DISCIPLESHIP: CAN YOU HANDLE IT?

People have different reactions when they hear the word discipleship. Some get scared because it sounds like a trap. Some are hesitant because it seems too confining and rigorous. Still, there are some who are willing to try it to put a balance in their life. Even for some who already call themselves disciples of Jesus, they have this notion of discipleship as a set of rituals and guidelines to follow in order to grow and be mature. We forget what it is really all about its a relationship. 1. It starts with a RELATIONSHIP. John 1:35-42 Andrew was originally a disciple of John. But when he heard John point the way to the Lamb of God, he went and followed Jesus. This is not a desertion; John made it clear from the start that he was preparing the way for the coming of someone far greater than he is. John was not the Way, Jesus is. And when he pointed it to his disciples, he was actually doing the right thing, pointing them in the right direction. So Andrew and another (unnamed) disciple followed Jesus. After asking where He was staying, they went with Him and spent the rest of the day with Him. Sometime in all those hours spent with Jesus, Andrew came to the conclusion that He is the Messiah. And so he went to his brother Simon and brought him to meet Jesus. Here we can see that Andrew is one of the first, if not the first, noun and verb disciple. He followed Jesus (noun) and then he brought his brother to meet Jesus as well (verb). * ITS NOT JUST ABOUT THE RITUALS John 3:1-21 (emphasis on vv.1-5) Nicodemus was a teacher of the law a Pharisee - and yet here was Jesus telling him to that he needed to be born of the Spirit. Nicodemus knew the law but he did not know the Lawgiver. He knew the teachings of the law, but he did not have a relationship with God. John 5:39-40 You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life.

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What is the point of doing all the spiritual disciplines if you do not know the One for whom all things point to? Discipleship is not all about rituals and rigors of the law; its about a relationship with the Lawgiver, the Master Teacher Jesus Christ. Once we fully understand this, then the discplines of being a disciple will have a different ring to it. Reading the Bible, praying, memorizing Scriptures all these things will be a joy to do because in doing these, you are spending time with your Friend. You are having an active relationship with Jesus. Reflection Question: Are you in a relationship with Jesus? If no, why not? If yes, are you actively nurturing that relationship as you would with your spouse / family / friends? 2. It intensifies with the REALITIES of life. Luke 14:25-34; 10:57-62; Matthew 10 The strength of a relationship is tested when conflict comes. There the choice comes in which is more important? A decision has to made, testing where ones true commitment lies. Thats why Jesus told us to count the cost before plunging right in. What Discipleship is NOT: a. EASY We have said earlier that discipleship is not all about the rituals. It is about a relationship. But maintaining any kind of relatationship requires effort. Thus, the spiritual disciplines are necessary for making your relationship with God grow and flourish. It is a means to an end and not the end itself. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Dont you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. The realities of your career, your family, your friends they all demand a portion of yourself, your time, and your effort. Here comes the hard part. Which comes first? God or them? b. COMFORTABLE Matthew 10:16-18 Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial

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before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. Matthew 10:22a All nations will hate you because you are my followers. Matthew 10:34-36 Dont imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, a duaghter against her mother, and a daugther-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household! Luke 9:57-58 As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, I will follow you wherever you go. But Jesus replied, Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head. Luke 14:26-27 If you want to be my disciple, you must hate* everyone else by comparison your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. *hate here means love less (compare with Matt.10:37) c. CHEAP Luke 14:28-35 But dont begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laught at you. They would say, Theres the person who started that building and couldnt afford to finish it. Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he cant, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Even in human relationships, there are sacrifices to be made. And with each sacrifice you make, someone somewhere will not be pleased with your decision. So following Christ in this sinful world is not going to be comfortable. You will not be able to please everybody. And its not going to be cheap. You have to be willing to give all or nothing. You have to make a choice: Who do you want to please more God or men? zarahlim_03042012 3

In Acts (3-5) the apostles were unstoppable in their preaching of the Good News. Despite being imprisoned a number of times, they continued speaking and teaching about Jesus Christs life, death, and resurrection. Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles replied, We must obey God rather than any human authority. Acts 5:41-42 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And everyday, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to preach this message: Jesus is the Messiah. Reflection Question: How far are you willing to go to follow Jesus? 3. It comes with REASSURANCE. It is tempting to revert to our comfort zone once the realities of life meddle with our decision to follow Christ. Jesus knew this was going to happen. He knew how hard it will be to stand up to our decision to follow Him, despite what others may think of us. So he reassured us with these words: Matthew 10:26, 28, 31 But dont be afraid of those who threaten you Dont be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell So dont be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 28:20 And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Reflection Question: Is there anything that is stopping you from going deeper into discipleship? 4. It concludes with a REWARD. Following God, though not easy, will never leave us empty handed. His Word is full of promises of blessings and reward for those who put their trust in Him. So after estimating the cost and finally deciding to follow him, we have these rewards to look forward to: a. DIRECTION John 10:27-29 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Fathers hand. zarahlim_03042012 4

As disciples, we are given DIRECTION (commands or instructions to follow) through His Word, guiding us in how we live our lives. We are also going to be led in the DIRECTION (guidance) we need to take by listening to His voice. b. DIET John 6:35 Jesus replied, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Through feasting on His Word, our spiritual diet is nourished. Observing regular proper spiritual diet is proven to nourish you from the inside out! John 7:38-39 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, Rivers of living water will flow from his heart. (When he said living water, he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him). Streams of Living Water will flow from within us. Like water therapy, the Holy Spirit cleanses (sanctifies) us from within from the toxicities of life. When we study Gods Word, the Holy Spirit will convict us of our sins. Thus, the Word and the Spirit are working together in the process of our sanctification. c. DESTINATION Our future is no longer a mystery. We are promised of a life with God forever, if we believe in Jesus, follow Him and endure until the end. Matthew 10:22 All nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. John 3:16 For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. John 6:40 For it is my Fathers will that all who see (looks to) the Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:47 I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. CHALLENGE: Take your current discipleship status to the next level. Make it your goal to be both a NOUN and a VERB disciple and endure all that it will bring you until the end. zarahlim_03042012 5