Jesus Did Not Hire Professional Disciples

Jesus Did Not Hire Professional Disciples 

What are the qualifications for serving God? The disciples were not professional authorities

of God’s Word nor were they superstar people with a lot of prestige, fame and wealth when they first began following Jesus. They were ordinary people that God was going to eventually use in extraordinary ways. The word “disciple” refers to someone who is a student and a follower of Jesus' teachings. Jesus' twelve disciples learned from Him, and were trained by Him. In the same way, as we begin our journey as followers of Jesus, we will have to be willing to learn from God’s Word and be trained by the Holy Spirit to help us live in obedience and devotion to Him. One thing we do learn about the disciples is that their depth of understanding and knowledge increased through the way the Holy Spirit was able to transform them into powerful Godly men. Much of this transformation occurred after Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension. Once the Holy Spirit indwelled in them at Pentecost, the disciples began to teach others and preach the Gospel through the power of the Holy Spirit. (See Acts 2)

After Peter received the Holy Spirit, a powerful God-centered ministry of the Gospel began to unfold in his life.

Acts 2:38-41 NIV

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were

added to their number that day.

Acts 4:13 NIV

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:18-20 NIV

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."

Acts 5:27-29 NIV

Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!

Once we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior the Holy Spirit indwells in us as well. Likewise, we will be taught by the Holy Spirit spiritual truth in accordance with God’s Word. It is up to us to apply these Godly principles to our lives. It is up to us the allow God to use us for His purpose.

John 14:26 NIV 
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Colossians 1:10 NIV  
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way:  bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

Many times I ask myself, why would God use me for anything? I am a sinner who basically

rejected God for most of my life. I was self centered and was more concerned about the

things this world had to offer than anything that God brought to the table. In fact, you could say that I was a fool who made decisions based on how I felt at the moment rather than to seek out good wisdom and information to help me make the right choices in life. I was headed for self destruction and was willing to drag others down with me. Yet God was not through with me. He could have very well allowed me to die based on the type of behavior and circumstances I got myself into. Because God has spared my life and brought me into His kingdom, I believe He has a greater purpose behind all the work He has given me

to do. By trusting God fully, I know He will continually show me the right way to live in abundance bearing fruit for His kingdom and purpose. God has a plan for my life and wants me to follow Him down that path that He has chosen me to take.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  

Like the disciples, as a follower of Jesus, I have been given work to do.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV (The Great Commission)

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

As a follower of Jesus I am reminded that His work continues in me

until that time of my death or His second coming.

 

Philippians 1:6 NIV

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

The work Jesus has given us has a greater purpose. A greater purpose that is in accordance to His will.

Romans 8:28 NIV 
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV 
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

Philippians 2:13 NIV 
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

As a follower of Jesus I must continue to be obedient to God’s Word and continually apply

His principles to my life. Application, living out the principles of God's Word, will help communicate my faith because actions do speak louder than words. While hypocrisy causes people to doubt the power of God, obedience to the principles of God and examples of Christ-likeness, confirms that Christ is real in me. 

John 8:31 NIV

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

As an Ambassador for Christ I must correctly handle the truth of God’s Word. We must be able to discern God's Word and interpret its true meaning. As Ambassadors for Christ we must know how to communicate the Gospel. We must be able to defend the faith (Apologetics: a branch of theology devoted to the defense of the divine origin and authority of Christianity)

2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV 
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Timothy 2:15 NIV  
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be

ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV 

 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

 

The Holy Spirit and God’s Word not only equips us for ministry but continues to transform

our character to be more like Jesus.  God’s Word instructs us to live out our Christ-like Character (New Self).

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV 
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Colossians 3:12 NIV 
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

With Jesus being the center of our lives we will produce fruit for His Kingdom.

Without Him we can do nothing.

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

John 15:5 NIV 
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Jesus is the perfect example of servant leadership. As a devoted follower of Him we must take this example to heart and live it out.

Mark 10:45 NIV

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Mark 9:35 NIV

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Jesus was an example of humble leadership and even willing to wash His disciple’s feet to teach them symbolically how to serve one another.

John 13:12-15 NIV

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Jesus put the interests of others ahead of Himself. That is why He fed those who were

hungry, healed those who were sick, and eventually died for those who were lost and separated from God due to their sin.  We can apply this biblical principle to help us in ministry to others.

Philippians 2:3 NIV

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:4 NIV 
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

If we truly are looking out for the interests of others we need to help them see that God has a plan for their lives that includes transformation that will radically change their standing with Him for all eternity. This plan includes reconciliation with God and a new life in Christ that will help them live a more abundant and fruitful life. A new life that is filled with hope. A new life that rescues people from spiritual death and breathes in them the Spirit of God that secures an eternal place in God's family.

Our Job as Jesus' disciples is to be prepared to share the Gospel of truth as well as our personal story of God’s love, mercy and grace. When sharing the Gospel we also need to add in our personal God story. Adding in our personal testimony of God's power and action in our lives will help open doors to conversations that go below the surface and engage peoples hearts and minds into a deeper understanding of who God really is. There is nothing wrong in quoting the Bible as well but we must be able to explain what the verse or passage from God's Word means and how it's principles can be applied to one’s life. Remember we want to tear down walls not build them up. Just quoting from the Bible will not connect with someone who has no faith in God and no spiritual connection with the Holy Spirit. Remember, it is the Holy Spirit who teaches us the deeper meaning of God's Word so we must connect with people on a personal level first.

So as Jesus' disciples we are called to live out our faith and trust in God while sharing the hope we have in Christ. Not an easy task living in a fallen world but one well worth the effort. For the sake of those who are literally dying in our midst and for the sake of God's Glory who came to rescue us from eternal death, we serve!

We can make a positive difference in this world and use the tools and spiritual gifts we have been given to make inroads into peoples lives. God has given us the privilege to serve His kingdom and help the lost to be rescued from spiritual death. Remember, we are not “hired” by Jesus because of our great abilities to speak the truth and convince other to become His followers. We were chosen by Him to be the temple of the Holy Spirit so His power will reign in us and work through us to bring others to Himself. Even though we may not think highly of our abilities to do ministry, we must remember God has chosen us to do so. And if He has chosen us, He will equip us to do His work. God has called us to go out and make disciples and with His help we can fulfill the Great Commission. Oh, what a privilege we have to bear fruit for God and His kingdom. Oh, what a great and glorious future we have!

Just Sayin……………Dave