This Sunday we continue our message series, The Church as it Should Be. The series is a review of the five purposes that should be exhibited in every Christ follower. This week's purpose is Grow.
The purpose of grow too many times is limited to learning information. Yes, the root word for disciple in the NT is "learner," but the word meant more than learning facts and figures like we do today. The first disciples of Jesus were learners whom Jesus called to emulate his lifestyle, not recite answers he had given them days before. He taught them things like in Matthew 5, but he also gave them authority to do powerful things (Matthew 10:1).
Jesus spent time with the twelve to guide them to a new way of life that reflected the reign of God in their lives. This is what Grow is about. Dallas Willard put it this way, "If I am Jesus' disciple that means I am with him to learn from him how to be like him." (The Divine Conspiracy, 276) To Grow is to become like Jesus not simply know about Jesus.
This fact is why our Life Mission Question for this purpose is, "How do you act more like Jesus than when you first met him?" And, the biblical basis for that truth is "And we…are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18
Of course, you can't act like Jesus or become like him unless you know what he did and what he taught. Spending time with Jesus means spending time in the Bible getting to know him. A lifestyle based upon acting like Jesus is what disciples of Jesus do.
Today, watch yourself, and ask yourself, "How do I act more like Jesus than when I first met him?"
Kris Koenigsberg is telling the story of her son's battle with cancer on her blog. Some of you know it and will want to recount the steps of the journey. Others of you who do not know it should read to see real people deal with real stuff and trust God through it all. This is a family who acted like Jesus through a horrible time in their lives.
oneWorship this Sunday We'll all be together in the Legacy Center at 10:30 for worship, teaching, dedication of home and family, baptism and fellowship. Don't be late. You'll want to be part of the whole experience this week.
Posted by Gene Wilkes at January 26, 2006 08:52 AMHere's something I read recently: Jesus's call is "Follow me" not "Learn about me".
I think that's the point you're making here.
I can memorize just about anything. Until I apply it in my life, no matter how amazing the content, it's just filling up space in my head.
Great stuff--I look forward to Sunday!
Posted by: patsy at January 27, 2006 12:13 PM