|
Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.
(John 4:14) |
|
And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev 22:1) |
For His Glory!
|
A Teaching for Disciples of Christ (Discipleship Part Two) "Only when we can truly grasp the concept of us being a disciple of Jesus (Yeshua), can we fully understand His instructions to them; for it is unto us He speaks!"2Cor 5:17 (NAS unless indicated) Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.For review - What is a disciple? (Also see section titled "A Disciple") The calling for a disciple is not an easy one; but the reward is great to walk the narrow path. (Commentaries may be edited for length and bolded/underlined for emphasis.) Webster 1828 DISCIPLE, n. [L., to learn.] 1. A learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another… 2. A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another. Hence the constant attendants of Christ were called his disciples; and hence all Christians are called his disciples, as they profess to learn and receive his doctrines and precepts. DISCIPLE, v.t. 1. To teach; to train, or bring up. 2. To make disciples of; to convert to doctrines or principles. This authority he employed in sending missionaries to disciple all nations. **** ISBE Disciple: (1) Usually a substantive (a learner, to learn, a scholar): The word is found in the Bible only in the Gospels and Acts. But it is good Greek… and always means the pupil of someone, in contrast to the master or teacher. In all cases it implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he is also in practice an adherent… In the widest sense it refers to those who accept the teachings of anyone, not only in belief but in life. …its most common use is to designate the adherents of Jesus. (a) In the widest sense (Matt 10:42). It [disciple] is the only name for Christ's followers in the Gospels. … (b) In the Acts, after the death and ascension of Jesus, disciples are those who confess Him as the Messiah, Christians (Acts 6:1-2, 7; Acts 9:36, "The disciples were called Christians")…
(2) We have also the verb, matheteuo, "Jesus' disciple" (literally, "was discipled to Jesus," Mt 27:57); "Make disciples of all the nations"; …The disciple of Christ today may be described in the words of Farrar, as "one who believes His doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example." G. H. Trever **** The Disciple of Messiah (Christ):
**** Holman NKJV Study Bible - Disciple(ship) [The disciple of Messiah is challenged and the reward is eternal life in the Kingdom of God.] [All will be judged by the "LORD"] Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23 And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'By referring to Himself as Lord and depicting Himself as the ultimate Judge of humanity, Jesus asserted His deity. True disciples affirm Jesus' lordship, submit to His authority, and obey His commands. Jesus insisted that a person is confirmed as a true disciple not by prophecy, exorcism, or working miracles but by living a transformed life made possible by God. The disobedient lifestyles of evildoers are inconsistent with genuine discipleship. Jesus' words, I never knew you, show that these were never truly disciples. Mark 10 [Nothing but His Kingdom first] Mark 10:21 And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."… Jesus did not need to dispute his claim to perfect obedience to the law. That he still lacked one thing shows that perfect obedience does not merit eternal life. The "one thing" involved divesting himself of his possessions and becoming a disciple (1:17; 2:14). In exchange for earthly possessions, he would have treasure in heaven. Lk 9:58 [No easy road] Luke 9:57 And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."Jesus warned this would-be disciple to count the cost before committing to follow Him. After all, even Christ Himself had no place to call home. To follow Christ is to loosen your grip on the things that normally provide physical and emotional security. **** Matthew Henry Concise - Mt 5:17-20 [A truth, A teaching for Yeshua’s disciples today] Matt 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished 19 Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man's temper and conduct.Mt 16:24-27 [Basic principle for disciples of Messiah] Matt 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it. 26 For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and will then recompense every man according to his deeds.A true disciple of Christ is one that does follow him in duty, and shall follow him to glory. He is one that walks in the same way Christ walked in, is led by his Spirit, and treads in his steps, whithersoever he goes. "Let him deny himself." If self-denial be a hard lesson, it is no more than what our Master learned and practiced, to redeem us, and to teach us. "Let him take up his cross." The cross is here put for every trouble that befalls us. We are apt to think we could bear another's cross better than our own; but that is best which is appointed us, and we ought to make the best of it… If any man will have the name and credit of a disciple, let him follow Christ in the work and duty of a disciple. If all worldly things are worthless when compared with the life of the body, how forcible the same argument with respect to the soul and its state of never-ending happiness or misery! Thousands lose their souls for the most trifling gain, or the most worthless indulgence, nay, often from mere sloth and negligence. Whatever is the object for which men forsake Christ - that is the price at which Satan buys their souls. Yet one soul is worth more than all the world. This is Christ's judgment upon the matter; he knew the price of souls, for he redeemed them; nor would he underrate the world, for he made it. … Let us then learn rightly to value our souls, and Christ as the only Savior of them.**** The true disciple joyfully accepts the challenges Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."**** Discipleship - to what end? His Kingdom! 2Cor 4:17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,Matt 6:33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.Matt 13:43 "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.Luke 11:2 And He said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come.Rev 5:10 "And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."Now to him that has committed his life to follow Yeshua (Jesus) as his disciple, may the grace and peace of our Creator be with you all -- Amen |
|
A Disciple is a Learner - A Pupil Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and a figure, The words of the wise and their riddles.Proverbs 9:9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds persuasiveness to his lips. |
|
"People who do not know the Lord ask why in the world we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives...and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted." - Nate Saint, missionary martyr
Matt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."Acts 1:8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." |
|
"Go Fly A Kite" When the atheist ‘Freedom From Religion Foundation’ attacked the small town of Childress, Texas from displaying the National Motto, "In God We Trust", on its patrol cars, this anti-religious group thought it was bullying just another town. But Adrian Garcia, the Chief of the Childress Police Department, refused to be shoved around. He stood up to the atheist bullies and literally told them to: "Go Fly A Kite". That’s right! Instead of responding to these radical atheist bullies with a whole bunch of legal gobble-gook, Chief Adrian Garcia simply wrote, "after carefully reading your letter, I must deny your request for the removal of our nation’s motto from our patrol units, and ask that you and the Freedom From Religion Foundation go fly a kite." This courageous leader - who is police chief of a small town of only 6100 people - deserves our support!! |
|
True or False
|
|
Today’s Lesson in Irony The Food Stamp Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, run by the U.S. Department of Interior,
"The animals will grow dependent on the handouts, and then
This concludes today’s Lesson - Any Questions? |
|
Holman Bible Dictionary DISCIPLES -- Followers of Jesus Christ…Background of Disciple The term "disciple" comes to us in English from a Latin root. Its basic meaning is "learner" or "pupil." The term is virtually absent from the Old Testament, though there are two related references (1 Chron. 25:8; Isa. 8:16).In the Greek world the word "disciple" normally referred to an adherent of a particular teacher or religious/philosophical school. It was the task of the disciple to learn, study, and pass along the sayings and teachings of the master. In rabbinic Judaism the term "disciple" referred to one who was committed to the interpretations of Scripture and religious tradition given him by the master or rabbi. Through a process of learning … question and answer, instruction, repetition, and memorization, the disciple would become increasingly devoted to the master and the master’s teachings. In time, the disciple would, likewise, pass on the traditions to others. Jesus’ Disciples In the New Testament 233 of the 261 instances of the word "disciple" occur in the Gospels, the other 28 being in Acts. Usually the word refers to disciples of Jesus, but there are also references to disciples of the Pharisees (Matt. 22:16; Mark 2:18), disciples of John the Baptist (Mark 2:18; Luke 11:1; John 1:35), and even disciples of Moses (John 9:28).The Gospels often refer to Jesus as "Rabbi" (Matt. 26:25, 49; …). One can assume that Jesus used traditional rabbinic teaching techniques (question and answer, discussion, memorization) to instruct His disciples. In many respects Jesus differed from the rabbis. He called His disciples to "Follow me" (Luke 5:27). Disciples of the rabbis could select their teachers. Jesus oftentimes demanded extreme levels of personal renunciation (loss of family, property, etc.; Matt. 4:18-22; …). He asked for lifelong allegiance (Luke 9:57-62) as the essential means of doing the will of God (Matt. 12:49-50; John 7:16-18). He taught more as a bearer of divine revelation than a link in the chain of Jewish tradition … In so doing Jesus announced the end of the age and the long-awaited reign of God (Matt. 4:17; Luke 4:14-21,42-44).The Twelve As the messianic Proclaimer of the reign of God, Jesus gathered about Himself a special circle of twelve disciples, clearly a symbolic representation of the twelve tribes (Matt. 19:28). He was reestablishing Jewish social identity based upon discipleship to Jesus…A Larger Group of Followers The Gospels clearly show that the word "disciple" can refer to others besides the twelve. The verb "follow" became something of a technical term Jesus used to call His disciples, who were then called "followers," (Mark 4:10). These "followers" included a larger company of people from whom He selected the twelve (Mark 3:7-19). This larger group of disciples/followers included men and women (Luke 8:1-3; 23:49) from all walks of life. (Even the twelve included a variety: fishermen, a tax collector, a Zealot.) Jesus was no doubt especially popular among the socially outcast and religiously despised, but people of wealth and of theological training also followed (Luke 8:1-3; 19:1-10; John 3:1-3; 12:42; 19:38-39).The twelve were sent out as representatives of Jesus, commissioned to preach the coming of the kingdom, to cast out demons, and to heal diseases (Matt. 10:1,5-15; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). Such tasks were not limited to the twelve (Luke 10:1-24). Apparently Jesus’ disciples first included "a great multitude of disciples" (Luke 6:17). He formed certain smaller and more specifically defined groups within that "great multitude." These smaller groups would include a group of "seventy" (Luke 10:1,17), the "twelve", and perhaps an even smaller, inner group within the twelve, consisting especially of Peter, James, and John-whose names (with Andrew) always figure first in the lists of the twelve, whose stories of calling are especially highlighted … All Followers of Jesus The Book of Acts frequently uses the term "disciple" to refer generally to all those who believe in the risen Lord (6:1-2,7; 9:1,10,19,26,38; 11:26,29). In addition, the verb form "to disciple" as it appears in the final commissioning scene of Matthew’s Gospel (28:19-20) also suggests a use in the early church of the term "disciple" as a more generalized name for all those who come to Jesus in faith, having heard and believed the gospel.Conclusion We have seen that, as references to the twelve, the words "apostle" and "disciple" could be synonymous. However, just as the term "disciple" could mean other followers of Jesus than the twelve in the time of His ministry, so also after His resurrection the term "disciple" had a wider meaning as well, being clearly applied to all His followers. Whereas the term "apostle" retained a more specific meaning, being tied to certain historical eyewitnesses of the resurrected Lord, the word "disciple" tended to lose its narrower associations with the twelve, and/or those who followed the historical Jesus, or who saw the risen Lord, and became a virtual equivalent to "Christian" (Acts 11:26). In every case, however, the common bond of meaning for the various applications of the word "disciple" was allegiance to Jesus. |
|
What makes you Happy? What makes you happy? Yeshua’s disciples rejoiced that they were able to perform effective ministry in His name. Do you think this is a more noble reason for rejoicing than getting a present, or approval and recognition for achievement, or getting your own way? But His response to them was that they should not rejoice that the demons were subject to them, but that their names were written in the Lamb's Book of Life. This is not a material benefit for your indulgence or status, and is not an achievement you can boast of. Yet if you understand its real meaning and value it will be your true basis for rejoicing as well. (Adopted from a blog post by Dale Cresap) Luke 9:1 And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases. 2 And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing.Luke 10:20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven." |
|
Trust in His Hand of Help *Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.Only someone who is abjectly intellectually dishonest would fail to see the countless times God’s grace and mercy have carried us through, and still does to this day. Although it’s not always easy, and oftentimes the going gets tough, knowledge that God is ever present is comforting, encouraging, and gives us wherewithal to press on, press in, and press through. Ever since the genesis of this ministry, trust in God was a given. We knew we could not do what had been placed on our hearts to do of our own strength, in our own wisdom or solely as a direct result of our attributes. It was a vision but we have a big God, and we trusted that He would make a way. One thing that has become crystal clear over the years is that God never disappoints. No matter what you are trusting Him for, His faithfulness will be made evident, and His great and mighty Hand will be visible at work. That the world is on the brink is an undeniable reality. The variables of what can occur given one wrong choice, one heated exchange, one act or action not wholly thought through, are so many as to boggle the mind. If not for the foundation of trust we as children of God have, if not for the innate knowledge that He will see us through, we would surely be walking the high wire between madness and despair as so much of the world is. Learning to trust God is of paramount importance, especially given the times we are living in. If up until now we’ve had safety nets, and earthly assurances to fall back on, the season is fast approaching wherein the just will live by faith, and faith alone. Although to some it might seem like a frightening prospect, it is, in reality, a most glorious and awe inspiring thing. If any lingering doubts remain, all you need do is daily remind yourself of God’s faithfulness thus far. If any trepidation about the future is still present in your heart, look back on the road already traveled, and see His Hand keeping you, guiding you, and protecting you throughout. Trust is something we must constantly build up. With every new manifestation of God’s provision, with every acknowledgment of His presence in our lives, our trust grows, it becomes rooted, and at some point along life’s journey, we come to discover that our trust in God is unshakeable. Never once have I met anyone who placed the entirety of their trust in God and felt let down. Never once have I met anyone who having trusted God, looked back on their lives and felt as though they had been shortchanged. We have been neither abandoned nor forgotten. We have been neither left defenseless nor rudderless. We serve a God who is an ever present help in time of trouble, a God who has unequivocally proven His love and compassion for us, and a God who keep His promises, no matter what. Trust, when God promises He will be with us, then He will be with us. When God promises He will protect us, the He will protect us, no matter the circumstance, no matter how impossible it might seem to human reason or the human intellect. We serve a God of the impossible. We serve a God who can do all the things and with whom all things are possible. Take strength in the knowledge that God is with you, and fear not. No matter what your eyes may see, no matter what your ears may hear, no matter how perturbed the world might get, fear not. You are in His embrace, you are His beloved, and nothing will by any means harm you. Ps 46:10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.With love in Christ
*(This document may be edited for length) |
|
Psalm 24:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. Psalm 143:8 … Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to Thee I lift up my soul.Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…) |