disciple Archives – Sonshine's Journal

July 6, 2016

Discipling 101: Come and See

john 4 ron sumners well2 Jesus gave us a mandate: “GO and MAKE Disciples.” To teach us what he meant and the “how to” He went to the little town in Samaria and there he shared Himself as “Living Water.” He met made a new disciple; simply known as the Woman at the Well. She not only became a disciple but she began the discipling process by telling others about her experience with Christ. She told the villagers “come and see….”

Listen to the villager’s words after she shared the change in her life: “No longer do we believe because of your words, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this one really is the Savior of the world.” And that is what a discipler is to do today as they meet new people who are unchurched or churched but do not know. She was the presenter of the words of life but they made a decision for themselves.

Don’t you wonder what happened after Jesus stayed there for three days? Where did the words of life go as they and other disciples of Christ shared their life altering experiences that came to them as they accepted Christ as their personal savior? They were sent around the world and you and I are the recipients. Jesus said “blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness” and that is the premise where we must begin. We are the “now” generation to go and tell, to say “come and see…” in order that we may be fulfilling the “go and make disciples” command.

As you begin with your new disciple you must, as Matthew recorded; have a hunger and a thirst for God’s Word just as Jeremiah. “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;” As we begin our journey with a new disciple we first say: “Come and See.” He told me everything I ever did. We want our new disciple to come and see the Christ and from there to plant a hunger in the hearts of those to whom we are sent. Our prayer and our desire is that they too find God’s Word a joy and a delight.

The how to is simple but must be determined by you. Next time we will discuss training the disciple One2One.

Photo Credit: Ron Sumners/Dreamstime.com

May 10, 2015

Edification of the Believer

One of the most pleasing of attributes of the believer is how he/she edifies others. Upon receipt of the news that the Thessalonians had weathered the storms of the Judaizers attempts to thwart their new faith in Christ, Paul blessed the Lord and blessed these new believers for their steadfastness. They had become model believers for the entire region. Taking a step out of our comfort zone often is difficult but it reaps huge rewards whether we find ourselves in a hostile or peaceful environment. Their work of faith, their labor of love and their endurance of hope was their mark of being a new believer and so it should be of us. We can know that we ‘shine light or cast a shadow on God; we can be a path or an obstacle’ to others who are seeking. [Prof H. Hearon]

It is because of this that Paul reminds these precious Thessalonians how he modeled the Christ-like life before them “exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God…” This is how a mature disciple disciples a new believer in Christ. Paul now encourages these new babes in Christ to be as he said to the Corinthians “be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” [1Cor 15] and to the Ephesians “be imitators of God.” As we follow these admonitions we are edifying one another in the body and outside the body.

Today may we be models of edification for those in the faith so as to build them up as they walk and talk.

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March 1, 2014

Acts 21 “Support or Dissuade?”

We are often reminded of this wise counsel of “A person plans his course, but the Lord directs his steps.” [Prov] But along with this God often, but not always, brings others alongside us to give us moral support, when we seek to do God’s will and His work. God also often through the still small voice reveals what may lay ahead for the choices we make. As we re-read Acts 9 Christ spoke to Ananias about Paul’s life ahead: “this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” If God should ordain that you suffer are you as willing to drink that cup as Paul? If truth be known we shy away from this and forget the principle of Luk 14:28 “counting the cost…?”

As we have been reading the journeys of Paul we can see that he in fact counted the cost and was willingly ready to face the words “you will suffer.” As he taught new believers and prepared to re-enter Jerusalem did the words of Jesus to his disciples in Matt 20 come to be his daily reminder of Jesus’ suffering? Is this why he could like Christ say: I am “compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem without knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit warns me in town after town that imprisonment and persecutions are waiting for me.” In Acts 21 Paul hears from precious believers not to set foot in Jerusalem and again the prophet Agabus came to see Paul and role played this scene: “he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it, and said, “The Holy Spirit says this: ‘This is the way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will hand him over to the Gentiles.”

Had you been in the hearing of all of these words what might have been your reaction and what would you have counseled Paul? The people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. To that Paul responds: “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” Hundreds of years later William Carey heard much the same: “When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or ours” and yet he resolutely and steadfastly set his heart to go forward. The reason both men were able to face those who would seek to dissuade them was because of their life’s choice: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” [Phil 3]

Beloved, perhaps the Lord has touched your heart and called you to ministry or some avenue in which you need to count the cost. Parents, friends and sometimes even Pastors counsel you to “count the cost” and even seek to dissuade you from this course of action just as the early believers did for Paul and later, William Carey, missionary to India. “The world seems to offer two kinds of support: “Wait ’til you get out in that cold, cruel world. It’s rough!” And those who exude a contagious, confident “Bon voyage!” [Neal Pirolo] When you know that the Holy Spirit is directing your steps do you trust HIM or listen to those who are giving you counsel that is opposite to that?

February 10, 2014

Acts 7 “I Surrender All”

The hymn “I Surrender All” is a testimony of one, who in obedience to the Holy Spirit, discovered that when we yield, God opens the fount of blessing that had been hidden in the cleft of the rock but shielded from view by our faltering steps. When God calls you to His side, one of the first things he does is ask you to step out in obedience to Him and then provides a test to see if we are worthy to be called his disciple. He calls you just as he did Abraham, Joseph, and Moses which was the text of Stephen’s message before the religious council. All of these biblical heroes of the faith stepped out in faith and yet each was tested that they might be found pure and holy in His sight. Where is God testing you at this moment in time? In what area has he called you to be a part of his work and you have yet to totally surrender?

The fruit does not fall far from the tree is an old saying that reflects the truth that even though we deny it, we more often than not are mimicking the examples of our forefathers and this was true of the religious leaders. Three false charges leads to one message: you are unbelieving rejecting Israelites just as of old. These religious leaders had the Promised Messiah in their very midst “Jesus the Nazarene, a man clearly attested to you by God with powerful deeds, wonders, and miraculous signs that God performed among you through him, just as you yourselves know –“ [Acts]. With great power and miracles before their eyes still the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus and asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He rightly answered “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.”

After the death of Jesus, three times now these religious leaders have had the extended hand of mercy from God as they have witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of which they had not received, through the healing of the lame man and the power of the Word in Peter and John and now in Stephen. This will be God’s extended hand of mercy yet again as anointed Stephen revealed their true uncircumcised heart and ears as they continued to resist the Holy Spirit just as their ancestors did.

Beloved, when God presents opportunities to be His witness are we as anointed, prepared and courageous as Stephen? Are we ready to be a martyr for Jesus? But even more importantly, when and if we are called to stand for Christ are we not only willing but able to say: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!”?

Beloved, are you totally surrendered to Jesus?

November 9, 2013

Jesus is the True Manna

How often do I fail to realize that Jesus is the Always Abundant Bread of Life? As I was reading John 6 I once again saw how he, the Apostle John, continues to provide opportunities for my eyes to be opened and for me to see the Living Water and the Healer of all diseases! Thus in John’s loving way as the beloved disciple asks me to join him on a mountainside to witness the Bread of Life reveal himself as the true manna from heaven, the Jehovah Jireh. Come with me on a mountainside picnic and then decide: is today’s manna enough or have you and I chosen to feed upon him: The Bread of Life?

5000 come to hear the Master speak. There is a problem and the disciples have a solution. The problem as seen through Matthew, Mark and Luke’s perspective—send the crowds home. “This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” And now John’s perspective. Jesus asks Philip for a solution as he was testing him. Philip comes up sorrowfully wanting. “We don’t have enough money to purchase the food; you can’t expect us to use all of our resources which are not nearly enough even for us, do you?” But, then there is Andrew, the one who is always seeking people. [Of all the apostles this one is dearest to my heart, always finding others to bring to Jesus…would that I be more like him!] Andrew finds a little boy and brings him to Jesus. Does he expect Jesus to multiply? If he does, Jesus will not fail. He will be the provider of the “manna.” How often am I like the disciples and especially Philip? I only see the problem but not the God solution before me even though I have seen and seen and seen His provision in other circumstances. I find that more often than I would like to admit. I say to myself, oh but this one is different, it is not just one person but 5000! My neighborhood is full of homes with adults and children and my house is small. How can I feed them all? How can I minister to “them”? Sometimes I am like the queen that said “let them eat cake.” That is when Jehovah Jireh, Our Provider steps into action that I may learn; “I AM” is in my presence and He desires to provide and will provide that I may know God has the answer to my problems and that I can reach out beyond knowing that God will provide and He will be glorified.

From here on John reveals even more about Jesus.

Vs 25-40 I am the Bread of Life,
I will provide that you may not hunger or thirst,
I have come from heaven do God’s will,
I will raise up those who believe,
I will give them eternal life.

But, it is then that Jesus also challenges me . If you feed upon me you will never hunger for my manna is not like the manna that was gathered once a day but I will continue to feed you over and over and over and over. My manna never will grow stale or my water will never dry up.

*****If you fail to feed on me you will die in your sins.***

What am I feeding upon– Do I only see with my physical eyes only or do I see with my spiritual eyes the Jehovah Jireh that will provide an ongoing supply for my needs? Will I trust Him to do that?

PS Philip “got it” and probably never forgot this remarkable scene. For you readers take a trip down memory lane and read Acts 8 and see how Philip changed from selfishness to gratitude; to not trusting to totally trusting in the Jehovah Jireh.