Discipleship and Following Through

Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:18-23)

There are four types of places for the seed to be planted:
1). Beside the road
2). Rocky Ground
3). Thorny Road
4). Good Soil

1). The seed takes root in all the places but the roadside. Why? Because there was no soil. Relate that in a human/spiritual sense, and you can say that there was no growth because there was no faith. (v. 19)

2). Rocky ground, it has some soil to it. Basically saying that there's not a lot of Bible teaching and that the person's faith is weak. That person has the wrong solutions. Life's good, until calamity strikes, and the person collapses. Their faith is not strong enough.

3). Thorns are basically related to weeds in this concept. Weeds choke off the growth and fruit of good plants. Seed takes root, but outside influences crowd out the plant and it therefore does not produce. The weeds and/or outside influences can be any details of life that will throw you off track or cause you to stress and lose focus.

4). Good soil. Basically says that the person hears WITH faith and FOLLOWS THROUGH with positive volition and determination and faith. He hears, understands, and bears spiritual fruit.

Some will accept the seed, others will reject it. What will people do when they accept it? Will they know what to do?

Let's take a look at seeing how to make sure they will know what to do by digging into Ephesians 4:11-12.

It lists five spiritual gifts or occupations. What do each of these people do?

Some might say, well the teacher teaches, the prophet prophesies, and the apostle disciples. Well, that's right, but still wrong. Those people need to do MORE.

An apostle who is always helping or discipling but is never helping others or showing others how to disciple is not doing the work of a disciple. A prophet who prophesies but doesn't show someone how to prophesy is not doing the work of a prophet. An evangelist who shares the gospel with people but doesn't help people to believe the gospel and teach them to share it is not doing the work of an evangelist.

So basically, if you take another look at verse 12, it states that the spiritually gifted individuals are given to the church BOTH to function within their giftings AND to help others function within those giftings as well.

So when you decide to disciple someone, make sure you aren't just helping that person, but also showing and teaching them how to disciple as well. And just because you're spiritually gifted in an aspect doesn't mean that you should work in that all the time. It is time for the "equippers to stop doing all the work and start equipping others to do work." This may mean at times that the equippers may need to step out of the way so others can function as God has gifted and prepared them.

Are you teaching AND equipping?

Intimacy, Dependence, and Obedience

How's your relationship with God? The kind Jesus had with His Father is the kind He wants you to have. Three things describe that relationship: Intimacy, Dependence, and Obedience.

1. Intimacy - John 5:20a

You interact with many people throughout the day, buy you only share your heart with those you are close to, and those you trust. How close are you to God? Close enough to hear Him speak to you? Close enough to know when you've said or done something which has grieved Him? Close enough to feel the warmth of His presence? Truth is, you are as close to God right now as you desire to be, decide to be, and discipline yourself to be.

Intimacy is base on one word: Desire.

How much do you desire God? Psalm 36:8, 63:1 and Job 23:12 show how David and Job desire God.

Do you desire Him, His House, and His Word?

2. Dependence - John 5:19

Jesus knew He couldn't do anything without His Father, so He didn't bother to try. We on the other hand, sing, "Without Him I can do nothing," then go out and act like it all depends on us. If we succeed, we often become so conceited that nobody can stand us. And if we fail, it's usually because we collapsed under the weight of an assignment God didn't give us in the first place. Have you ever wondered why Jesus never struggled with insecurity or battled the fear of failure like we do? Because it never even occurred to Him that He couldn't do something that His Father had already assured Him He could do. When you know you have heard from God, you can face any obstacle or enemy with confidence. God will never give you an assignment that does not require His wisdom and under girding strength. Every act of God is designed to increase your dependence on Him. You say, "But I have talent. I can do a lot of things!" Yeah, but you can do nothing that matters in God's eyes. So before you begin your day, kneel and pray, "Lord, I'm counting on You!" At least acknowledge your dependence on Him.

3. Obedience - John 5:20b

Jesus neither considered nor consulted His own will in the matter. Instead, He focused like a laser on one thing: doing the Will of God, no more, no less. Note the words, "As I hear" in verse 20. When you have heard from God, the discussion is over. It's time to act. God's not going to change His mind, so you need to start changing yours and "get with the program."

When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you give up three basic rights: 1) what it will cost you, 2) where it will take you, and 3) the extent to which it will change you. Sounds demanding, but it's also very protective. When God told His people to do something, He also told them why: "That it might go well with you." (Deuteronomy 5) God's not trying to cramp your style, make your life hard, or put you in a straight jacket. He's a Father who only wants the best for His children. So when you walk in obedience, God's best is what you'll get.

So, be intimate, dependent and obedient to God your Father. It's what He expects from you.