Growing up and going out

A friend (I’ll call him Mark) once relayed a brief exchange of refreshing candor.  Getting his attention in perhaps the most effective way he could, a plain-spoken friend of his shared this observation: “You know, Mark, you’re really into yourself.  And most days, you don’t come out.”  It was helpful truth spoken in love ... and a teaspoon of humor to make the medicine go down.  (Obviously, he spoke also from a healthy storehouse of relational equity!) 

Growing into Christian maturity includes focusing less on ourselves and directing our attention toward others.  The twelfth century French monk, Bernard of Clairvaux, wrote of four ascending degrees of love.  We begin with loving ourselves for our own sake.  Then growth occurs as we love God for our sake ... then love God for God’s sake ... and, finally, loving ourselves [and presumably others] for God’s sake.  None of this is our own doing; all of it is the result of his divine work in us. 

Of course, our spiritual development also evidences itself in knowledge, obedience, faith and grace.  And as we increase in all of these, we bear progressively more fruit for the Kingdom of God.  For people speak when they are heard.  People listen to one who cares.  People trust those who love them.  And people know “real” when they see it. 

So all of our Bible studies, all of our favorite sermons, all of our worship, all of our prayer – they’re not just for our own good.  Rather, God uses these to equip us for work among the people of his affection, the vast “fields” that are “ripe for harvest.” 

So let us look beyond ourselves and go out as we grow up. 

Lord, may all the nourishment you have given to us grow us up in maturity of faith and obedience.  As you have built us up, use us to bear fruit for you, today.  Amen. 

“From [Christ], the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”  Ephesians 4:16

[Click here to see the daily reading in Ephesians 4:14-24.]

Life on Mission – Grow

Romans 12:1-13 (Transformed)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

---Learn what God’s will is, and following through with it. You will change. You will grow.

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and those members do not have all the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

---When all of us in Christ work toward the same goal of bringing others to the Lord, each using our own gifts according to the grace given us, we grow together.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:9-10)

---Be selfless in word and deed. Live genuinely, displaying love toward all others.

This “Life on Mission” journey we are on has thus far focused on connecting, serving, sharing, and now growing. It is important that we as Christ followers remain focused on growing our own understanding of the word, and deepening our relationship with the Father. As we mentor others through their own journey however, there are things we need to do to help them grow as well.

We would never leave the side of a child just as they were beginning to balance on a two wheeled bicycle. In the same way, we must not lead someone to our God and then leave them on their own. It is essential to help them learn how to continue to grow by feeding themselves with the fruit of the vine. Time, patience, materials, groups and prayer are all important to offer them on a regular basis, yet walking along side of them and being a model, a friend and an encourager is truly what they will need.

(Romans 12:12-13) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

We all have needs of some sort, yet helping others to grow and fulfill their spiritual need has far greater impact than any other need ........indeed!

Romans 12:1-13

Life on Mission

Today we begin a new journey together. For the next six weeks each of your Blog writers will follow the book and study called “Life on Mission” (God’s people finding God’s heart for the world) by Tim Harlow.

Tim is the Senior Pastor at Parkview Christian Church in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.

As Christ followers, we certainly recognize the tragic state of affairs of this country and the rest of the world. We cannot stand still. Tim offers us real, biblically based insight and direction regarding God’s heart and His intended purpose for us. Each week will focus on one of the following;

Witness          Connect           Serve          Share          Grow          Pray

This day I offer you an overview of Pastor Tim’s passionate and sincere message. In Matthew 9:36 Jesus is described as having compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Our challenge is not only to personally live the life of a Christ follower, but to look at others through the eyes of the Lord. Each of us was created in the Image of God, and there is no denying that Satan is intensely interfering with our peace, love and happiness. This world is filled with lost sheep. 

When entertaining the idea of witnessing to others many of us become insecure in our ability to accurately and confidently share the Word. In Acts 1:8 Jesus explained to the apostles; “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Relax, and be at peace for the Holy Spirit is with us as well. You CAN do this! Pastor Harlow simply summarizes witnessing this way;

First: Connect Just hanging out and building relationships: 

Next: Serve Giving of your gifts or resources without complaint or judgment.

Later: Share the story of how God has affected your life in order to help those without God understand why you are so alive and content in Him.

Later still: Grow them in their faith walk and show them how to continue to grow on their own.

Finally: Pray! Be strong in the Lord.

This study also includes a DVD, which strengthens the message and offers pastor Harlow’s personal touch. Please join us for “Life on Mission.” Together we can make a difference!

Also, if you have not yet seen the movie War Room by the Kendrick Brothers, we highly recommend it.

Click here to view the trailer:
WAR ROOM 

Here is a journal to record your journey this week. Page down to Life on Mission. Each week a new journal will be posted.

Discipleship Process

 "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15)

We are all family, but we also must establish our own personal relationship with God.  Just because my grandmother was a Believer and lived her life for Christ, doesn't mean I am now saved by riding her coattails.  I must believe on my own, I must accept Jesus for me, not because my relatives believed.

Faith is such a personal thing, but also public. I want a personal relationship so that I can have a public testimony. My individual connection to my Savior is necessary; my story that results because of this affiliation takes my faith to the next level.

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

True Disciples of Jesus Christ, go out into the world and make Disciples of Jesus Christ. Once I know Jesus and accept His love, grace and mercy, I grow in my relationship with Him. 

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD and Savior Jesus. (2 Peter 3:18)

I am transformed and changed through and through. Then, as a natural part of this Discipleship path, I will go with Jesus. I will go and share this news with others. I will share the Gospel as a true Disciple of Jesus Christ.

This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:8)

Genesis 28:10-22