Repentance and Discipleship

The Disciple’s Core Belief: Jesus preached repentance to those who sought the kingdom of heaven

12 When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali--14 to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: 15 "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--16 the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." 17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matthew 4:12-17 (NIV)

The Core Principle Applied:
Biblical repentance is a change of mind. It is not a decision based upon emotion or circumstance. Instead, repentance is a volitional choice of the will—a will that has been influenced by an inner conviction that comes from the Holy Spirit.

It is God who grants us the gift of repentance
Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 2 Timothy 2:25 (NIV)

Repentance is closely linked to the kingdom of God and belief in the Good News, the Gospel.
"The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" Mark 1:15 (NIV)

The fruit of repentance is always seen in a changed life.
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Luke 19:8 (NIV)

Getting in the Correct Position

September 13

Prayer Is Preparation (by Henry Blackaby)

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.—Acts 2:1

Prayer does not give you spiritual power. Prayer aligns your life with God so that He chooses to demonstrate His power through you. The purpose of prayer is not to convince God to change your circumstances but to prepare you to be involved in God's activity.

The fervent prayer of the people at Pentecost did not induce the Holy Spirit to come upon them. Prayer brought them to a place where they were ready to participate in the mighty work God had already planned.

Jesus told His followers to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:4–5). The disciples obeyed His command, waiting for God's next directive. As they prayed, God adjusted their lives to what He intended to do next. As they prayed, a unity developed among them. For the first time the disciples used Scripture as their guide in decision making (Acts 1:15–26). The day of Pentecost arrived, and the city of Jerusalem filled with pilgrims from around the world. When God released His Holy Spirit upon the disciples, He had already filled the city with messengers who would carry the Gospel to every nation. Prayer had prepared the disciples for their obedient response.

Prayer is designed to adjust you to God's will, not to adjust God to your will. If God has not responded to what you are praying, you may need to adjust your praying to align with God's agenda. Rather than focusing on what you would like to see happen, realize that God may be more concerned with what He wants to see happen in you.

—Experiencing God Day by Day

My Ten Year Anniversary

July 3....1998....what a day! It has been 10 years since the Lord trusted me with my heart attack and bypass surgery. By His grace, He has given me 10 years of memories....10 years of seeing things from a fresh perspective...10 years of being able to experience the joy of deeper relationships....10 years to learn how much He loves me...10 years to consider how important making disciples is to Jesus. 10 years to appreciate the way His Spirit leads me, comforts me, counsels me. Below are some of the lessons I have learned about the Wonderful Counselor:

So, we have been given a Counselor, one who defends us, helps us, and leads us.

What does it mean to be Spirit-led by this Counselor? How does this play out in practical ways in the life of the believer?

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalms 16:11 (NASB95)

It is the Counselor, the Wonderful Counselor, who makes known to us, the path of life.

A. He knows how to get us to that path of life (the knowledge of His will)

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Colossians 1:9 (NASB95)

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13 (NIV)

We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:12 (NIV)

B. He knows how to keep us on that path of life (the fullness of joy that comes from being in His presence)

¹⁹ and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19 (NASB95)

³⁴ For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. John 3:34 (NIV)

¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18 (NIV)

⁵ And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5 (NIV)

C. He knows what we need while we are on that path of life (the Fruit of the Spirit; the Provision of God)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

CONCLUSION:

Do you need more love? More joy? More peace? More patience? More kindness? More goodness? More faithfulness? More gentleness? More self-control? These pleasures are all available in His right hand by His Spirit.

The Fruit of the Spirit comes from Him and is produced through His disciples. It is by grace, through faith.

Are we bearing the Fruit of the One who is the Wonderful Counselor? Do we have an intimate relationship with our live-in Counselor? What is the key to intimacy?

¹⁶ So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. ¹⁷ For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must be Spirit-led: not by the world, by Satan, and even by our own flesh, our own desires of the sinful nature. During this intense “tug-of-war” we need to plead with our Counselor to help us live a life marked by His Fruit. We need to live the discipled life.

Thanking the Lord for your faithful friendship--for all of these years,

Denny

The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

Why Discipleship Matters

Dear friends,

Came across this article from USA Today (More Americans Dropping Dogma For Spirituality ). There is much for us to chew on as leaders and disciplemakers, but if we are committed to the task of making disciples of Jesus Christ we will need be more than prepared to help others walk through the dangerous undercurrents of our culture. Here is an excerpt. If you have time, I'd invite you to read the entire article. (Refer to June 23, 2008)

A 'spiritual salad bar'

"Americans believe in everything. It's a spiritual salad bar," says Rice University sociologist Michael Lindsay.

Rather than religious leaders setting the cultural agenda, today, it's Oprah Winfrey, he says.

"After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the national memorial service was at Washington's National Cathedral, conducted by Episcopal clergy. After the 9/11 attack, Oprah organized the official memorial service at Yankee Stadium, and while clergy participated, she was the master of ceremonies.

"The impact of Oprah is seen throughout this survey. She uses the language of Bible and Christian traditions and yet includes other traditions to create a hodgepodge personalized faith. Exclusivism (the idea that one religion has the absolute and exclusive truth) has gotten a bad name in America today," says Lindsay, author of a book on the rise of evangelical social and political clout.

Nevertheless, Jesus said "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". John 14:6

Making disciples with you,

Denny

Creating a Culture of Biblical Discipleship

The Lord Jesus, at the conclusion of His earthly ministry, gave to His disciples a compelling charge that has become known as the “Great Commission.” In very clear and convincing terms, He challenges each one of His disciples to “Go and make disciples…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20). Years later, the Apostle Paul writes his final letter to his disciple, Timothy, and urges him to “…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:1-2). Discipleship is the heartbeat of the Church. When discipleship is woven into the inner fabric of our being, the Church is healthy and growing. When discipleship becomes a hollow pledge and a forgotten way of life, the Church becomes sick.

A believer in Jesus Christ, a Christ-follower, needs to be fully engaged in discipleship. This task, this wonderful privilege, of being His disciple and making other disciples for Him, is not another “religious” duty, but a way of life. Discipleship, biblical discipleship, is the normal Christian life. Any other way of living as a Christian is fraudulent and will certainly lead to an unfulfilled life. We know that it is God’s will for His people to be fully committed disciples of His. We also know that for every requirement that God places before us, He also provides for us the necessary resources we need to do what He has called us to do. This is also true about discipleship.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 (NLT)

The Kind of Discipleship That Protects Against False Teaching

The Bible has much to say about the danger of false teaching. The best way to protect yourself from false teaching is to be intimately informed of what is the truth. Below is just a sampling of what the Bible has to say about this topic:

FALSE TEACHERS:

THE CHARGE TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THEM—A DESCRIPTION OF THEM AND THE DANGER THEY PRESENT

• Behavior - Characteristics – Traits of False Teachers.

• Are deceptive. Romans 16:18; Colossians 2:4; Ephesians 4:14

¹⁷ I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:17-18 (NIV)

• Are not saved. / Are worldly minded and sensual. / Cause division. Jude 17-19

¹⁷ But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. ¹⁸ They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." ¹⁹ These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. Jude 1:17-19 (NIV)

• Are prideful. What false teachers take pride in. 1 Tim. 6:4

³ If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NIV)

• Are deceiving and being deceived. 2 Tim. 3:13

¹³ while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:13 (NIV)

• Are troublemakers. Galatians 1:6-7

⁶ I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel--⁷ which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 (NIV)

• Boast in the flesh. Galatians 6:12-13

¹² Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. Galatians 6:12-13 (NIV)

• Deny Christ. 2 Peter 2:1

¹ But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Peter 2:1 (NIV)

• Do not understand what they teach. 1 Tim. 1:6-7

⁶ Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. 1 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)

• Enslave others. Galatians 2:3-5 / • Enter the church hypocritically. Galatians 2:3-5

³ Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. ⁴ [This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. ⁵ We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you. Galatians 2:3-5 (NIV)

• Follow false messiahs and saviors. John 5:43

⁴³ I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. John 5:43 (NIV)

• Follow the way of rebellion against God and reject authority. Jude 11

¹¹ Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion. Jude 1:11 (NIV)

• Lead sheep to destruction, away from life. John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

• Preach and teach fables. 2 Tim. 4:3-4

³ For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV)

• Preach and teach myths and speculations and controversies. 1 Tim. 1:3-4

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-4 (NIV)

• Preach and teach tradition. Matthew 15:9

⁶ …Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ⁸ "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. ⁹ They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" Matthew 15:6b-9 (NIV)

• Resist the truth. 2 Tim. 3:8

⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth--men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 2 Timothy 3:8 (NIV)

• Seduce and deceive. 2 Cor. 11:13-15

¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV)

• Serve their own desires and appetites. Romans 16:17-18

¹⁷ I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. ¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:17-18 (NIV)

• Spirit of. Is evil. 1 John 4:1

¹ Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. ² This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 1 John 4:1-3 (NIV)

• Turn people away from the truth. 2 Tim. 3:3-4

² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (NIV)

• Protection against False Teachers.

• By an anointing from Christ. 1 John 2:20

²⁰ But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. ²¹ I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. ²² Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:20-22 (NIV)

• By fearing false teachers because they are messengers of Satan. 2 Cor. 11:13-15

¹³ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. ¹⁴ And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NIV)

• By guarding oneself. Mark 8:15; Philippians 3:1-3; Hebrews 13:9-16; 2 Peter 3:17; 1 John 2:18-22

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-- Philippians 3:1-3 (NIV)

• By knowing their danger. 1 Tim. 1:3-11

• By marking and watching out for false teachers. Romans 16:17-20

• By not welcoming false teachers in one's home. 2 John 10-11

⁷ Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. ⁸ Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. ⁹ Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. ¹¹ Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work. 2 John 1:7-11 (NIV)

• By turning away from false teachers. 1 Tim. 6:20-21

²⁰ Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹ which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you. 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NIV)

• Source - Where false teachers are.

• From within and without the church. Acts 20:29-30

²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Acts 20:29-31 (NIV)

—Source: POSB (Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible) NT Master Subject Index

The Case For A Disciple-Making Church--Part 2

What comes first…the chicken or the egg? Who knows? I’m not sure, but I am sure about these:

What comes first?

• Discipleship or Worship

• Discipleship or Missions

• Discipleship or Evangelism

• Discipleship or Social Action

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go and make disciples (first)…teaching them (about worship, missions, evangelism, social action) to obey everything I have commanded you…”

An undiscipled life will demean the value of worship, missions, evangelism, and social action. If we are not living the discipled life, we will be seeking to do these activities in our own way and not in God’s. No doubt, many will be busy doing some very good things. But if these are done by undiscipled believers, the end result will be a hollow experience.

What did Jesus have in mind when He charged us to go and make disciples? What is He looking for in a person who loves Him? As we survey the New Testament, we can highlight at least seven qualities of a disciple who follows Jesus.

1. Jesus wants us to make disciples who have a firm foundation of GRACE.

2. Jesus wants us to make disciples who WORSHIP God in the way He desires.

3. Jesus wants us to make disciples who love to STUDY the BIBLE.

4. Jesus wants us to make disciples who PRAY.

5. Jesus wants us to make disciples who are in COMMUNITY, building RELATIONSHIPS.

6. Jesus wants us to make disciples who SERVE, using their GIFTS.

7. Jesus wants us to make disciples who SHARE their FAITH.

As believers, we are called to participate in His work--the task of making disciples of Jesus Christ.

This is my thesis, my statement for consideration: If we are fully engaged in a culture of making (and living as) a disciple, then the natural outflow of a believer following Jesus as His disciple will be one who is actively engaged in…

• Worship—a seven day a week, twenty four hour a day way of life.

• Missions—a commitment to make disciples who will reach the ends of the earth for the Gospel.

• Evangelism—a natural expression of having to share the reality of the Christian life with the lost—using both words and deeds.

• Social Action—a pledge to become salt and light, doing good works and building relationships as the Kingdom of God is extended.

I believe that “Discipleship” is so much more than just another thing to get involved in. I believe it is the thing. It is reasonable to expect: The more I grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, the more impact I will have on worship, missions, evangelism, and social action.

And how does a believer grow as a disciple, a Christ-follower? He or she embraces at least these seven qualities:

1. A disciple of Jesus Christ grows spiritually when he or she has a firm foundation of GRACE.

2. A disciple of Jesus Christ grows spiritually when he or she WORSHIPS God in the way He desires.

3. A disciple of Jesus Christ grows spiritually when he or she STUDIES the BIBLE.

4. A disciple of Jesus Christ grows spiritually when he or she PRAYS.

5. A disciple of Jesus Christ grows spiritually when he or she is in COMMUNITY, building RELATIONSHIPS.

6. A disciple of Jesus Christ grows spiritually when he or she SERVES, using their GIFTS.

7. A disciple of Jesus Christ grows spiritually when he or she SHARES their FAITH.