The Great Commission Discipleship 2

Today at a meeting with wonderful Godly men I was reminded by the Lord it is time to send this out. I want to continue with discipleship and I don’t know how far until I’m done. I don’t have it all figured out and everyone would explain it differently. The last writing was about the process we go through to become like Christ or growing in our maturity in Christ. I was reminded that this process is referred to as sanctification in God’s word. Sometimes my use of words could be better in writing what God is telling me. A believer will be tested or refined in many ways, trials, temptations, afflictions to become like Jesus. It says in Romans 8:28-29 that every believer is chosen or predestined to this process. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” So God lets us know this in His word so we won’t be in the dark about this, shocked or surprised.

I want to try to explain something God done in my life 6 years ago that changed my life and walk with the Lord in many ways. At that time in my life and walk I was growing, reading, praying and listening to sermons. From what I was reading in God’s word and hearing about in sermons was far from where I was in my life, marriage, and walk with the Lord. As time went on this really bothered me and this went on day by day for over 3 years. I really had no relationships and wasn’t connected in any way much where I went to church which was my shortcoming certainly not the church I went to. I can say this it was a timing thing from God in His plan for my life and part of the journey that continues. So finally, I went to the Lord day and night in prayer about this and I want to talk about what the Lord put in my life to help me.  The very next day He led a person to me that I meet in a conversation that was meeting with a guy who was starting to grow his ministry here in Arizona. I was introduced to this guy and he offered to disciple or mentor me. His name is Roy Comstock and the ministry is called Christian Mentors Network. Roy was an older man and more mature and when he shared his life experiences with me and took me through his material it really helped me grow in many ways. I’m in the ministry at CMN and have meet with Roy consistently from the beginning and continue to grow. But the difference in my life also happened right away and within 4 months I was given an opportunity to step out in faith from the Lord and start to disciple other men. Or what I should say is, we disciple each other which helped me continue to grow and learn from others. This process of discipleship has and continues to be a very big part of my life that opens up many opportunities and helps me grow. These relationships with others have really helped me grow and come closer to the Lord. So I want to mention a few things about this teaching or example that was put in my life.

I think the best way to learn about this teaching we try to pass on to each other when we disciple each other is to study how Jesus taught the 12 disciples in the gospels. During Jesus mission or ministry for 3 years He chose 12 disciples to walk with Him in all He done. Where or who can we have a better example than Jesus. The way He taught the 12 can be taught and applied in so many different ways. But one of the most important observations to me is that He done the example he taught and expected the 12 to do the same. When Jesus left to be with the Father in Acts 1:9 all the disciples where filled with the Holy Spirit. At that point, Jesus didn’t walk beside them He was inside them and they passed this teaching on to the other believers. This was the church at its purest form. I like to listen to sermons and the word of God preached from people who are very gifted in this area. I like to set and listen to what God is telling me its one of my favorite things to do. I like to go to conferences and listen to people gifted in different areas talk on many subjects but I have a different view than I did. I go and listen sometimes and make a few notes and listen to what God is telling me. Then I go and try to apply them to my life which is a great thing and an interesting process. But I also go and I see a room filled with 50 to 20,000 men or people and ask myself who do these men have in there life to help them apply this to their life. I think this is where this example from Jesus can be applied. I think this can be a very difficult place for the church and body of Christ.

 Another way to explain it would be say Jesus is fishing and He would feed everyone that came by. But some, if they are willing, he would feed them then he would show them how to fish, then he would give them the tools to fish and walk beside them till they were able to fish on their own. Jesus always taught the 12 in parables and set the example. Jesus taught them in a way they would see then understand then do and apply. In Luke 5:10-11, Jesus didn’t give Peter, James and John a quick 30 minute message on how to fish for men and leave them. They followed Him for 3 years as He taught them. I think as I walk with Jesus and read the Word there will be times where I need more alone time with Jesus and the Word and there will be times when He will put someone in my life to walk beside me and help me for a time. I think these relationships we have are a gift from God and for a reason in our walk. God has a reason for His timing.

To disciple each other takes great humility and is a great way to grow in our relationship with Christ. I think it is important to remember that discipleship is a process to sharpen and strengthen not only your self but to help the other person become closer to their Lord. Remember the 12 did walk and follow Jesus not any man but God. In John 3:22-26, John the Baptist helped in a humble way to grow disciples for Christ not himself. If we want a deeper understanding of the Lord and who he made us to be a disciple has to look to Christ not man. Jesus has a plan for every disciple and no other person will ever sustain, love or understand you like Jesus. What’s great is when we help other each other look to Jesus and find Him in a deeper way. To grow to become like Him we have to look to Him and His examples in the Word of God.

There is no perfect man, only Jesus. But when a believer humbly receives the grace of God and steps out in faith in obedience to obey the command of Jesus The Great Commission. That’s when the Holy Spirit does wonderful things through common people.

The body of Christ is a very special, beautiful, powerful, and living work of Jesus. Jesus has given every believer special gifts and experiences to help each other and the body of Christ. I call these treasures but some are hidden in all of us. God will put others in our lives to walk beside us to learn who we are in Christ as the Holy Spirit reveals and draws them out of us.

Proverbs 20:5 “The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” This teaching and example from Jesus is very needed and important for the church and body of Christ. Since I have been in this ministry I am amazed at what great treasure from Christ that is in the heart of every man.