Apprenticeship/Discipleship

Scripture Reading:  John 8:31

1. You watch and I'll do it (help practical support).  All great leaders do this that is why they are the best servants.  

2. You do it and I will help you do it (interdependence). A mutual sharing, and synergism working together.  A kind of weening off culture. Also an empowerment (Acts 1:8). 

 

3. You do it and I will watch you do it (independence).  A competency and a skill gained.  A lesson learnt a trade passed on.  A maturation (Eph 4:13). 

True fathers, grandfathers etc (whether natural or spiritual) train and spend time with their children.  It involves a lot of commitment and takes time and energy a willingness to give to someone else and commit to them.  Not to give up and loose heart.  

Does God, or did God ever give up on you? (Romans 8:35-39).  God believes in humanity so much that He is willing to comit to them that is why He sent Jesus to die on a cross and never give up on His creation, rather than destroying them forever!  

The Old Testament flood in Noah's day was of destruction.  Contrasted by the New Testament anti-type water baptism is freedom from sin, death to the old life, deliverance and newness of life in Jesus Christ. The former covenant was of condemnation but it still had glory attached to it just look at Moses's face when he came me down from the mount Sinai.  The New  covenant is much more exceedingly glorious (2 Corinthians 3). 

The first covenant was hard work you were kept outside denied access and only one high priest was allowed in once a year and had access.  Now, that veil is rent in two and removed no more works but by grace through faith we can all enter in and take hold, having full possession (Hebrews 4:15-16). 

Paul calls it a mystery of Christ and His church.  However, the typology refers to a husband and wife .... (Ephesians 5). 

The Apex of The Anointing

In the life of Moses it was Sinai when he fasted 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai in the glory of God. 

In the life of Elijah it was his confrontation with false prophets  and the  revival of a nation (Israel) on Mount Carmel.  

In the life of Jesus it was His Transfiguration a type of the resurrection to come. 

In the lives of the 120 apostles its was the Upper Room experience at Pentecost.  

The Prelude to Good Friday Pt2

The Intercessory Ministry of Jesus 

John 17 all of the chapter.  

We really get to see the heart of God in the prayers of Jesus.  Notice the pattern; He glorifies God and gives thanks for finishing the divine assignment placed upon His life.  Jesus prays for Himself v1-5,  He prays for His disciples v6-19 lastly He prays for the entire body of Christ those that will believe in Him v 20-26.  He did not pray for the sinners at this time but for His Church, His body that they may be one!  Biblical unity, is trinity unity (Psalms 133).  We can be in unity with other Christian denominations through the work of Jesus.  The word "atonement" broken down means "at" "one" "ment" No longer two or "di" but one!   Jesus made that atonement for us He became one with the Father vertically think of the vertical wooden beam of the cross.  He became one with man horizontally think of the horizontal  wooden bean of the cross.  Jesus made peace with God and man as the Mediator  the propitiation for our sins as the innocent third party lamb of God.  His death was our proxy and in our place as a substitutionary sacrifice slain before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8). He is our scape goat who became sin for us (2 Cor 5:21).   Read Colossians 1:20-22 Paul  explains the purpose and power and procurement of the cross in his epistle to the Colossians.  

The Prelude to Good Friday

          The betrayal & the arrest: 

Matthew 26:14-15; Judas covenanted with them for 30 pieces of silver.  This was the value Judas placed on Jesus, it was His bounty.   How much value do you place on Jesus before departing from the faith?  Everybody has a price, if they have not accepted the shed blood of Jesus as the eternal currency that gets the sin sick, lost, depraved soul into a wonderful heaven prepared by the blessed bride groom.  Judas not only wanted to throw away his eternal life but also the ministry and bishoprick that had been entrusted to him.  Do we value people, or do we value money more than the people?  Consider this man one of the chosen twelve to be a close disciple of Jesus for over three years.  How was this disloyalty breeding inside of him?  When and why did it occur?  What brought it to light and sprung it up from the roots!   Can this be true of our friends and associates?  Do they become jealous at our achievements in life and popularity?  Are they inwardly seeking an occasion like the devil to take advantage of us?  Just look at the mud slinging in any presidential election campaign.  Everybody wants to be top dog.  An in-bred crab mentality, of all the crabs in a bucket each trying to pull one another down.  No- one ever succeeds and gets over the top and out of the bucket.  

John 18:12 they bound Him and lead Him to the High priest ....  The arrest, they arrested a completely innocent man who had never sinned one day in His life.  Notice, the surrender and the submission to an injustice, perpetuated by a depraved corrupt religious system.  Can you be subject to ungodly worldly rulers and allow them to bind you and drive nails into your wrists.  We do not need to suffer to this degree He has already paid that price.  Consider the injustice He never opened His mouth in defence.  A

Adding Kingdom of God Value

                    Add Value 

 

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-14

Jesus called His disciples salt and light.  What does salt do? Preserve and protect the food.  What does light do?  Dispel darkness.  

As a leader and a Christian how can I influence society for the better?  How can I be a blessing to people by adding value to their lives? Considering every transaction and interaction.  Can I add any value here whether it be just a smile or a nod of agreement.  

As a church leader wanting more members to join into His church.  How can I help the members do the 3 D's (discover, develop and deploy) their gifts for the kingdom of God.