Category: Discipleship

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More Instructions

Titus 2 The life of a minister of the gospel means he must be a teacher of all. Paul knew that because Titus was young, he needed wisdom for each group in his flock and so he spent much time explaining what he has learned from experience. Each group of his parishioners look to him for wise counsel for the church and the home. We see this even today for our churches are multi-generational. The pastor must live a holy life as an example and then teach with wisdom. 

And lastly Paul tells Titus to not let anyone look down on him because of his youth. To do that, Titus must be a man of integrity and a man of prayer. This is wise counsel for even today we have many who are coming into the role of pastor and yet are young. Pray for your pastor! 

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Be ready! Be prepared!

2 Timothy 4 Trainer Mode

We have been trained to be prepared for any disaster that might come our way but do we follow those rules? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. Our emotions often take over and we forget what we have learned. Paul is in his teachable moment with Timothy who will be leading the church in his absence. He wisely prepares Timothy for his role that he might be used of God for the kingdom’s purpose. Like Paul, Timothy is charged to equip the church in four distinct ways. 

First there is no rest for the weary. You must be available in every season of life. Problems do not come with a date and time of the month, but often surface when you least expect them. So you must be prepared as he told him, so that he is a workman who is proven wise. 

Secondly, he has to have his tool belt on so he is ready to instruct the church in four areas. He is to teach them the all things about the gospel and the discipleship.  He is to reprove and correct anything that is wrong scripturally. He is to be in trainer mode 24/7. 

Whether you in the leadership model or just a listener, heed these same steps so that God will be pleased to say: well done, thou good and faithful servant. 

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True Contentment

1 Timothy 6 We live in a materialistic society. We are bombarded with ads for this and that supposedly because we need it to be contented. But, if you read history and the biographies of rich men, you will find that they were not contented. Rockefeller when asked what would make him contented, he answered, one more dime, one more dollar. Is that you my reader friend? Jesus reminded the people and his disciples that just one thing is not what God wants. He wants us to be contented in what He has given to us. In fact Paul reminds us “Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.”[1 Tim 6:17]

Many a man has acquired wealth only to see it disappear just as it did in the Great Depression. Or how about the wealthy who were on the Titanic and died having no gold or riches to save them?  Seek ye first the kingdom of God and He will provide all we need at the moment. That is true contentment. 

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Multi-generational relationships

1 Timothy 5 As in the time of Timothy, so today we have multi generational groups which require wisdom and patience. Paul’s wisdom to Timothy is to be wise in word and deed to those who are older, yet sometimes can be challenging to the young. Proverbs reminds us that gray heads, as my granddaughter calls them, have wisdom from their many years that they have walked through trials and blessings. Listen to them, glean words of wisdom and truth. Be grateful for their years of toil and trouble for their words come from a pure heart and a steadfast love. 

Paul reminds Timothy how he is to respond in wisdom. Do not rebuke an older gentleman but appeal to him that both of you may learn to be wise. My mother was a widow for many years, and we gave up our home to go and take care of her and now my son and daughter in law are caring for her mother. It is sweet to see that love relationship and patience which they now do as an example for their daughter. 

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Are you Fruitful?

Acts 19 In 1 Chron there is a story about a man named Jabez who prayed for God to enlarge his borders. Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only you would greatly bless me and expand my territory. May your hand be with me.”]1Chron 4:10]

In some ways that is what Paul must have prayed often. He wanted to share Christ as he traveled and along the way he met some who knew about salvation but had not experienced the power and presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

In Ephesus he met 12 men just like that. They had repented and been baptized but had for some reason had not yet been filled with the Holy Spirit. Could this describe you? How do you know if you are like these men? Paul wrote to the Galatians later that the fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit will be seen in our lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.[ Gal 5:22]

Today check yourself and see if these fruits are in your life, repent if they are not and seek the indwelling power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

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Discipleship

Go and share the gospel

Acts18 Always as I read this chapter, I am touched by the gift that Apollos brought to others. Dr. Luke writes: When he arrived, he assisted greatly those who had believed by grace.  [Acts 18:27] Did he have a Bible study? Did he pray with them? What did Apollos do that assisted these believers? Further, what does that challenge us to do? We too are to assist believers: that is discipleship!  

Apollos sought to take time to not only travel but to stay where help was needed but he went with the blessing of the church in Corinth. David Guzik writes: Apollos went to Corinth to water what Paul had planted.“ Today do we do the same? Do we seek to encourage, teach, disciple others whom God has seen fit to redeem? Do we take time to speak to others about Christ and how to grow in their faith? 

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Why are we surprised?

Luke 19 When God tells us something is going to happen or He gives us directions to do this and so, why are we surprised when it actually happens? Jesus told the disciples to go into the city and find a colt tied. He said untie it and bring it to me. Just as He said, the bystanders asked the reason they were untying it. As Jesus had directed, so they said, “He needs it.” End of story! We can’t be a fly on the wall but we can imagine the discussion as they wandered back through the city streets to where Jesus was. It is things like this that cause us to stop and wonder, what has God told me to do step by step. Have I been as obedient as these disciples had been without question or do I question the reasons? One thing is true: any partial obedience is still disobedience and total obedience is blessed by the Lord. 

 Stop and ponder your day. Were you totally obedient or only partially obedient? He said to go and make disciples. How are we doing with that command?  He said to love our enemies. How are we doing that? He said to forgive; how are we doing that? What would be the grade He would give us this day? 

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The Work has just begun…

In the darkness look up..

In Acts 28, we find that God may have allowed the loss of the cargo, but He preserved the precious souls just as Paul had said to those accompanying him: “Do not be afraid, Paul! God has graciously granted you the safety of all who are sailing with you.”

On the island of Malta, Paul became a servant to show the gospel in living color! Paul served by picking up sticks to add to the bonfire. Paul had learned well, “The greatest among you will be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” [Matt 23]

God does the same for us today, using ordinary people to carry out His divinely appointed plans. As we close the pages of this marvelous historical record, we are left with this thought: The Work has just begun— and “that until the fulfillment of the angels’ prophecy that ‘this same Jesus’ shall return even as He went away, the Work of evangelization for this age will not be completed. We are to heed the Word—’ Occupy till I come.’ [Ironside]

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A Role Model

Are you bold or fearful

Acts 18 Description of Apollos
Character studies help us to learn how to interact with others. Apollos is an excellent example of someone who was fearless when he talked about Jesus. He listened carefully to Priscilla and Aquila and had a teachable spirit, for he did not know the whole story about Jesus and His resurrection. Later in his travels and visiting different cities and synagogues, Dr. Luke describes his presentation as refuting vigorously in public debate using the scriptures. What a great example of how to witness to unbelievers!

Each person we have met on our journey through Acts has defended Christ and His life using the scriptures. They are our role models for presentations. How much of the scriptures do we know?

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Doomsayers Depart!

Amos 6-9 Do you say, but I am only x, y, z? Do you not think that if God can use a sheepherder, He can use you? Or do you listen to the doomsayers who say, leave us; take your message to other people? Amos faced such backlash in Israel, which was not his home country. King Jeroboam’s priest of Bethel, Amaziah, told the king that Amos, a foreigner, was conspiring against him. Amos heard Amaziah say: “no longer prophesy at Bethel, for it is the sanctuary of the king and a royal residence.” [Amos 7:13]

Life then and life today are very much the same. We are living and moving in a growing culture of intolerance, no-platforming, safe spaces, just like Amos. Many do not want to hear the good news of the gospel. Will we be strong like Amos and reply that God has called us to tell you His good news that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life? [Jn 14:6] Choose ye today whom you will serve. [Jos 24:15]

Or is His word like a burning fire shut up in our weary bones that must be released like Jeremiah said? Is God’s Word like an unquenchable fire in your bosom?   

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