I find it amazing how the Lord seems to line up various teachings from the pulpit on Sunday morning, at conferences, at men’s discipleship meetings, etc. Perhaps anyone could say, “You just hear what you want to hear”, and maybe there’s some truth to that, but on the other hand, I don’t believe in chance, and since I choose to be a bondservant of Christ, I will also choose to make myself open to the Holy Spirit of God’s pointing me to these amazing Truths, inasmuch as they are in line with His precious Word of truth.
Below are a couple of short notes from a few months ago, and a shorter note at the end from very recently, which were sparked by Pastor Mark’s sharing with us through 1 Peter. The first note is something I ask you all to pray about, because it seems to be related to what the Lord is leading us to in our next study after the Calvary Road: Being a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
From January 27th:
I want us to start to think about what our calling is for our life; we’ve covered many truths about ourselves: shortcomings, sin natures, our propensity to be that way and fall under temptation, etc.
We’ve covered who we are (or at least who we’re supposed to be, and at least who we want to be) before the living God, in Christ Jesus. We've covered many of the hindrances that beset us.
I suspect we all agree that we desire to be as Paul was – bondservants of Jesus Christ.
We want to be Disciples of Him as our Master and Lord.
But we also understand that that is a “death sentence” because as they [the world] hated Him, they would hate us too, since we are His (John 15:18).
But what is THE thing that we've been called to? Maybe you're unsure as of yet, but one thing that we're all called to is to be like Him as we continue the work of God in Christ. And as we continue obeying Him, I truly believe He will be faithful to reveal beyond a shadow of a doubt what your specific calling is! But I also believe He waits patiently for us to obey and ask (and He knows if we truly want to know what it is and whether we're really willing).
1 Peter 2:5 – Seems to speak of this: Who and what are we?
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
But then look at 1 Peter 2:9 – Peter repeats who/what we are, followed by what we ought to be in the world and what we ought to be doing:
But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
And look at the rest of the chapter, verses 10-25; notice the things therein that Peter tells us to “do”.
Look at verse 18:
Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
And look at verse 21:
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Peter says to be LIKE Him - Follow His steps!
From February 3rd:
As we consider the cost of following Christ, consider this: What are all the things we have or know, apart from Christ, worth? What are their value?
Go ahead, try to come up with something that isn’t of Christ that’s worth holding onto!
Paul says it’s all loss compared to the knowledge of Christ Jesus! (Philippians 3:7-8)
It’s pretty amazing that the things we’re hearing about on Sunday mornings seem to amplify the very things we’re talking about in Men’s Discipleship. (This was my thought back in February anyway)
From this past Sunday, April 14th:
The Urgency of Discipleship & God’s Calling On My Life
1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.
Read: Luke 12:35-40; 42-48; Matthew 24:42-44, 45-51; Mark 13:28-37 (especially vss. 33, 36-37)
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Men, the world is spinning out of control and we need to make sure we are "IN the game" so to speak!
Get off the sidelines.
We are NOT supposed to spectators – we’re men of God, whom God wants to empower for His purposes and glory!
There’ll be plenty of time to be a cheerleader in heaven (although we’ll be cheering for our Lord over all things).
When He says “as good stewards”, it speaks of someone in management capacity – God is grooming YOU to manage His grace!
Application:
When I think about the question, “Who am I in Christ?”, keeping in mind the idea of being His disciple (and to be a disciple, we must keep our Master’s commandments, not according to the Law but according to His righteousness being imputed within us), I think of the following questions:
Things to consider. When our Lord returns, I want Him to find me doing His will!
Amen?
Below are a couple of short notes from a few months ago, and a shorter note at the end from very recently, which were sparked by Pastor Mark’s sharing with us through 1 Peter. The first note is something I ask you all to pray about, because it seems to be related to what the Lord is leading us to in our next study after the Calvary Road: Being a true disciple of Jesus Christ.
From January 27th:
I want us to start to think about what our calling is for our life; we’ve covered many truths about ourselves: shortcomings, sin natures, our propensity to be that way and fall under temptation, etc.
We’ve covered who we are (or at least who we’re supposed to be, and at least who we want to be) before the living God, in Christ Jesus. We've covered many of the hindrances that beset us.
I suspect we all agree that we desire to be as Paul was – bondservants of Jesus Christ.
We want to be Disciples of Him as our Master and Lord.
But we also understand that that is a “death sentence” because as they [the world] hated Him, they would hate us too, since we are His (John 15:18).
But what is THE thing that we've been called to? Maybe you're unsure as of yet, but one thing that we're all called to is to be like Him as we continue the work of God in Christ. And as we continue obeying Him, I truly believe He will be faithful to reveal beyond a shadow of a doubt what your specific calling is! But I also believe He waits patiently for us to obey and ask (and He knows if we truly want to know what it is and whether we're really willing).
1 Peter 2:5 – Seems to speak of this: Who and what are we?
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
But then look at 1 Peter 2:9 – Peter repeats who/what we are, followed by what we ought to be in the world and what we ought to be doing:
But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
And look at the rest of the chapter, verses 10-25; notice the things therein that Peter tells us to “do”.
Look at verse 18:
Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
And look at verse 21:
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
Peter says to be LIKE Him - Follow His steps!
From February 3rd:
As we consider the cost of following Christ, consider this: What are all the things we have or know, apart from Christ, worth? What are their value?
Go ahead, try to come up with something that isn’t of Christ that’s worth holding onto!
Paul says it’s all loss compared to the knowledge of Christ Jesus! (Philippians 3:7-8)
It’s pretty amazing that the things we’re hearing about on Sunday mornings seem to amplify the very things we’re talking about in Men’s Discipleship. (This was my thought back in February anyway)
- Am I hearing them?
- And if I am, what am I doing with them?
- How are they changing me?
- Or am I just thinking, “Oh that’s nice, now let me get back to my life”?
From this past Sunday, April 14th:
The Urgency of Discipleship & God’s Calling On My Life
1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.
Read: Luke 12:35-40; 42-48; Matthew 24:42-44, 45-51; Mark 13:28-37 (especially vss. 33, 36-37)
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Men, the world is spinning out of control and we need to make sure we are "IN the game" so to speak!
Get off the sidelines.
We are NOT supposed to spectators – we’re men of God, whom God wants to empower for His purposes and glory!
There’ll be plenty of time to be a cheerleader in heaven (although we’ll be cheering for our Lord over all things).
When He says “as good stewards”, it speaks of someone in management capacity – God is grooming YOU to manage His grace!
Application:
When I think about the question, “Who am I in Christ?”, keeping in mind the idea of being His disciple (and to be a disciple, we must keep our Master’s commandments, not according to the Law but according to His righteousness being imputed within us), I think of the following questions:
- What’s my “me” to “Jesus” ratio?
- What’s my “me” to “others” ratio?
Things to consider. When our Lord returns, I want Him to find me doing His will!
Amen?