The Power of Discipleship (Part 2)

The Power of Discipleship (Part 2)

The first Battle of every maturing Christian is, how much “Jesus” do I want in my life? As a disciple the question changes to how much authority and responsibility do I want to live and minister in? 

Some of this is determined by God’s gifting and grace He has placed on each believer. But even that is not solid, as we see in the Parable of the Talents. If we invest well what God has given us He always increases and engages us with greater authority and responsibilities. So the niggling question is, “am I investing well what God has given me?”

Much more of our authority and ability to handle responsibility though, comes from our capacity as a maturing spiritual leader. What is my capacity in the Kingdom of God. I think it is every christians responsibility to wrestle with this question and determine to increase each one’s own capacity. 

There are negative determining factors that limit us in our growth. For example... 

pride stops us from being teachable; 

negativity stops us from experiencing Kingdom Dynamics; 

gossip keeps the devils authority in situations that God want to separate us from;

independence stops the refining process needed for capacity growth

inability to manage details, keeps “foxes” active, destroying what you’re building.

I have found a passion to increase my capacity, to increase in the gifting’s and grace that God has given me to invest. Join me in a journey of Growth.

“God change me. Increase me. Enable me to be an agent of your will...”

Your Invited to join one of our wonderful D-Group’s here at Christian City Church, Mission Bay 

The Power of Discipleship (Part 1)

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the powerful effect people have when they step into the biblical concept of being a disciple. What an amazing transition that takes place between being a follower and being a true biblical disciple. It took Peter and his mates 3 years under the constant tutoring of Jesus to make the transition. Even in the final days of Christ’s life on earth they were still transitioning thinking and heart attitudes. 

As I looked into my heart, I found my focus to fall on the largest struggles I’ve had in the journey from being a follower of Jesus, into being a disciple. Here’s a few thoughts I hope encourage you and challenge us all.

The first question is, why would I put up with all the pressure and stress that come with the changes needed to transition lifestyle and thinking into becoming a disciple?

• It was the disciples and disciple-want-to be’s that built the Kingdom. I would rather build the Kingdom then just live in it. Just abiding sounds so boring. When I look back over my life I want to see a life of having my “hands on the plow and having never looked back”. 
• The disciples walked in miraculous power. What a different story between the ones who said, “ I saw a great miracle today” and those who testify, “God just used me to release His power into my neighbors life and they will never be the same.”
• The disciples got to walk in authority (got to do) while the followers got parables, lectures, sermons and scoldings. Its always more fun to do than to just listen. Smile.
• I want Jesus to “command” me into battle like the disciples. He sent them out by two’s into impossible situations to bring hope to the hopeless and strength to the weary. The followers never even got the opportunity.

I began to think of the times I have cried out to God and asked him to use me and silence was my only response. Maybe it was that I was satisfied being a follower without wanting the pain and change demanded upon a disciple. I may never know what it is to be a Christian of miracles unless I allow God to change my whole perspective of life, giving, serving, loving, and people.

God change my heart so that I want to be a disciple of Jesus... I want to be all I can be in this life.

Your Invited to sign up for D-Group. Each 2nd and 4th Sunday Night of the month.