The Cost Of Discipleship

Luke 14:25-35 It is possible to be a follower of Jesus without being a disciple? Well I think the obvious answer is yes... So then, what is a disciple? Well during the time Jesus was ministering in Israel there were many teachers or rabbis. One of the keys to understanding this relationship between Jesus and you and I as His disciples is to understand the way discipleship worked back then. You see back then all Jewish boys were taught from the Scriptures at a young age and looked forward to one day becoming a disciple of a rabbi. If they were good enough in school and found favor in the eyes of a rabbi they were called to a discipleship program. The "internship" if you will, consisted of living with the rabbi 24/7 and learning all you could from him. The goal was to become just like the rabbi. When we see Jesus choosing His disciples from lessor stations of life (fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, and the like) we realize it's not so much our ability but our availibility that is attractive to God (my own opinion here but you get the idea). But if the key to discipleship is a 24/7 committment to being like the Rabbi Jesus Christ then discipleship would be a bit different then our current idea. Which is why the cost of discipleship is one to be considered first before we apply... If this concept of discipleship interests you then check out the audio message "The Cost Of Discipleship" on the recent sermons section.

Redemption

This is one of the best dramas describing God's redemption from our dangerous culture...

The Need To Feed

The Bible is the primary source of spiritual food for the health of Christians. While my physical body reminds me of the need to feed it constantly, my spirit unfortunatly is not as persistent. So, we need to be aware of our spiritual need for the Word Of God... Someone once said "Seven days without the Word of God makes one weak/week." I believe without daily food in God's Word we are going to be empty spiritually speaking. And if we borrow from yesterday's meal too often we are going to be spiritually malnurished...

The Need To Lead

While leadership as a focus is not for everyone, all of God's people are leaders. We have as our calling the task of bekoning others to receive Grace and Mercy through Jesus Christ. If we are genuinly experiencing this Grace and Mercy often we will be leading others in the same as a bi-product of our lifestyle. So let me encourage you to walk (have as a lifestyle) in the Grace and Mercy of God through Jesus Christ and watch others take notice. And you will find yourself leading others to God. And if you are given the opportunity use words...

Receiving Not Seeking Honor

Receiving Not Seeking Honor Jun 12, 2008 Luke's Gospel in the fourteeth chapter details a dinner party where Jesus is being tested by some religious leaders of His day. They watch Jesus to see if He would break their understanding of the Mosaic Law by healing a man with dropsy on the Sabbath day. After turning the challenge back upon them by questioning them on basic human compassion He then heals the man with Dropsy. But then He warns them regarding seeking to be honored by others. He tells them not to sit down in the best place because someone may come after you and the host tell you to move down to a less honorable seat. Now in that culture as in ours sitting next to the host was an honor. Jesus told them to sit in a less honorable seat first and then when the host offers them a more honorable seat they will have receive honor by the host when not seeking it. Here is a practical lesson for us. It is clear from this passage we are not to seek after honor from others. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:33 "The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility." And in 1st Peter 5:6-7 "...humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. So keeping humble and allowing God to promote us is godly wisdom. Even when we are not recognized for our accomplishments Peter tells us to cast all our care upon Him, for He cares for us... So Receiving NOT Seeking honor is the Word for today....