Archive for the ‘discipleship’ Category

Endurance

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Something I have struggled with all my life. Ever since I was a kid I knew that whenever things got tough, I could always quit. I retired multiple times from the youth soccer league.

Even now, when things are tough, I take a break. When things are not going my way, I take a break. What is it that God desires of me?

This is an excerpt from an article describing the roots of endurance is Spiritual. Maybe I had it all wrong. Endurance is not just a physical or emotional, but needs the focus on the Spirit of God.

Christians recognize that this is impossible, even with inspiring examples to point the way. The endurance needed to accomplish these tasks is supernatural in origin–it happens only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Powerful Spiritual Weapons to Battle the Forces Attacking Young Adults

The emerging generation needs to understand that endurance is not rooted in a compelling vision/mission statement, or a well-defined goal, or a spiffy resume, or flawless communication skills. All of these things have merit, but aimlessness is first and foremost a spiritual problem, not a logistical problem.

Christians must clearly understand what John Piper articulates in The Roots of Endurance:

Our fight and our race and endurance is a radically God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-dependent, promise-supported life. It is not a ‘just do it’ ethic. It is not a moral self-improvement program…. It is a deeply cross-embracing life that knows the Christ of the Bible as the Son of God who was crucified first as our substitute and then as our model of endurance. (p. 29)

If you’re concerned about those who are having a hard time getting a sense of direction, consider engaging spiritually on their behalf through prayer, as the Apostle Paul did for his disciples:

- Pray that the Holy Spirit will help them in their weakness (Romans 8:26, Ephesians 3:16)
- Pray that they will not do what is wrong, but will do what is right (2 Corinthians 13:7)
- Pray that the eyes of their heart will be enlightened (Ephesians 1:18)
- Pray a prayer of thanksgiving for them (2 Timothy 1:3)
- Pray that they may increase in knowledge and depth of insight (Philippians 1:9, Colossians 1:9)
- Pray that they will be able to avoid anxiety but turn their concerns over to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6)
- Pray that they will live a life worthy of the calling they have received (Ephesians 4:1)
- Pray that God will fulfill their every good purpose and that the name of the Lord Jesus may be glorified in them (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
- Pray that they will be active in sharing their faith (Philemon 1:6)

If the problem is spiritual, then only spiritual weapons can fight it. So keep praying. As John Bunyan said, “Pray often; for prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and a scourge for Satan.”

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Reformed view on baptism

Monday, August 24th, 2009

This is a good article on Baptism by R Scott Clark from Westminster Cal.

Introduction

Among Western Christians there are four major views on baptism:

1 Baptism is the means of spiritual renewal and initial justification and sanctification through the infusion of grace received in it, in such a way that one cannot be saved ordinarily without it. Baptism communicates saving grace, by the working of its own power. Children of all church members and unbaptized adult converts must be baptized (Roman Catholic).

2 Baptism is a public testimony to one’s faith in Jesus Christ. Only those who have reached the age of discretion can make such a profession of faith. Therefore, only those who are able to confess Christ should be baptized. (Baptist).

3 Baptism is so closely related to the gospel that through it, Christians receive eternal life and without baptism there can be no assurance of salvation. Both the children of believers and unbaptized adult believers should be baptized (Lutheran).

4 Baptism is a means of sanctifying grace and a gospel ministry to the people of God. It is a sign and seal of the Covenant of Grace illustrating what Christ has done for his people and sealing salvation to the same. Therefore covenant children of believing parents as well as unbaptized adult converts should be baptized. (Reformed).

Protestants uniformly reject the Roman Catholic view of baptism as unbiblical and sub-Christian since it replaces faith as the instrument of justification. Among Bible-believing Protestant churches, the Baptist view is easily the most common and the Reformed view is probably the least well known. The view labeled Lutheran is probably somewhere in the middle in popularity. Unfortunately, many Bible-believing Christians assume that all infant baptizing (paedobaptist) churches are identical.
This essay is intended in part to change that perception. I believe (perhaps naively) that if more Bible-believing Christians understood the Reformed view of baptism, they would accept our explanation of what God’s Word says about baptism. I also intend to give Reformed believers a clearer understanding of what God’s Word says about baptism and to answer objections which are often made against the Reformed position.

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Four things every Christian needs

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

Our church held an eldership training class a few years back. The pastor made a distinction among Christians in terms of maturity. This can be seen in churches all over. It’s not determined by age or wealth or intellect. It is determined by one’s walk with the Lord. It can be broken down to these five: baby, child, teenager, young adult, elder.

How do you grow from baby into maturity?  The teacher/pastor mentioned four things.  These four things aren’t the only things, but they are so essential that if you’re not doing all four consistently, you might just be a baby/child Christian.

1.  Fellowship – are you meeting with other believers?  Are you sharing what God is teaching you to others to edify the body?  Are you sharing in other’s struggles and sufferings?  Are you rejoicing with them when they rejoice?  Do you neglect meeting with other believers?  Are you able to confess sins and forgive one another?

2.  Prayer – are you praying more than grocery lists?  do you repeat the truths of God?  Are you consistent in praying for those entrusted to your care?  Are you interceding for God’s people?  Are you praying for leadership and missionaries and pastors?  Are you praying that the Gospel will go forth?  Are you praying more than “bless so-and-so?”  Are you truly seeking God? 

3.  Ministry/Tithe/Service – Are you serving the body?  Are you giving of yourself as Christ gave himself for the church?  Are you using your spiritual gifts to edify the body?  Have you found a place where you can serve regularly?  Do you give a regularly portion of your money to the work of the church?  Do you desire for people to come to know the Lord?  Do you desire to disciple?

4.  Reading Scripture – Are you consistently in the word?  Do you nourish yourself with God’s word?  Does God speak to you through his word?  Are you able to see Jesus in context of the law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms?  Do you preach and share the word with others?  Are you able to lead others into the word?

Well, these four things aren’t the only things, but they are basic.  If you’re not doing any of the following, it’s like a plant trying to grow without water or sunlight.  Christians will have a hard time growing without the word, prayer, ministry, or fellowship.  I encourage you if you are discipling anybody or seeking to grow yourself from child to adult… submit yourselves to God and discipline yourselves with the following disciplines. 

Let me know what you think.  Did I miss any?

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