Walking in Faith

Reading: Luke 9:1-6

¹ When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ He told them: “Take nothing for the journey–no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. ⁵ If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.” ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

In what ways would the disciples be sure that they had been sent by Jesus on this particular mission? How far can you share in their confidence?

He had given them power and authority over demons and illness, He personally sent them out, told them to bring nothing with them (yet they still were provided for).

I have never been told to do anything like driving out demons or illness, nor have I ever been led to leave everything that I have (possessions, family) to do missionary work in other areas of the world. Would I follow that same kind of mission if I felt the Lord telling me to? I would honestly question the validity of the message (only because, after all, I don’t have the Lord standing right in front of me telling me like they did) – I would want to pray and make sure that it was the Lord leading me, I would ask others to pray for me and meditate on it. If after that I felt sure that the Lord is leading me, I really think that I would go into the field for Him. There is no greater way to serve Him than to follow where He tells you to go.

How do you know that you have been sent out by Jesus into your own situation? Are you cluttered with personal possessions?

As I stated before, I make sure to continue in prayer when I am feeling led in that way so that He can confirm His plans to me. Am I cluttered with personal possession? Of course I am. But, looking back on the past few weeks, I’ve really been trying to take care of that – not only with physical possessions but with emotional possessions as well. We’ve been clearing out the house of things that we just don’t need, and at the same time, I’ve been really trying to clean my own heart of the desires that I have to hold onto things that I know would be better used elsewhere / by someone else, as well as holding onto thoughts and feelings that bring no kind of peace in my life. I’ve been learning to “let go” a little more to silly things that have no bearing in my life (or, more likely, pull my mind/heart in ways that they should not go). It’s a very long process, but one that I have truly felt led by the Lord on, so I will obey and follow!

What have you learned from today about the demands on discipleship? Could you explain it to someone else? It might help to write down your summary.

I think that some of the demands, or even the elements that are required in discipleship are dedication, a calling, authority and humbleness/trust. You must be dedicated to the work of Christ, because this is not an easy task to undertake! You will interact with people who want nothing to do with the message that you are delivering to them, who may not understand what you are saying, etc. The one thing that I always have to remember is to let the Spirit lead me, not my own mind. Secondly, I must be called by the Lord to do this mission. The disciples did not just get together one night and say “hey, let’s go out to these towns and preach for a while. We’ll meet back here in 2 weeks… now go!” Jesus clearly called them to do this task, and when calling them to task, he gave them the authority and power over demons and illness. I cannot imagine going out on the street, slapping my hands to someone and saying “in Jesus name, you are healed!”, unless the Lord has given me that authority. It is not me and my mouth who heal, it is a leading by the Spirit to do that. But what struck me most was their humbleness – they took nothing with them on their journey (no food, change of clothing, money, etc). They were told to go, and they picked themselves off of the ground and left immediately. They did not proudly question Jesus and ask Him why He was sending them, they just humbly set out, trusting that the Lord would provide for them.

Luke 9:1-6

In what ways would the disciples be sure that they had been sent by Jesus on this particular mission? How far can you share in their confidence?

Jesus instructed them to take nothing with them. Everywhere they went, people would provide for them. If they arrived somewhere and there were not people there willing to provide for them, they were to get up, dust them feet off and leave the city. Following Christ is hard. Following Christ while leaving everything else behind would be even harder. I think about missionary families and the like. These people pick up, move away from their family and friends only to establish new families and friends. They are provided for and cared for where ever they go. Likewise, Jesus told the apostles that they would be provided for; otherwise, they should pick up and leave. I can relate easily enough to the “pick up and leave” part but leaving everything behind would be terribly difficult for me. With that said, my family and I are about to move our house to support a church plant nearby. We aren’t moving across the globe or even across the city. However, it is a step of some sort. If God didn’t want this to happen, I think that many doors would be closing in front of us and Satan would not be attacking myself and my family as frequently.

How do you know that you have been sent out by Jesus into your own situation? Are you cluttered with personal possessions?

I have a peace about my situation and I can see too many coincidental things occurring in my life. I am sure that Jesus has a plan for me in Hutto with the new church — what that plan is, I am not sure of yet. The plan in Pflugerville was probably to connect with the people in my church in order to become a part of this plant in Hutto. Whether that is my “destination” for me to fulfill some of God’s plan, I do not know. It may only be a stepping stone for the next thing, but I do know that God is working in my life. It is evident by the life change my family and I have experienced (my wife, my daughters, my mother, etc.) I have way too many personal possessions. Things that don’t matter at all but, for whatever reason, I have. The idea of getting rid of all of my things and starting with basically nothing is kind of exciting to me but also uncomfortable. God does not call us to be comfortable, however.

What have you learned from today about the demands on discipleship? Could you explain it to someone else? It might help to write down your summary.

There were several take-aways from today but I think Jesus’s words in Luke 9:23 say it for me:

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (ESV)

I think that discipleship means that you are willing to give up personal possessions and earthly items in order to follow Christ and proclaim the Word. You have to be willing to love the person you are teaching and be willing to sacrifice your time and resources for this person. Jesus does not give the apostles a “feel good” message — he tells them that this is going to be hard. They did not hesitate however. They immediately left to preach the gospel and heal those around them. Likewise, I think we are commanded to do the same. We must take it upon ourselves to teach others the Word — be it believers or fellow brothers. In order to teach someone God’s Word, you have to know it. It must be a part of your life and not just a book that you read every so often in order to cover some “key points” for a discussion. Jesus commanded the apostles to leave behind everything in order to go and proclaim the kingdom of God. That is what it means to disciple others.

Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-2; 5:1-14

What insights do they give into Peter’s character?

Peter loved these people and wanted to make sure that they knew that God was with them, that they knew what God had entrusted them all with and that he was aware of the suffering they are undergoing for the cause of Christ. As opposed to the Peter we knew before the crucifixion, this Peter was bold and standing firm in his faith.

List the encouragements and instructions that he gives to his fellow Christians, especially the leaders.

• Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under their care (v. 2)
• Be willing to serve, not obligated to serve (v. 2)
• Do not lord their power over others, but serve as an example to those under them (v. 3)
• Young men should be submissive to the older men (v. 5)
• Clothe themselves in humility, humble themselves toward one another (vv. 5,6)
• Cast all anxiety upon Him (v. 7)
• Be self-controlled and alert (v. 8 )
• Resist the devil (v. 9)
• Stand firm in the faith (v. 9)

His care for them is demonstrated by the high standards that he sets. Unlike Peter you are probably not in a position to give such instructions to many Christians, but think of your Christian friends. What are your ambitions for them? Do you long for them to apply Peter’s guidance to their own lives? Putting Peter’s instructions into your own words turn them into prayer bearing your friends in mind.

Lord, I ask that you the elders of our church to be good shepherds to the flock that you have entrusted to us. Help them to provide for us, guide us and serve You with a willing and obedient heart. Your word says that one day, when they have accomplished this, they will receive the crown of glory that never fades – greater by far than any treasures they would have here on earth.

Lord, I ask for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ that we are able to submit to the older believers in our lives. I ask that they will share their knowledge and faith with us, to disciple us so that we will be able to do the same for other believers. Humble us and make us into vessels for your use, Lord.

Lord, for all of us, I ask that you remind us to cast our anxiety upon you. You care for us more than anyone in this world – you are our strong tower, you are our refuge. In you there is no fear.

The enemy is strong, Lord, and I ask that you help to strengthen my self-control and to be alert to his workings around me. Do not let me fall prey to his deceptions, help me to stand firm.

Lord, I ask these things in your son, Jesus’, holy name. Amen.

Peter has a special concern for his fellow-elders, reminding them of their responsibilities. Pray for the leaders of your church, that they will be able to live up to the standards God requires of them.

(see above. )

1 Peter 1:1-2; 5:1-14

What insights do they give into Peter’s character?

Peter genuinely cared for people. He wanted their efforts to be multiplied and asked the Lord to bless them. Also, Peter spoke boldly. He was not afraid to speak his thoughts. He was not worried about persecution or people not liking his statements — he spoke for the Spirit. Peter appeared to be a man of strong convictions. He didn’t seem to waiver on his position. He also had no problem making others knew what they needed to do. He wasn’t shy about it and he wasn’t worried about popular opinion.

List the encouragements and instructions that he gives to his fellow Christians, especially the leaders.

• Elect (note: not everyone may see this as encouraging, but I certainly do…)
• Foreknowledge of the Father of the elect (again, not everyone will appreciate this, but i am extremely encouraged by this…)
• Sancitified by the Spirit — this is not of me but from the Lord as a precious gift
• Partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed
• Receive the unfading crown of glory
• God will exalt me (assuming my obedience)
• God has called me to his eternal glory in Christ
• God will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish me

His care for them is demonstrated by the high standards that he sets. Unlike Peter you are probably not in a position to give such instructions to many Christians, but think of your Christian friends. What are your ambitions for them? Do you long for them to apply Peter’s guidance to their own lives? Putting Peter’s instructions into your own words turn them into prayer bearing your friends in mind.

I often wish to see many of my Christian friends pass me in knowledge, wisdom and such. I love to see them grow in the Lord but I also like to surround myself with people who are smarter than me (not hard to do), people who know more than me, people who understand more than me. I want to see my friends grow themselves into Christ-centered people that love people more than anything else. They just want to spend time with people, get to know people and to help them to get to know Jesus. I don’t know that Peter’s instructions have ever been my desire or my prayer for my Christian friends. I want to see them “successful” in the eyes of the Lord. I want to see them have a passion for Christ. I want to see them living their life, every single day, like there was nothing more important than living for Christ.

Father, help me and my brothers to care for other people. Give us a heart that cares more for their needs than for our own. Father, they are your people and that means that they are sacred and special. Help us to remember that. Help us to remember that each person on this world, you love deeply and want to connect with relationally. Father, teach us humility in all aspects of our lives. Our society does not promote humility as a respected characteristic of a person but Father your Word tells us otherwise. Give us an ability to live our lives in a way that shows others Christ. Help our daily walk to be a witness to those around us. I pray and ask all of these things in Jesus Christ’s holy name. Amen.

Peter has a special concern for his fellow-elders, reminding them of their responsibilities. Pray for the leaders of your church, that they will be able to live up to the standards God requires of them.

Father, I ask for you to be with Paul, Tom, David, Toby, Bill, Danny and Michael. Help them to have a fire in their souls to be connected with you as their priority. Give them a humble heart — an obedient heart. Help them to care and love for the people in the body of Christ. They are incredible and Godly men but help them to be cognisant of the role they have in the body. Help them to remember their purpose and to carry that purpose out with passion. Remind them of your majesty and your grace. Grant them a patience with people and a love for people that allows them to listen to and provide for others in the body. I pray these things in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.

Reading: Acts 4:1-22

Insight into Peter’s character:

• unschooled, ordinary man (v. 13)
• had been with Jesus (v. 13)
• would rather be right in the eyes of God than right in the eyes of man (v. 19)
• cannot help speaking about what he had seen and heard (v. 20)

Compare Peter here with Peter as we read about him in Matthew 26. How do you account for the difference? Acts 4:8 should give you one clue.

Before, when being threatened, Peter had denied Christ. But now? He cannot help but speak about what he had seen and heard! Being put into jail and having his very life threatened meant nothing to him anymore – it would not stop him from proclaiming the name of the Lord and that salvation is found in no one else.

The different between then and now is simple. Before Peter had not been filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks through us and gives us boldness to proclaim his name!!

The Holy Spirit strengthened Peter for a particular situation when clarity of speech and boldness were essential. He was experiencing in practice the promise of Jesus in Mark 13:11. Pray for any you know who are involved in the work of spreading the gospel and speaking in hostile environments, that they may learn to rely on God to give them the right words to say. You ought to include yourself in this!

“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”
Mark 13:11

Lord, there are so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in a hostile environment and still proudly proclaim the name of Jesus. I thank you for filling them with the Spirit and allowing them to be instruments in showing your glory. Lord, I pray that you will continue to guide them, to fully rely on you to fill them and give them the words that they need to say. Lord, I especially pray for Sam as he travels to China soon. Lord, that area is in such need of your grace and mercy, and I pray that the Spirit will continue to be with Sam as he spreads your good news there! Please protect him from persecution and arrest, but allow him to touch the lives of believers there who need his support, and to touch the lives of those who still need salvation.

You may not have identified with Peter today, apart perhaps from seeing yourself as ordinary (v. 13)! But Peter made the most of the opportunity which was presented to him. How can you look out today for similar opportunities, although they may be of a less dramatic nature?

As I look ahead to tomorrow (because today is all but over), I ask you, Lord, to help me to realize those small, teachable moments with those that I interact with; that the Spirit will be with me and I will seize that time to converse about the Gospel and about Jesus. I want to be so bold that I cannot help but talk about the good news of Christ!!