A series by A W Depledge encouraging personal growthIntroduction: Revivalist R A Torrey's book,“How to succeed in the Christian Life” deeply impacted my early Christian journey, and is highly recommended.I believe God wants us to succeed in following Jesus. How do we get ship-shape for success ? 1. LORD-SHIPA. An Act – Acts 2:36, Acts 10:36, Romans 14:9 & Philippians 2:9,10 are clear passages about the lordship of Jesus Christ – where “Lord” signifies:-a) Ownership - an owner (with full rights of possession) – the idea of the slave-master to whom service is due.b) Kingship - a ruler – either king or emperor – “Caesar is Lord” was a major confession of Roman citizens – it spoke of sovereignty. c) Leadership – one who goes ahead, showing & pointing the way. Jesus is our leader/shepherd. B. A Fact – authority is the issue. Lord = “Kurios” in Greek, literally ‘one having power or authority’. Authority has become a ‘dirty’ word. Authority is often abused both in the world & church. But true authority is necessary to prevent chaos. Jesus claims – post resurrection: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” – Matt 28:18 . To recognize the Lordship of Christ means to acknowledge His authority in the universe, and in our personal life.C. A Pact – the fact of Jesus’ lordship is an issue which we need to come to terms with, involving, of course, its practical outworking in everyday affairs. Note: many believers are content to be ‘saved’ but find the claims/demands of Christ’s lordship too uncomfortable. Words such as submission, surrender, commitment scare the modern ‘saint’. E.g. Consider how personal relationships may be affected by the lordship of Jesus.A strange incident - Acts 10:14 – “By no means, Lord” – was Peter's 'impossible' reply. We can't call Jesus "Lord" while refusing to do what He asks.2. DISCIPLE-SHIPJesus' call – “Follow me” – Mk 16:17 is relevant today. The concept of discipleship goes beyond Jesus’ earthly life. He intended it to be so. Matt 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”This has never been rescinded – early believers were ‘disciples of Christ’ – and this earned them the derisory nickname of ‘Christian’ – Acts 11:26David Watson – British charismatic leader – states: “Christians in the west have largely neglected what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The vast majority are church members, pew-fillers, hymn-singers, sermon-tasters, Bible-readers, even born-again-believers & spirit-filled charismatics – but not true disciples of Jesus” – what a disturbing observation.Implications of discipleship:A. Relationship – follow me – go where I go, be with me – Mk 3:14B. Scholarship – 'mathetes' (disciple) means ‘one disposed to learn’. A Jewish Rabbi would have a school, where he taught his disciples. Jesus said: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me…” Matt 11:29C. Apprenticeship – the idea was more than academic learning, but lifestyle change – Jesus is saying: watch me, learn my ways & do what you see.Marks Of Discipleship:a. Luke 14:25 – It's a Priority relationshipb. Luke 14:27 – It entails Personal Sacrifice - Lk 9:23c. Luke 14:33 – It brings Perspective on Possessions d. Matt 10:24,25 – It involves a Process of Changee. John 8:31 – It is guided by the Word of Godf. John 13:35 – It is evidenced by Love - a badgeg. John 15:8 – It brings fruitfulnessChallenge of a Communist: “The Gospel is a much more powerful weapon for the renewal of society than is our Marxist philosophy…but how can anybody believe in the supreme value of this Gospel if you do not practice it, if you do not spread it, and if you sacrifice neither time nor money for it ? We believe in our message (communism) & we are ready to sacrifice everything, even our life…but you people are afraid to soil your hands”3. FELLOW-SHIP Bible Reading – 1 John 1:1-7Occurs 4 times: John wants his readers to ‘have fellowship with us’. He asserts ‘our fellowship is with the Father & with His Son… ‘.He further states categorically ‘if we claim to have fellowship with Him (who is light) yet walk in darkness, we lie…’ Anyone who refuses to walk in the light is not serious about fellowship. Finally he points out that ‘fellowship with one another’ is only possible if we commit to walking in the lightJohn sees fellowship as two-dimensional/directional – Vertical & Horizontal - between Me & God, between Me & YouSo, what’s this ‘fellowship’ – an oft-used word in NT – KOINONIA – also translated: communion. Three ideas:A. Partnership B. Friendship C. CompanionshipA pillar of church life – Acts 2:42What are the necessities of Christian Fellowship? Although there’s no written code, to guide us in fellowship there are unwritten assumptions/expectations which come through in bible teaching:· Affirmation – I love you as a person & do all I can to hold you in God’s affirming love· Availability – what belongs to me – time, energy, insight, possessions is at your disposal· Prayer – I pray for you in a regular manner to be blessed· Openness – I endeavour to open myself – thoughts, feelings, struggles and joys, hurts & weaknesses· Honesty – I try to speak the truth in a loving way· Sensitivity – I will watch, listen & feel where you’re at, in order to draw you on in the purposes of God· Confidentiality – I will not disclose matters which you entrust to me without your prior knowledge & permission· Accountability – I voluntarily accept that you have the right to question my actions, words & attitudes and that I will be willing in turn to listen to your input – i.e. I need youFellowship under these circumstances, and with these ingredients is certain to be mutually beneficial. R A Torrey: “No Christian can have real success in the Christian life without the fellowship of other believers” Get Ship-shape For Success.4. WOR-SHIPWith guest contribution: Alan Hoare (Lincoln)INTRODUCTION- Praise is the celebratory aspect of spiritual life, worship is the stilling or stunning aspect of spiritual life. In praise I have a lot to sing and shout about; in worship I am drawn into an awareness of how stunning is His beauty and power, and something happens deep within me. - Father is actively seeking worshippers. Jesus said ‘But the hour is coming, and is here now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.’ (Jn.4:23,24)- Worship takes place within the sphere of our spirit. Our bodies and our souls can lead us there, but worship happens as the spirit of man encounters the Spirit of the Lord. - Worship is acknowledging and expressing the worthiness of God. The act of worship takes us out of the centre and enthrones God there instead. - We have ‘times of worship’ and we have ‘worship services’ – but these only serve as means to an end. They get us to a place where we are focused and able to receive an encounter. Nowhere in the NT will we find a ‘form’ for worship. THE OBJECT OF WORSHIP - The Lord Himself. Jesus said in response to Satan’s attempts to deflect him, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’ (Matt.4:10) The same thought is encapsulated in the Shema – ‘you shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Deut.6:5) True worship is the result of love and respect. True worship comes out of having right thoughts about God.- See who He is. Fill our minds and hearts with big thoughts about God. Need, not only for prayerful reading and meditation of Scripture, but of revelation. Here, both mind and spirit are involved. Isaiah’s vision in chapter 6 brought about a life-changing response.- Know what He has done. Again, a call for systematic and thorough reading of all the scriptures in order to familiarise ourselves with the acts of God. THE PRIORITY OF WORSHIP- Worship takes precedence over service. Richard Foster wrote, ‘Activity is the enemy of worship.’ Under the old covenant, the priority of the priesthood was to minister to the Lord. (Ezek.44:15) Seen in Acts 13:2 where the whole church was ‘ministering to’ (NASB) – ‘worshipping’ the Lord and fasting. G. Campbell Morgan writes, ‘Ministering to the Lord is the function of worshipping people. They recognise that work is not everything, but that worship is a prime and fundamental necessity.’ - These people were ‘wasting time’ with God. When Mary brought the alabaster jar full of ointment and poured it over the head and feet of Christ, Judas thought it was a waste. Jesus responded by saying, ‘she has done a good thing to me.’ Is the worship of God a waste of time and resources? Here, we learn to appreciate and to give without any thought of return. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP- The bottom line is always attitude. One scripture that never fails to check me is Isa. 1:12 – ‘When you come to appear before Me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts?’ The same thought is found in Eccles.5:1,2 – ‘Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.’- Learn to still all ‘creaturely activity’. ‘But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.’ (Hab.2:20) Cultivate a ‘perpetual, inward and listening silence’. Practice the presence of God. - To rush late into a service, nodding to and catching quick conversations with our friends does nothing to prepare us for encounter. We need to try going to bed earlier, and upon waking, spending time in scripture and prayer, asking God to search and cleanse us. We need to get earlier than usual into church, and start to open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit. We need to start praying for the worship leaders and the preacher. Absorbing distractions with gratitude.- Be prepared to be caught up and gathered up into the corporate experience of worship. This is God encountering His Bride. Lose the personal into the corporate.- Be prepared to worship with your body by kneeling or lying prostrate on the floor. - Offer a sacrifice of worship. This is an act of the will – something we do. That is why it is a discipline. The spiritual disciplines position you before the Lord. Get yourself into a frame of mind and posture of worship.- Be prepared to waste the time in giving him the best of your time and resources. We will be changed and strengthened for obedience. Make God take our breath away.- (F.W. Faber's hymn)My God, how wonderful Thou art, Thy majesty how bright! How beautiful Thy mercy seat, in depths of burning light! Father of Jesus, love’s reward, what rapture will it beprostrate before Thy throne to lie, and gaze, and gaze on Thee.’ 5. FRIEND-SHIPKids On Friendship1. What is a good friend – somebody you can depend on2. How to be a good friend:• Treat your friends the way you want to be treated.• Keep secrets that are told to you.• Pay attention when your friend is talking.• Keep your promises.• Share things with your friend.• Tell your friend the truth.• Stick up for your friend3. What’s the main problem in friendship – leaving someone out. 4. What if your friend said they wouldn’t be your friend if you were someone else’s friend – that “friend” would not mind if they were really your friendCONCEPT OF FRIENDSHIPAristotle – Gk. philosopher – thought & wrote much on the subject, and his views are summarized as follows, suggesting that friendship has three main components:“Friends must enjoy each other's company, they must be useful to one another, and they must share a common commitment to the good.” It’s been observed that: “What we least understand is the third component, shared commitment to the good, which seems to us quite extraneous to the idea of friendship. In a culture dominated by expressive and utilitarian individualism, it is easy for us to understand the components of pleasure and usefulness, but we have difficulty seeing the point of considering friendship in terms of common moral commitments.”The Bible indicates friendship is a key component, necessary in our development not only as human beings, but also as followers of Jesus.OUTSTANDING BIBLE EXAMPLES- Abraham – termed ‘the friend of God’ – Isaiah 41:8- Naomi & Ruth – committed friendship (Ruth’s name literally means Female Friend) – Ruth 1:6-18- David & Jonathan - 1 Sam 18:1-4PROVERBS ON FRIENDSHIP
- 17:17 – consistent - 18:24 – show friendly- 27:6 – faithful- 27:9 – pleasant counsel- 27:13 – mutual sharpening “Friendship is God's special way of loving us through someone else” – AnonWe all need a friend or friends who’ll say to us,“I’ll be there for you”. It’s my prayer that we will provide an environment where friendship can be formed, built and sustained which will be life-giving & long-term in nature.THE ULTIMATE FRIEND
Jesus - criticized as the ‘friend of tax collectors & sinners’ – demonstrates the ultimate in friendship – John 15:13-15 by: · Laying Down His Life· Making His Purposes KnownWe have been called as His Friends – to be close to Him, to share in the benefits of His atoning sacrifice, and to be involved in His Great Master Plan of bringing the government of God (the Kingdom) to our locality and beyond.6. MEMBER-SHIP(In the context of a communion service)Introduction: This is a bit of a hot potato - sure to raise the heckles (and blood pressure of some). Such a pity that something intended to bless us has been turned, by ignorance, into a matter of controversy.The word “member” does occur in our NT, and is a word found more often than not in the writings of Paul. It seems he had a peculiar insight into the nature of the church, stemming from his personal conversion.· Background – Acts 9
Saul of Tarsus – sworn enemy of the newly emerging Christian church. Believed he was doing God a favour by exposing believers to harassment, imprisonment & even death. His journey to Damascus is well known, as he dramatically encounters the risen Christ. Two things formed the basis for Paul’s future teaching on the church as the body of Christa) Jesus question: ‘Why are you persecuting me’ must have stunned Saul – he had the revelation there of Christ’s affinity with His Church – ‘you touch the church you touch me’. b) Jesus refusal to disclose His Divine Commission directly – that would come through connectedness with other members of His Body on earth – in Saul’s case, Ananias.This revelation grows in Paul’s understanding and is written into numerous epistles – obviously as a vital part of his teaching on the church. Let's look at a number of examples:> Romans 12:4,5: “As in one body we have many members and the members do not have the same function, so we, though many are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” – there’s that word member – literally a limb (limb-ship), or a part. What is not envisioned is membership of an organization or institution, where we pay our dues, attend the AGM and have a right to vote ! That is plainly not what membership is about. Rather membership is an organic experience of being united to one another as a direct consequence of our being united with Christ. Retaining of course our uniqueness and individuality, but nevertheless acknowledging and experiencing the reality that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. > Ephesians 1:22,23 notice: “…the church, which is His body…” > Ephesians 4:25 encourages honesty among believers, why ? Because “we are members one of another”. > Colossians 1:18 “And He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church”The Scriptures we looked at above may be seen as applying to the Church universal. I believe that what applies to the church universal also applies to the local church, and Paul’s writing to the Church at Corinth appears to confirm this. 1 Cor. 12:12-27 is a classic piece of Paul(ine) writing. He argues from natural science of the human body, and applies it into an understanding of the nature of church. Rather than coming to church we need to learn to ‘be church’ because we ‘are church’. This passage shows the how and the why of our inclusion (immersion – the word used is baptism) in the body of Christ (v.13) It also insists that we need one another as the various parts of the human body are required to function together. It reaches it’s climax with a statement which needs engraving into our hearts: “Now you (real people, with real issues, in a real world – Corinth) are the body of Christ, and individually members of it."This does take a life-time to work out, but may we be touched by the awesome revelation of what we have been included in, through the sovereign act of God’s grace. Specifically as we come to receive communion together let us be conscious of “the body of the Lord” of which we are an indispensable part – read 1 Cor 12:22 cp 1 Cor 11:29.7. STEWARD-SHIPThe final “ship” is very practical – looking at how we ‘manage’ the resources committed to us by the Lord. It is my longing that in looking at this subject we will be motivated to be more faithful in our servant-hood, and that we will live in the light of the King’s return, and the Day of Reckoning, which is fast approaching.A Classic Case – Joseph (read Genesis 39:1-9)Not a familiar household role in western society. But very well-known in bible times.NT Teaching - Jesus frequently used this kind of imagery in his parables – e.g. Matt. 25:14-28 and Luke 16:1-15 - and include three main ideas:A. A Trust B. A Responsibility C. An AccountingApostles use similar terminology – e.g. Paul (1 Cor 4:1-2) and Peter (1 Pet 4:8-11)Gk word used repeatedly for servant or steward = “oikonomos” – from which we get economy. It’s literally to do with household management – the running of finances and the business of the home/household.What have we received on trust ?> TIME – everyone has an equal amount of this stuff. We are to 'redeem' the time, or make sure we don't waste it.> TALENTS – Gifting (both natural and super-natural) entrusted to us – don’t bury, but use for God's glory> TREASURE – relationships and earthly possessions – ours on trust. Homes, Incomes – tithe & giving. R A Torrey: “Success & growth in the Christian life depends on…liberal giving. The stingy Christian cannot be a growing Christian. It is wonderful how a Christian begins to grow when he begins to give” – I endorse that both from personal experience and by personal observation of others.> TRUTH – the truth of the Gospel, of Jesus, of Scripture is now entrusted to us in this generation. If people do not hear of Jesus where we live, move and have our being, we will be held accountable.The Day Of ReckoningThis is an incredible reality, which acts as a stimulus to me in terms of stewardship.Read 2 Cor. 5:6-10 – Paul speaks of all believers (you and I) appearing before the judgement seat of Christ. The reality of how we have stewarded the resources which have been entrusted to us will then be known by all. There will be no more excuses – “I didn’t have time” – for some it will be a time of great shame, for others of great rejoicing. If we could live the remainder of our lives stimulated by these truths, I’m sure we’d be fully motivated, as was Paul, to “make it our goal to please Him”.Overall Conclusion - Psalm 104:26 – “there go the ships…” In the past few weeks we have briefly look at several "ships" – they’ve passed before us. LORDSHIP – Jesus is LordDISCIPLESHIP – we are His FollowersFELLOWSHIP – with Him and with each other – a walk in the lightWORSHIP – a response to the Father’s seekingFRIENDSHIP – close relationships, which have Christ at the centerMEMBERSHIP – the mystery of Christ’s Body and the wonder of our “part” in itSTEWARDSHIP – the management of our God-given resources, as we move to our destiny in GodSo, are you getting “ship-shape for success” ? What areas of your life need adjustment so that you may succeed in the Christian life, that the Lord graciously brought you in to. I believe it is always God’s Will that we succeed in acknowledging Him, following Him, in enjoying His presence, in worshipping Him, in relating with one another, and in working with the resources that He’s entrusted into our hands.May the Lord help each one of us to succeed. Amen
