Discipleship Sessions: Megaphones and T-Shirts: Always Teaching, Always Representing

“If we claim to be Christian, we should be like Christ.” -John Stott

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

- St. Francis of Assisi

“It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.” - St. Francis of Assisi

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

– Jesus, Matthew 12:34

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you . . .”

-Jesus, Matthew 28:19-20

A disciple of Jesus is always learning and is always teaching.

Our lives, indirectly and sometimes directly, teach people what we are about. Our lives are constantly speaking about what we believe. This can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing depending on what our values are and depending on the information we take in and the content that we are learning. In Matthew 12:34 Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” We speak what we have internalized. We proclaim what we know and hear.

As disciples of Jesus, our lives are to be megaphones for the good news of Christ. We are to know Christ so intimately that our lives proclaim Jesus. When others look at us, they should see Jesus in us. St. Francis of Assisi is quoted as saying it this way, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” In other words, our lives teach the lesson. When our lives are consumed by Christ, others will see Christ in us. Our lives should be lived in such a way that they speak of our God. It has been said that “People will believe a sermon they see before they will believe a sermon that they hear any day.” As disciples of Jesus we must intimately draw near to Christ so that we are so connected with Him in a way that people who observe us will not know where He starts and we stop, or where we start and He stops. To be a disciple of Christ is to be Christ like.

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be “little Christ’s.” However, being a disciple of Jesus and being like Jesus is impossible for us. We cannot do this in our own power or in our own strength. We can, however, do this by and through God’s Spirit, power, and strength within us. John Stott, in his book Radical Discipleship, says that Christians should look like Christ and that “God has given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to fulfill his purpose.” God will empower us to be like Jesus in our lives and to be megaphones proclaiming Christ to the world. God’s Spirit will enable our lives to proclaim the message of His good news, His son Jesus Christ.

You may have heard the expression, “Been there, done that, and got the T-shirt.” Usually when we have “been there and done that and gotten the t-shirt,” the shirt we have gotten usually says something about where we have been. This shirt sends a message about that place where we have been, what we did there, what we value, and where we have spent our time. Some people who follow Jesus think that it is enough to share Christ by wearing a shirt that reflects or states their love of Jesus. This is not enough. The world will not know we are Christians, or who Christ is, simply by our t-shirts. The world will know we are followers of Christ by our lives and conduct, as well as our words and teachings. The disciple John says, in 1 John 3:18, we should “not love with words or tongue (only) but with actions and in truth.” Our lives devoted to Christ, and how our lives are lived out in love, will speak of Jesus to the world.

A popular Christian song came from John’s Gospel (John 13:35), and from his first letter of John, and illustrates how people will know Jesus as we live in this love. The song is called “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love.” According to John, and as illustrated in this song, it is our lives, as they are lived out in God’s love, and as they are lived out in an expression of God’s love, which teach and illustrate Jesus, not our witty Christian t-shirts.

May we live a message of His Love and grace through His great mercy, grace, strength and power,

Robbie

Bibliography

Stott, John R.W. The Radical Disciple. Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove Il. © 2010

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 12:34

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Jn 3:18

The New King James Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1982, S. Mt 28:19-20

Discipleship Sessions: Sponges and Yokes: Always Learning, Always Following

“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” –Jesus, Luke 6:40

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” –Jesus, Matthew 11:28-30

"Nothing is more important for mature Christian discipleship than a fresh, clear, true vision of the authentic Jesus." -John Stott

“If we claim to be Christian, we should be like Christ.” -John Stott

We cannot teach what we do not know and we cannot lead people where we are unwilling to go.

Have you ever talked with someone who is passionate about something that they love? If you happen to ask them a simple question about their favorite subject, you have to put on your seat belt for the answer. These people can talk for hours about singular topics that interest them. They read and study about the subject and seek out information and the latest discoveries. These people listen to lectures, go to conferences, read magazines, read books, network with other people, and follow “gurus” and experts to the “ends of the earth.” Passionate might be a weak way to describe their behavior as they talk with you about the subjects they are absorbed with. Obsessed might be a better way to describe these people. When people are passionate about something, you do not have to tell them to pursue further knowledge on the subject, or to do more research. These people seek out knowledge and they go to where like minded people gather to discuss it and act on it. When someone is passionate they are students of their passion. These people engage their passion with their lives and their time.

Like someone who is passionate about a subject, a disciple is passionate about Jesus. A disciple, simply defined, is a learner. A Christian disciple is a learner or student of Jesus Christ. As disciples of Jesus, we must learn what God is teaching and go where God is leading us in obedience to Him. We are called to a passionate pursuit of God in learning and in growth.

If we are going to make disciples of Jesus, we must be passionate students and followers of Jesus ourselves. If we do not learn from Jesus and sit at His feet, we will not be able to teach others about Him. And if we are not willing to hear God, obey God, and go where Jesus is leading us, then we will never be able lead others to where Christ is.

Disciples of Jesus are like sponges, always soaking up God’s word and teachings. Disciples are always learning and are always going where Jesus is leading in obedience to Him. It has been said that converts grow old in the Lord; disciples grow up in the Lord. Disciples grow in maturity in their relationship with Jesus.

One of the definitions of a yoke is a rabbi, or teacher’s, set of teachings. Disciples are obedient to their Rabbi’s, Jesus’, yoke, or teachings. Disciples of Jesus are also yoked to Christ. A yoke is a bond or lash that fastens people together. Disciples are bound together with Jesus. Where ever God is, you can find His disciples there also. They are obedient to go where God leads as they are connected intimately with Him in His teachings and in His leading.

To make disciples of Jesus we must be disciples of Jesus ourselves, always learning and always following.

Learning and following Jesus by His grace and mercy and power,

Robbie

Bibliography

Stott, John R.W. The Radical Disciple. Intervarsity Press. Downers Grove Il. © 2010

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Lk 6:40

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 11:28-30