This is the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 period prior to Easter in which Christians have been encouraged to remember the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for our salvation by giving up something for the entire 40 days. For some persons some type of food, like chocolate, is given up.
Speaking of food, much has been said this past year about the fat content in fast food and there has been at least one lawsuit filed against McDonalds for their negligence in contributing to the obesity problem in this country.
Earlier this year a federal judge dismissed a class action lawsuit on behalf of New York children against McDonald’s. In fact, there were five counts of alleged wrongdoing against the fast-food company.
One count charged that McDonald’s “deceived the public by stating its foods were nutritious and encouraging consumers to “supersize” meals without disclosing negative health effects.”
Another count alleged that McDonald’s “acted negligently by selling foods high in cholesterol, fat, salt and sugar - ingredients that cause obesity and detrimental health effects.” In response to this count the judge said, “Nobody is forced to eat at McDonalds [or to] supersize their meals... [And] as long as a consumer exercises free choice with appropriate knowledge, liability for negligence will not attach to a manufacturer.”
So I ask you, McDonald’s or Cracker Barrel? Golden arches or rocking chairs and great gifts? Big Mac or Turnip Greens?
I asked this past week both via e-mail and face-to-face “McDonalds or Cracker Barrel?” Of those who responded 12 were for Cracker Barrel and 4 for McDonalds. A 3 to 1 margin.
As we continue to consider what it means to be a faithfully functioning church, we must also consider the dangers of a fast food faith as well. For just as poor eating can lead to health problems so can the lack of proper spiritual nutrients lead to a lack of spiritual growth and health.
In a very important passage of scripture, Matthew 28: 19, Jesus tells His disciples to go and make disciples not converts. Have you ever wonder why Jesus used the word “disciple” and not the word “convert?”
We preach in our tradition the need for conversion. And, of course, it is my desire, as well as yours, that people experience saving faith through confession and repentance of their sins. But, there is more to the Christian life that just getting saved. Scripture is clear that spiritual life and growth is essential and necessary to fully experience life with God.
In our main text that was read earlier, Hebrews 5:11 - 6:3, the problem and more importantly, the dangers of a fast-food faith is confronted. And we need to understand the context of this segment before we look more closely at it.
The opening chapters of Hebrews deal with the person and work of Jesus Christ. But, by the time the author gets to verse 10 of chapter 5, there is a pause and a change of direction, “There is so much more we would like to say about this. But you don’t seem to listen, so it’s hard to make you understand. You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others.” Why is this statement made? Why is there a sudden change of direction? Why does the spiritual maturity of this group of followers become an issue? One possibility comes to mind, the lack of spiritual maturity is keeping this church from understanding and experiencing more of what God has for them!
Now let’s be honest, some people get offended at these statements. “How dare this is said about believers! What right have you to tell us we can’t handle this teaching! What right have you to tell us that we are still like babies who can have solid food! We’re Christians! We’ve been saved!”
As I reflected on this passage, Id something that I often do with scripture for the purpose of trying to understand it. I read it backward, starting with the last verse and ending with the first verse.
Let’s read this passage backward, “And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. You don’t need further instructions about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become more mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.
Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right. And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right. You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. There is so much more we would like to say about this. But, you don’t seem to listen, so it’s hard to make you understand.”
Now, does it make more sense? It did to me. The author says what he says not to intentionally offend but to encourage his audience to mature and grow beyond a basic understanding so that they both experience and understand all that God has for them. In other words, they need to be more than converts. They need to become disciples. But, what is the difference between the two?
Dictionary definitions of “convert” emphasize religious conversion and change of beliefs. And the definition of “disciple” indicates the same type of dynamic. However, we need to understand the Biblical meaning of the words.
A convert is like a pupil. He or she is new to the faith. Training in the basics must be a part of the convert’s life. Think of a soldier or sailor. The first place they go is called what? “Basic training.”
What happens in basic training? You learn the skills, discipline, and attitudes to become a soldier or sailor (or a Marine). Our military does not entrust you with an M-16 or a M-1 Abrams Tank or an Apache helicopter right away.
You have to learn a whole new way of thinking, acting, and living. So it is with a new convert to the faith. There are certain things that we must learn that will help us become more complete followers of Christ. But, just as basic training ends and we go on to specialized training before we are put in the field or at sea or in the air, there comes a time when we must move on in our relationship with God from being only a convert to becoming a disciple.
I like what Rick Warren says, “There are no shortcuts to maturity.” And he goes on to basically say, “How many of us like fresh tomatoes right off the vine? (I’m not sure that I should say this but) in some grocery stores in our country, the tomatoes are shipped unripened so they won’t bruise and hence green. Then before they are sold are given a shot of carbon dioxide gas that turns them red and ready to eat.5 “
I believe that sometimes the same approach as been taken in the church to help us mature more quickly in our faith! A shot of maturity here, a shot of maturity there.
I recall the story of a prominent west coast church of another generation who had such rapid conversion growth that the leadership ranks were filled more and more with new believers who were still learning the faith and it created tremendous problems for the church.
There are no shortcuts to becoming a disciple. It is a daily process. Why does it take so long? Why does it get so hard?
Here are some reasons from the pen of Rick Warren:
• We are slow learners.
In my recent daily Bible reading, I again visited the Israelites as they wandered through the desert after getting away from the Egyptians. It was not very long after their deliverance that they began to grumble and complain and wished they were back in Egypt. They forgot about God’s ability to provide for their needs.
Some lessons in life take longer than others to learn. Now this does not offer us an excuse to give up and think that it is all God’s responsibility. Nor does it mean that we are dumb. But, it means that to become a mature follower, a disciple, certain things will take time to understand and master. Perhaps it will l take a lifetime of willing obedience.
• We have a lot to unlearn.
In 2nd Corinthians 5:17 the New Living Translation, the translation that I use, there is concluding statement. A new life has begun. The rest of the verse says this, “What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. (A new life has begun!)”
Let’s think for a moment about a newborn baby. We often look at one and say, “You’ve got a lot to learn!” But, they also have a lot to unlearn. For example, communicating.
When a baby is born, it communicates through crying and we have to define what the crying means. At first, it means, “I’m hungry!” Then as it matures crying may mean, “I’m lonely or I’m wet.”
As time further goes along, we expecting the crying to be replaced with words that make clear what the baby, now a child, wants. Crying, especially when hurt, still has a purpose, but whining and moaning is not acceptable means of communication anymore.
Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ requires us to unlearn how to be selfish, evil, mean, and a whole host of other things. And that means we learn a whole new way of learning other important things like the “fruits of the spirit.” That takes time.
• We are afraid to humbly face the truth about ourselves.
Someone has said “the truth does set us free but it often makes us miserable first.” Before we can experience the best that Christ offers us through salvation, we first have to deal with the worst in our lives.
Jesus wanted those who opposed Him during His earthly ministry to be set free from the life that they were living. But, they couldn’t be set free until they admitted the truth about themselves. Those who did admit the truth about themselves were the ones who experienced healing and salvation.
This is illustrated very well in Luke 18:9 - 14, the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. It is a story about pride because from the opening verse of the segment, we read that Jesus told this story to “some one who had great self-confidence and scorned everyone else.” The Pharisee fails to see the need for confession in himself but definitely sees the need in the tax collector who stands a few feet away. The tax collector, on the other hand, realizes his need for a change in his life and pleads for God’s mercy. And in conclusion Jesus says, “For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.”
A follower of Jesus Christ who tells the truth about him or herself to a trusted follower will, through that honesty, create a climate for spiritual growth because God can then begin to work with and honest and willing heart.
• Growth is often painful and scary.
Last fall, you gave Susan, the boys, and I some wonderful pastor appreciation gifts. They were from the heart and they were greatly appreciated. But, do you know what I valued as much as the gifts? It was Tausha’s presentation of them to us. That was marvelous!
I remember her saying something about hearing a sermon about getting out of the comfort zone and that she had been invited to do so. And what thrilled me the most is that she did it! It probably was not easy for her to get up and do that! But, she was willing to try! And she did!
I think that we have gotten a picture of the Christian life as being tranquil and idyllic as we are safe in the arms of Jesus! But, scripture tends to challenge that picture. It paints a picture of discipleship as costly, even dangerous.
Jesus talked about being scorned, hated, mocked, and ridiculed as His followers. Did you or I sign up for that kind of duty? No, we didn’t! But, it is a part of becoming a disciple not a convert.
God does call us to let go of habits, priorities, people, and a whole host of other things in order to follow Him. It’s part of being a disciple. But, He will also help us let go.
• Habits take time to develop.
To become a disciple requires us to learn new habits. Like the newborn that has to learn new ways of communicating a disciple has to learn new ways of living and walking with God. Why? We are talking about a change in our character from self-centered to God-centered.
What habits do we need to learn? I suggest the following:
· Love
· Joy
· Peace
· Kindness
· Goodness
· Faithfulness
· Gentleness
· Self-control
These characteristics, listed in Galatians 5:22 and 23, and known as the “Fruits of the Spirit” are also “Habits of a Disciples.” These are targets to become a fully functioning church and believer. These are what God expects each and every follower to develop, with His help of course, in his or her lives. And I think, every church as well.
Here are some questions we need to ask ourselves, individually and corporately, regarding discipleship:5
1. Do I have a growing relationship with God through consistent Bible study and prayer?
2. Am I both experiencing and demonstrating the fruits of the spirit in my life?
3. Am I avoiding addicting behaviors which keep me from fully experiencing God?
4. Am I spending time with a fellow believer who both celebrates and challenges my spiritual growth?
Our discipleship ministry team exists to help us become responsible church members. Susan, Corey, John, and myself are a part of that team.
The 3 and 5 year goals for our discipleship ministry is to offer a process to help each one of us find our place in ministry and, to those who might be called, to partner with Indiana Ministries in becoming certified lay ministers. If you have questions about these opportunities please let me know.
Finally, I would suggest that we are living with the dangers of a fast-food diet. It has affected us individually and as a nation. Eating is a problem.
The same holds true for the church. We need less fat and sugar in our spiritual diet. We need less reliance on technique and more on power, God’s power.
We need to move beyond an introductory understanding of the Bible. We need the meat of the Word. We need to wrestle with scripture. We need to memorize and meditate on it.
We need to move beyond a basic relationship with God. We need to go deeper with God. We need to be more surrendered to him. We need to follow him wherever He calls us to follow. We need to obey. Amen.
Sources for this sermon:
www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,76443,00.html
Xavier Leon-Dufour, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
The Purpose Driven Life.
The 40 Days of Purpose small group guide. Published by Saddleback Community Church, 2002.
