GROWING - phase 3 - 4 fields/4 bases/4 stages/5 Touch Stones of Fruitful Discipleship/Kingdom Ministry
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 7 viewsNotes
Transcript
GROWING - PHASE 3 - 4 FIELDS
GROWING - PHASE 3 - 4 FIELDS
The outside of houses, especially lawns and landscaping provide significant non-verbal statements on behalf of those who live in that house. While the non-verbal statements warrant being processed in context, there are also usually interconnected statements being made.
Renter versus owner versus absentee land lord
Lest I point fingers at others - Denlow St yard - previous owners were commuters, young family, positioning of side yard fence, lack of green thumbs, more than normal weeds - corner lot bombarded with weed seed laden sand from snow plow & upwind neighbour with “natural” lawn.
Healthy lawns and farm crop should be more the norm than the exceptions. That does not require harsh chemicals. But it does require time and TLC.
The same should also be true of professing believers and churches. When they are lacking, we should not only ask our Lord, but prayerfully agonize over “what we to do “ and “why”.
GROWING - Matt 13:8-9, 23 - understanding and believing the Gospel is only the beginning.
While the rejection of the word is obvious, regenerating faith and new life in Christ cannot always to be assumed because of what we see and assume. Initial joy does not indicate that the word has taken root. Only when time passes and tribulation and persecution is endured can we better assume that the word has taken root. In the same vain, only when we see that the heart of the professed new believer is not swayed by the cares of the world and deceitfulness have not choked the word and there is fruit, the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit, can we continue to thank the Lord that the word is not only not choked but producing fruit.
The enduring and the fruit are evidences of spiritual growth.
Genuine growth is the result of the Lord imprinting Himself , not those who also served. By this, the Scriptures do not what what//who contributes to growth. But growth becomes evident in Christ becoming clearer as the word produces fruit.
In Paul’s 1st letter to the church in Corinth, he made the self deprecating statement that while spiritual growth was to be expected, it was the Lord who gave that increase.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
Those whom God uses to nurture growth in each other, new and fellow believers are nothing more and nothing less than God’s fellow workers.
But there was more that Paul explained. When growth ceases to be the norm, there is will problems in the lives of individual believers and the churches of which they are parts.
Not ready or discerning of spiritual food - 3:2-3
Jealousy & strife - 3:3
Divisions rather than unity - 3:4
Lack of grace and evidence of what is doing - 3:9
Point fingers at what others are not doing than prayerfully take how we as individually build and grow in Christ - 3:10
So how do we maintain, that is reaffirm spiritual growth in our lives and church? Paul gave them this advice.
So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Growth, the assumed result of genuine conversion, is confirmed and insured by discipleship.
The Scriptures help us to evaluate the effectiveness of our discipleship. We will review some segments of the word of God . Each of these verses forces us to ask ourselves a question.
The 7 questions that we will ask ourselves and each other are not exhaustive but they are comprehensive. Two deal with how we respond to the word. Two focus on our relationship with Christ. Two deal how we interact with other believers, the church. The last question brings some of those questions together.
The first two questions with regard to the word. These flow from the Epistle of James and are expanded on elsewhere in the Scriptures.
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Do we receive the word not with superficial joy but with meekness as the implanted word? - James 1:21
How we and others receive the word is the beginning of everything. Do we receive it as true and the word of God?
Only with the word and the faith parameters that is defined by the word do we have the true biblical faith we profess defined and governed.
James stressed meekness and the implanted word. When saving faith is real, true and life transforming, the word will have been approached with a meekness and continues to be evident. James is repeating what Jesus taught in one of His first sermons.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
As with all spiritual attributes, we are best assessed by others, whose gentle assessment is only prayerfully offered with no sense of pride.
With regard to the word, James uses the word implanted, engrafted KJV . “This is the word for an implanting, not at birth but later in life. It is used metaphorically to mean, ‘sent into a man to be, to grow to be, a part of his nature.’” (Reinecker, Linguistic Key to the NT)
The implanted word becomes the e of our new nature and that is continually transformed as the word is allowed to mold and shape us.
2. Are we obedient to the word and praying?
James is bluntly honest and practical. Whenever we look at ourselves in the mirror of the word of God, there should always be something that we see need to further prayerfully continue to open the word asking God to further conform us to the image of Christ.
The mirror of the word should never be allowed to distorted by history , by tradition or established practices or liturgy. That which does not flow from the implanted/engrafted stems from other sources that must always be scrutinized by the word.
James’ context and aim is not to specify all that we should see and adjust when we stand before the mirror of the word of God but he does deal with two. We cannot help but ask why he singled out these two.
An unbridled tongue - picture of a man putting a bridle in his own mouth not that of another.
Again we can never be our own judges and most of us are probably to ask others, but how others begin to react when we are about to open our mouths.
Do they smile and relax in expectation of considered words with a soothing but true summary of grace and truth? Or is there a noticed apprehension to avoid verbal projectiles and collateral damage?
This person’s religion is worthless - deceived own heart, religion useless - mataios - vain, empty, nonproductive, useless, dead
Used by Paul to suggest that profess faith might not be real.
And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
- Pure & undefiled religion, as compared to that which is worthless/dead before God the Father - 2 spotless, selfless acts of compassionate love - those without parents and orphans were especially needy members of the congregation. It goes without saying that these expressions of compassion are not being done with an expression of some return.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Honor widows who are truly widows.
You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.
“At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
Two questions that focus on our relationship with Christ:
Are we becoming more like Christ?
A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
The more time that we spend in the word, the more we should see Christ and the more Christ should be seen in us. In considering this question, let’s allow the word to be our guide.
For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
2. Are we willing to leave all to follow Him?
And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
What are we hesitant to leave behind?
Our next two questions deal with how we interact with other believers, the church.
Are we an integral part of a healthy reproducing group of believers?
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Fellowship - partnership - koinonia - sharing - because believers become partners with Jesus and other believers.
that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Breaking of bread - shared interactive times other than worship services - Lord’s Table and more.
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Prayers
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit,
“ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed’—
for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.
2. Are we identifying, training and retaining future leaders?
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
And by way of summary, one question.
Are we going, sowing and growing making disciples? Is there an increase from the Lord.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
GROWING:
Is our Lord regularly adding to our number those who are being saved?
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
What are we doing to disciple those who are being saved?
While discipleship is a life long process, if we are going, sowing with the result that there is spiritual growth, there should be within our extended church family all levels of spiritually maturing believers
Who in our midst is able to teach those who will be able to teach others also - 2 Tim 2:2 -
Leaders who reproduce leaders.
When a church ceases to have teachers who are able to teach others also, unless that segment of the congregation is strategically replaced and replenished, the congregation will die. It is not a question of if but when.