Cost, Roles and Reliability
As we wrapped up the leader’s workshop this weekend I preached this lesson to the current leadership group, including our new administrator, web designer, associate evangelist and other Bible Talk leaders. The fellowship was intense, even hot at times… especially during the “Pit” tournament!! But as usual when disciples gather, we had deep talks, challenging lessons, discipling of one another and tons of food and fun. A special thanks to all in the leadership group of the Phoenix International Christian Church … you guys truly are best friends and partners in the gospel!
1 Timothy 4:1-3, 15-16 ~ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron-Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1. Cost – Life and doctrine are life and death issues for each of us. Are you watching your life, how you live and your doctrine, what you believe and teach? What is the call from the scriptures for each and every disciple? We are to give up everything for the Lord, Luke 14:33. The power of Jesus’ call to discipleship is to give up everything. It has been said, “When you give up everything, you have nothing to lose”- there is power there, because once this is your heart … YOU ARE FREE. You are free from losing anything and the fear that is associated with losing things. I asked the group, “What is your price”? What will you sell out for? Because we have to know that Satan sees our temptations and knows our weaknesses and will try to take us out as well as those we lead!
Revelation 12:7-12 ~ And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down- that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is ï¬?lled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
If there was war in heaven when Satan was there, we must know that the scriptures are true for us here on earth as well. Our brothers in the New Testament faced death daily and only overcame because they held to their testimony, had faith in the blood of the Lamb, and they were not shrinking from death. We are each called to this same commitment and heart.
I pointed to Acts 9:19-26 where our brother Paul was converted and immediately started preaching. He spoke the word so effectively that men hated him and plotted right away to kill him. Although Paul got away, he never stopped preaching. He gave up everything and loved it! How do you view giving up everything? Joyfully or grudgingly? It will cost you to be a disciple and even more to be a leader among disciples.
The call for every member in our church is summed up in the following directives:
a. Matthew 28:19 Each member will be involved in a discipling relationship in obedience to the scriptures to love one another. Philippians 3:17 is an excellent example for all of us to imitate the faith of others.
b. Hebrews 10:25 Each member is called to be fully committed to each meeting of the body.
c. Romans 12:1-2 Each member is called to live sacri�cial lives with our time, effort, heart and �nances.
d. Philemon 6 Each member is called to be evangelistic and be involved with an evangelistic Bible Talk.
In these methods and biblical directives, we will help each other with the conviction that the teaching of Jesus will spread throughout this city- it is our dream to �ll this city and this world with the teaching about Jesus.
2. Roles – Each leader and disciple is called to be solution oriented in order to build up the body of Christ “as each part does its work”. Acts 6:1-7
3. Reliability – Each leader and disciple is called to be reliable and we multiply disciples.
2 Timothy 2:1-2 Are you reliable to scripture and to your walk with God? Are you watching your life and doctrine? Each and every disciple is to uphold, teach, train and live out the scriptures every day. This is the call of a leader as well as every disciple.
Matt Sullivan
Last Sunday was GLORIOUS!!!!!!! We had two new sisters added to God’s Kingdom: Laci Hastings & Kari Dryer – pictured with some of the women who studied with them.
