look at Luke 6:12-15
This passage deals with the appointment of the twelve. We already began this discussion in part one with a reference to it, but this will be an elaboration.
Verse 12 "One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God."
How are we supposed to know who God wants us to pour into? God's plan seems very specific. This morning I was reading the second half of Exodus and it amazed me the amount of precision that God used in the the construction of the Tabernacle. He directed every inch, from the dimensions of the court yard to the building materials that were to be used. Moses transmitted the message to the Israelites but he never came up with any of the specifications, he simply did what God instructed him. Now there is no physical tabernacle or temple for us to build and worship in, but rather we are instructed that we are the temple or tabernacle. If God spent so much time orchestrating every aspect of the physical tabernacle, how much more will he specify every aspect of the new temple that is our hearts.
The realization that God is exact and specific in his plans can either be a tremendous burden, or an awesome freedom. At first glance when I painstakingly read over Exodus, I struggled to see point of the second half. When I related this to the temple that is in our hearts, I began to realize that there is no way I can plan my own life. If any builder on Earth had attempted to design the tabernacle, he would have failed miserably, because God's standard was not and is not vague, it is exact. This means that in our lives, God has an exact plan for what he desires us to do. He has uniquely built each of us to accomplish our specific purposes.
Look at the last verse of Romans 14. "everything that does not come from faith is sin" this means that anything that is not done through trusting God, and relying on him is sin. I think in america we have a grave misunderstanding of sin. If John the Baptist had drank wine, he would have sinned because God instructed him not to, but Jesus was with out sin and he drank wine. This leads us to believe that we must accomplish our specific purpose from God. Its kinda like a great orchestra, it would be horribly wrong if the drummer started blowing on his drumstick and pushing his fingers, but at the same time if a flutist started banging on the chairs it would be awful. I'm not trying to diminish our current understanding of a black and white wrong and right. The bible provides clear direction of things that are right and wrong for ALL people. ie Adultery is wrong for all people, but sin is greater than that. We are God's instruments, and any time we do not make the proper sounds, we are at fault. The beauty of this analogy is that God is playing all the instruments, and he is a perfect musician. If I try to find my place in the music, it will miss notes, play incorrectly and likely bang my flute on a desk, but if I simply relax and let God take care of it, I will sing beautifully in his production that is human history. The burden comes from that fact that we cannot please God no matter how hard we try, but the freedom and delight comes from the fact that when God uses us, we cannot help but please him for he delights in all he does.
You may be wondering why I'm going so in depth on purpose in a discussion about discipleship. Notice that in our text, Before any appointment was made, Jesus prayed. We cannot select disciples, train men, or appoint workers for the kingdom... But God can and will. We must recognize that we are totally dependent on God. He alone determines what we should do and how we should do it. On that note, let us pray.
Let's Discuss the Idea of total dependence in the comment section, and also include written prayers for your future disciples, current disciples, and anyone who God would have you impact.
So i wrote a book...and Google messed up...but I prayed for us as leaders and for our disciples...I don't have the will to write it all again. Just know that God saw/heard the prayer and that you, my brothers, are covered in it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lord, for giving us the opportunity to serve you. If you are willing that any or all of us should be leaders, I pray that you empower us to do your will. I pray that you give us supernatural ability to communicate with all people we interact with so that we may bring glory to you in all things. I pray for each of the men who you will send us. I pray that you work in there lives now, preparing them to grow in the faith. I pray that you guard them from the evil one and help them in all there times of need.
ReplyDeleteGod I pray that if you want to use this blog to prepare us as leaders then you will empower the other people to read and respond. I thank you for Billy's participation.
You're very welcome my friend. I know that God has had you study this subject and I'm excited to see what He's taught you and what He will say through you. Keep on posting my brother :)
ReplyDeleteLord I thank you for your wonderful works and mercy. I love your delight. I ask that you continue to give Mac the words to speak and the knowledge of how to say it. May he continue to glorify your name. I ask that you would bring readers to this blog as you see fit. I ask that you would give us confidence in your workings even when we don't see them. I hope that we will come into agreement and unity in all things, especially you. I pray for all of the people that we will disciple, may you prepare them for us. May you prepare us for them. May we grow in faith and keep purifying ourselves because you are pure. I thank you for hearing/reading me and Mac's prayer upon your mighty throne. All of the power and glory belong to you forever. Amen
total dependence. that's such an awesome thing. only an Almighty and Glorious God could devise a scheme where human submission to dependence actually frees us of bondage. there is so much beauty to be found in God's paradoxes. us offering our bodies to Him is indeed our personal, spiritual act of worship, of which He views as holy and pleasing. i recognize the fine line i am walking with this comment between submission and dependence. i believe our submission to God is the instigation of our dependence.
ReplyDeletemac, i loved the symphony metaphor describing how God uses each of us uniquely as a means of reverberating His glory through the earth. definitely made me think of switchfoot's "your love is a song" which is a glorious song, in case you haven't heard it.
our Heavenly Father, i cannot thank you enough for Your Magnificence. i cannot fathom what it means to be given the opportunity to have a relationship with a Father beyond all human understanding. You have blessed us with so much, and allow us to represent you as ambassadors of Christ.
i pray that we learn how to accept and exercise this incredible responsibility as Your ambassadors. we require so much spiritual wisdom and love, both of which only come from You. i pray that You guide our tongues, minds, and hearts all throughout our days, never failing to shine Your light. we are sinners, and we would choose sin every single time if it weren't for Your grace, You filling us with the Holy Spirit. let all who come across us, as future disciples, current disciples, or whoever, be touched by You through us. ultimately, and i mean this with the absolute entirety of my heart, let Your will be done above all else. above ALL else. because, aside from you, there is nothing else.