I have been meaning for some time now to document some of my family's history. We have a relatively young family (My great grandpa Carlo was the first Maltempi!), and I find aspects of it just totally awesome. So with all of us together for the holidays I took a chance to write some of it down and start capturing it. I'll start this first installment with just the most basic family tree for my family. The more interesting stories will follow in later installments.
My parents are Carlo Maltempi and Salavtrice Sidoti.
My Dad's parents are Vincenzo Maltempi and Anna Celona.
The Maltempi's:
My great grandpa Carlo was the first Maltempi in the line. That story will come later. My Grandpa Vince was one of 12 children.
Parents: Carlo Maltempi and Giovanna Gullo
Children (in order):
Stefano
Gennaro
Carlo (died as an infant)
Vincenzo- Born 4/26/21
Rosario
Nunziata
Nino (died at 17)
Giuseppe
Giorgio (died at 7)
Cecilia
Francesca
Giovanni
The Celona's:
This is my Grandma Anna's family Grandma was one of 5 children.
Parents: Francesco Celona and Maria Iraci
Children (in order):
Giuseppina
Domenico
Anna- Born 10/26/23 in the USA
Salvatore (died as infant, born in the USA)
Concetta
My Mom's parents are Francesco Sidoti and Giuseppa Rao.
The Sidoti's:
My Grandpa Francesco was one of 7 children.
Parents: Carmelo Sidoti and Carmela Pino
Children (in order):
Francesco
Salvatrice (died in teens)
Maria
Tindaro
Sebastiano
Angela
Antonino
The Rao's:
This is my Grandma Giuseppina's family Grandma was one of 7 children.
Parents: Giovanni Rao and Nunziata Merlino
Children (in order):
Valentino (died in WWII)
Giuseppe
Maria
Carmelo (died in WWII)
Giuseppa
Gaetana
Tindaro
Also, my Grandma was adopted (another story that will come later) and her parents were Antonino Terranova and Rosina Merlino.
Like I said, more will follow. This is just a little background for now.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
With Christmas fast upon us I was just considering the lyrics to the awesome song "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". I love this song: the lyrics, the music, it is so powerful. And as I thought about it, I realized that I really didn't know much about this song. So after a little digging I came up with the information below. This really gives me a new appreciation for the song and renewed joy in my listening of it. I hope you find this as interesting and as edifying as I have. Enjoy, Merry Christmas, and O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory over the grave. Refrain
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain
O come, O come, Adonai,
Who in thy glorious majesty
From Sinai’s mountain, clothes in awe,
Gavest thy folk the elder law. Refrain
The Story behind “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is probably the oldest Christmas carol still sung today. This popular hymn dates back to the ninth century and represents an important and ancient series of services celebrated by the Catholic church. It also presents the different biblical roles that the church believed Jesus fulfilled. The universal nature of faith presented in this song can now be best seen by the fact that it has crossed over from a hymn sung in Latin and used in only formal Catholic masses to a carol translated into, scores of languages and embraced by every Christian denomination in the world.
The writer of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is unknown. He was no doubt a monk or priest who penned the words before 800 A.D. He was also a scholar with a rich knowledge of both the Old and New Testaments. Once completed, the hymn was evidently picked up by many European churches and monasteries and became an intensely important part of the church. Yet for fifty-one weeks of each year it was ignored, saved for a single week of Advent vespers leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth.
In its original form, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was known as a song of the "Great Antiphons" or “Great O's." The Latin text, framed in the original seven different verses, represented the different biblical views of the Messiah. One verse per day was sung or chanted during the last seven days before Christmas.
Much more than the very simple, almost monotone melody employed at the time, the words painted a rich illustration of the many biblical prophesies fulfilled by Christ's birth. So the story of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is really a condensed study of the Bible's view of the Messiah-who he was, what lie represented and why lie had to come to Earth. Even to this day, if one is a proficient Bible student, the song's lyrics reveal the unfolding story of the Messiah.
For the people of the Dark Ages-few of whom read or had access to the Bible-the song was one of the few examples of the full story of how the New and Old Testament views of the Messiah came together in the birth and life of Jesus. Because it brought the story of Christ the Savior to life during hundreds of years of ignorance and darkness, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” ranks as one of the most important songs in the history of the Christian faith.
The song owes its worldwide acceptance to a man named John Mason Neale. Born on January 24, 1818, this Anglican priest was educated at Trinity College in Cambridge. Brilliant, a man who could write and speak more than twenty languages, he should have been destined for greatness, yet many feared his intelligence and insight. At the time, church leaders thought he was too evangelical, too progressive, and too much a freethinker to be allowed to influence the masses. So rather than get a pastorate in London, Neale was sent by the church to the Madiera Islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Pushed out of the spotlight and given the position of warden in an all but forgotten locale, it was expected that he and his ideas would never again find root in England. Yet Neale refused to give up on God or his own calling. On a salary of just twenty-seven pounds a year he established the Sisterhood of St. Margaret. From this order he began an orphanage, a school for girls and a house of refuge for prostitutes. And these noble ministries were just the beginning.
When he wasn't ministering to those who could truly be called “the least of these,” the often frail and sickly Neale reviewed every facet of Scripture and Scripture-based writing he could find. It was during these studies that he came across the Latin chant “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” in a book called Psalteroium Cantionum Catholicarum. Seizing on the importance of the song's inspired text, Neale translated the words into English. Interestingly, in his initial work, the lyrics began, “Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel”
The tune that went with Neale's translation had been used for some years in Latin text versions of the song. “Veni Emmanuel” was a fifteenth century processional that originated in a community of French Franciscan nuns living in Lisbon, Portugal. Neale's translation of the lyrics coupled with “Veni Emmanuel” was first published in the 185Os in England. Within twenty-five years, Neale's work, later cut to five verses and called “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” grew in popularity throughout Europe and America.
Although sung countless times each Christmas, much of the song's rich meaning seems to have been set aside or lost. While both men-the ancient monk and the exiled priest-would probably be amazed that any still remember their work, the fact that few realize the full impact of the words would no doubt disappoint them greatly. After all, to sing a song and not feel the power and majesty of its meaning trivializes both the music and the lyrics.
The first verse of the song is taken from Isaiah 7: 14 and Matthew 1:23. It introduces Emmanuel-“God with us”-and Israel as a symbol for the Christian world, held captive on a dark and sinful Earth.
Isaiah 11 serves as the theme for the verse that begins “O come, thou rod of Jesse, free" (in some translations this is called the "Branch of Jesse"). In it the rod of Jesse represents Christ, who is the only one who can defeat Satan and bring eternal life to all those who follow him.
“O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer” presents the image of the morning star, a concept that can be traced back to Malachi 4:2. In this verse, the song states that the coming Savior will bring justice, honesty, and truth. He will enlighten and cast out darkness as "The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in His wings.”
The lyrics then turn to "O come, thou key of David," a reference to Isaiah
22:22. The words in this verse explain that the newborn King holds the key to the heavenly kingdom and there is no way to get into the kingdom but through Him.
The verse that begins “O come, O come, Adonai” (in some texts this reads “O come, thou wisdom from on high”) centers on the source of true wisdom. This comes only from God through his Son. Through the Savior, this wisdom can reach around the world and bring peace and understanding to all men. Thus, Christ's teachings and examples fulfilled all Old Testament prophesies.
Even today, when sung in a public hall by a small group of carolers or during a television special, the original chants of long forgotten monks can almost be heard. Although translated into scores of languages and sung in wild variety of styles and arrangements, the simplistic yet spiritual nature of the song remains intact. It is reverent, a tribute to not only the birth of God's child but also to the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver his children from the world. In this simple hut brilliant song, the echoed voices of clerics from the past gently urge today’s world to accept and worship the King who fulfills God's greatest promise to his children.
Excerpted from Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins, a 2001 publication distributed by Zondervan.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory over the grave. Refrain
O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain
O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain
O come, O come, Adonai,
Who in thy glorious majesty
From Sinai’s mountain, clothes in awe,
Gavest thy folk the elder law. Refrain
The Story behind “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" is probably the oldest Christmas carol still sung today. This popular hymn dates back to the ninth century and represents an important and ancient series of services celebrated by the Catholic church. It also presents the different biblical roles that the church believed Jesus fulfilled. The universal nature of faith presented in this song can now be best seen by the fact that it has crossed over from a hymn sung in Latin and used in only formal Catholic masses to a carol translated into, scores of languages and embraced by every Christian denomination in the world.
The writer of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is unknown. He was no doubt a monk or priest who penned the words before 800 A.D. He was also a scholar with a rich knowledge of both the Old and New Testaments. Once completed, the hymn was evidently picked up by many European churches and monasteries and became an intensely important part of the church. Yet for fifty-one weeks of each year it was ignored, saved for a single week of Advent vespers leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth.
In its original form, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” was known as a song of the "Great Antiphons" or “Great O's." The Latin text, framed in the original seven different verses, represented the different biblical views of the Messiah. One verse per day was sung or chanted during the last seven days before Christmas.
Much more than the very simple, almost monotone melody employed at the time, the words painted a rich illustration of the many biblical prophesies fulfilled by Christ's birth. So the story of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is really a condensed study of the Bible's view of the Messiah-who he was, what lie represented and why lie had to come to Earth. Even to this day, if one is a proficient Bible student, the song's lyrics reveal the unfolding story of the Messiah.
For the people of the Dark Ages-few of whom read or had access to the Bible-the song was one of the few examples of the full story of how the New and Old Testament views of the Messiah came together in the birth and life of Jesus. Because it brought the story of Christ the Savior to life during hundreds of years of ignorance and darkness, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” ranks as one of the most important songs in the history of the Christian faith.
The song owes its worldwide acceptance to a man named John Mason Neale. Born on January 24, 1818, this Anglican priest was educated at Trinity College in Cambridge. Brilliant, a man who could write and speak more than twenty languages, he should have been destined for greatness, yet many feared his intelligence and insight. At the time, church leaders thought he was too evangelical, too progressive, and too much a freethinker to be allowed to influence the masses. So rather than get a pastorate in London, Neale was sent by the church to the Madiera Islands off the northwest coast of Africa. Pushed out of the spotlight and given the position of warden in an all but forgotten locale, it was expected that he and his ideas would never again find root in England. Yet Neale refused to give up on God or his own calling. On a salary of just twenty-seven pounds a year he established the Sisterhood of St. Margaret. From this order he began an orphanage, a school for girls and a house of refuge for prostitutes. And these noble ministries were just the beginning.
When he wasn't ministering to those who could truly be called “the least of these,” the often frail and sickly Neale reviewed every facet of Scripture and Scripture-based writing he could find. It was during these studies that he came across the Latin chant “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” in a book called Psalteroium Cantionum Catholicarum. Seizing on the importance of the song's inspired text, Neale translated the words into English. Interestingly, in his initial work, the lyrics began, “Draw nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel”
The tune that went with Neale's translation had been used for some years in Latin text versions of the song. “Veni Emmanuel” was a fifteenth century processional that originated in a community of French Franciscan nuns living in Lisbon, Portugal. Neale's translation of the lyrics coupled with “Veni Emmanuel” was first published in the 185Os in England. Within twenty-five years, Neale's work, later cut to five verses and called “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” grew in popularity throughout Europe and America.
Although sung countless times each Christmas, much of the song's rich meaning seems to have been set aside or lost. While both men-the ancient monk and the exiled priest-would probably be amazed that any still remember their work, the fact that few realize the full impact of the words would no doubt disappoint them greatly. After all, to sing a song and not feel the power and majesty of its meaning trivializes both the music and the lyrics.
The first verse of the song is taken from Isaiah 7: 14 and Matthew 1:23. It introduces Emmanuel-“God with us”-and Israel as a symbol for the Christian world, held captive on a dark and sinful Earth.
Isaiah 11 serves as the theme for the verse that begins “O come, thou rod of Jesse, free" (in some translations this is called the "Branch of Jesse"). In it the rod of Jesse represents Christ, who is the only one who can defeat Satan and bring eternal life to all those who follow him.
“O come, O Dayspring, come and cheer” presents the image of the morning star, a concept that can be traced back to Malachi 4:2. In this verse, the song states that the coming Savior will bring justice, honesty, and truth. He will enlighten and cast out darkness as "The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in His wings.”
The lyrics then turn to "O come, thou key of David," a reference to Isaiah
22:22. The words in this verse explain that the newborn King holds the key to the heavenly kingdom and there is no way to get into the kingdom but through Him.
The verse that begins “O come, O come, Adonai” (in some texts this reads “O come, thou wisdom from on high”) centers on the source of true wisdom. This comes only from God through his Son. Through the Savior, this wisdom can reach around the world and bring peace and understanding to all men. Thus, Christ's teachings and examples fulfilled all Old Testament prophesies.
Even today, when sung in a public hall by a small group of carolers or during a television special, the original chants of long forgotten monks can almost be heard. Although translated into scores of languages and sung in wild variety of styles and arrangements, the simplistic yet spiritual nature of the song remains intact. It is reverent, a tribute to not only the birth of God's child but also to the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver his children from the world. In this simple hut brilliant song, the echoed voices of clerics from the past gently urge today’s world to accept and worship the King who fulfills God's greatest promise to his children.
Excerpted from Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins, a 2001 publication distributed by Zondervan.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Who you are in Christ
My class in Spiritual Care and Development this semester has been incredibly powerful and impactful in my own person spiritual development. For too long I have gone without considering what exactly I am in Christ Jesus, and I think many people can say the same thing. Here are some thoughts I have captured through class and discussion with the professor and other students:
Since you are a saint in Christ by God's calling, you share in Christ's inheritance. That which is true of Christ is now true of you, because you are in Christ. It's part of your identity. This applies to all that have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.
The list below itemizes in first-person language who you really are in Christ. These are some of the scriptural texts which reflect who you became at spiritual birth. You can't earn them or buy them anymore than a person born in America can earn or buy the rights and freedoms he or she enjoys as an American citizen. They are guaranteed to individuals by the Constitution simply because a person is born in the United States. Similarly, these traits are guaranteed to you by the Word of God simply because you were born into God's holy nation by faith in Christ.
Read this list aloud to yourself repeatedly until it becomes a part of you. Pray through the list occasionally asking God to cement these truths in your heart:
Who Am I?
• I am the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13).
• I am the light of the world (Matt. 5:14).
• I am a child of God (John 1: 12).
• I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:1,5).
• I am Christ's friend (John I5:I5).
• I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit (John 15:16).
• I am a slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).
• I am enslaved to God (Rom. 6:22).
• I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Rom. 8:14, I5; Gal. 3:26; 4:6).
• I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Rom. 8:17).
• I am a temple-a dwelling place-of God. His Spirit and His life dwells in me
(I Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
• I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (1 Cor. 6:17).
• I am a member of Christ's Body (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 5:30).
• I am a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
• I am reconciled to God and am an ambassador of reconciliation
(2 Cor. 5:18, 19).
• I am a son of God and one in Christ (Gal. 3:26, 28).
• I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Gal. 4:6, 7).
• I am a saint (Eph. 1: 1; 1 Cor. 1: 2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2).
• I am God's workmanship - His handiwork born anew in Christ to do his
work (Eph. 2: 10).
• I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family (Eph. 2:19).
• I am a prisoner of Christ (Eph. 3: 1; 4: 1).
• I am righteous and holy (Eph. 4:24).
• I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:6).
• I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
• I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Col. 3:4).
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; I Thess. 1: 4).
• I am a son of light and not of darkness (I Thess. 5:5).
• I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1).
• I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Heb. 3:14).
• I am one of God's fiving stones, being built up Christ as a spiritual house
(1 Pet. 2:5).
• I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priest¬hood, a holy nation, a people for
God's own posses¬sion (1 Pet. 2:9, 10).
• I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1 Pet. 2: 11).
• I am an enemy of the devil (1 Pet. 5:8).
• I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3: 1- 2).
• I am born of God, and the evil one-the devil cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).
• I am not the great "I am" (Exod. 3:14; John 8:24,28,58), but by the grace of God,
I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:10).
• Since I am in Christ, by the grace of God … I have been justified-completely
forgiven and made righteous (Rom. 5:1).
• I died with Christ and died to the power of sin's rule over my life (Rom. 6:1-6).
• I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1).
• I have been placed into Christ by God's doing (1 Cor. 1:30).
• I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely
given to me by God (1Cor. 2:12).
• I have been given the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
• I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God
(1 Cor. 6:19,20).
• I have been established, anointed and sealed by God in Christ, and I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing my inheritance to come
(2 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13,14).
• Since I have died, I no longer Uve for myself, but for Christ (2 Cor. 5:14,15).
• I have been made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
• I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who five, but Christ lives in me. The life I am now living is Christ's life (Gal. 2:20).
• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1: 3).
• I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and am without blame before Him (Eph. 1:4).
• I was predestined-determined by God-to be adopted as God's son (Eph. 1: 5).
• I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I am a recipient of Ifis lavish grace.
• I have been made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:5).
• I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven (Eph. 2:6).
• I have direct access to God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:18).
• I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12).
• I have been rescued from the domain of Satan and transferred to the
kingdom of Christ (Col. I:I3).
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins…the bond against me has been
canceled (Col. 2:14).
• Christ Himself is in me (Col. 1:27).
• I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built in Him (Col. 2:7).
• I have been spiritually circumcised. My old unregenerate nature has been
removed (Col. 2:11).
• I have been made complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)
• I have been buried, raised and made alive Christ (Col. 2:12, 13).
• I died with Christ and I have been raised up Christ. My life is now hidden with
Christ in God (Col. 3:1).
• Christ is now my life (Col. 3:1-4).
• I have been given a spirit of power, love and self discipline (2 Tim. 1:7).
• I have been saved and set apart according God's doing (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5).
• Because I am sanctified and am one with Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call
me brother (Heb. 2:11).
• I have the right to come boldly before the of God to find mercy and grace in time of need (Heb 4:16).
• I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises and am a partaker of God.
Your perception of your identity makes such a big difference in your success at dealing with the challenges and conflicts of your life. It is imperative to your growth and maturity that you believe God's truth about who you are.
Because you are in Christ, every one of those characteristics is completely true of you and there's nothing you can do to make them more true. But you can make these more meaningful and productive in your life by simply choosing to believe what God has said about you. One of the greatest ways to help yourself grow into maturity in Christ is to continually remind yourself who you are in Him. In my conferences I do this by reading the "Who Am I?" first aloud and then together. We suggest that you go back and read it aloud to yourself right now. Read the list once or twice a day for a week or two. Read it when think that Satan is trying to deceive you into believing you are a worthless failure. The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity.
We were obstinate and ornery, helpless and hopeless, with nothing in ourselves to commend us to God. But God's love overruled our unloveliness.
Satan will try to convince you that you are an unworthy, unacceptable, sin-sick person who will never amount to anything in God's eyes.
But we have the assurance of Christ Jesus that justifies and removes sin as far as the east is from the west!
Since you are a saint in Christ by God's calling, you share in Christ's inheritance. That which is true of Christ is now true of you, because you are in Christ. It's part of your identity. This applies to all that have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.
The list below itemizes in first-person language who you really are in Christ. These are some of the scriptural texts which reflect who you became at spiritual birth. You can't earn them or buy them anymore than a person born in America can earn or buy the rights and freedoms he or she enjoys as an American citizen. They are guaranteed to individuals by the Constitution simply because a person is born in the United States. Similarly, these traits are guaranteed to you by the Word of God simply because you were born into God's holy nation by faith in Christ.
Read this list aloud to yourself repeatedly until it becomes a part of you. Pray through the list occasionally asking God to cement these truths in your heart:
Who Am I?
• I am the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13).
• I am the light of the world (Matt. 5:14).
• I am a child of God (John 1: 12).
• I am part of the true vine, a channel of Christ's life (John 15:1,5).
• I am Christ's friend (John I5:I5).
• I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit (John 15:16).
• I am a slave of righteousness (Rom. 6:18).
• I am enslaved to God (Rom. 6:22).
• I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father (Rom. 8:14, I5; Gal. 3:26; 4:6).
• I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Rom. 8:17).
• I am a temple-a dwelling place-of God. His Spirit and His life dwells in me
(I Cor. 3:16; 6:19).
• I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him (1 Cor. 6:17).
• I am a member of Christ's Body (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 5:30).
• I am a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
• I am reconciled to God and am an ambassador of reconciliation
(2 Cor. 5:18, 19).
• I am a son of God and one in Christ (Gal. 3:26, 28).
• I am an heir of God since I am a son of God (Gal. 4:6, 7).
• I am a saint (Eph. 1: 1; 1 Cor. 1: 2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2).
• I am God's workmanship - His handiwork born anew in Christ to do his
work (Eph. 2: 10).
• I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family (Eph. 2:19).
• I am a prisoner of Christ (Eph. 3: 1; 4: 1).
• I am righteous and holy (Eph. 4:24).
• I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 2:6).
• I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
• I am an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life (Col. 3:4).
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Col. 3:12; I Thess. 1: 4).
• I am a son of light and not of darkness (I Thess. 5:5).
• I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling (Heb. 3:1).
• I am a partaker of Christ; I share in His life (Heb. 3:14).
• I am one of God's fiving stones, being built up Christ as a spiritual house
(1 Pet. 2:5).
• I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priest¬hood, a holy nation, a people for
God's own posses¬sion (1 Pet. 2:9, 10).
• I am an alien and stranger to this world in which I temporarily live (1 Pet. 2: 11).
• I am an enemy of the devil (1 Pet. 5:8).
• I am a child of God and I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3: 1- 2).
• I am born of God, and the evil one-the devil cannot touch me (1 John 5:18).
• I am not the great "I am" (Exod. 3:14; John 8:24,28,58), but by the grace of God,
I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:10).
• Since I am in Christ, by the grace of God … I have been justified-completely
forgiven and made righteous (Rom. 5:1).
• I died with Christ and died to the power of sin's rule over my life (Rom. 6:1-6).
• I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1).
• I have been placed into Christ by God's doing (1 Cor. 1:30).
• I have received the Spirit of God into my life that I might know the things freely
given to me by God (1Cor. 2:12).
• I have been given the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).
• I have been bought with a price; I am not my own; I belong to God
(1 Cor. 6:19,20).
• I have been established, anointed and sealed by God in Christ, and I have been given the Holy Spirit as a pledge guaranteeing my inheritance to come
(2 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13,14).
• Since I have died, I no longer Uve for myself, but for Christ (2 Cor. 5:14,15).
• I have been made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21).
• I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who five, but Christ lives in me. The life I am now living is Christ's life (Gal. 2:20).
• I have been blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1: 3).
• I was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and am without blame before Him (Eph. 1:4).
• I was predestined-determined by God-to be adopted as God's son (Eph. 1: 5).
• I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I am a recipient of Ifis lavish grace.
• I have been made alive together with Christ (Eph. 2:5).
• I have been raised up and seated with Christ in heaven (Eph. 2:6).
• I have direct access to God through the Spirit (Eph. 2:18).
• I may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12).
• I have been rescued from the domain of Satan and transferred to the
kingdom of Christ (Col. I:I3).
• I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins…the bond against me has been
canceled (Col. 2:14).
• Christ Himself is in me (Col. 1:27).
• I am firmly rooted in Christ and am now being built in Him (Col. 2:7).
• I have been spiritually circumcised. My old unregenerate nature has been
removed (Col. 2:11).
• I have been made complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)
• I have been buried, raised and made alive Christ (Col. 2:12, 13).
• I died with Christ and I have been raised up Christ. My life is now hidden with
Christ in God (Col. 3:1).
• Christ is now my life (Col. 3:1-4).
• I have been given a spirit of power, love and self discipline (2 Tim. 1:7).
• I have been saved and set apart according God's doing (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5).
• Because I am sanctified and am one with Sanctifier, He is not ashamed to call
me brother (Heb. 2:11).
• I have the right to come boldly before the of God to find mercy and grace in time of need (Heb 4:16).
• I have been given exceedingly great and precious promises and am a partaker of God.
Your perception of your identity makes such a big difference in your success at dealing with the challenges and conflicts of your life. It is imperative to your growth and maturity that you believe God's truth about who you are.
Because you are in Christ, every one of those characteristics is completely true of you and there's nothing you can do to make them more true. But you can make these more meaningful and productive in your life by simply choosing to believe what God has said about you. One of the greatest ways to help yourself grow into maturity in Christ is to continually remind yourself who you are in Him. In my conferences I do this by reading the "Who Am I?" first aloud and then together. We suggest that you go back and read it aloud to yourself right now. Read the list once or twice a day for a week or two. Read it when think that Satan is trying to deceive you into believing you are a worthless failure. The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity.
We were obstinate and ornery, helpless and hopeless, with nothing in ourselves to commend us to God. But God's love overruled our unloveliness.
Satan will try to convince you that you are an unworthy, unacceptable, sin-sick person who will never amount to anything in God's eyes.
But we have the assurance of Christ Jesus that justifies and removes sin as far as the east is from the west!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Martin Luther and Prayer: The 4 Stranded Garland
I just learned about this last week in class and thought it was so cool I just had to share it. Let's face it, prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. At the same time, prayer is a weakness for many of us. Martin Luther addressing the same struggle close to 500 years ago came up with this nifty 4 Strand Garland as a method for prayer.
When Martin Luther’s barber (and friend) asked him how to pray, Martin Luther responded with a brief treatise published in the spring of 1535 under the title A Simple Way to Pray, for a Good Friend. Luther explained his own practices of prayer.
The following are some of the suggestions Luther gave to his barber:
There is need for concentration
Let prayer be the first business of the morning and last in the evening. Do not be sidetracked. Luther writes, “So, a good and attentive barber keeps his thoughts, attention, and eyes on the razor and hair and does not forget how far he has gotten with his shaving or cutting. If he wants to engage into much conversation or let his mind wander or look somewhere else he is likely to cut his customer’s mouth, nose, or even his throat. Thus if anything is to be done well, it requires the full attention of all one's senses and members. . .” (p. 32-33).
There is a sequence of prayer
Luther writes ". . .kneel or stand with your hands folded and your eyes toward heaven and speak or think as briefly as you can. . .” (p.20). Offer a brief prayer “O Heavenly Father, dear God, I am a poor unworthy sinner, I do not deserve to raise my eyes or hands toward thee or to pray. . .” (p. 21) Begin to pray one petition of the Lord’s Prayer or one of the Ten Commandments. Never doubt you are alone in your prayer. “Do not leave your prayer without having said or thought, ‘Very well, God has heard my prayer, this I know as a certainty and a truth.’ This is what Amen means” (p. 29).
The heart must be ready for prayer
Keep prayers meaningful. Unclutter your mind by focusing on one thought, perhaps one petition of the Lord’s Prayer or one of the Ten Commandments.
Prayer is like a garland of four twisted strands
This garland is especially true when using Holy Scripture, Lord’s Prayer, or Ten Commandments. Each strand can be posed as a question:
1) What is the (petition, commandment, etc) teaching/meaning for me?
2) What prayer of thanksgiving does this prompt?
3) What confession or lament does it evoke?
4) What is the prayer petition?
Luther said, “Nothing can be said here about the part of faith and Holy Scriptures [in prayer] because there would be no end to what could be said. With practice one can take the Ten Commandments on one day, a psalm or chapter of Holy Scripture the next day, and use them as flint and steel to kindle a flame in the heart” (p.56).
So the next time you are reading Scripture, try the 4 Stranded Garland and see how the Spirit speaks to you. Read a Scripture passage and ask yourself:
1) What is this passage meaning to me or teaching me?
2) What does this passage make me thankful for, or what blessings am I reminded of in this passage?
3) Confess to your Heavenly Father what you feel and what is weighing on your heart.
4) Lay all the petitions and requests in your heart at the feet of your Heavenly who knows what you need before you even ask.
Enjoy you time in prayer, there is nothing better!
--Quotes are from Martin Luther, A Simple Way to Pray, Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster Knox Press, 2000.
When Martin Luther’s barber (and friend) asked him how to pray, Martin Luther responded with a brief treatise published in the spring of 1535 under the title A Simple Way to Pray, for a Good Friend. Luther explained his own practices of prayer.
The following are some of the suggestions Luther gave to his barber:
There is need for concentration
Let prayer be the first business of the morning and last in the evening. Do not be sidetracked. Luther writes, “So, a good and attentive barber keeps his thoughts, attention, and eyes on the razor and hair and does not forget how far he has gotten with his shaving or cutting. If he wants to engage into much conversation or let his mind wander or look somewhere else he is likely to cut his customer’s mouth, nose, or even his throat. Thus if anything is to be done well, it requires the full attention of all one's senses and members. . .” (p. 32-33).
There is a sequence of prayer
Luther writes ". . .kneel or stand with your hands folded and your eyes toward heaven and speak or think as briefly as you can. . .” (p.20). Offer a brief prayer “O Heavenly Father, dear God, I am a poor unworthy sinner, I do not deserve to raise my eyes or hands toward thee or to pray. . .” (p. 21) Begin to pray one petition of the Lord’s Prayer or one of the Ten Commandments. Never doubt you are alone in your prayer. “Do not leave your prayer without having said or thought, ‘Very well, God has heard my prayer, this I know as a certainty and a truth.’ This is what Amen means” (p. 29).
The heart must be ready for prayer
Keep prayers meaningful. Unclutter your mind by focusing on one thought, perhaps one petition of the Lord’s Prayer or one of the Ten Commandments.
Prayer is like a garland of four twisted strands
This garland is especially true when using Holy Scripture, Lord’s Prayer, or Ten Commandments. Each strand can be posed as a question:
1) What is the (petition, commandment, etc) teaching/meaning for me?
2) What prayer of thanksgiving does this prompt?
3) What confession or lament does it evoke?
4) What is the prayer petition?
Luther said, “Nothing can be said here about the part of faith and Holy Scriptures [in prayer] because there would be no end to what could be said. With practice one can take the Ten Commandments on one day, a psalm or chapter of Holy Scripture the next day, and use them as flint and steel to kindle a flame in the heart” (p.56).
So the next time you are reading Scripture, try the 4 Stranded Garland and see how the Spirit speaks to you. Read a Scripture passage and ask yourself:
1) What is this passage meaning to me or teaching me?
2) What does this passage make me thankful for, or what blessings am I reminded of in this passage?
3) Confess to your Heavenly Father what you feel and what is weighing on your heart.
4) Lay all the petitions and requests in your heart at the feet of your Heavenly who knows what you need before you even ask.
Enjoy you time in prayer, there is nothing better!
--Quotes are from Martin Luther, A Simple Way to Pray, Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster Knox Press, 2000.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Being a Disciple means being a leader
Just wrapped up my class on Discipleship and Evangelism in the NT. Hard to believe, but after starting classes 3 years ago, I am now just 4 classes away from graduating! My topic for the final paper was on Leadership as an aspect of Discipleship. Here is an excerpt from my paper. If you want to read the whole thing let me know and I will forward on a copy:
What does it mean to be a Disciple, and not just a Disciple, but a Christian Disciple? The operative word for our purposes is Christian discipleship. The reality is that there are many different types of discipleship. One can refer to discipleship in the context of pop music or music instruction, a religious sect, a specific trade like an electrician or carpenter, and so on. But Christian discipleship is more than just showing the ropes or equipping someone for a task. “It also involves character training, which involves confrontations, corrections, and other aspects of caring that are Christ-focused, ultimately, for the purpose of honoring Christ.” (Kang, 2008)
A Disciple is many things and embodies multiple aspects of life. Jesus frequently referred to His followers as disciples (mathetai): over 65 times in Matthew, 44 times in Mark, 34 times in Luke, and over 70 times in John. Additionally, the followers of John the Baptist are referred to as disciples and the occurrence of the word appears frequently (over 25 times) in the Book of Acts. (Longenecker, 4) These disciples, these followers of Jesus were believers, workers, evangelists, administrators and martyrs, they covered the gamut for our Lord. They were teachers, shepherds, “fishers of men”, and they all fell under the umbrella of disciple.
Since a disciple can take on many roles and involve various different aspects or ministry calls, our objective for this brief paper will be focused on leadership, and on a disciple as a leader. Jesus was not only a teacher, He was not only a role model for those that followed Him, but He was a leader. As Richard Bauckham declares about Jesus, “His teaching is ancillary to His deeds. His mission is to do the works that His Father has given Him to do for the salvation of the world.” (Bauckham, 1337) In short, Jesus led and was a leader. He invested his all in leading His disciples and in turn expecting them to be leaders of others. The objective for this paper will be 3fold: to define and highlight the characteristics of leadership as a part of discipleship- including the effect of the spiritual gifts on the leadership call, to focus specifically on Paul’s example of leadership (through the Apostolic appointment of Jesus Christ) and the various roles he employed, and lastly to summarize my personal philosophy and approach to being a disciple of Christ through being a leader.
The reality is that as a Christian, a person called to serve as a leader is a disciple, because disciples are called to lead. Disciples follow and imitate Christ. And in imitating Christ, disciples become leaders; so inevitably disciples will be leaders in some varying capacity.
What does it mean to be a Disciple, and not just a Disciple, but a Christian Disciple? The operative word for our purposes is Christian discipleship. The reality is that there are many different types of discipleship. One can refer to discipleship in the context of pop music or music instruction, a religious sect, a specific trade like an electrician or carpenter, and so on. But Christian discipleship is more than just showing the ropes or equipping someone for a task. “It also involves character training, which involves confrontations, corrections, and other aspects of caring that are Christ-focused, ultimately, for the purpose of honoring Christ.” (Kang, 2008)
A Disciple is many things and embodies multiple aspects of life. Jesus frequently referred to His followers as disciples (mathetai): over 65 times in Matthew, 44 times in Mark, 34 times in Luke, and over 70 times in John. Additionally, the followers of John the Baptist are referred to as disciples and the occurrence of the word appears frequently (over 25 times) in the Book of Acts. (Longenecker, 4) These disciples, these followers of Jesus were believers, workers, evangelists, administrators and martyrs, they covered the gamut for our Lord. They were teachers, shepherds, “fishers of men”, and they all fell under the umbrella of disciple.
Since a disciple can take on many roles and involve various different aspects or ministry calls, our objective for this brief paper will be focused on leadership, and on a disciple as a leader. Jesus was not only a teacher, He was not only a role model for those that followed Him, but He was a leader. As Richard Bauckham declares about Jesus, “His teaching is ancillary to His deeds. His mission is to do the works that His Father has given Him to do for the salvation of the world.” (Bauckham, 1337) In short, Jesus led and was a leader. He invested his all in leading His disciples and in turn expecting them to be leaders of others. The objective for this paper will be 3fold: to define and highlight the characteristics of leadership as a part of discipleship- including the effect of the spiritual gifts on the leadership call, to focus specifically on Paul’s example of leadership (through the Apostolic appointment of Jesus Christ) and the various roles he employed, and lastly to summarize my personal philosophy and approach to being a disciple of Christ through being a leader.
The reality is that as a Christian, a person called to serve as a leader is a disciple, because disciples are called to lead. Disciples follow and imitate Christ. And in imitating Christ, disciples become leaders; so inevitably disciples will be leaders in some varying capacity.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Being a Disciple of Christ
Since my class this semester is on Discipleship in the New Testament, I came across this nifty little checklist on being a Disciple of Christ. So...are you a Disciple of Christ?
Are You A Disciple Of Jesus?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
the age."
INTRODUCTION
1. The above statement was made by Jesus to His apostles shortly before
He ascended to heaven - Mt 28:18-20
2. Commonly called "The Great Commission," notice the main thought of
Jesus' command...
a. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..."
b. To "make disciples," therefore, is the GOAL of evangelizing the
world for Christ
3. Are you a disciple of Jesus?
a. More than likely you believe in Jesus...
b. You might even be one to attend church services regularly
-- But is that what it means to be His disciple?
4. The purpose in this study is to make clear what is involved in
being a true disciple of Jesus Christ
[To begin, let's define the word "disciple"...]
I. THE DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE
A. THE WORD "DISCIPLE"...
1. The word "disciple" literally means A LEARNER
2. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary Of New Testament
Words, it denotes "one who follows another's teaching"
3. But a disciple was not only a learner, he was also AN ADHERENT
4. For this reason disciples were spoken of as IMITATORS of their
teachers.
B. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE...
1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like the teacher - Lk 6:40
2. To be Christ's disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
3. According to the apostle Paul, this coincides with God's goal
in the redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the
image of His Son - Ro 8:29
[Do you have a strong desire to follow Jesus and become like Him?
Unless you do, it cannot be said that you are truly His disciple!
There are also some "identifying marks" of discipleship given by Jesus
which can help us to further identify a true disciple of Jesus...]
II. THE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE
A. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO ABIDES IN JESUS' WORDS" - Jn 8:31
1. This would imply being a diligent student of the teachings of
Christ
2. It also requires one to be a "doer" of the Word - Mt 7:21-27;
Jm 1:21-25
3. In view of this, a true disciple would not...
a. Fail to study the Bible diligently
b. Willingly refrain from opportunities to study with others
(e.g., Bible classes, church services, gospel meetings).
B. A DISCIPLE IS ALSO "ONE WHO LOVES THE BRETHREN" - Jn 13:34-35
1. With a love patterned after the love of Jesus ("as I have
loved you")
2. With a love that is visible to the world ("by this all will
know")
3. Therefore, a true disciple would...
a. Make every effort to get to know his brethren
b. Take advantage of occasions to encourage and grow closer to
them (e.g., attending services on Sunday and Wednesday
nights)
4. Remember, a disciple is one who wants to become like his
teacher
a. Was Jesus willing to sacrifice time and effort for His
brethren?
b. Of course, and so will we... IF we are truly HIS disciples!
C. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO BEARS MUCH FRUIT" - Jn 15:8
1. Notice the word "much" (also found in verse 5)
a. Jesus is not talking about an occasional good deed
b. But a lifestyle which prompts people to glorify God!
- Mt 5:16
2. This is so important, that failure to bear much fruit will
result in being severed from Christ - Jn 15:1-2
3. How can one be a disciple if he or she is cut off from Christ?
[The point should be clear: to be a disciple of Jesus Christ means
more that just a casual church member. It requires COMMITMENT,
especially in regards to:
The teachings of Christ
The love of brethren
Bearing fruit to the glory of God
The kind of commitment involved is seen further when we consider the
"high cost" of discipleship demanded by Jesus in Lk 14:25-33...]
III. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE
A. JESUS MUST COME FIRST - Lk 14:26
1. Before anyone else, including members of our own family
- Mt 10:34-37
2. Even before one's own self - Lk 9:23-25
B. WE MUST BE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST - Lk 14:27
1. Trying to live godly lives in an ungodly world, we may find
that following Christ sometimes involves ridicule and
persecution - 2Ti 3:12
2. Even if we are blessed to escape such things, we must still be
willing to expend time and effort in promoting the cause of
Christ in positive ways
C. PUTTING IT SIMPLY, WE MUST FORSAKE ALL TO FOLLOW CHRIST
- Lk 14:33
1. In other words, Jesus must be KING and LORD of our lives
2. Nothing can take precedent over Him and His Will for us
[This kind of "high cost" of discipleship demanded by Jesus caused
many people to turn away from following Him. But Jesus wasn't trying
to attract large crowds, He wanted disciples!
Is the COST worth it? I believe so, for consider some of the REWARDS
of discipleship...]
IV. THE REWARDS OF BEING A DISCIPLE
A. THERE IS THE PROMISE OF "FUTURE BLESSINGS"...
1. We shall be saved from the wrath of God which is yet to come
upon the world for its sins - Ro 5:9
2. We can look forward with joyful anticipation of eternity with
God, free from sorrow, pain and death - Re 21:1-8
B. THERE ARE ALSO "PRESENT BLESSINGS"...
1. Jesus offers a PEACE the world cannot give to calm the
troubled heart - Jn 14:27
2. His words inspire JOY to lift our spirits out of any
depression - Jn 15:11
3. He also offers to those who follow Him the ABIDING LOVE OF
GOD, which can cast out fear - Jn 15:9; 1Jn 4:18
4. And he makes it possible for us to be members of THE FAMILY OF
GOD, which is able if need be to replace our physical family
- Mk 10:28-30
[There are many other blessings we could mention that are enjoyed by
disciples of Jesus; but these suffice to demonstrate that though
discipleship is costly, the rewards far exceed the cost!
Now that we understand the nature of discipleship, its cost and
rewards, I hope that we want to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
But how does one begin?
For the answer we return to our beginning text - Mt 28:19-20...]
V. THE BEGINNING OF A DISCIPLE
A. ACCORDING TO JESUS, IT INVOLVES BAPTISM - Mt 28:19
1. Why baptism?
a. Remember the goal of discipleship: to be like Jesus
b. He was holy and sinless, yet we are to be like Him
c. Fortunately, baptism is described as an act of faith which
puts us in contact with the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ
so we can be forgiven - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:3-4
d. It is also the means by which one "puts on Christ"
- Ga 3:27
-- SO BAPTISM IS THE LOGICAL STARTING PLACE FOR TRUE
DISCIPLESHIP!
2. But what is baptism?
a. It is an act of submission which must be preceded by faith
in Jesus and repentance for our sins - Ac 2:36-38; 8:36-37
1) This precludes infant baptism
2) For infants are incapable of believing and repenting
b. It is also an act of submission which involves a burial in
water, in which one then rises to walk in newness of life
through the power of God - Ac 8:38; Ro 6:3-4; Col 2:12
1) This precludes sprinkling or pouring as a mode of
baptism
2) For neither of these involve a "burial" nor an immersion
(which is the meaning of the Greek word "baptidzo")
c. When done according to the Word of God, baptism then
becomes an act of faith on our part which results in a
wonderful working of God in our lives!
1) Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus
- Ac 22:16; Ep 5:25-27
2) We are "regenerated" and "renewed" by the Spirit of God
so we can now live for God! - Tit 3:5-6
3) It is truly a "rebirth" involving both water and the
Spirit - Jn 3:5
B. BUT BAPTISM IS ONLY THE BEGINNING, TEACHING AND OBEDIENCE MUST
FOLLOW - Mt 28:20
1. This brings us back to the very definition of discipleship
2. For Jesus clearly states:
a. We are to be TAUGHT (that is, to be LEARNERS)
b. We are to OBSERVE (that is, to be ADHERENTS or DOERS)
3. In this way we embark on a life devoted to learning and doing
all that Jesus has commanded us to do
CONCLUSION
1. Only those scripturally baptized and demonstrating the "marks" of
discipleship, despite the "costs," can truly be called disciples of
Jesus!
2. Only they can realistically look forward to the "rewards" of
discipleship, and take consolation in the promise of Jesus:
"and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
- Mt 28:20
If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then the prospects of "A
Closer Walk With God" and more fruitful service as a disciple should
be of great interest to you. I hope the lessons to follow will help
fulfill that interest.
Are You A Disciple Of Jesus?
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of
the age."
INTRODUCTION
1. The above statement was made by Jesus to His apostles shortly before
He ascended to heaven - Mt 28:18-20
2. Commonly called "The Great Commission," notice the main thought of
Jesus' command...
a. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..."
b. To "make disciples," therefore, is the GOAL of evangelizing the
world for Christ
3. Are you a disciple of Jesus?
a. More than likely you believe in Jesus...
b. You might even be one to attend church services regularly
-- But is that what it means to be His disciple?
4. The purpose in this study is to make clear what is involved in
being a true disciple of Jesus Christ
[To begin, let's define the word "disciple"...]
I. THE DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE
A. THE WORD "DISCIPLE"...
1. The word "disciple" literally means A LEARNER
2. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary Of New Testament
Words, it denotes "one who follows another's teaching"
3. But a disciple was not only a learner, he was also AN ADHERENT
4. For this reason disciples were spoken of as IMITATORS of their
teachers.
B. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE...
1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like the teacher - Lk 6:40
2. To be Christ's disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
3. According to the apostle Paul, this coincides with God's goal
in the redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the
image of His Son - Ro 8:29
[Do you have a strong desire to follow Jesus and become like Him?
Unless you do, it cannot be said that you are truly His disciple!
There are also some "identifying marks" of discipleship given by Jesus
which can help us to further identify a true disciple of Jesus...]
II. THE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE
A. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO ABIDES IN JESUS' WORDS" - Jn 8:31
1. This would imply being a diligent student of the teachings of
Christ
2. It also requires one to be a "doer" of the Word - Mt 7:21-27;
Jm 1:21-25
3. In view of this, a true disciple would not...
a. Fail to study the Bible diligently
b. Willingly refrain from opportunities to study with others
(e.g., Bible classes, church services, gospel meetings).
B. A DISCIPLE IS ALSO "ONE WHO LOVES THE BRETHREN" - Jn 13:34-35
1. With a love patterned after the love of Jesus ("as I have
loved you")
2. With a love that is visible to the world ("by this all will
know")
3. Therefore, a true disciple would...
a. Make every effort to get to know his brethren
b. Take advantage of occasions to encourage and grow closer to
them (e.g., attending services on Sunday and Wednesday
nights)
4. Remember, a disciple is one who wants to become like his
teacher
a. Was Jesus willing to sacrifice time and effort for His
brethren?
b. Of course, and so will we... IF we are truly HIS disciples!
C. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO BEARS MUCH FRUIT" - Jn 15:8
1. Notice the word "much" (also found in verse 5)
a. Jesus is not talking about an occasional good deed
b. But a lifestyle which prompts people to glorify God!
- Mt 5:16
2. This is so important, that failure to bear much fruit will
result in being severed from Christ - Jn 15:1-2
3. How can one be a disciple if he or she is cut off from Christ?
[The point should be clear: to be a disciple of Jesus Christ means
more that just a casual church member. It requires COMMITMENT,
especially in regards to:
The teachings of Christ
The love of brethren
Bearing fruit to the glory of God
The kind of commitment involved is seen further when we consider the
"high cost" of discipleship demanded by Jesus in Lk 14:25-33...]
III. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE
A. JESUS MUST COME FIRST - Lk 14:26
1. Before anyone else, including members of our own family
- Mt 10:34-37
2. Even before one's own self - Lk 9:23-25
B. WE MUST BE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST - Lk 14:27
1. Trying to live godly lives in an ungodly world, we may find
that following Christ sometimes involves ridicule and
persecution - 2Ti 3:12
2. Even if we are blessed to escape such things, we must still be
willing to expend time and effort in promoting the cause of
Christ in positive ways
C. PUTTING IT SIMPLY, WE MUST FORSAKE ALL TO FOLLOW CHRIST
- Lk 14:33
1. In other words, Jesus must be KING and LORD of our lives
2. Nothing can take precedent over Him and His Will for us
[This kind of "high cost" of discipleship demanded by Jesus caused
many people to turn away from following Him. But Jesus wasn't trying
to attract large crowds, He wanted disciples!
Is the COST worth it? I believe so, for consider some of the REWARDS
of discipleship...]
IV. THE REWARDS OF BEING A DISCIPLE
A. THERE IS THE PROMISE OF "FUTURE BLESSINGS"...
1. We shall be saved from the wrath of God which is yet to come
upon the world for its sins - Ro 5:9
2. We can look forward with joyful anticipation of eternity with
God, free from sorrow, pain and death - Re 21:1-8
B. THERE ARE ALSO "PRESENT BLESSINGS"...
1. Jesus offers a PEACE the world cannot give to calm the
troubled heart - Jn 14:27
2. His words inspire JOY to lift our spirits out of any
depression - Jn 15:11
3. He also offers to those who follow Him the ABIDING LOVE OF
GOD, which can cast out fear - Jn 15:9; 1Jn 4:18
4. And he makes it possible for us to be members of THE FAMILY OF
GOD, which is able if need be to replace our physical family
- Mk 10:28-30
[There are many other blessings we could mention that are enjoyed by
disciples of Jesus; but these suffice to demonstrate that though
discipleship is costly, the rewards far exceed the cost!
Now that we understand the nature of discipleship, its cost and
rewards, I hope that we want to be true disciples of Jesus Christ.
But how does one begin?
For the answer we return to our beginning text - Mt 28:19-20...]
V. THE BEGINNING OF A DISCIPLE
A. ACCORDING TO JESUS, IT INVOLVES BAPTISM - Mt 28:19
1. Why baptism?
a. Remember the goal of discipleship: to be like Jesus
b. He was holy and sinless, yet we are to be like Him
c. Fortunately, baptism is described as an act of faith which
puts us in contact with the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ
so we can be forgiven - Ac 2:38; 22:16; Ro 6:3-4
d. It is also the means by which one "puts on Christ"
- Ga 3:27
-- SO BAPTISM IS THE LOGICAL STARTING PLACE FOR TRUE
DISCIPLESHIP!
2. But what is baptism?
a. It is an act of submission which must be preceded by faith
in Jesus and repentance for our sins - Ac 2:36-38; 8:36-37
1) This precludes infant baptism
2) For infants are incapable of believing and repenting
b. It is also an act of submission which involves a burial in
water, in which one then rises to walk in newness of life
through the power of God - Ac 8:38; Ro 6:3-4; Col 2:12
1) This precludes sprinkling or pouring as a mode of
baptism
2) For neither of these involve a "burial" nor an immersion
(which is the meaning of the Greek word "baptidzo")
c. When done according to the Word of God, baptism then
becomes an act of faith on our part which results in a
wonderful working of God in our lives!
1) Our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus
- Ac 22:16; Ep 5:25-27
2) We are "regenerated" and "renewed" by the Spirit of God
so we can now live for God! - Tit 3:5-6
3) It is truly a "rebirth" involving both water and the
Spirit - Jn 3:5
B. BUT BAPTISM IS ONLY THE BEGINNING, TEACHING AND OBEDIENCE MUST
FOLLOW - Mt 28:20
1. This brings us back to the very definition of discipleship
2. For Jesus clearly states:
a. We are to be TAUGHT (that is, to be LEARNERS)
b. We are to OBSERVE (that is, to be ADHERENTS or DOERS)
3. In this way we embark on a life devoted to learning and doing
all that Jesus has commanded us to do
CONCLUSION
1. Only those scripturally baptized and demonstrating the "marks" of
discipleship, despite the "costs," can truly be called disciples of
Jesus!
2. Only they can realistically look forward to the "rewards" of
discipleship, and take consolation in the promise of Jesus:
"and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
- Mt 28:20
If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then the prospects of "A
Closer Walk With God" and more fruitful service as a disciple should
be of great interest to you. I hope the lessons to follow will help
fulfill that interest.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Focusing on Jesus: Jesus Walks on Water
Jesus Walks on the Water
22(Q) Immediately he(R) made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds,(S) he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When(T) evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat by this time was a long way[b] from the land,[c] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25And(U) in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,(V) they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, (W) "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and(X) walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out,(Y) "Lord, save me." 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, (Z) "O you of little faith, why did you(AA) doubt?" 32And when they got into the boat,(AB) the wind ceased. 33And(AC) those in the boat(AD) worshiped him, saying,(AE) "Truly you are(AF) the Son of God." Mat 14:22-33
I changed the picture on my blog to reflect this powerful story. Think about it this way, right after feeding the 5000, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Well into the night, a storm comes up on the Disciples. Jesus appears walking on the water. This terrifies the disciples and they think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus tells them in verse 27, "Take heart! It is I. Do not be afraid."
Peter replies, "Lord, if it's you, command me to come to you on the water." So Jesus invites Peter to come. Peter gets out of the boat and begins walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and sees the wind and waves, he begins to sink. Peter cries out to the Lord and Jesus immediately reaches out his hand and catches Peter. As they climb into the boat together, the storm ceases. Then the disciples worship Jesus, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Some reflection:
• Jesus sends the disciples away so he can be alone on the mountainside to pray. With everything going on spending time with God is a priority for Jesus.
• The disciples, even though they have spent much time with Jesus, don't recognize him in the storm. Sometimes we don't recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the middle of our "storms." In fact, many times things that appear appear frightening to us are actually instances of Jesus "drawing near". It's not until we're extremely close to Jesus that we can actually recognize Him.
• Peter doesn't begin to sink until he starts looking around at the wind and the waves. Taking our eyes off Jesus, and focusing on the difficult circumstances in our lives will cause us to get under our problems- we start to sink. But when we focus on Jesus, he catches us by the hand and raises us above the seemingly impossible circumstances.
• Peter starts out with good intentions, but his faith falters. Sound familiar? This does not, however, end in failure. Peter, even in his fear, cries out to the Lord, the only one who can help him.
• When Jesus gets in the boat, the storm ceases. When we have Jesus "in our boat" (our life) the storms of life will be calmed and we can worship and be in relationship with Him.
22(Q) Immediately he(R) made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds,(S) he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When(T) evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat by this time was a long way[b] from the land,[c] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25And(U) in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea,(V) they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, (W) "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and(X) walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out,(Y) "Lord, save me." 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, (Z) "O you of little faith, why did you(AA) doubt?" 32And when they got into the boat,(AB) the wind ceased. 33And(AC) those in the boat(AD) worshiped him, saying,(AE) "Truly you are(AF) the Son of God." Mat 14:22-33
I changed the picture on my blog to reflect this powerful story. Think about it this way, right after feeding the 5000, Jesus sends his disciples ahead of him in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. Well into the night, a storm comes up on the Disciples. Jesus appears walking on the water. This terrifies the disciples and they think they are seeing a ghost. Jesus tells them in verse 27, "Take heart! It is I. Do not be afraid."
Peter replies, "Lord, if it's you, command me to come to you on the water." So Jesus invites Peter to come. Peter gets out of the boat and begins walking on the water toward Jesus. But when Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and sees the wind and waves, he begins to sink. Peter cries out to the Lord and Jesus immediately reaches out his hand and catches Peter. As they climb into the boat together, the storm ceases. Then the disciples worship Jesus, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Some reflection:
• Jesus sends the disciples away so he can be alone on the mountainside to pray. With everything going on spending time with God is a priority for Jesus.
• The disciples, even though they have spent much time with Jesus, don't recognize him in the storm. Sometimes we don't recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the middle of our "storms." In fact, many times things that appear appear frightening to us are actually instances of Jesus "drawing near". It's not until we're extremely close to Jesus that we can actually recognize Him.
• Peter doesn't begin to sink until he starts looking around at the wind and the waves. Taking our eyes off Jesus, and focusing on the difficult circumstances in our lives will cause us to get under our problems- we start to sink. But when we focus on Jesus, he catches us by the hand and raises us above the seemingly impossible circumstances.
• Peter starts out with good intentions, but his faith falters. Sound familiar? This does not, however, end in failure. Peter, even in his fear, cries out to the Lord, the only one who can help him.
• When Jesus gets in the boat, the storm ceases. When we have Jesus "in our boat" (our life) the storms of life will be calmed and we can worship and be in relationship with Him.
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