Proverbs 20:5 A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out.
In today's blog I want to continue from the understanding of man that we explored yesterday: namely that man is made in God's image, and that he is a body, soul and spirit. With that understanding I want us to consider what is essential in effective Biblical counseling. The thoughts below are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather descriptive of a general viewpoint on the Bible's insights into applying Gospel truth in counseling situations.
1. The Biblical Counselor needs to be a Christian who is applying God's word to their life
The two most important qualifications for any one giving sound counsel or advice from a Biblical perspective is that they be a Christian and that they are mature in the faith. 1 Corinthians 2:12 gives us the basis for the first qualification: "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God". Only when a person has been converted by grace through faith can they begin to understand how to apply God's word.
The next verse, 1 Corinthians 2:13, gives us the second qualification: "which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." As a Christian grows in their faith, they not only need to be growing in their knowledge of the scriptures, but also in their application of what they know of the scriptures. This entails thinking through and discerning where God's word connects to the issues of life. Application of the Bible is the number one way in measuring Christian spiritual maturity. Furthermore, if you have learned how to apply God's word in a given area, then I will be able, with His grace, to give sound counsel to other people.
2. Biblical Counseling proceeds from God to man
Biblical counseling has as its starting point not man - but God. For only when we come to know and understand the God of the Bible can we make sense of who and what man is. Christian Counseling's base of operations is the Gospel message. (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
3. Biblical Counseling offers the correct correct view of man
In the Gospel you find out that mankind had forfeited the original privilege of knowing God in favor of pleasing himself and finding delight in created things. (Romans 1:18-25) This original act of Adam and Eve resulted in a curse upon they and their descendants – a curse transmitted from one generation to the next called “sin”.
This curse of "sin" is described three ways in Psalm 51. It first is an ongoing pattern of habitual rebellion against God and His standards - what the Bible terms "iniquity". Second, it is by nature a "crossing of the line" in moral and spiritual areas - what the Bible calls "transgression". Then finally, it is falling short of meeting God's standards of right and wrong as shown in His Law - the true nature and heart of "sin".
4. Biblical counseling presumes that mankind has been drastically affected by sin
When you look at the Bible's assessment of how much sin has affected human beings, you discover that the extent of the affect is devastating. Though mankind can still be creative, produce beautiful works of art and even do good things, man at his core is incapable of doing anything that could please God. Furthermore, the mind of man has been darkened, making him bent towards wanting to please himself more than God. (Ephesians 2:1-4) Therefore only the light of God's word in the gospel can shed the necessary light into man's human spirit to affect the change needed in his soul.
My prayer is that this blog will aid you in being equipped for those situations that may require you to provide biblical counsel to someone in need. More on this subject tomorrow.
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Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Biblical Counseling 101
Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Man is only understood when you begin with God
What is man? In the passage above, we get the first reference in the Bible as to what distinguishes man from the animals by way of the phrase "the image of God". Thankfully the Lord saw fit to give us a Psalm that expands upon this curious phrase in Genesis - Psalm 8. It is there that the Holy Spirit through David's pen answers this question in Psalm 8:4 - "What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" David's words do not present man as an intelligent animal. To be made in God's image means that man was created with the original capacity to know and be known by God.
The difference between people, angels and animals
The one trait that separates human beings from the other cataegories of conscious life - animals and angels, is tied to the phrase: "the image of God". Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:7 record for us the intention God had in making conscious beings who could not only function and live in this world, but also have a relationship with Him. I heard one pastor offer this helpful distinction between animals, angels and people:
-Animals are beings with a body and soul but no spirit
-Angels are beings with a spirit and a soul with no physical body
-Humans are beings with a spirit and a soul that for eternity will have a body
What human beings can do what the animals can't do and what the angels would desire
Human beings have that creative, imaginative part, the spirit, that is not possessed by animals. As humorous or wierd as it may sound, the reason that you do not see squirrels raising their paws in praise is because they have a soul and a body, but no spirit. They can interract with their world though a body and they proceed by instinct in their animal soul, however they don't possess the attributes of creativity, self-reflection or concepts of eternity like human beings.
In like manner the angels have, in their own sense, a spirit and an element by which they can interract with their environment (a soul of sorts). They are by nature totally immaterial, being described for instance in Psalm 104:4 as "ministering flames of fire". However with no physical body, they can never have as much in common with Christ - the God man - as do the saints of God, who have body, soul and spirit. Furthermore, for all eternity all true believers will have glorious resurrected bodies by which they will be able to have closer relationship with God than the angels. (1John 3:1-3)
Three common understandings of human beings
In the realm of secular and Christian counseling, three viewpoints are espoused in understanding the nature and make-up of human beings.
View #1: Man is a unit of interracting chemicals, shaped by the physical environment
The most recent view in secular thought is that man is a one-unit being, a physical consciousness. In trying to diagnose and prescribe solutions with this model, it is assumed that the person is nothing more than the sum of all the electrical and chemical reactions in the brain. This view's weakness lies in the fact that it makes man the measuring rod of understanding, and completely denies the existence of an all-powerful, all knowing God of the Bible. Furthermore, this viewpoint assumes that all reality is nothing but physical matter. Without allowing the possibility for the existence, let alone for the interraction of the God of the Bible with sinful human beings in salvation, this viewpoint cannot be used as a legitimate model for Christian counseling.
View #2: Man is physical and immaterial, a body and soul
This second view is perhaps the most popular in both secular and Christian circles. It's merits lie in the fact that it recognizes that man is not just merely a "biological machine". Man is composed of two "parts" or "realms" - thus this view is sometimes referred to as "dichotomy". Man has a body, composed of the five senses. Then in the immaterial part, called the "soul", man has a thinker - the mind; a feeler or the emotions; a place for convictions or the affections; a chooser - the will; an area of right and wrong - the conscience and a place for interraction with God - the heart.
In secular thought you will hear the term "psycho-somatic" to refer to conditions that are caused by both the mind and the body. For decades this view has dominated the field. When I took counseling courses in Bible College and Seminary, this viewpoint was the one we were taught. Although far superior to the first view, this position does not seem to go far enough in probing the nature of man. Though far more useful than the first, there is one more model, an older one, that gets closest to effectively addressing the human condition from a biblical standpoint.
View Three: Man is a physical body, an interracting soul and a worshipping spirit
Two passages, Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23 both bear out the full and complete revelation of man: that is is three parts, a "tri-chotomy - body, soul and spirit. He has a body -the physical part of him that connects with the world through the five senses. But in this view the soul and another part, the spirit are distinguished. Like the second view, the soul functions with a mind, emotions, affections and will. However in the light of scripture we discover that man has a spirit - the capacity to interract and be communicated to by God.
It is here where we see the uniqueness of human beings, as well as the fundamental understanding that mankind is spiritual at his very root. But now how has events like the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the garden affected humanity? Furthermore, how can we begin to use this model to address the issues of life? More on that tomorrow.
Man is only understood when you begin with God
What is man? In the passage above, we get the first reference in the Bible as to what distinguishes man from the animals by way of the phrase "the image of God". Thankfully the Lord saw fit to give us a Psalm that expands upon this curious phrase in Genesis - Psalm 8. It is there that the Holy Spirit through David's pen answers this question in Psalm 8:4 - "What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" David's words do not present man as an intelligent animal. To be made in God's image means that man was created with the original capacity to know and be known by God.
The difference between people, angels and animals
The one trait that separates human beings from the other cataegories of conscious life - animals and angels, is tied to the phrase: "the image of God". Genesis 1:26-28 and 2:7 record for us the intention God had in making conscious beings who could not only function and live in this world, but also have a relationship with Him. I heard one pastor offer this helpful distinction between animals, angels and people:
-Animals are beings with a body and soul but no spirit
-Angels are beings with a spirit and a soul with no physical body
-Humans are beings with a spirit and a soul that for eternity will have a body
What human beings can do what the animals can't do and what the angels would desire
Human beings have that creative, imaginative part, the spirit, that is not possessed by animals. As humorous or wierd as it may sound, the reason that you do not see squirrels raising their paws in praise is because they have a soul and a body, but no spirit. They can interract with their world though a body and they proceed by instinct in their animal soul, however they don't possess the attributes of creativity, self-reflection or concepts of eternity like human beings.
In like manner the angels have, in their own sense, a spirit and an element by which they can interract with their environment (a soul of sorts). They are by nature totally immaterial, being described for instance in Psalm 104:4 as "ministering flames of fire". However with no physical body, they can never have as much in common with Christ - the God man - as do the saints of God, who have body, soul and spirit. Furthermore, for all eternity all true believers will have glorious resurrected bodies by which they will be able to have closer relationship with God than the angels. (1John 3:1-3)
Three common understandings of human beings
In the realm of secular and Christian counseling, three viewpoints are espoused in understanding the nature and make-up of human beings.
View #1: Man is a unit of interracting chemicals, shaped by the physical environment
The most recent view in secular thought is that man is a one-unit being, a physical consciousness. In trying to diagnose and prescribe solutions with this model, it is assumed that the person is nothing more than the sum of all the electrical and chemical reactions in the brain. This view's weakness lies in the fact that it makes man the measuring rod of understanding, and completely denies the existence of an all-powerful, all knowing God of the Bible. Furthermore, this viewpoint assumes that all reality is nothing but physical matter. Without allowing the possibility for the existence, let alone for the interraction of the God of the Bible with sinful human beings in salvation, this viewpoint cannot be used as a legitimate model for Christian counseling.
View #2: Man is physical and immaterial, a body and soul
This second view is perhaps the most popular in both secular and Christian circles. It's merits lie in the fact that it recognizes that man is not just merely a "biological machine". Man is composed of two "parts" or "realms" - thus this view is sometimes referred to as "dichotomy". Man has a body, composed of the five senses. Then in the immaterial part, called the "soul", man has a thinker - the mind; a feeler or the emotions; a place for convictions or the affections; a chooser - the will; an area of right and wrong - the conscience and a place for interraction with God - the heart.
In secular thought you will hear the term "psycho-somatic" to refer to conditions that are caused by both the mind and the body. For decades this view has dominated the field. When I took counseling courses in Bible College and Seminary, this viewpoint was the one we were taught. Although far superior to the first view, this position does not seem to go far enough in probing the nature of man. Though far more useful than the first, there is one more model, an older one, that gets closest to effectively addressing the human condition from a biblical standpoint.
View Three: Man is a physical body, an interracting soul and a worshipping spirit
Two passages, Hebrews 4:12 and 1 Thessalonians 5:23 both bear out the full and complete revelation of man: that is is three parts, a "tri-chotomy - body, soul and spirit. He has a body -the physical part of him that connects with the world through the five senses. But in this view the soul and another part, the spirit are distinguished. Like the second view, the soul functions with a mind, emotions, affections and will. However in the light of scripture we discover that man has a spirit - the capacity to interract and be communicated to by God.
It is here where we see the uniqueness of human beings, as well as the fundamental understanding that mankind is spiritual at his very root. But now how has events like the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the garden affected humanity? Furthermore, how can we begin to use this model to address the issues of life? More on that tomorrow.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Discipleship's motive for moving forward
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 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, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Discipleship's goal and beginning are rooted in the Master's call
As we finish out this blog series on the meaning of discipleship, I want to review what we have discovered over the course of the past six blogs - namely discipleship includes:
1. Calling from Christ (Luke -28)
2. Cross and self-denial (Luke -24)
3. Counting the Cost (Luke -30)
4. Commitment to the text of scripture (John 6:68)
5. Church-life is essential (Matthew )
6. Communion or prayer, the oxygen of the faith-life (Luke 11:1ff)
As we look at the final element of discipleship - Christ's commission to go and make other disciples, the remarkable truth is that the Master's call provides the basis for this final element, just as it did in the first. Why is it that Christ's commission is the proper reference point in motivating the forward movement of discipleship? Consider the following thoughts below:
1. Christ is Sovereign - Matthew 28:18
When we speak of God's Sovereignty, we are referring to His final and mediated authority over all people, places and times. (Job 42:2; Romans 11:36) Notice what Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew 28:18 "All power has been given to me on Heaven and on earth". In the original Greek of this text the idea is that "All authority, dominion, power to perform" was given to Christ. In the Latin Bible the word used for power is the one from whence we get our word "potent". Thus the Master has the potency, the resources and the strength to work through His disciples to carry out this great commission.
Christian involvement is the means used by Christ in fulfilling His great commission
Now you and I may be tempted to say: "well if Christ has all power and authority, then why doesn't He just point and zap people into salvation?" The reason is because in His Sovereignty, His reign is based not only upon His final authority (see definition above), but also the means through which He mediates that authority. You and I dear friend are that means. God is a God of both means and ends. His Sovereign purpose is accomplished by Him, and it is accomplished through His disciples.
2. Christ is the Sovereign Savior - Matthew 28:19
As you consider what Jesus says next here in verse 19, three commands are given: "Go"; "make disciples" and "baptize". The "Go" part is being issued forth by the King to you and me, His ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21) The term "make disciples" is the message we have outlined here in this blog series. Note, Jesus is not saying "make converts". Rather He is saying: "make through the grace and the gospel another person who will want to become like me through self-denial and God-centered desire".
Why Baptism is important for the disciple in communicating the Sovereign Savior
Now what about that third command: "baptize"? Baptism has to do with an act of obedience, identification and participation on the part of the disciple. As obedience, baptism is what I refer to as the "first major step of Christian obedience" following one's conversion by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Since Jesus commands it to be done, and since my love for Jesus is expressed in doing what He says, then it follows that baptism's motive is rooted in delight for the Master. Though not essential to salvation, baptism is nonetheless essential to obedience. (John 14:15, 21,23)
As identification, Baptism's mode is that of immersion. The mode gives the most accurate picture of the disciple publically identifying in Christ's death (standing in water), burial (under water) and resurrection (out of the water). Then as participation, baptism communicates to all that discipleship is not a spectatator affair, but a daily, radical effort to make the Triune God, revealed through Christ, the central focus of the disciple's life.
3. Christ is the Sovereign, Saving Missionary - Matthew 28:20
As Sovereign, the Master has full and unlimited rights over the disciple in commissioning him. As Savior, the Master is the central message and reason for discipleship's commisioning. But now, who is it that is doing the work of this commission? The English word "missionary" comes from the Latin term "missio" meaning "missle, arrow, messenger". Thus God Himself not only sends people, but through those people He pledges to be the One, who like a missle, can infiltrate and break down the heart of unbelief. When Jesus speaks of "teaching" here in Matthew 28:20, he is not merely referring to impartation of information. Rather the idea of teaching includes the outcome of transformation.
The Sovereign, Saving Missionary is the confidence in accomplishing the mission
Jesus then gives this promise: "and I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." Therefore as true as it is that every disciple is a missionary, it is really God Himself, in the Person of Jesus Christ, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the discipleship that is accomplishing the mission. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21). Because He is Sovereign, He alone can transcend the time and space to fulfill the condition of "being with us always". As Savior, His never-ending desire to go to those upon whom He has set His love. His aim is to compel the lost through us to be reconciled to Him by faith. Then as Missionary, Christ Himself is making the appeal to come, follow Him, and be a disciple.
Discipleship's goal and beginning are rooted in the Master's call
As we finish out this blog series on the meaning of discipleship, I want to review what we have discovered over the course of the past six blogs - namely discipleship includes:
1. Calling from Christ (Luke -28)
2. Cross and self-denial (Luke -24)
3. Counting the Cost (Luke -30)
4. Commitment to the text of scripture (John 6:68)
5. Church-life is essential (Matthew )
6. Communion or prayer, the oxygen of the faith-life (Luke 11:1ff)
As we look at the final element of discipleship - Christ's commission to go and make other disciples, the remarkable truth is that the Master's call provides the basis for this final element, just as it did in the first. Why is it that Christ's commission is the proper reference point in motivating the forward movement of discipleship? Consider the following thoughts below:
1. Christ is Sovereign - Matthew 28:18
When we speak of God's Sovereignty, we are referring to His final and mediated authority over all people, places and times. (Job 42:2; Romans 11:36) Notice what Jesus says to his disciples in Matthew 28:18 "All power has been given to me on Heaven and on earth". In the original Greek of this text the idea is that "All authority, dominion, power to perform" was given to Christ. In the Latin Bible the word used for power is the one from whence we get our word "potent". Thus the Master has the potency, the resources and the strength to work through His disciples to carry out this great commission.
Christian involvement is the means used by Christ in fulfilling His great commission
Now you and I may be tempted to say: "well if Christ has all power and authority, then why doesn't He just point and zap people into salvation?" The reason is because in His Sovereignty, His reign is based not only upon His final authority (see definition above), but also the means through which He mediates that authority. You and I dear friend are that means. God is a God of both means and ends. His Sovereign purpose is accomplished by Him, and it is accomplished through His disciples.
2. Christ is the Sovereign Savior - Matthew 28:19
As you consider what Jesus says next here in verse 19, three commands are given: "Go"; "make disciples" and "baptize". The "Go" part is being issued forth by the King to you and me, His ambassadors. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21) The term "make disciples" is the message we have outlined here in this blog series. Note, Jesus is not saying "make converts". Rather He is saying: "make through the grace and the gospel another person who will want to become like me through self-denial and God-centered desire".
Why Baptism is important for the disciple in communicating the Sovereign Savior
Now what about that third command: "baptize"? Baptism has to do with an act of obedience, identification and participation on the part of the disciple. As obedience, baptism is what I refer to as the "first major step of Christian obedience" following one's conversion by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Since Jesus commands it to be done, and since my love for Jesus is expressed in doing what He says, then it follows that baptism's motive is rooted in delight for the Master. Though not essential to salvation, baptism is nonetheless essential to obedience. (John 14:15, 21,23)
As identification, Baptism's mode is that of immersion. The mode gives the most accurate picture of the disciple publically identifying in Christ's death (standing in water), burial (under water) and resurrection (out of the water). Then as participation, baptism communicates to all that discipleship is not a spectatator affair, but a daily, radical effort to make the Triune God, revealed through Christ, the central focus of the disciple's life.
3. Christ is the Sovereign, Saving Missionary - Matthew 28:20
As Sovereign, the Master has full and unlimited rights over the disciple in commissioning him. As Savior, the Master is the central message and reason for discipleship's commisioning. But now, who is it that is doing the work of this commission? The English word "missionary" comes from the Latin term "missio" meaning "missle, arrow, messenger". Thus God Himself not only sends people, but through those people He pledges to be the One, who like a missle, can infiltrate and break down the heart of unbelief. When Jesus speaks of "teaching" here in Matthew 28:20, he is not merely referring to impartation of information. Rather the idea of teaching includes the outcome of transformation.
The Sovereign, Saving Missionary is the confidence in accomplishing the mission
Jesus then gives this promise: "and I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." Therefore as true as it is that every disciple is a missionary, it is really God Himself, in the Person of Jesus Christ, by the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the discipleship that is accomplishing the mission. (2 Corinthians 5:15-21). Because He is Sovereign, He alone can transcend the time and space to fulfill the condition of "being with us always". As Savior, His never-ending desire to go to those upon whom He has set His love. His aim is to compel the lost through us to be reconciled to Him by faith. Then as Missionary, Christ Himself is making the appeal to come, follow Him, and be a disciple.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
The oxygen of discipleship - prayer
Luke 11:1a "It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray....."
What would you had asked Jesus to teach you?
As you read through the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you are exposed to over 140 episodes in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The Master and His disciples traveled all over the regions of Israel for 3 1/2 years. If you had been one of those disciples, what would you had asked the Master to teach you? Perhaps how to teach? Christ was certainly the Master at teaching - He preached sermons, taught over 60 parables and lived out or referenced nearly 600 Bible verses. Or maybe you had asked Him about four easy steps to doing miracles? Christ did over 30 recorded miracles, cast out demons on almost 10 occassions and demonstrated His identity and power.
The only thing the disciples ever asked Jesus to teach them
How about this one - prayer? In Israel, there were other teachers living during that time who not only taught on prayer and wrote on prayer but who were known for prayer. So as a disciple of Jesus Christ, would prayer had been on your radar screen? No doubt it was of chief interest to these disciples. They saw many examples of beautiful prayer, dramatic prayer and well worded prayer. But from the request for Jesus to teach them how to pray - they evidently had never seen prayer with power (except John the Baptist). Prayer to the faith-life of the disciple is as oxygen to the lungs.
What is included in an effective prayer-life?
As Jesus goes down through His most famous prayer - "The Lord's Prayer", He lays out the key elements involved in an effective prayer life:
1. You begin and end with an exalted view of God the Father.
Jesus begins this prayer with "Our Father" and He then ends the prayer in the parallel passageof Matthew 6:13 with a declaration of the Eternal dominion of the Father. How you begin your prayer-life will determine where you end.
2. You Proceed through the promises of God through God the Son
As Christ continues to teach His disciples, He invokes several key promises and truths straight from the scripture. He first of all prays about the Kingdom of God or the reign of God to allign God's purposes in Heaven and on earth. Next He prays for God to supply every need. Then thirdly He prays for protection from the Evil One. All of these promises find their completion in the Son Himself. Christ will soon return, is the Mediator between God and believers and is the source of every spiritual and physical provision. 2 Corinthians 1:20 reminds us that all the promises and truths of God are confirmed in Christ.
3. Your prayer-life's connection to practical life is done through God the Holy Spirit
As Jesus concludes His teaching on prayer in Luke 11, we see Him speak about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in Luke 11:13. Why the Holy Spirit? Because it is through the work of the indwelling Spirit that my prayer-life and practical-life are connected. It is the Spirit who leads me and guides me whether I am in prayer about my life or living prayerfully between prayer-times. (Romans 8:26) We read in Galatians 5:25 - "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
Breath-in the Oxygen of discipleship
I find it no accident that Christ's teaching on prayer is purposefully centered around the Trinity. It is to God the Father that the disciple directs their prayers; it is through the Son that they can proceed confidently in prayer and it is by the strength of the Holy Spirit that they can continue to pray. (Ephesians 2:18) May you and I breath deep into the lungs of Christian faith the oxygen of prayer.
What would you had asked Jesus to teach you?
As you read through the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, you are exposed to over 140 episodes in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The Master and His disciples traveled all over the regions of Israel for 3 1/2 years. If you had been one of those disciples, what would you had asked the Master to teach you? Perhaps how to teach? Christ was certainly the Master at teaching - He preached sermons, taught over 60 parables and lived out or referenced nearly 600 Bible verses. Or maybe you had asked Him about four easy steps to doing miracles? Christ did over 30 recorded miracles, cast out demons on almost 10 occassions and demonstrated His identity and power.
The only thing the disciples ever asked Jesus to teach them
How about this one - prayer? In Israel, there were other teachers living during that time who not only taught on prayer and wrote on prayer but who were known for prayer. So as a disciple of Jesus Christ, would prayer had been on your radar screen? No doubt it was of chief interest to these disciples. They saw many examples of beautiful prayer, dramatic prayer and well worded prayer. But from the request for Jesus to teach them how to pray - they evidently had never seen prayer with power (except John the Baptist). Prayer to the faith-life of the disciple is as oxygen to the lungs.
What is included in an effective prayer-life?
As Jesus goes down through His most famous prayer - "The Lord's Prayer", He lays out the key elements involved in an effective prayer life:
1. You begin and end with an exalted view of God the Father.
Jesus begins this prayer with "Our Father" and He then ends the prayer in the parallel passageof Matthew 6:13 with a declaration of the Eternal dominion of the Father. How you begin your prayer-life will determine where you end.
2. You Proceed through the promises of God through God the Son
As Christ continues to teach His disciples, He invokes several key promises and truths straight from the scripture. He first of all prays about the Kingdom of God or the reign of God to allign God's purposes in Heaven and on earth. Next He prays for God to supply every need. Then thirdly He prays for protection from the Evil One. All of these promises find their completion in the Son Himself. Christ will soon return, is the Mediator between God and believers and is the source of every spiritual and physical provision. 2 Corinthians 1:20 reminds us that all the promises and truths of God are confirmed in Christ.
3. Your prayer-life's connection to practical life is done through God the Holy Spirit
As Jesus concludes His teaching on prayer in Luke 11, we see Him speak about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in Luke 11:13. Why the Holy Spirit? Because it is through the work of the indwelling Spirit that my prayer-life and practical-life are connected. It is the Spirit who leads me and guides me whether I am in prayer about my life or living prayerfully between prayer-times. (Romans 8:26) We read in Galatians 5:25 - "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."
Breath-in the Oxygen of discipleship
I find it no accident that Christ's teaching on prayer is purposefully centered around the Trinity. It is to God the Father that the disciple directs their prayers; it is through the Son that they can proceed confidently in prayer and it is by the strength of the Holy Spirit that they can continue to pray. (Ephesians 2:18) May you and I breath deep into the lungs of Christian faith the oxygen of prayer.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Why discipleship must include the church
Matthew 16:18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Over the past several days we have been exploring the concept of discipleship. A disciple is someone who by grace, through faith, follows Jesus Christ with the purpose to become like the Master. In the process of our study we have discovered so far the following about discipleship:
1. Call of Christ begins Discipleship
2. Cross bearing through self-denial is how one steps into discipleship
3. Christ must be prized above any counted cost to continue in discipleship
4. Commitment to the text of the scriptures is how one grows in Discipleship
In today's blog, we want to answer the simple question: Why does discipleship include the ministry of the local church? We will discover that the design, call, aim and desire of discipleship cannot be accomplished apart from the local church.
1. The design of discipleship - dependance, not independance
On the one hand, discipleship emphasizes the "personal" effort and experience of the disciple in their journey with the Master - Jesus Christ. However to think that discipleship is a Lone Ranger affair is a myth. In fact, if I approach discipleship only as a "me and Jesus" activity, then I will undo the principles of self-denial and counting the cost. Not only has Christ designed discipleship to make me dependant upon Him, but also to break me of the self-sufficient mindset that often accompanies my dealings with other people.
2. The call of discipleship demands connection with other disciples
The word "church" comes from a Greek word meaning "the called out ones". As we have seen already, discipleship begins with the Master Himself calling you. However with this idea of the church, as true as it is that Jesus calls each disciple one by one, He calls them to come together in the journey of following Him. Hebrews 10:24-25 states - "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Becoming involved with a local church is not optional for disciple. We know there will be times when emergencies arise or sickness occurs. However beyond those reasons, there is no reason to ever attempt the Christian life apart from the church.
3. The aim of discipleship is to value what Jesus' values
The church is Jesus' own personal building project. How important is it? The Bible reminds us that He paid the price for the salvation of all His disciples - the church - with His own blood. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7). Furthermore, God the Holy Spirit has been sent by the Father, in Jesus' own name, to help each individual disciple working with other disciples in being the church - in order to fulfill everything Jesus' commands. (John 14:16-21) The Master has invested all of His eternal effort as God and all of His blood as man to provide the means by which His disciples can become more like Him. Why would you not love what He loves?
4. The desire to follow Jesus in discipleship is strengthened through the church
When Jesus says to Peter here in Matthew 16:18 "upon this rock I will build my church", what is the "rock" that He is talking about? The idea of "rock" speaks of a foundation stone. The only "rock" to which Christ could be referring to is none other than Himself. 1 Peter 2, written by the same Peter here in Matthew 16, speaks of each disciple being a "living stone", with Jesus Christ being the "Chief Cornerstone". (1 Peter 2:4-7) Discipleship's calling is too demanding to be carried out only on the individual level. Cultivating a deeper love for the Master can only take place in relationship with others whose goal is the same. (1 Peter 2:7)
A Simple illustration - Can you have a coach without a team
Is there such thing as a coach without a team? Or how about a conductor without an orchestra? Or a racecar driver without sponsors? All these scenarios involve individuals who could never live out their identity, nor accomplish their tasks without their respective groups. Now take what is true in the natural realm, and try to accomplish the God-ordained call to discipleship. Disciples need one another. Christ as so designed discipleship that though the calling is issued to one person at a time, yet it's very nature requires every disciple participating at the same time.
Over the past several days we have been exploring the concept of discipleship. A disciple is someone who by grace, through faith, follows Jesus Christ with the purpose to become like the Master. In the process of our study we have discovered so far the following about discipleship:
1. Call of Christ begins Discipleship
2. Cross bearing through self-denial is how one steps into discipleship
3. Christ must be prized above any counted cost to continue in discipleship
4. Commitment to the text of the scriptures is how one grows in Discipleship
In today's blog, we want to answer the simple question: Why does discipleship include the ministry of the local church? We will discover that the design, call, aim and desire of discipleship cannot be accomplished apart from the local church.
1. The design of discipleship - dependance, not independance
On the one hand, discipleship emphasizes the "personal" effort and experience of the disciple in their journey with the Master - Jesus Christ. However to think that discipleship is a Lone Ranger affair is a myth. In fact, if I approach discipleship only as a "me and Jesus" activity, then I will undo the principles of self-denial and counting the cost. Not only has Christ designed discipleship to make me dependant upon Him, but also to break me of the self-sufficient mindset that often accompanies my dealings with other people.
2. The call of discipleship demands connection with other disciples
The word "church" comes from a Greek word meaning "the called out ones". As we have seen already, discipleship begins with the Master Himself calling you. However with this idea of the church, as true as it is that Jesus calls each disciple one by one, He calls them to come together in the journey of following Him. Hebrews 10:24-25 states - "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Becoming involved with a local church is not optional for disciple. We know there will be times when emergencies arise or sickness occurs. However beyond those reasons, there is no reason to ever attempt the Christian life apart from the church.
3. The aim of discipleship is to value what Jesus' values
The church is Jesus' own personal building project. How important is it? The Bible reminds us that He paid the price for the salvation of all His disciples - the church - with His own blood. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7). Furthermore, God the Holy Spirit has been sent by the Father, in Jesus' own name, to help each individual disciple working with other disciples in being the church - in order to fulfill everything Jesus' commands. (John 14:16-21) The Master has invested all of His eternal effort as God and all of His blood as man to provide the means by which His disciples can become more like Him. Why would you not love what He loves?
4. The desire to follow Jesus in discipleship is strengthened through the church
When Jesus says to Peter here in Matthew 16:18 "upon this rock I will build my church", what is the "rock" that He is talking about? The idea of "rock" speaks of a foundation stone. The only "rock" to which Christ could be referring to is none other than Himself. 1 Peter 2, written by the same Peter here in Matthew 16, speaks of each disciple being a "living stone", with Jesus Christ being the "Chief Cornerstone". (1 Peter 2:4-7) Discipleship's calling is too demanding to be carried out only on the individual level. Cultivating a deeper love for the Master can only take place in relationship with others whose goal is the same. (1 Peter 2:7)
A Simple illustration - Can you have a coach without a team
Is there such thing as a coach without a team? Or how about a conductor without an orchestra? Or a racecar driver without sponsors? All these scenarios involve individuals who could never live out their identity, nor accomplish their tasks without their respective groups. Now take what is true in the natural realm, and try to accomplish the God-ordained call to discipleship. Disciples need one another. Christ as so designed discipleship that though the calling is issued to one person at a time, yet it's very nature requires every disciple participating at the same time.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Discipleship's need for the scriptures
John 6:66-68 66As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. 67So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” 68Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.
Thus far in our study on discipleship, we have defined discipleship as the process whereby a person by grace through faith trusts in Christ in order to become more like the Master through the pattern of self-denial. We have explored the following key principles:
1. Discipleship begins with the Call of Christ
2. Cross bearing through self-denial
3. Christ must be prized above any counted cost, if the disciple is to genuinely follow Him.
Discipleship's effectiveness is not only measured by how well one begins (which we could say classifies the first three lessons in this blog series), but moreso by how well one continues on in Christ. In today's blog, we want to understand the purpose of the scriptures in the disciple's spiritual growth.
1. Scripture is that which is written, communicating Christ's mind
Notice what Peter says to Jesus in John 6:68 "You have the words". When we call the Bible "scripture", that word "scripture" comes from the Latin "scriptura" meaning "that which is written". Perhaps you have heard of a "script". In this sense then the Bible is Christ's script for your life. Furthermore, if I want to get the mind of the Master into my own, I consult the scriptures. The Apostle Paul writes about the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."
2. Scripture's inherent property as a life-giving document communicates spiritual growth
As we once again notice Peter's response to Jesus in John 6:68, he states that Jesus has "the words of eternal life". What is it about the Bible that makes it unique in being the Disciple's sustaining source for committment in discipleship? We know from other scriptures that the scriptures are the sole means through which the converting power of God is communicated into the human heart. (Psalm 19:7; James 1:18) Unless the word of God is present, read or communicated to the hearing ear, no one can become a disciple. (Romans 10:9-15).
As true as the scriptures are used by the Lord to convert the soul, they are also used by the Lord to sustain the soul following conversion. In the context of John 6, Jesus had performed his greatest mass miracle - the feeding of the 5,000. Yet whenever the crowd saw that they were no longer going to be getting free handouts, they left in droves. Yet Peter, a true disciple, knew the truth that "man shall live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God". (Mt 4:4) Were it not for the Bible, the disciple could not sustain the high call and cost that is discipleship. It is a fool's errand to think that one can live the Christian walk apart from daily exposure to the word of God. (Psalm 1; 19:8-13)
3. The scripture as the written word points us to Christ, our Rabbi, the Living Word
The word "word" comes from the word "logos", from whence we get our word "logic" and "logical". When we say the word "word", we are referring to how the Bible communicates God's logic, provides order and faithfully communicates His voice into our hearts. Christ too is also called "The Word". As the "Living Word", He does as The Living Person what the Bible does as the living document - He communicates God's logic, provides order to our world and communicates the very presence of God - since He is God. (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17)
4. Your attitude toward the Bible reveals your attitude toward Jesus
Jesus Himself recognizes the relationship between Himself and the scriptures, since they are the words which points the believing disciple to Him. (John 5:39; Luke 24:44) Thus our attitude toward the Master will be directly related to what our attitude is towards the Bible. The two in terms of their relationship are inseperable. You cannot think of Christ apart from the Bible. He as the author of life is spoken of by the the Author of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit. This is why Peter says to Jesus in the same context of John 6: "To Whom shall we go, for you have the words of Eternal Life".
Thus far in our study on discipleship, we have defined discipleship as the process whereby a person by grace through faith trusts in Christ in order to become more like the Master through the pattern of self-denial. We have explored the following key principles:
1. Discipleship begins with the Call of Christ
2. Cross bearing through self-denial
3. Christ must be prized above any counted cost, if the disciple is to genuinely follow Him.
Discipleship's effectiveness is not only measured by how well one begins (which we could say classifies the first three lessons in this blog series), but moreso by how well one continues on in Christ. In today's blog, we want to understand the purpose of the scriptures in the disciple's spiritual growth.
1. Scripture is that which is written, communicating Christ's mind
Notice what Peter says to Jesus in John 6:68 "You have the words". When we call the Bible "scripture", that word "scripture" comes from the Latin "scriptura" meaning "that which is written". Perhaps you have heard of a "script". In this sense then the Bible is Christ's script for your life. Furthermore, if I want to get the mind of the Master into my own, I consult the scriptures. The Apostle Paul writes about the scriptures in 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ."
2. Scripture's inherent property as a life-giving document communicates spiritual growth
As we once again notice Peter's response to Jesus in John 6:68, he states that Jesus has "the words of eternal life". What is it about the Bible that makes it unique in being the Disciple's sustaining source for committment in discipleship? We know from other scriptures that the scriptures are the sole means through which the converting power of God is communicated into the human heart. (Psalm 19:7; James 1:18) Unless the word of God is present, read or communicated to the hearing ear, no one can become a disciple. (Romans 10:9-15).
As true as the scriptures are used by the Lord to convert the soul, they are also used by the Lord to sustain the soul following conversion. In the context of John 6, Jesus had performed his greatest mass miracle - the feeding of the 5,000. Yet whenever the crowd saw that they were no longer going to be getting free handouts, they left in droves. Yet Peter, a true disciple, knew the truth that "man shall live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God". (Mt 4:4) Were it not for the Bible, the disciple could not sustain the high call and cost that is discipleship. It is a fool's errand to think that one can live the Christian walk apart from daily exposure to the word of God. (Psalm 1; 19:8-13)
3. The scripture as the written word points us to Christ, our Rabbi, the Living Word
The word "word" comes from the word "logos", from whence we get our word "logic" and "logical". When we say the word "word", we are referring to how the Bible communicates God's logic, provides order and faithfully communicates His voice into our hearts. Christ too is also called "The Word". As the "Living Word", He does as The Living Person what the Bible does as the living document - He communicates God's logic, provides order to our world and communicates the very presence of God - since He is God. (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16-17)
4. Your attitude toward the Bible reveals your attitude toward Jesus
Jesus Himself recognizes the relationship between Himself and the scriptures, since they are the words which points the believing disciple to Him. (John 5:39; Luke 24:44) Thus our attitude toward the Master will be directly related to what our attitude is towards the Bible. The two in terms of their relationship are inseperable. You cannot think of Christ apart from the Bible. He as the author of life is spoken of by the the Author of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit. This is why Peter says to Jesus in the same context of John 6: "To Whom shall we go, for you have the words of Eternal Life".
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
The Cost, and Greater Prize of Discipleship
Luke 14:27-28 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28“For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?
So far in these last couple of blogs we have been exploring the meaning of discipleship. Discipleship begins with the call of Christ. This call is radical. You must be willing to deny yourself, take up His cross daily, and follow Him in order to gain the appreciation of becoming like the Master in thought, word and deed. (Luke 9:23-24) The first two lessons we have learned thus far about discipleship are these:
1. Discipleship begins with His call
2. Discipleship must include self denial and daily cross bearing
With the first element dealing with the Sovereign Grace of God calling you to Himself, and the second dealing with the intention of the will set free by such grace to respond, today's element in discipleship involves counting the cost.
Why the cost of following Christ is so high
As Jesus' popularity was growing, the Bible tells us in Luke 14:25 that "Large crowds were going along with Him." Jesus knew that not everyone who was claiming to be a "disciple" with their lips was truly a disciple in their heart. Jesus sets forth this principle of "counting the cost" as the standard that must be met if discipleship is ever to be a true reality in the life of the one who claims Christ as His own. Only by grace through faith that has embraced Jesus as Savior Lord and Treasure will such a standard become the delight of the soul. Jesus uses three illustrations to reveal why the cost is so high:
1. Christ must be the most important relationship in your life.
When you trust in Christ, understand that it will regulate and determine who and what will influence your life. Jesus says that in a comparitive way, the affection we have for parents, siblings or family must be as "hatred" in comparison to the undivided loyalty to Christ. The realm of human relationships is the greatest test for the disciple. If they have not resolved in their heart to make Christ The Priority, distraction and apathy will characterize the Christian walk.
2. Christ must be the most important priority in your life
Jesus then moves onto his next illustration - the realm of projects and things. If you have ever tried to build anything, go for a career, plan a family or purchase anything, unless you have sat down and calculated how much it is going to cost - you can quickly get-in-over your head. Priority has to do with that scale we use to weigh what we are going to do next. Building a big huge tower takes planning, materials and money. If a builder goes in with no plan - then he plans to fail. In following Christ, many people don't bother to count the cost. Why? Because if Christ was the main reason, they would be careful in how they approach following Him. Are you will to place all plans in last place to make Him the priority of your life?
3. Christ must be the main purpose in your life.
We have seen Jesus illustrate how counting the cost must be at the beginning in our relationships and throughout our lives in the realm of everyday priorities. But what of our main goal in life? Where or whom are you willing to risk it all to gain the prize of discipleship - Christ? Jesus uses the illustration of a King going into battle. The objective is clear - victory. However He first of all has to count his army, his supplies and the wisdom of his counselors against the opposing army. Is the victory desired worth the losses that could come as a result of the impending battle? Either the King will conclude the cost is too high, walk away and surrender or He'll say - "lets go, we have more than enough to win".
4. The Prize gained is greater than the cost
The prize gained in discipleship - Christ, is always greater than any cost. The Prize - Christ - determines the purpose for which I will carryout my life's priorites and relationships. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:8 - "... I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ".
So far in these last couple of blogs we have been exploring the meaning of discipleship. Discipleship begins with the call of Christ. This call is radical. You must be willing to deny yourself, take up His cross daily, and follow Him in order to gain the appreciation of becoming like the Master in thought, word and deed. (Luke 9:23-24) The first two lessons we have learned thus far about discipleship are these:
1. Discipleship begins with His call
2. Discipleship must include self denial and daily cross bearing
With the first element dealing with the Sovereign Grace of God calling you to Himself, and the second dealing with the intention of the will set free by such grace to respond, today's element in discipleship involves counting the cost.
Why the cost of following Christ is so high
As Jesus' popularity was growing, the Bible tells us in Luke 14:25 that "Large crowds were going along with Him." Jesus knew that not everyone who was claiming to be a "disciple" with their lips was truly a disciple in their heart. Jesus sets forth this principle of "counting the cost" as the standard that must be met if discipleship is ever to be a true reality in the life of the one who claims Christ as His own. Only by grace through faith that has embraced Jesus as Savior Lord and Treasure will such a standard become the delight of the soul. Jesus uses three illustrations to reveal why the cost is so high:
1. Christ must be the most important relationship in your life.
When you trust in Christ, understand that it will regulate and determine who and what will influence your life. Jesus says that in a comparitive way, the affection we have for parents, siblings or family must be as "hatred" in comparison to the undivided loyalty to Christ. The realm of human relationships is the greatest test for the disciple. If they have not resolved in their heart to make Christ The Priority, distraction and apathy will characterize the Christian walk.
2. Christ must be the most important priority in your life
Jesus then moves onto his next illustration - the realm of projects and things. If you have ever tried to build anything, go for a career, plan a family or purchase anything, unless you have sat down and calculated how much it is going to cost - you can quickly get-in-over your head. Priority has to do with that scale we use to weigh what we are going to do next. Building a big huge tower takes planning, materials and money. If a builder goes in with no plan - then he plans to fail. In following Christ, many people don't bother to count the cost. Why? Because if Christ was the main reason, they would be careful in how they approach following Him. Are you will to place all plans in last place to make Him the priority of your life?
3. Christ must be the main purpose in your life.
We have seen Jesus illustrate how counting the cost must be at the beginning in our relationships and throughout our lives in the realm of everyday priorities. But what of our main goal in life? Where or whom are you willing to risk it all to gain the prize of discipleship - Christ? Jesus uses the illustration of a King going into battle. The objective is clear - victory. However He first of all has to count his army, his supplies and the wisdom of his counselors against the opposing army. Is the victory desired worth the losses that could come as a result of the impending battle? Either the King will conclude the cost is too high, walk away and surrender or He'll say - "lets go, we have more than enough to win".
4. The Prize gained is greater than the cost
The prize gained in discipleship - Christ, is always greater than any cost. The Prize - Christ - determines the purpose for which I will carryout my life's priorites and relationships. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:8 - "... I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ".
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