Discipleship (Part 3): Giving Your All for Jesus

We are in our series on discipleship, that is, what did Jesus do concerning discipleship and how did He instruct His first leaders to build His Church. Jesus commanded His leaders - then and now - to make disciples and teach people to observe all He has instructed (Mt 28:18-20). I am sorry to say, but churches who do not disciple believers are failing to do what we are ought to do. So, let's get straight into the teaching, shall we?

Discipleship (Part 3): Giving Your All for Jesus

Our main text is from Luke 14:25-35, here are verses 25-27:

Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple" (NASB).

Jesus was very popular in His day and 'large crowds' followed Him. Yet, following Jesus is not a fashion or just another hobby, it's something that involves more. The use of the verb 'hate' seems puzzling. Yet it is simeply a Semitic idiom to mean 'love less.' Matthew records the less tough Greek translation of the original Aramaic or Hebrew Jesus spoke.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (Mt 10:37 NASB).

New Testament scholar I. Howard Marshall confirms that Jesus used a Semitic idiom which means 'to love less,' and stresses the fact that it is not a 'psychological hate,' but rather the notion of 'renunciation' (Marshall, The Gospel of Luke [NIGTC]. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978, pg. 592). So, what is Jesus saying? The disciple (follower) of Jesus must have right priorities - He must come before all else. These strong words stand in no contradiction to the command 'honour your father and mother' (Ex 20:12), a command which Jesus affirmed (Lk 18:20). Rather, it simply speaks - in strong language which stresses the importance of what He is saying - that our Lord and Saviour, our God and King, must be first in all things. There's a simple way of putting it: JOY stands for, Jesus first, Others second, You last. The life of true joy is not one of utter selfishness and hedonism, but one of service and selfless love. Many non-Christians and people from other religions understand that too: selfishness doesn't pay off, and there is satisfaction in serving others and doing good things. Jesus' teaching was rather radical - if one does good deeds, others should not even know about it (Mt 6). This is very different to certain fund-raising where people brag with their big donations in front of others. Real giving is selfless and comes from a love for the people not love for self!

Carrying the cross is yet more strong terminology Jesus used to explain what discipleship - or followship - with Him meant. To carry the cross in the first century simply meant to be willing to go to one's own execution. This speaks of selfless sacrifice if necessary, just as Jesus demonstrated. In fact, greater love has no one than the one who gives his or her life for another person (cf. Jn 15:13). For Jesus, this meant dying for the ungodly and sunful (see Rom 5). The true disciple is one who does not seek his or her onw pleasure and comfort first, but seeks to serve others and live a meaningful life in service to others within God's purposes. One finds enormous fulfilment and reward in doing that. This is not to say that we shall never go on holiday or go out for lunch - such are extreme and unhealthy interpretations. In verse 33 (as elsewhere) Jesus makes clear that a disciple must be willing to give up things if they hinder our followship of Jesus. Marshall explains the following: 'To come to Jesus is the initial step in response to his call... It has to be complemented by coming after...Jesus' (592). Hence, discipleship requries total commitment. The follower of Jesus finds the true meaning and purpose in life by doing God's will, and is hence willing to forsake all others - this is what true marriage is, or should be, all about. The genuine wife or husband have no loves, forsake all others, in order to give oneself fully to one's spouse - that is true love. In the same way, the true believer has no other gods - spiritual or material - than the true God, the God of the Bible.

One of the greatest men of the 20th century said that, 'If you've got nothing worth dying for, you're got nothing worth living for.' His name was Martin Luther King jr., and if we think of his struggle for human rights and the dangers he risked, once can understand his statement. Today people commit suicide because they have nothing to live for - they have not found true meaning and purpose of in life. That is ever so sad (and my own past has witnessed several suicides in my circle of friends), but there is a genuine remedy: life with and for Jesus makes not only sense, but gives meaning, and brings satisfaction, in fact, it is one life worth giving your everything for! There are hundreds of thousands of people who give up all kinds of 'good things' in order to follow Jesus - some have been rich people who suddenly start giving away money to the poor, others have been famous actors, musicians, or sports(wo)men, who understood that living for others is more important than living for one self. Such teaching and change goes contrary to a world of increasing selfishness, but testimony after testimony shows that it truly works.

But what comes next in Jesus' discourse on discipleship is sobering: people are to count the cost (vv 28ff). In other words, it is no good starting out as a disciple and than turning back from it. Unfortunately that has happened all too often, and it is these people who are making faith in God a laughingstock - unfortunately! However, we are to look to the good examples if we really want to know what it's all about. In verse 33 Jesus sums up that willingness to give material things is a necessity in the life of followship after Jesus - one cannot hold on to things that hinder discipleship. In fact, that would be putting those things above God and it would hence become an idol (something that is more important than God). One can see from these words that discipleship is something serious. In his famous book on The Cost of Discipleship (London: Simon & Schuster, 1995 [original: SCM, 1959]), Dietrich Bonhoeffer makes things plain: 'cheap grace' is a no go. It is wrong for people to pretend to be Christians without genuine repentance and faith. It is these kind of fake Christians that make the Church and God look like fools. Bonhoeffer was a genuine disciple of Christ - and he truly paid the ultimate price! True grace is costly in that it is the hidden treasure in the field, a treasure worth more than anoything else, for which one is willing to give up everything else. It is like finding the wife or husband, and forsaking all others. Being a Christians just for the sake of God's blessings is like marrying a person for his or her money - how fake and ridicilous, isn't it?!

What follows underlines the message again: salt, a preservative and flavouring ingredient, is only good if it fulfills its function and purpose (vv 34-35). Hence, as J. Blanchard put it, 'The best thing, when not used in the right way, becomes the most loathsome.' Be it high-paid football players who under perform, employees who don't do their jobs properly, or whatever else, one has to live up to his or her function and purpose. The same is true for the disciple of Jesus. We shall not be like those who forsake Jesus when the going gets though (Jn 6:60-63, 66-69). In fact, the tough get going when the going gets tough - it is these people we can become through discipleship: remember Peter! Thr true follower of Jesus has understood that He has the words of eternal life and is the Messiah, the Saviour, and true Life!

God bless you with all you need to follow Jesus and make your life count.


Shalom,
Gordon

Discipleship (Part 2): Right Priorities

Last Sunday we had another good meeting, seeking God, praying for Ardingly, and continuing our series on discipleship. Jesus taught that God is a rich and abundant Provider, One who will gives us what we need in life if our priorities are right. In a world of crisis, not least in the financial area, God will prove Himself caring for those who love Him and live for Him wholeheartedly.

Discipleship (Part 2): Right Priorities

But seek first His [God's] Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33 [NASB])

What is the Kingdom of God? And, what are 'all these things' Jesus referred to? Well, the context will explain it. If we go back and start to read from verse 19 onwards, we'll find out. Jesus is teaching concerning right living, and here in particular when it comes to our priorities in the area of finance. In other words, where is our focus and were do we place our trust? Is it worldly riches and job securities or do we have heavenly priorities and trust in God? Storing up treasures in heaven is a way of speaking about seeking God and His purposes, and not following the selfish ways of people around us. The believer in God has a distinguished lifestyle, in that God and His will are the highest priority in life. If one contemplates on world history, the conclusion is drawn fast: human selfishness and quest for wealth and power corrupt and are the number one causes for war, injustice, and misery. Many mistakenly think that religion is the main cause for war, but that is certainly wrong. Although religion played a major role in medieval politics, it was the abuse of religion and most of all the quest for power that was the driving force behind decisions and their consequences. What is important to Jesus - who, too, by the way, spoke out against the misuse of religion - is that His followers have their priorities right and understand that religion is a matter of heart attitude with corresponding action (cf. Mt 6:1-18 where He taught on piety). It goes on as the next set of verses (vv 22-24) make clear.

This may be a vexing passage, but once Hebrew idioms are understood, it makes perfect sense. A 'bad eye' speaks of greed; a 'good eye' of generosity - these are Hebrew idioms. Proverbs 22:9 literally reads that a the one with a good eye is blessed for he has given bread to the poor. It is simply an idiom for generosity, as is already implied in several modern English translations (e.g., NASB, NIV, NET). So, if a person is generous that generosity of heart - often emphasised by Jesus - will cause 'light' - that which is good - to take effect in the whole person (the bad stuff comes from greed - and, again, world history - not to speak of modern history! - proves this beyond dispute: where there is money there is greed, and where there is greed there is corruption and injustince). The whole context of these verses further underlie the fact that Jesus speaks about money and our heart attitude towards it. One cannot be divided in this matter: we have to either serve and trust God or seek after wealth (v 24). Now, it has often been wrongly understood that Christians should be poor. We can, however, understand from Scripture that it is not wrong to be rich as long as one is not greedy and uses his or her wealth to do good things (see 1Ti 6). It is the love of money and selfish quest for riches that corrupts. The Bible is clear that hard work will be rewarded and that God blesses the righteous, even with money and riches - the difference is, they come from God and are gained in a correct manner and a right attitude (e.g., Prov 10:22; 14:23-24). So, a rich and generous person will be blessed and is, at the same time, a blessing for others - that's how it's supposed to be!

Hence, as one is generous, no worries need to accompany our daily lives. Jesus draws on illustrations from nature - the lillies and birds - to show how God is the Provider over all of His Creation. Worrying doesn't help - it never does; it fact, it makes things worse! So, stop worrying and start trusting God. The believer who seeks first God's kingdom, that is, His rule and will, and His righteousness, that is, the purity of heart with corresponding fruit (cf. vv1-18), has nothing to worry as God will richly provide (v 33). In fact, God does - of course - know that we need shelter, clothing, food, ect., and will provide all things richly (cf. Phil 4:19; 1Ti 6:17). 'All these things' does, therefore, speak of God's provision as a loving Father who knows what we need. It is here that our trust (faith) in God will keep us calm and secure, nevermind the outward circumstances. But, and the condition is crucial, it is for those who have right priorities and live for God wholeheartedly. God is a merciful Provider for all those who call on Him; He has given so much even for people who don't care for God at all (cf. Mt 5:45), so how much more for those who love Him and seek a righteous lifestyle? Nothing to fear, nothing to worry for those who have right priorities and live for God wholeheartedly.

Shalom,
Gordon

Discipleship (Part 1): Lord and Saviour

We had a good first service together on Sunday - bless you all for coming! Here are some notes from the teaching part of the service (plus additions); I hope it'll edify you! If you're not a Christian, please read the whole article even if some of the 'stuff' here seems at first unfamiliar - it will all become clear at the end. Please leave a feedback if you may. God bless you!

Discipleship (Part 1): Lord and Saviour

Before Jesus ascended to Heaven, He commissioned the remaining eleven disciples to go and 'make disciples' (Mt 28:16-20). The 'Eleven' had become apostles through the training provided by Jesus; they had been disciples (so usually referred to in the Gospels, with a few exceptions only), yet grew to be apostles in their leadership position of the Church (they are called 'apostles' in Acts). The commission is not to make 'church-goers,' nor even to simply preach the Gospel; the commission is to make disciples (a verb which, in the original Greek text, is in the imperative form, hence a command). Disciples are made in two ways: (1) by baptising believers, which is not simply the immersion into water, but a life-transformation into the image of God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit (a ritual without faith and inner experience is empty; baptism would then be a bath, nothing more). The other component in this text is that disciples are made (2) by teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded (Greek grammar: both 'baptising' and 'teaching' are participles, which form two sub-clauses and explain the main verb, 'make disciples'). It is not simply teaching some doctrine, but teaching people in such a way that they learn to live by the ways and Word of God. In a similar way Moses was to teach God's people the statutes and words of God in order for them 'to perform' them (Dt 4:1). Hence, the exhortation by James, 'be doers of the Word not hearers only,' for such deceive themselves (Jas 1:22). Why would they deceive themselves? Because they think they are living the life by simply hearing the Word of God, but are not aware of actually failing to obey. People know about forgiving others - and nod when they hear it preached - but actually don't do it when it comes to a situation that demands forgiveness. That is one reason why some non-Christians think all 'church folk' are hypocrites; well, fact is that many 'church folk' have failed, but worst of all, have failed in recognising their own mistakes without apology or change. It is only human to fail - and to 'blow it' sometimes - but as one seeks to learn and repent of one's sins and failures, God grants total forgiveness no matter what had happened (people are very seldom as forgiving...)

So, what is a 'disciple'? Dr Brad H Young, a leading scholar in the field of the Jewish background to the Gospels and the New Testament as a whole, informs us that 'Jesus' teaching techniques have deep roots in the rich soils of Jewish education and Torah training.' He explains that a 'disciple' in Hebrew is a talmid, that is, a '"learner," one who is open to change and is actively seeking to learn how to live life to its fullest potential in the kingdom of heaven' (see Meet the Rabbis: Rabbinic Thought and the Teachings of Jesus. Peabody: Hendrickson, 2007. pages 29-30). Hence, a disciple is a student or learner, one who follows a teacher or master. He or she is so by choice and trust in the master, just as a martial arts student is submitted to his or her master in order to learn and be trained with the aim of becoming like the master. As believers in Jesus Christ we are called to be followers of Him and have Him as our Lord and Teacher, not only our Saviour.

Another very important passage when it comes to discipleship is found in Luke 6. Jesus had chosen twelve of His many disciples to become apostles after a night of prayer (Lk 6:12-16), and then began to teach (vv 17ff). In verse 46 we come acorss a very striking question:

'Why do you call me, "Lord, Lord," and do not what I say?'

In other words, why would you call your superior at work 'Boss' but constantly do your own thing? If you were a hairdresser, why would you call your boss 'Boss' and then colour someone's hair blue when he told you to colour it blonde? If you're a surgeon, why would you operate on someone's leg if the arm needs 'fixing'? It's simply: calling Jesus 'Lord' without obedience is a contradiction in itself. Calling one self a Christian without seeking to obey God's Word is a no-go. Jesus explains why in the following illustration - which is, to be sure, not simply a nice Sunday-school story...: there are two kinds of hearers: (1) there are those who hear the words and do them, and (2) there are those who hear but don't obey (vv 47ff). Both hear, but only one group obeys - and that is the crucial difference! The obedient is building his life on a solid foundation - obeying God's Word through Jesus - while the other is building on sand; storms come to both, but only one survives. This illustration hits home: we all know that life has its many storms (i.e., the economy is not always stable, jobs not always secure, investments are at risk, etc), and sometimes it hits people very hard. The question is, What solution do we have for these situations? How can we handle them without 'going to the dogs' ourselves? The Bible guarantees a blessed life despite life's storms. That doesn't not mean that Christians will never face trouble - the opposite is true; in fact, persecution, hardships, etc is part of the true Christian life. The crucial difference, however, is that the obedient followers of Jesus will always have hope that will carry them through mentally and emotionally, they will always know that God is still in control and makes all things work together for good, and they will always be able to trust God even if they don't fully understand all of life's mysteries. It is better to suffer temporarily with trust in God, then to suffer without any hope. Troubles and hardship for God's people are temporary, while people without God's protection often suffer irrepairable loss and damage - it is ever so sad to learn of such cases, but the world ain't a Sunday pick-nick. There are bad people who mean harm; there is a devil who seeks to harm people for no reason. Yet Scripture makes clear that God has always a way out of trouble. Think of Daniel's friends in the furnace of fire: God didn't save them from the fire, He saved them in it. Even God's Son Jesus had to suffer the crucifixion, but that was not 'the last word'; no, the resurrection was, and with it perfect salvation for whoever believes in the Messiah of God was made available.

It is, however, very clear, that Jesus must be both Lord and Saviour, not Saviour only. A person doesn't become a Christian by attending church, just as working in a car factory doesn't make one into a car. Each individual must find his or her personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Through that relationship with God one will discover that religion is not a burden but a joy and relief. It is amazing how God can transform a life and make something beautiful out of something ugly. Just think of a butterfly - and what it was before! My life has been like that: I was depressed, frustrated, and despair in a life without God despite growing up in one of the richest countries in the world. In fact, Switerland has one of the highest suicide rates in the world (so does Australia). Isn't that surprising? You see, there is more to life than what money can buy. True deep and inner peace comes only through peace with God through Jesus Christ; in fact, Jesus is our peace (Eph 2:14; cf. Ro 5:1ff). He is the One who can reconcile us with God and with ourself. As many teenagers (but also adults), I didn't like myself too much, until I came to understand that God created me and loved me - that knowledge changed my life in a tremenduous way. I don't have to look like Brad Pitt or Johnny Depp in order to be confident; I don't have to have millions of pounds in order to be happy; I don't need to be the centre of attention at all parties and weddings in order to feel important and special. No, God has made each person a unique, special, and precious individual. All negative self-image disappears once a person discovers the unique, personal, and deep love of God. All searching for the meaning of life comes to an end once meaning and purpose is found in God. In fact, God so loved human beings that He gave His Son to die for our sins - it was the only way to reconcile us with Him on that intimate level. It is the love of God that makes people realize that a life of obedience is truly meaningful, purposeful, and satisfying. We do no longer need to sing, 'I can't get no satisfaction,' as it is found in the peace and love of God through Jesus Christ.

Shalom,
Gordon

Induction Service of New Minister

Dear All,

it has been a lovely afternoon in beautiful but rainy Ardingly for our induction to the ministry at Ardingly Congregational Church. We'd like to extend our warmest thanks to everyone who came and all those who worked so hard for it - well done! Special thanks to the leaders and church members of Southwick Christian Community Church, as well as John and Sally Crutchley (John is the vicar at Ardingly's Anglican Church), Mark Evans (Congregational Federation), and Alistair Scott (Pastor in Oxted). It was lovely to see ministers and believers from different churches come together in support of our tiny work which we seek to extend in the years to come. 'Two are better than one,' the Scriptures teach us (Eccl 4:9), so working together with a fine attitude of mutual respect despite our uniquenesses and differences will make the impact of the Church much stronger.

Just this week I was speaking to a nice lady, who is a kindergarden teacher, about the loss of values in our society today which is the main reason why things have been deteriorating so much in recent years. To teach children, the youth, and even adults decent values for a healthy community is but one of many important reasons why the Church and its biblical values are so crucial in society and its influence must regain strength unless we want things to become worse. During the Welsh Revival in the early 1900s, alcoholism and crime has virtually been extinguished due to people turning to God and embracing His ways of living which proved to be such a blessing for people: fathers would spend their money on their families rather than wasting it all on drinking and gambling - now that is something worth pursuing!

God wants His Church to be a blessing and positive influence for all people and peoples, and that is exactly what Ardingly Congregational Church is all about. Vicar John Cruchtley's fine affirmation of partnership in the village for God's purposes has been a tremenduous encouragement for my wife and me today, and we are very much looking forward to seeing its fulfillment - thank you, John and Sally! May the good Lord bless your labour and sacrifice.

So, we're happy to be here and are looking forward to fulfilling our part in God's plans for this village and area. May the love and truth of God penetrate our lives, families, villages, and nation!


Shalom,
Gordon & Family