03.13.11 Disciple

Are we disciples or (facebook-esque) fans of Jesus?

It takes 10,000 hours of doing something to become an expert at it. Even 4 hours of church/week, it would takes us 42 years to become "experts." Even then, how much is spent DOING the work of God?

Jesus spent most of his time outside the 4 walls of the church/synagogue and spent 90% outside reaching the "lost."

Are we learning the ways of Jesus to repeat them AND do greater works?

Jesus did radical things. Our love, courage, generosity, sympathy etc should be so radical it is almost unbelievable.

Jesus did radical things....FIRST. He goes before us when we do these things in His name.

3.20 Update Ad for polar exploration in early 1900s: "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Low wages, bitter cold, long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in event of success."

Much like the picture Jesus paints in His actual life, His words and the lives of the disciples described in the Bible.

Not about the money (Luke 18:22).

Have we created this Jesus that doesn't ask for much? Popular Jesus doesn't ask us to risk our lives. He doesn't ask us to leave our jobs, families, current way of living.

(accidentally removed 3.27 update :€ )

4.10 update After Jesus fasted and began His ministry, He began forming a team. Christianity is a TEAM SPORT.

3 reasons for a team

•The team has your back. True Christianity lived the way Jesus and the disciples did is dangerous.

• The team shares the work and responsibility of the ministry. Opens up the availability of resources and talents.

• The team is more unstoppable than an individual. In Luke 4, what would have happened if they pushed Jesus off the cliff? After, Jesus's death the gospel continued because the team was still there. It did not stop with the death of one person.

4.17 Luke 5 After Jesus forms his team, he begins touching the untouchable: a leper, a paralytic and a tax collector.

As we begin to truly follow Jesus, who are the "untouchables" around us?

Are we willing to touch them in order to change their lives forever?

There are a lot of ways to lead broken people out of their terrible circumstances. But, FIRST we have to touch them.

Regardless if we are confident that it will work or not. Or whether our not we know if it is God's will. Don't let fear of failure keep us from even trying to touch those people. We may fail - we will fail. But, GOD NEVER FAILS. Anything is possible with God. You never know what encounter with God they could have through our willingness to be available to the untouchable.

We may be the ones that directly (through the power of the Holy Spirit) lays the hands on them. Or, we may be the ones like in Luke 5:18-23 that simply care enough to bring them to Jesus.

Next, Jesus chooses the most hated man to be one of his right hand men. Luke 5:30

V. 32 Jesus didn't seek out the people who have it all together, neither should we. Truth be told we don't really have it together outside of Jesus. Let's bring broken people to the only One who can heal.

Created about 1 year ago