So … who do I belong to? That’s the question you were asked last week—still applicable today. And if I say I belong to Jesus Christ, then what does that mean? What does it mean to truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ?
The most practical and powerful way to get believers headed in the direction of spiritual maturity (becoming a disciple) is to help them establish habits in their lives that promote spiritual growth. [We here at DUMC are very serious about this!] Sometimes these habits are called ‘spiritual disciplines,’ but unlike some disciplines I am convinced that these are meant to be enjoyed—those that help us to grow to be more and more like Christ! So, we’re choosing to call these habits—habits that will help us to grow up spiritually, which scripture says should be all of our goals as disciples…
Of course, there’s dozens of good ‘habits’ we need to develop as we grow in our walk with God, but there are really ‘four core habits’—those that influence our time, our money, and our relationships, that will open the door to the other ‘habits’ we’ll eventually need. You see, if Jesus could be Lord over our time, our money, and our relationships … then he’d be truly Lord—or in control—of our lives… It’s those core ‘habits’ that we’re going to talk about today…
So, if we belong to Christ—having made that decision to surrender our lives to him, then what does it mean to be his disciple? Today, we’re going to look into that … through the words of Jesus himself. He’ll let us know, so let’s begin here…
31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 “But we are descendants of Abraham,” they said. “We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free. 37 Yes, I realize that you are descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill me because there’s no room in your hearts for my message. 38 I am telling you what I saw when I was with my Father. But you are following the advice of your father.” 39 “Our father is Abraham!” they declared. “No,” Jesus replied, “for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. 40 Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. 41 No, you are imitating your real father.” – John 8:31-41a (NLT)
You are truly my disciple if… If you read your newsletter this month, you have a head start on today’s message. If you look at the sermon outline in your bulletin, you will also have an idea of where we’re going today. We’re going to be addressing what many church leaders have come to know as the ‘core habits’ of those calling themselves disciples of Jesus Christ. Let’s begin with this description of a disciple:
A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST FOLLOWS GOD’S WORD. John 8:31-32, again, reminds us of what Jesus said: “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” Folks, if we are disciples of Jesus Christ—if we belong to him, then we will be individuals and a community who follow God’s word! But, in order to follow God’s word, we have to get into God’s word … know God’s word … and then be willing to live God’s word … in all that we do!
A few verses earlier than our scripture lesson for today, Jesus was having a conversation with some non-believers and in John 8:25 (NLT) that conversation is recorded in this way: “‘Who are you?’ they demanded. Jesus replied, ‘The one I have always claimed to be.’” In writing about this particular text, Martin Luther said this (and please understand that this was during a time when the larger church was telling people that only priests could read scripture … and let lay people know what it said):
They desire to know who he is and not what he says. He desires them first to listen and then they will know who he is. The rule is: listen and allow the word to make the beginning, then the knowing will nicely follow. If, however, you do not listen, you will never know anything. For it is decreed, God will not be seen, known, or comprehended except through his word alone. Whatever therefore one undertakes for salvation apart from the word is in vain. God will not respond to that. He will not have it. He will not tolerate any other way. Therefore, let his book in which he speaks to you be commended to you. For he did not cause it to be written to no purpose. He did not want us to let it lie there in neglect, as if he were speaking with mice under the bench or with flies on the pulpit. We are to read it, to think and speak about it, and to study it, certain that He Himself, not an angel or a creature, is speaking with us in it.
There is no other way to follow Christ … except by beginning with his word and following that! Are we being faithful to first get into God’s word … and then are we being faithful to apply it to our lives—to remain faithful to his teachings in all that we do? So, if we are Jesus’ disciples—those who belong to him, the first way that we are faithful to God is to mind his Son and have a living, daily connection to his word! Secondly,
A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST PRAYS AND BEARS FRUIT. In John 15:7-8, these words of Jesus are recorded: “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” So, we are to … pray … and bear fruit! Note that Jesus didn’t say ‘if you bear fruit’; he said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.” ‘Bearing fruit’ or being productive for the Kingdom of God … is Jesus’ expectation of all of us, as his disciples…
The fruit that Jesus is talking about here is what is being productive in a way that promotes God’s Kingdom! And, one of the things that I’ve had to learn by faith is that ‘kingdom productivity’ doesn’t always look like we think it should! Here’s something, historically, to consider…
John Wesley’s father, Samuel, was a dedicated pastor, but there were those in his parish who did not like him. On February 9, 1709, a fire broke out in the rectory at Epworth, possibly set by one of the rector’s enemies. Young John, not yet six years old, was stranded on an upper floor of the building. Two neighbors rescued the lad just seconds before the roof crashed in. One neighbor stood on the other’s shoulders and pulled young John through the window. Samuel Wesley said, ‘Come, neighbors, let us kneel down. Let us give thanks to God. He has given me all my eight children. Let the house go. I am rich enough.’
John Wesley often referred to himself as a ‘brand plucked out of the fire”” (Zech 3:2; Amos 4:11). In later years he often noted February 9 in his journal and gave thanks to God for His mercy. Samuel Wesley labored for 40 years at Epworth and saw very little fruit; but consider what his family accomplished!
We are to pray and bear fruit … but always God’s way, not our way … which takes a great deal of faith! What we consider ‘productive’ is not always what God considers ‘productive!’ Remember that! We are to pray and be faithful … no matter what that looks like to the rest of the world! Just look at what God is doing in the lives of people even right here—how lives are being transformed and how God is calling his people to be faithful in ways they never dreamt of! Also…
A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST IS NOT POSSESSED BY THEIR POSSESSIONS. Luke 14:33 records this story: Here Jesus is talking to a large crowd and letting them know what it means to be a follower of his. You have to love your families less than you love him. You have to understand that being a disciple of his means … it will cost you everything! Jesus doesn’t just want our money, folks, which is a common misconception (God doesn’t really need money, does he?) What Jesus wants is … your life! He tells us at the end of this section in v. 33: “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.”
So, why would Jesus say to those contemplating being his disciple (v.28), “But don’t begin until you count the cost?” It’s because of this truth: being a disciple of Jesus Christ will cost you everything! That’s what Jesus said… We must not be possessed by our possessions! Jesus cannot be Lord of our lives if we’re still hanging on to control of even part of it! We must come to a place in our lives where we begin to give like Jesus said to give (and the tithe is the biblical standard), and finally…
A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST EXPRESSES LOVE FOR OTHER BELIEVERS. In John 13:34-35, Jesus is very clear: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
A husband and wife didn’t really love each other. The man was very demanding, so much so that he prepared a list of rules and regulations for his wife to follow. He insisted that she read them over every day and obey them to the letter. Among other things, his ‘do’s and don’ts’ indicated such details as … what time she had to get up in the morning, when his breakfast should be served, and how the housework should be done.
After several long years, the husband died. As time passed, the woman fell in love with another man, one who dearly loved her. Soon they were married. This husband did everything he could to make his new wife happy, continually showering her with tokens of his appreciation. One day as she was cleaning house, she found tucked away in a drawer the list of commands her first husband had drawn up for her. As she looked it over, it dawned on her that even though her present husband hadn’t given her any kind of list, she was doing everything her first husband’s list required anyway. She realized she was so devoted to this man that her deepest desire was to please him out of love, not obligation…
And that’s exactly how we’re supposed to love God … AND one another—not out of obligation, but strictly out of love—genuine agapé love. That’s Jesus’ way. That’s what his disciples do; they find a way to love like that … no matter what! And then the world will know that we’re his disciples…
Folks, I can’t help but ask the question once again: Who do you belong to? If Jesus is Lord of your life, then you too will be about moving your life toward developing these habits—those things that disciples of his are busy doing…
If you look on the card that you were handed this morning as you came in, you will find the four core habits listed there:
• Living a life that follows his word…
• Praying and bearing fruit for his kingdom…
• Not allowing our possessions to possess us, but being generous at every opportunity…
• And expressing love for one another that this ol’ world will just not know what to do with…
That’s what disciples of Jesus Christ do. And that’s what you have an opportunity to commit to today—to pledge to for the new year of 2012. No one is going to bring their pledge cards forward. These are for you to take home with you—promises (not resolutions) for the New Year. These are ways in which we can tangibly be faithful to God, just as God has been faithful to all of us. Sign it, if you’re ready. If you’re not, take it home and make this a matter of prayer in the coming year. Then, sign it as God leads you. This is our pledge—our covenant—with God for the New Year. Are you ready for this adventure?