Grosey's Messages

1 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
4 To please the recruiter, no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of everyday life.
5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 It is the hardworking farmer who ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8 Keep in mind Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, according to my gospel.
9 For this I suffer, to the point of being bound like a criminal; but God’s message is not bound.

From the phrase missional to the style of music, the focus tends to be for Pastors to look for the newest "bait" to use in the church today. I am not objecting to "new" ideas or relevance with this point. I am the first to admit that many (not all) of our churches are using 1970 style ministries and they are not doing much. Yet, there is an element that we need to grasp that takes us far beyond the ideas of ministry approach.

Alexander Maclaren said” There is no rosy painting of the Christian life, or of a Christian teacher’s life, as easy or pleasant to flesh and blood. On the contrary, none of Paul’s letters give more emphatic utterance to the fact that suffering is the law of both. That is wise; for the best way to-brace people for difficult work and hardship is to tell them fairly what they will have to face. There is always fascination to large hearted folks or fervent disciples in the thought of danger and toil, undertaken for a beloved cause or favourite pursuit. Boys are made sailors by the stories of wreck and hardship told them to keep them ashore. So Paul encourages’ son Timothy’ by putting before him all the toil and the peril which are the conditions of the work to which he has set his hand.”

There is savagery and brutality enough about the soldiers’ trade to make it remarkable that it should be so constantly chosen to illustrate the life of the servants of the Prince of Peace. But there are grand qualities brought out in warfare, which need but to be transferred to their most worthy object; and for the sake of these, the metaphor is used here.

1. The Power That Sustains

1 You, therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

The present tense marks an abiding and continuing strengthening. be inwardly strengthened;’

We need the Power of God:
This grace in which we are strengthened is the grace of ‘inward sanctification’ (comp. Hooker, Append. to Book V. Vol. ii. p. 696), and betokens that element of spiritual life ‘which enables a man both to will and to do according to what God has commanded,’

A friend wrote me this week and said The power of God was worth more than any style. In fact I discovered that style grew out of God moving not that style brought the move of God. In all the rush to address needs in the lives of people I wonder if we have forgotten that the Gospel itself is the power of God? He reflected on some of the old great names in Baptist life that we had listened to and appreciated, he said

“The challenge was actually simple... seek God, live holy, share Jesus and watch what God would do. These men modelled this in their ministries and the fruit was obvious. It was not too difficult to see that when a man allowed God to have total control (he was surrendered to God) that God would bless in ways that we as mere humans cannot begin to imagine. Have we moved so far into the "how to's" that we have left the power of God out?” Not every church will be large. But I do believe that every church can and should see people being saved regularly. Every church does not have to look like others. Each church is unique. We have two styles at our church and God moves in both. The style or music has little to do with His moving. Maybe this is part of problem - we are trying to copy others or think that only one approach will work. Yet when God is in control and His power is flowing, He will draw people to himself. His power is far more than any style, approach or method. Its about holiness in your relationship with the Lord. And the power of that holiness flowing through and touching others lives.

This grace ‘which is in Christ Jesus,’ which is only and truly centered in Him, and of which He is the mediator to all who are in fellowship and union with Him;

Observe that personal strength in the grace of Christ precedes importance as in time the transmission of the Apostolic deposit of faith.

2. The Programme That Succeeds

Legend Angel Gabriel... "And how are the people of the world to know about it?"

Lord: "I have a small band.." Gabriel: "And what if they fail?" Lord: "I have no other plan."

2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Jesus said that his purpose for coming into the world was to reconcile persons to the Father and to make it possible for every person to experience the abundant life. He knew that this mission would not be accomplished in his lifetime and that its success would depend on what his followers did after him. Therefore, Jesus concentrated his ministry on calling out and training a group of disciples.
The disciples were a group of individuals committed to following Christ, to learning of him, and to becoming like him. At the end of this ministry, Jesus sent these disciples out with a twofold commission: to continue his mission of reconciling every person to the Father and to make disciples who in turn would make yet other disciples.
As one who has responded to Christ’s call to discipleship, you not only are sent by Christ to reconcile persons to the Father; you also are commissioned to make disciples. But you ask: What does that mean? How does discipling take place? What is my role as a discipler? Who am I responsible for discipling?
Jesus ministered to all kinds of people in all kinds of situations. In whatever context he found himself, he spoke openly of the meaning and the demands of discipleship and challenged people from all walks of life to follow him. These were spontaneous occasions on which persons were challenged and were called simply because they happened to be there. But Christ also had more intimate relationship and entrusted his vision to an ever more select group.
Christ invested most of his time in the twelve. It was to these that he gave himself most completely. It was to these that he spoke most openly and urgently about his mission. Jesus spent more and more time with the twelve as he approached his death. He had chosen these twelve with two objectives in mind—(1) that they should be with him and (2) that he might send them forth (Mark 3:14). When Jesus selected these twelve to change the world, he chose them carefully. Then he invested his life in training these persons who would not only continue to carry out his mission but also would multiply his presence in the world by making other disciples.
How Does Discipling Take Place?
There are three different types of discipling.
1. Spontaneous discipling. You assist persons in their discipleship growth simply because circumstances have brought you together and provide you with the opportunity to fill the servant role of discipler. Remember that regardless of the context, Christ spoke openly of the meaning and demands of discipleship and challenged people from all walks of life to follow him. You should be sensitive to your opportunity and your responsibility to minister to the growth needs of other disciples.
2. Sequential discipling. A planned discipling process is usually sequenced according to the developmental growth processes of a person. MasterLife, or Navigators is an example of sequential discipling. Sequential discipling may be done in a group or in a one-to-one relationship. In either case, you try to help those you are discipling to reach specific goals and a level of maturity or proficiency as a disciple. Some one-to- one approaches vary the sequence to fit the responses of each individual, but the same goals are to be reached during the process. The distinguishing mark is that a minimum standard of discipleship is considered as the objective and a logical process is used to achieve it.
3. Apprenticeship discipling. An apprentice learns skills, behaviour, knowledge, and attitudes from one who is recognized as an expert in a certain area. Apprenticeship discipling occurs when a person who has expertise in a certain area, such as teaching, leading, preaching, evangelism, ministry, and so on, gives another person on-the-job training in that area. Discipleship is learned in addition to the expertise imparted.
How to Enlist Disciples
1. Love them. Jesus so loved his disciples that they gladly followed him. It is evident how much he loved them by his prayer of John 17. As you love people, many will respond to you. As you take a personal interest in them and their needs, they will be drawn to you and to Christ in you. When you genuinely love people and put their interests first, they will begin to return that love. A loving relationship in Christ is the base from which all discipling begins.
2. Serve them. Service grows out of love and is the physical manifestation of it. Jesus served his disciples——even to washing their feet. Serving others models the proper relationship. Do not demand that others serve you. The Gentiles do that. The Pharisees did that and attracted proselytes. Servants attract disciples who will serve others.

3. Have something in your life that they need. No person becomes a disciple unless he has seen evidence that the discipler has qualities that he wants but does not have.

a. Founded in Christ. Persons want a close relationship with Christ and are attracted to someone who puts Christ first, whose life revolves around Christ, and who is guided by Christ and empowered by him.
b. Personhood. Persons want to become whole, well-adjusted persons who have strength of character, and they are attracted to someone who “has it all together.”
c. Life message. Persons want to follow someone who lives what he professes daily, who stands for something, and who is willing to put his life on the line for what he believes.
d. Ministry. Persons want to have a satisfying ministry and are attracted by people who do and who can show them how to do the same.
e. Home. Persons want a harmonious home; and when they see someone using such a home as a base for ministry, they get excited. Your home is the ultimate test. They usually check you out here before they fully commit themselves to being a disciple.
f. Daily work. Persons want to integrate their spiritual lives with their secular lives. The example of someone who does so appeals to them.
If you are sensitive, you will discover that many times a disciple will choose you rather than your choosing him. He will ask questions and advice. You should respond to his needs and minister to them, If he continues to be interested, invite him to come with you as you witness or minister. This will form a relationship in which you may ask, “Would you like to spend some time each week studying together about being a disciple or learning this ministry?” or, “Would you like to step up our relationship in exploring discipleship and ministry?”
4. Lead someone to Christ. This is the most natural discipling relationship. Continue to disciple the person you lead to Christ until you see the traits of a multiplying disciple develop in him.
5. Recruit to a vision. When you talk to a person about discipleship training for leaders, recruit to a vision rather than to a program or an organization. Disciples need to be motivated by the Master and his vision. The program or process is the means to the end. It is like a train that takes you from one point to another point in the journey of life. People want to give their lives to something that is worthwhile and ultimate. Only God and his kingdom offer the ultimate commitment. Share the vision God has given you for having a part in his divine plan. Give them opportunities to catch your vision as you serve together. (from MasterLife)

3. The Problems That Strain

Suffering

Soldiers

Eph 6:10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

Dr Alexander Maclaren "In Paul's time there were no standing armies, but men were summoned from their ordinary avocations and sent into the field. When the hasty call came forth, the plough was left in the furrow, the web in the loom; the bridegroom hurried from his bride, the mourner from the graveside. All home industries were paralyzed as the manhood of the nation took to the field of battle."

The Christian soldier must Focus...> giving up certain interests, habits friends, amusements. not because they are wrong, but because they are distracting entanglements. He will not criticize other believer's whom the Lord may not have called to give up this or that. It's the thing that entangles you.. before the Lord, that must be stopped.

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Concentrate On Whom You Please

4 To please the recruiter, no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of everyday life.
I was once tempted not to go and see a man about his sin.. "You won't be very popular!" "Depends who I want ot be popular with. Popular..down here or up there?"

2Co 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.

Concentrate on How You Push On

5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
The runner in a marathon has no choice but to finish. If he doesn’t finish he is out of the game. He has to keep the rules and do it all right. The same is true of the discipler. He ahs to keep on keeping on.; his or her own life has to model the communion with the Lord that he desires for others. He has to model a Christian outlook.

Concentrate on Working Hard

6 It is the hardworking farmer who ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.
The hardworking farmer: If you have seen a farmer who does not work hard you know he is broke.

Farming is hard work, dawn till dusk, in times when you’d rather not work you have to. As the need requires. You have to stick at it. The same is true with discipling others. You are on call to them. It isn’t going to stop. You’ll have to keep to it.

4. The Person That Supports

Charles Stanley impresses me.. endured a great hardship.. "How can I expect to have the relationship with the Lord that these guys have without their trials?

8 Keep in mind Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descended from David, according to my gospel.
9 For this I suffer, to the point of being bound like a criminal; but God’s message is not bound.

How not to get despondent.

Here is a tremendous encouragement to live and serve right.

Alexander MacLaren puts it like this.

Rather than give a man a principle to live by, Paul sets forth a Person who cares. How entirely different a thing it is to give a poor, feeble, solitary man a living, loving Lord to serve and to please, and to set him down before a cold, impersonal ‘ideal’; and say to him, ‘There! live up to that, or it will be the worse for you.’ The gospel sets forth Jesus Christ as the Pattern and Law of duty, in whom all the statuesque purity of the marble is changed into the warm, breathing flesh and blood of a brother. It sets Him forth as the power for duty, who stoops down from His height to reach forth a helping hand to us poor strugglers in the bogs at the mountain’s foot, while Law but looks on with pure and icy eyes at our flounderings, and counts the splashes on our dress. It sets Him forth as the Motive for duty, who draws us to what is right by ‘the cords of love and the bands of a man,’ while the world’s morality knows only how to appeal either to low motives of whips and pay, or to fine-spun considerations of right and obligation that melt like October’s morning ice before the faintest heat of temptation. Finally, it sets Him forth as the Reward of obedience, teaching us that the true recompense of well-doing lies in pleasing Him, and that to win a smile, an ‘honourable mention,’ from the General, life itself would be wisely paid. Such are the great characteristics of Christian morality. Everything clusters round a living Person. All the coldness and remoteness and powerlessness which incurably weaken all law, whether it be that of a statute-book, or of conscience, or of moralists, are changed into their very opposites. Christ is duty; Love is law. Christ is power; Christ is impulse. Christ is motive; Christ is reward.

# posted by Groseys messages @ 11:56 AM