Becoming A Disciple (B.A.D.)
Jerry Watts
Luke 9:57-62
• Before His ascension, Jesus said: ‘‘As you are going into the world (since you are out there anyway), MAKE DISCIPLES of all people, baptize, teach, and I’ll be with you all the way.’’ It seems to me, if I am to ‘makes disciples’, I must actually be a ‘disciple’.
• Let me illustrate. In order to become an electrician, one has to learn from an electrician. Interestingly, becoming a licensed electrician is not a one time, one thing experience, it involves years of training, experience, apprenticeship, and more. Discipleship is the same way. For both, it is an issue of competence and safety.
• BTW, A disciple was not limited to the folks in vocational ministry, it is for ALL!
• Becoming a disciple of Jesus is also not a ‘one and done’ proposition. It took Jesus 3-years of intense work to train the 12 and not all of them made the grade. Being His disciple is not automatic and requires something of us. (cause for confusion)
• The other day I read about a cartoon which described a classic Far Side cartoon that shows a dog in a car leaning out of the window and talking to his doggie-friend Biff. He says, ‘‘Ha, ha, ha, Biff. Guess what? After we go to the drugstore and the post office, I’m going to the veterinarian to get TUTORED.’’ I don’t think he knew what was coming or what it might cost might be. Perhaps we can compare.
• Jesus’ call is the same for everyone, He says, ‘‘follow me! I wonder if it means what we THINK it means, want it to mean, or if we actually know what that call means.
• Today in America for many, following Jesus simply means ‘‘I’ll join the church’’ (all that goes with this), attend when I can, have my name on the roll, throw a little money plate to pay the preacher, and be kind to people, but do my best to not let it affect me very much. This parallels what David Platt has written: ‘‘To be a Christian in America means you go through certain religious rituals and call y ...
Jerry Watts
Luke 9:57-62
• Before His ascension, Jesus said: ‘‘As you are going into the world (since you are out there anyway), MAKE DISCIPLES of all people, baptize, teach, and I’ll be with you all the way.’’ It seems to me, if I am to ‘makes disciples’, I must actually be a ‘disciple’.
• Let me illustrate. In order to become an electrician, one has to learn from an electrician. Interestingly, becoming a licensed electrician is not a one time, one thing experience, it involves years of training, experience, apprenticeship, and more. Discipleship is the same way. For both, it is an issue of competence and safety.
• BTW, A disciple was not limited to the folks in vocational ministry, it is for ALL!
• Becoming a disciple of Jesus is also not a ‘one and done’ proposition. It took Jesus 3-years of intense work to train the 12 and not all of them made the grade. Being His disciple is not automatic and requires something of us. (cause for confusion)
• The other day I read about a cartoon which described a classic Far Side cartoon that shows a dog in a car leaning out of the window and talking to his doggie-friend Biff. He says, ‘‘Ha, ha, ha, Biff. Guess what? After we go to the drugstore and the post office, I’m going to the veterinarian to get TUTORED.’’ I don’t think he knew what was coming or what it might cost might be. Perhaps we can compare.
• Jesus’ call is the same for everyone, He says, ‘‘follow me! I wonder if it means what we THINK it means, want it to mean, or if we actually know what that call means.
• Today in America for many, following Jesus simply means ‘‘I’ll join the church’’ (all that goes with this), attend when I can, have my name on the roll, throw a little money plate to pay the preacher, and be kind to people, but do my best to not let it affect me very much. This parallels what David Platt has written: ‘‘To be a Christian in America means you go through certain religious rituals and call y ...
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