
- We must value discipling artists because God uses authentic artistic expression to expand His kingdom and bring glory to His name.
What is a disciple? Simply put, it's a follower of Jesus. But it's completion is when we observe all He commanded. It's an identity and a lifestyle. We may identify as a disciple but do we observe all He's commanded. And are we making disciples who do the same? Certainly this is a tall order, a life-changing order… and that's His point!
Are you committed to your own discipleship? What are you doing about it?
Are you committed to making disciples? What does that look like?
Let’s not forget His last words. In fact, let's make discipleship something a life-long study. Something we fully understand and apply to our lives. Jesus expects this. People's lives at stake!
“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.” Matt28:18-20
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David's One Thing (pt 2)
"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.
"For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock."
"And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord." (Ps 27:1-6)
One thing. Having declared that the LORD (Yahweh) is his light and salvation, David responds with the one thing he knows he wants - to dwell in the house of the LORD, that he might gaze upon His beauty and to meditate in His temple.
As we saw earlier (part 1,) the passion to be in intimate relationship with God gave David the conviction that he, in God, could face any obstacle and not fear! He goes on with more reasons why he feels this way:
"For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock..”
David knew God would hide him, conceal him and lift him high upon a rock! (Ps 40) And this, along with his knowledge of God, gave him confidence over fear. He had experienced God’s protection and care so much in the past that he could declare he would not live in fear! He took God at his word - and so can we.
Our fears are always pointing to a hopeless or disappointing future, but with God we can replace our fears with the reality of His presence, the promises of God’s protection, stability, peace and love - things He gives us when we dwell in His presence.
In this New Testament era we’d call it “walking in the Spirit” or “walking in the light.” One cornerstone verse from the New Testament on fear comes from Phil 4:6,7 This well known passage comes with the promise of God’s peace when we “let our requests be known to God.” But don’t forget what precedes verse 6: “The LORD is at hand (or near)” Paul is reminding us to begin our prayer in His presence. Dwelling in God’s presence is foundational to not “being anxious.” When we live in His presence, believing God’s love and trusting our requests into His hand, His peace can rule and guard our hearts rather than our fear. Col3:15 I like what one author said, “Fear may be in the car but it’s not driving.” Of course we may recognize fear, just as we recognize the ongoing presence of our fleshly nature, but we don’t have to give our fears or our flesh control of our lives.
For David the 'one thing” of being in God’s presence was key and foundational to experiencing all the other blessings and promises of God. He then declares:
"And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.”
This is amazing. Not only is he saying he will fear nothing but that his head will be lifted above his enemies and he will offer worship to the Lord, making sacrifices of praise, joy and worship. He is saying nothing will stop his worship of the Lord - not his enemies, his circumstances, or anything else. Nothing!
Is this our experience today? Do we let nothing stop our worship of the Lord, whether in our intimate “spirit and truth” times or worship (John 4:23) or our acts of “spiritual service?” (Rom 12:1)
We should strive to set the bar this high for our good and God’s glory!
Oh, but we let so many things interfere don’t we?
We get distracted or tempted and stop living a life of worship. I need not go into detail here. But let’s always remember the action we must take when we realize we’ve sinned. We must to go back into God’s presence in repentance and confession, asking Him to restore our fellowship with Him and to be filled again with His Spirit. (Ps 51, Eph5:18)
It gets back to the ONE THING. Living fearless lives is only possible as we make living in His presence our one thing, letting nothing else interfere. I think David learned this the hard way too - just like me and you. When we don’t make living in God’s presence - in His Spirit, our primary focus, we miss a multitude of blessings He has for us and those around us miss that chance to see Christ in us.
How different the world would be if we walked as men and women of God’s peace (Phil 4:7) rather than of anxiety, fear and worry.
Holy Spirit, revive your people to pursue this ONE THING.
Let us declare against our fears, "The Lord is my light and my salvation." Amen
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