Discipleship

In our earlier blogs we looked at success, purpose and discipline. These are very important foundations to build upon when we talk about discipleship. Jesus never commanded his disciples to build his church. He said I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it. The word translated church her is the Greek word, Ecclesia. It was not a religious term. Actually, it was a political term. The Ecclesia was the governing body, of the Roman Empire, much like our Senate in the United States. Their job was to carry out the laws and the wishes of the king. The Roman Empire had its Ecclesia so Jesus said I will build my Ecclesia, or ruling body that will carry out my wishes and my laws.

     After the resurrection and before Jesus ascended he told his disciples this, in Matthew 28 verses 19&20. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the earth. This is what has been called the “Great Commission.” Co, mission, that means God expected us to work with the Holy Spirit to get the Job done of teaching all nations what Jesus had taught his disciples.

     Jesus taught his disciples about the kingdom. His words were ‘Repent’ for the kingdom of Heaven has arrived. The word repent here means to change the way you think. He was saying change the way you think there is a better way than what you have been taught and how you are living. He went on in Matthew chapter 5 teaching what we call the beatitude’s, the kingdom principles. When Jesus sent his disciples out, he told them what to teach. He said when you go preach this same message. Repent for the kingdom of heaven has arrived.

     In Matthew chapter 6 verses 9&10 when Jesus disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, he said: After this manner therefore pray ye: our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. In Matthew chapter 6 verse 33 Jesus taught his disciples: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. What things? All the things that we have need of like food clothing and shelter.

     Jesus’ message was all about the kingdom that was his only message. He demonstrated healings and casting out devils and other miracles but he never taught his disciples to teach these things. These miracles were simply demonstrating what the kingdom of God was to look like. In Gods kingdom there is no sickness no possession and no lack. We have been busy doing everything except what Jesus told us to do. Make disciples. The definition of a disciple is a disciplined learner. We have made a lot of church goers but very few disciples.

     Our vision for the retreat at Goshen Falls is to allow people to come and enjoy the beauty of nature and to rest be refreshed, revived and restored. Our goal is making relationships and have community with people. In hopes that we will have the opportunity to reach out to those desiring to be discipled. I have learned that not everyone wants to be discipled. It is much easier to make church goers but you can’t really fulfill God’s original idea with church goers, it takes disciples. Church goers actually hurt the cause of Christ. What was God’s original idea? For his children to have dominion, mastery and control. To be fruitful and to multiply. That means more than just having babies. It means to find your gift to master it to dominate that field and produce something of value to share with everyone. His intention was for his children, ‘The Ecclesia” to represent him on earth, to carry out his wishes and his laws. To be his representatives on earth to make earth look and operate like heaven.

     Has the church failed in the mission Jesus sent his disciples out to accomplish. I believe so because they didn’t really understand the mission. Has the church done a lot of good things, yes. But what is more important doing a lot of good things or obeying God’s original idea and Jesus’ command? The key to success, purpose and discipline is seeking first the kingdom. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom? First you have to know what a kingdom is and we have no clue as Westerners because we were brought up in a Democratic Republic. In order to be more than a church goer and to become a disciple you have to understand the kingdom concept. You can learn more about it in my book “The Shift in Time the Reformation Awakens.” Check the heading on the home page “books.”