“WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP?”
Read Luke 14:25-35
“Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill. Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the areas of these pests. Please pave the trails…Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them. The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.”
These comments and complaints indicate that the people who made them do not really understand what it means to stay in a "wilderness area." They were looking for something convenient and comfortable, but not truly a wilderness experience. In a similar way, many people today do not understand what it means to be a genuine Christian. There are multitudes that often follow Jesus or claim to be a Christian but they do so on their terms and not his. They do not truly comprehend the biblical definition of discipleship. Because of this ignorance there are many who consider themselves to be followers of Jesus who are not, even though in many ways they do look like followers of Jesus. They go to church, have a profession of faith, read their Bibles, pray, even give in the offering, but they are not the real deal or at least are not living and thinking like the real deal. Jesus confronts this problem in the text mentioned at the start of this article. He makes it very clear what it means to be a Christian.
Lets take a look at how Jesus defined discipleship. A disciple is a true follower of Jesus Christ. In other words, what we would call a "Christian." If you are a Christian, you are a disciple; if you are not a disciple as Jesus defines it then you are not a Christian. These two terms (Disciple and Christian) mean the same thing in the same way that I mean that the same thing when I speak of my "spouse" or my "wife." In fact the term "disciples" occurs 269 times in the New Testament, while the term "Christian" only occurs three times. In the Book of Acts we’re told that "The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26)." This makes clear that the terms are interchangeable. I wanted this to be clear because I believe it clarifies the seriousness of what Jesus was saying. For instance, Jesus words in verse 27, "Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" could also be phrased as "Anybody who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be a Christian." That phrasing somehow gets our attention more and clarifies the seriousness of the issue or subject Jesus is teaching.
Our “Angles in Action” ministry is about discipleship. In the next few articles, we will explore what is means to be a disciple, an Angle in Action! To be a disciple of Jesus you must first be committed to him above everything else.
Have a Blessed Advent as we prepare for the coming of Christ again into our Hearts at Christmas.
MANAGING GOD'S GIFTS
God has given this church many gifts and as I have said many times and believe with all my heart, everything we have comes from God. These gifts include - an active congregation with many people who make themselves available to do what needs to be done, good employees, and a beautiful building to worship in. It is through your commitment to God that these things are able to continue.
Through giving of our time, talents, and financial support we offer ourselves in service and devotion to God. Our church is an extension of what we believe. Through the managing of our gifts we are able to carry out programs, help those in need, and plan for the continuation of our ministry. All of this takes planning and self discipline and can sometimes be challenging, but it is through faith and thanksgiving that we remain strong in fulfilling our mission to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to nurture our spirit.
