HoHum:
A young couple got involved in a church where there was a lot of shouting and clapping and excitement for Jesus. They were trying to convince Grandma that she should attend. The young man said to Grandma, “The Holy Spirit was really there!” Grandma kept rocking and didn’t say a word. The young woman tried, “And Grandma you should have seen the preacher. He really got with it. He was screaming at the top of his voice and the people were popping up like popcorn to praise the Lord. It was unbelievable!” Grandma kept right on rocking. Finally, the young man asked, “Grandma, we would love to have you at church. What do you think?” Grandma finally spoke: “Honey, let me just put it this way. I don’t care how loud they shout, and I don’t care how high they jump. It’s what they do when they come back down that counts.”
WBTU:
Disciple is a learner who follows a master teacher. In contrast to our culture, learning in Jesus’ time was very relational and holistic. “Discipleship meant much more than just the transfer of information . . . it referred to imitating the teacher’s life, inculcating his values, and reproducing his teachings.” Christians are to be conformed to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29).
Revelation 17 to 19:10 focuses on a harlot, a prostitute who comes to ruin. Introduced to this prostitute in ch. 17 and vs. 2 says “the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” She is called Babylon the Great in vs. 5. Now the actual city of Babylon at the time of the writing of Revelation was still on the map but definitely not a significant city. Cassio Dio, a Roman historian, went to Babylon around this time and all he found were mounds, stones and ruins, unimpressive city. This is a code word for Rome, the capital of the Empire. Vs. 9 says, “The seven heads are seven hills.” Rome was built on seven hills. I think this points to the One World Government but that is speculation (vs. 9-12). Even so, they only have authority for one hour (vs. 12). Goes deeper than Rome, this is talking about the world system that operates apart from God. Chapter 18 we see an economic collapse where the businesspeople of the world mourn because they are no longer able to grow rich (vs. 3, 9, 15, 19). Much laments by various groups in this chapter. Chapter 19 we have the multitude of heaven rejoicing because of the fall of Babylon. This celebration continues until vs. 11- Lord willing talk more about this next week
Thesis: 7 things about discipleship
For instances:
1. Disciples follow the Lamb wherever He goes- Revelation 14:4
Backing up some and right after the evil beasts are mentioned in chapters 12 and 13, we find a vision of the Lamb with the 144,000. The first verses of chapter 14 give descriptions of these 144,000, the redeemed from the earth. We focused on being blameless from vs. 5. Want to focus on vs. 4 where it says, “They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”
When I went into hospice chaplaincy had some who really questioned my sanity and questioned my calling. Why would anyone in their right mind minister with those who are dying and their families? Must be so depressing. Let me say this, God called me to this, at times I fought the Lord’s calling but after being present for several when they took their final breath, I felt like that was a sign from God that I should pursue this ministry. Had another confirmation last week- went into a hospital room where the family was gathered around their dying loved one. Got the family talking about the patient’s life and personality. The wife finally opened up and shared a funny story from their courtship. While she was laughing, their loved one took his final breath. The wife was upset, “I should have been looking at him while he died!” The daughter came over and said, “Oh mama, daddy was waiting to hear that laugh, to know that you will be okay. When he heard that laugh, he was released into the arms of the Father.” There to witness this, to play a small part. That’s how God does things. Who is crazy now? Where is the Lamb leading you?
2. Disciples testify about Jesus 17:6
In Bible study, Bob asked, “What are we scared of?” I said rejection and Rex said more about that. This is rare in our country that our blood will be shed for testifying about Jesus Christ. We are so scared thinking bad things will happen so we fail to testify. Now I once heard of a man who worked at a switchboard (old telephone exchange) and he would always testify to the people on the phone. To explain more he would share his testimony and that would take about 10 minutes. The man was fired and he claimed it was on religious grounds. Well, that is not what the man was supposed to be doing. He was supposed to work the switchboard. Great to say a few words for the Lord when we can but we also have a job to do so we need to do our job to the best of our ability and that can hopefully lead to sharing more about Jesus. On the other hand, how many of would share if we had an open door? The vast majority would hesitate. Jase Robinson tells a story about having struggles to share his faith, so shy and of few words. Kept having a person call him, could hear someone there because of the breathing, but the person never said anything. After a few “Hello’s” from Jase, he would hang up. One day this happened again, and Jase took the opportunity to read some bible verses and share his testimony, what the Lord had done for him. After an hour, the person on the other end was crying and that person finally hung up. Jase wonders if he saved that person’s life?
3. Disciples are named, claimed and aflamed 17:14
named = called. We are called to bear testimony to Jesus Christ. Some think that we are called to a specific vocation or a specific geographic area or to a specific person in marriage. Well, making this too complicated. Mentioned 2 x “May God make us worthy of his calling (Ephesians 4:1 and 2 Thessalonians 1:11). What is that calling? To testify about Jesus Christ- cannot do that effectively if not walking our talk- being a disciple means we talk and walk.
claimed = chosen- Picking out a new dog to take place of Cricket. Looking online but think of going to litter of pups and saying, “That one.” Take that one home and that dog is ours. 1 Corinthians 1:26- “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
faithful (steadfast) = aflamed. 1 Thessalonians 5:19: Do not quench the Spirit or Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. Paul is warning us not to go the way of the proverbial “bucket brigade” and douse the Spirit’s activity due to ignorance or fear. There are new but they will learn- how sad!
4. Disciples separate themselves from the world 18:4
The plagues in chapters 15 and 16 resemble many of the plagues on Egypt. It took a year to get the Israelites out of Egypt. It took 40 years to get Egypt out of the Israelites. Now we have to live in this world, we have to make a living to support ourselves, we have to have some enjoyment, we have to fit in with our neighbors. We have learned many of the world’s ways so that we can survive. Yes, we are in the world but not of the world. That is a big challenge. The church means the called out ones. God's people have essentially been called out of the world system that is hostile to God. “Come out of her, my people.” Leave Egypt and Egypt’s ways. Does this mean that we separate ourselves from our culture, sell everything and live in a commune? Well, people have done that throughout the years. No, we must constantly evaluate ourselves and our priorities. Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Our ultimate allegiance needs to be to Jesus Christ. 1 John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
5. Revelation makes Christian discipleship comparable to betrothal 19:7
This is the season of weddings- my 2 younger sons involved in several weddings. Just had our 26th wedding anniversary on this past Thursday. Remember when getting ready for the wedding- yes, the woman gets herself all beautified. Hair, nails, makeup, the dress. Many women go on a strict diet to be able to fit in that dress. Not only that but getting ready for the marriage after the wedding- joining 2 persons into one. Where will we live, what will we do, who gets what side of the bed and the closet. Many preparations. Preparations have been going on for over 2,000 years and here we are seeing the wedding coming to be. There is the story of a very nervous bride who couldn’t calm herself before the ceremony. The preacher tried to assure her, ‘All you have to do is walk down the aisle, stand before me at the altar, and we’ll sing a hymn.’ We can imagine everyone’s surprise to hear the bride saying loudly enough for others to hear as she came forward, ‘Aisle-Altar-Hymn,’ (I’ll Alter Him).” While I don’t advocate seeking to change our spouse as an approach to a successful marriage, when it comes to following Jesus, it’s the Lord who says about us, “I’ll alter him, I’ll alter her.” When it comes to the wedding, we all need alterations. My mother in law was still making alterations (sowing pearls) on my wife’s dress right up to the time of the wedding. Ephesians 4:22-24: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. The Lord continues to make alterations until the end.
6. Disciples are righteous 19:8
2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” As Christians, we have the righteousness given from Christ. We are unrighteous on our own. Even so, we need to seek after righteousness in our personal lives- progressive sanctification. Progressive sanctification is a process by which the Spirit produces in Christians a gradual increase to likeness in Christ. It is a life long process. The extent of progress varies in each person but should be gradually increasing. Ever notice that the 10 commandments are a list of prohibitions. Do not lie, do not commit adultery, do not covet, etc. Okay, I know what not to do but what I am supposed to do? Colossians 3:12 says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”… vs. 14 “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Still this is too undefined- what am I to do? Jesus gave a parable in Matthew 25 about the least of these and this is what he gives there as righteous acts of the saints: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Not an exhaustive list but a good place to start. Revelation 7:9 says "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.”
7. Disciples worship God 19:10
Here John becomes confused (easy with all of the images and visions) and worships an angel. In the 10 commandments the first and second commandments are: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them” (Exodus 20:3-5). Love that helping the church building, cleaning up and getting the HVAC right. In an Autoposy of a Deceased Church, Thom Rainer says that one of the things that comes up before death is a preoccupation with the church building. An elder of a deceased church gave the author a tour of the church building, he said softly, “This is it.” The sign was still on the room: Lydia Room. “This room was the equivalent of a parlor or bride’s room in other churches,” he offered without any questions from me. “There was a great pride about this room,” he said. “It had the nicest furniture. It got first attention before anything else in the church.” He continued his story, and it was sadly typical. The room would become the focus of dissension. Who could use it? Who decided what furniture went in there? Could people outside the church use it? Could a normal church fellowship be held there? “The arguments were pretty ugly,” he said. “And I don’t think I knew it at the time, but looking back, our focus on this room marked the beginning of our steep decline. We fought over a stupid room while the church died.” Church fights have erupted over stained glass windows, pews, draperies, paint color, carpet color, and so on. Dying churches, more often than not, experience severe battles over facility obsession before their demise. Why? Worshipping and adoring anything but God leads to division.
Invitation:
Revelation 19:9- Not invited to their wedding so I’m not going. Jerry Harris says that evangelism must come before discipleship. Never measure up- So true, but have to start somewhere. Whosoever will- Revelation 22:17: The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes (whosoever will) take the free gift of the water of life.
