Disciples or churchians?
Jesus had a great many followers. Some were curious. Some were much impressed by the miracles and blessed by what they were given. Jesus preached the joy of giving and the disciples had enough money to make it worthwhile stealing. Judas, of course, was the thief.
Jesus went all through Israel preaching, teaching, healing and delivering. The crowds numbered thousands. They lined the streets and flocked to the wilderness to hear Him. Yet when Jesus died, rose again and came back to Israel, He revealed Himself to several hundred. Where were the thousands? Why only 120 in the upper room?
Lord Jesus was not in the business of pleasing people or trying to impress. He had no political platform, did not criticise the Roman authorities or lie down march in protest against slavery or other injustices. Lord Jesus had something far greater in mind, and that was the Kingdom of God. We see a taste of it during His life on earth. But He formed the Church, His body on earth, to finish what He started.
Previously we had a look at what the Kingdom of God is about. This post is to talk about who qualifies to serve the Lord in His Kingdom work. We must become disciples.
A disciple in Biblical times was much more than a student. The disciples followed Lord Jesus, not just what He taught. You may well have come across people who like the teachings of Jesus but do not accept who Jesus is as saviour and Lord. That is not a disciple. There is a vast difference between standing on the sidelines cheering and being a member of the team.
No one gives out prizes to spectators. The structure of the modern church does not lend itself to discipleship. It is more inclined to form people into cheer squads and observers.
Being a disciple is costly. Elite atheletes are not necessarily the most talented. They are those who listen to the coach, train according to instructions and follow the pre-match advice. Elite athletes give up much time and sacrifice a normal life in order to excel. And for what? A medal and a name in a record book? Some do make vast amounts of money, but the majority gain little reward.
How much more should Christians value discipleship. The cost may be fractured relationships, insults, giving up treasured pastimes, changin course in education or many other sacrifices. One of the hardest is to stay exactly where you are. Many of us want to move onto something more exciting. Lord Jesus simply asks us to trust and obey.
This is a process that lasts a lifetime. There will be times when we are asked to work and times when we seem to be useless. There will be times of success and times of failure. The Lord Jesus is shepherd in the dark valley as well as the green pastures. We will learn to trust Him whatever our circumstances.
For now, the church in the Western world is blessed. Pastors are not dragged off to prison for preaching the gospel. Christians can witness publicly still. Christians in many countries face intense persecution, even to death. The church in the Western world is increasingly under threat. It may not be too long before the Bible is classified as "hate speech". The cost of being a disciple is increasing.
Are you a disciple? Or a spectator? Is your own will more important than God's will? The choice is ours. If we will choose to become a disciple, Lord Jesus will ensure that we become the person that we want to be. It will not be easy, but the reward is worth it, both in this life and the next. God's grace is sufficient, whatever the challenge that lies before us.
Jesus had a great many followers. Some were curious. Some were much impressed by the miracles and blessed by what they were given. Jesus preached the joy of giving and the disciples had enough money to make it worthwhile stealing. Judas, of course, was the thief.
Jesus went all through Israel preaching, teaching, healing and delivering. The crowds numbered thousands. They lined the streets and flocked to the wilderness to hear Him. Yet when Jesus died, rose again and came back to Israel, He revealed Himself to several hundred. Where were the thousands? Why only 120 in the upper room?
Lord Jesus was not in the business of pleasing people or trying to impress. He had no political platform, did not criticise the Roman authorities or lie down march in protest against slavery or other injustices. Lord Jesus had something far greater in mind, and that was the Kingdom of God. We see a taste of it during His life on earth. But He formed the Church, His body on earth, to finish what He started.
Previously we had a look at what the Kingdom of God is about. This post is to talk about who qualifies to serve the Lord in His Kingdom work. We must become disciples.
A disciple in Biblical times was much more than a student. The disciples followed Lord Jesus, not just what He taught. You may well have come across people who like the teachings of Jesus but do not accept who Jesus is as saviour and Lord. That is not a disciple. There is a vast difference between standing on the sidelines cheering and being a member of the team.
No one gives out prizes to spectators. The structure of the modern church does not lend itself to discipleship. It is more inclined to form people into cheer squads and observers.
Being a disciple is costly. Elite atheletes are not necessarily the most talented. They are those who listen to the coach, train according to instructions and follow the pre-match advice. Elite athletes give up much time and sacrifice a normal life in order to excel. And for what? A medal and a name in a record book? Some do make vast amounts of money, but the majority gain little reward.
How much more should Christians value discipleship. The cost may be fractured relationships, insults, giving up treasured pastimes, changin course in education or many other sacrifices. One of the hardest is to stay exactly where you are. Many of us want to move onto something more exciting. Lord Jesus simply asks us to trust and obey.
This is a process that lasts a lifetime. There will be times when we are asked to work and times when we seem to be useless. There will be times of success and times of failure. The Lord Jesus is shepherd in the dark valley as well as the green pastures. We will learn to trust Him whatever our circumstances.
For now, the church in the Western world is blessed. Pastors are not dragged off to prison for preaching the gospel. Christians can witness publicly still. Christians in many countries face intense persecution, even to death. The church in the Western world is increasingly under threat. It may not be too long before the Bible is classified as "hate speech". The cost of being a disciple is increasing.
Are you a disciple? Or a spectator? Is your own will more important than God's will? The choice is ours. If we will choose to become a disciple, Lord Jesus will ensure that we become the person that we want to be. It will not be easy, but the reward is worth it, both in this life and the next. God's grace is sufficient, whatever the challenge that lies before us.
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