You might be interested to know that the Bible only uses the moniker "Christian" three times. Three; that's it; in the entire Bible! There is nothing wrong with the word, but I think we use it so much for a reason. Because using the designation "disciple," which the Bible uses ten times more frequently, seems much more serious. The world contends that every human being that utters the name of Jesus is a Christian. There are even some that say you can be a Christian without even knowing the name of Jesus?!? (Sorry Billy Graham)
The Bible, as you know, is not so reckless in it appellation. A disciple is a deep word meaning an active adherent, student, and servant of another. The concept of discipline is at the root of its meaning. Not in the sense of punishment, but to bring into a state of order and obedience by training and guidance. What does Jesus say about the subject?
Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he is like his master, and the servant like his lord.
Luke 14:26-27 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me, he cannot be My disciple.
Luke 14:33 So then, everyone of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple.Why did we become Christians? Well the obvious answer is that we wanted eternal life in heaven. But what we acknowledged when we became Christians is that Jesus is our Lord. In other words, that is how we get to heaven, by accepting and making Jesus our Lord.
That sounds good, but too often, after we make that good confession, we forget it somewhere along the way. What does making Jesus our Lord mean? The title Lord means master and when we use that title of another, we are recognizing His dominion over us. Simply put, if Jesus is to be our Lord, we must continually serve Him as our Lord.
This is a very simple concept, but the $100,000 question is: Are we serving Him? And if so, in what way. The Bible says over and over that each and every Christian is very valuable to God (So much that He sacrificed His one and only Son, remember). Your importance to Him is not only as an individual, but also as a servant of His kingdom, the church. If every single Christian is not serving in the church, the church is most assuredly crippled. He is counting on you!
Often, we say, “I’m serving.” Maybe you are watching the nursery once and a while, or giving a communion meditation here and there, but is this the kind of service Jesus had in mind for you?
Jesus said, “YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY” Matthew 4:10.The concept of service is taught over 1500 times in the Bible. God obviously thinks it is important, therefore we should to. And the toughest question to ask is: If we are not doing what Christians do, can we still be considered a Christian? Well, let’s see, is a fisherman who does not fish really a fisherman? Is a chef who never cooks worthy of the title? A true title is not based upon potential, it is based upon practice. A fisherman fishes, a chef cooks, and a Christian serves. We cannot be a disciple of Lord Jesus if we are always asking the question, "What do I got to do?" Your sincere love for Him will manifest itself in asking, "What do I get to do?"
Now that I have labored that point to death, I hope you are asking, “Where can I serve?” I am so glad you asked. There are so many things that need to be done. Giving you an opportunity to serve using the special talents and gifts God has given you is the primary responsibility of the leadership of the church.
Fauquier Christian Church employs a Biblical ministry system. What’s that? It is a system taken from the Bible that replaces the idea of a “board” with a bunch of men making all the decisions and some others doing some of the work. Instead, it seeks to involve every church member (aka disciple) in the ministry or service, in the church. It recognizes each and every man and woman’s importance to God, with the ability and responsibility to serve Him.
The other meaning of being a disciple is the student part. This is your life long position. You will never know enough nor arrive at a place where you need not learn anymore. The moment you have that mindset, you cease being a disciple. Many people are amazed that a smaller church like FCC has two preachers, two Sunday services, two adult Sunday School classes, Monday house discipleship, Tuesday college classes, Wednesday night Bible Study, and an extensive personal discipleship program. I must say that I am not impressed. I wonder why we don't have something the other three days of the week.
You might think me unreasonable, that that just shows how far we sometime fall from God design and intent for the church. Consider for yourself the practice, passion, and discipline of the first disciples of Christ.
Act 2:41-47 "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. And the same day there were added about three thousand souls. And they were continuing steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and in fellowship and in the breaking of the loaves, and in prayers. And fear came on every soul. And many wonders and miracles took place through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things common. And they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. And daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they shared food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."You see the problem is that we have been conditioned to think that as long as I am faithful to my Lord's supper on the first day of every week(though some even struggle with that), everything else I do with the church is optional. Those original Christians did not see anything optional about it, to them, it was a blessing.
I know you are thinking, "How can I live my life if I am always with the church?" Ahh, but as soon as you think that, you reveal that you have not completely merged your life with His. Now you see what Jesus meant when he said, "you must lay down your life." It is not your life anymore, it is God living in you. And oh what a magnificent life it can be, but we hold back. Christianity is still something that we do instead of who we are.
And that brings us to the point of it all. This is not meant to guilt you into a compulsion to start showing up at the other stuff going on at church. No! Rather it is a challenge to help transform your thinking into a love that compels you to love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. I pray it helps you see where you need to be growing toward; the level you need to be seeking to reach.
The sad truth is that many never make it there. The result is that you are missing out. Furthermore many people quit the faith because Christianity did not pan out to be what they hoped it to be, but the sad truth is that they never gave it a real chance. They never really lived the disciple's life and therefore never experienced the disciple's blessings and peace that passes all understanding.
If you are not craving to be with the Lord and His people, then pray for a change of heart. God desires something better for you than a life full of turmoil, heartache, stagnation, and worry. God makes the unequivocal, indubitable, money-back-if-you-are-not-satisfied -guarantee that if you seek the Kingdom FIRST, and His righteousness, then ALL these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). God's floodgates are ready to open for every one of His disciples, but only His keys will open it. Won't you use them?
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life shall lose it. And he who loses his life for My sake shall find it. He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward ... And whoever shall give to one of these little ones a cup of cold water to drink, only in the name of a disciple, truly I say to you, He shall in no way lose his reward." Matthew 10:36-42
