Bethel Lutheran Church Auburn, MA

A Word from Pastor Ed Voosen

“A DISCIPLE’S TOP TEN LIST”.

1 Peter 4:1-6:

          ¹ Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), ² so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. ³ You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. ⁵ But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. (1 Peter 4:1-6) .NRSV

 

        As Bethel enters a time of Church growth and repair we should also think about our own spiritual growth and (sometimes) repair! There are Ten things in which every serious Christian should engage regularly. These ten factors are essential components to a person’s spiritual growth and health.

        Before looking at these ten you should note that there are several levels of what might be called a “SPIRITUAL SCALE”.

  First: There is the person who really doesn’t have much interest in church or spiritual matters. They’re not bad people, they’re just far from God at this point in their life.

Second: There is the seeker. This is where many folks are today - asking questions about God and the Bible. They’re not sure about their beliefs, but are on a spiritual quest.

Third: The new believers. These are people who are just learning what it means to be a Christian. They have just realized that believing that Jesus died on the cross for the atonement of sin is the only certain way to heaven. Hopefully, these new believers will continue to move forward and grow as Christians.

Fourth and final: The fully devoted follower of Christ. This person is committed to the cause of Christ. They try to live their daily lives in such a way as to reflect the image of Christ. They study their Bible and are always looking for the opportunity to share their faith with those who need it most.

        Becoming a disciple of Christ is a changing process. It can take time to develop the priorities that will help you in your journey. So, here are ten things for which serious disciples of Christ must take time.

1. MAKE TIME DAILY TO BE ALONE WITH GOD

        We are all familiar with the concept of setting and keeping appointments, right? Why not set up a daily appointment with God? Pick a time when it’s quiet and you can be alone to spend time with God; it may be early in the morning or the last thing at night. You may find at times you only have 5 minutes; it doesn’t matter. Just find a time when it can be you and God, everyday.

        You may be wondering, “Okay, I’ve set the time. Now what do I do?” I’ll tell you. You can read the Bible, so that God can speak to you. And you can pray, so you can speak to God. Seek God’s guidance for important decisions you’re facing.

        This fundamental spiritual discipline of spending time alone with God has been a part of the life of growing disciples for the past 2000 years.

2. THE PRACTICE OF ASSEMBLY

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)

        God wants us to spend time with Him personally, but it is also important to get together with other believers who want to grow in their faith. Now this one’s really simple. You get in the car and get yourself to church where others are gathering in the name of God for the purpose of spiritual growth. Being in fellowship with other believers on a regular basis will have a significant influence on your spiritual development.

        Don’t worry about the weather. Don’t check what’s on TV. Don’t worry about your biorhythms. Just get to the church to worship!!

3. GET INPUT FROM THE BIBLE

        If you want to grow spiritually you will need to devote yourself to learning and applying the teachings of God’s Word. To do this, it will require spending time reading your Bible. You can also read Christian books, listen to teaching tapes and worship CD’s. All of these activities can enrich your Christian life.

        Living in the secular society that we do, we are constantly bombarded with non-Christian influences from newspapers, magazines, movies, music and TV, telling us to “look like this, go there, buy this, do all these things and you will be happy, we guarantee—or your money back!

        To counter the onslaught of such influences you better have some habits that will regularly reinforce your decision to live a Christian life.

4. FAMILY

        Your own family can be one of the most important places for believer to put their Christianity into action.

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)

Whether you are single or married, with children or without, you have a family. And none of us have perfect families, but all of us can do the best we know how to make our family one of our main priorities. It’s scriptural.

5. BAPTISM AND COMMUNION

        While Jesus was here on earth, he established two “sacraments”. The first is Baptism, where God graciously receives us into the family of God.

        The second is Communion. As you know, on the night that Jesus was arrested, he met with his disciples and together they ate a Last Supper of unleavened bread and wine. Jesus broke the bread and told them, “This is my body that is being broken for you.” He lifted the chalice of wine and said, “This is my blood which is poured out for the sins of the world.” And then he told his followers “Do this in remembrance of me for the forgiveness of sins.”

        The bread and the wine are Christ’s real presence among us. Personally we receive our Lord as he comes to us through this meal of mystery. As we receive Christ we are reminded of the salvation won for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Taking part in communion is a central part of worship. It’s more than just a ritual; it connects us with Christ in a special way.

6. COMMUNITY WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

        When Jesus was here on earth proclaiming the miracle of the Kingdom of God, he described it two ways … He said the first part of the miracle of the Kingdom of God is, you can be saved from the consequences of your sins and someday have eternal life in heaven. The second part of the miracle of the Kingdom of God is, you can experience a measure of the Kingdom of heaven right here, right now, when you enter into life in community with other believers.

        I would say that many turn to Christ as a ticket to heaven. Not that we’ve lived perfect lives and deserve heaven, but we’re trusting in the promise of what Christ did for us on the cross as our ticket into heaven.

        I would also say that many have never experienced the second part of the miracle of the Kingdom of heaven—the true Biblical Community. To experience the first part, Salvation, that’s our guarantee after the grave, but to experience the second part, to community with other believers, that’s a reward we can experience now. All we have to do is participate.

        True community is much more than just saying “hi” to each other at church and then going home. True community is believers gathering together regularly to do two things: study the Bible and provide mutual care for one another.

I know you’re busy, that’s why you must think through your list of priorities, and if you believe God wants these things to be important to you, then adjust your time accordingly.

7. MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST

            I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.. (Romans 12:1-2)

            Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were enticed and led astray to idols that could not speak. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Let Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.. (1 Corinthians 12:1-3)

            Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. 3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. 5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does. (1 Peter 4:1-6)

 

      These passages and many others like them state, unmistakably, that God’s plan is NOT that only a handful of “special” people undertake the task of spreading the Gospel, helping the poor, serving others, teaching, giving, doing whatever it takes to fulfill Christ’s work in this world.

        The Scriptures make it clear that every Christian has been entrusted with certain God-given talents, gifts, resources, and abilities to use to serve God and others. This is just something a serious disciple does.

        Many of you do exactly that. THANKS BE TO GOD! This church was built on the efforts of all the remarkable volunteers who have embraced God’s call to serve. You regularly use your God-given talents to glorify him. And I highly commend you. It never ceases to amaze me, how much love and effort you pour into our community here. Thank you.

8. PERSONAL REPLENISHMENT

        You may think that sounds a little odd, but a serious disciple must take time to rejuvenate. We need to do things just for relaxation and fun. Even Jesus took time to rest and rejuvenate himself. If you don’t do this, you will either burnout or become a joyless, crabby Christian. Now that, is not a pretty picture.

        Stop and ask yourself what types of things replenish you. What things refresh your spirit? For some, it’s playing golf, fishing, cooking, dancing, shopping, traveling, reading, sewing --- Think about it. Find your source of renewal. And do it.

9. REFLECT ON THE SABBATH

        In the Old Testament God commanded his people to set aside one day of the week for the Sabbath. On that day they were not to work, but instead go to the Synagogue and worship.

        What I mean by “Sabbath Reflection” is to take time occasionally to do a personal spiritual inventory. Twice a year it would be good to schedule a “Sabbath Reflection.” This will helps you stay on track by thinking through your goals and then to restructure your life in such a way as to help you live out those goals.

10. REACH OUT TO OTHERS

        A disciple makes the time and effort to reach out to people who are far from God. Many Christians today fall prey to what might be called “the holy huddle syndrome.”

        The holy huddle is when, after being believers for a number of years, they spend virtually all of their time only with other believers! Entire churches do it. Catering only to believers and excluding anyone who is not a member. This can have very serious consequences. A dying church comes first to mind for me.

        If you read the book of Acts, and most of the New Testament, you’ll discover the first-century disciples were caught up in the vision of reaching out to people who needed God … meaning … those who did not know God. This is our calling today and we must keep it central in our thinking!

          As we move into the challenges of Church growth let us take to heart the  Disciple’s Top Ten List …

                             1.  Spend time alone with God

                                                 2. The Practice of Assembly

                                                 3. Regular Bible Intake

                                                 4. Family

                                                 5. Baptism and Communion

                                                 6. Community With Believers

 7.  Make a Difference for the Cause of Christ           

 8. Personal Replenishment

 9. Sabbath Reflection

10. Reaching Out to Others

These are the things that disciples do!          

 

 

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