PRACTICING THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST

 

Part Three - From Disciple to Servant

 

INTRODUCTION

  1. Luke 14:33, and 1 Timothy 6:17-19, provide an example of how truths that seem opposed to each other are actually in perfect harmony (compare "forsaketh (not) all" with "willing to share").
  2. The results of correct Bible teaching always reveals a delicate balance of all truths with themselves. When one presents a radical point of view on any subject, it is later found to be out of balance with all the tested, tried, and proven doctrines.
  3. In the exercise of LORDSHIP the same is true.
  4. Three words generally sub-headed under LORDSHIP are disciple, steward, and servant. However, each must be balanced with the other to avoid religious legalism (which might be defined as the practice of precepts, principles, and regulations to degrees beyond scriptural intention) or carnality (which might be defined as the practice of adamic, carnal, rationalizations short of scriptural intention).
  5. I hope that what I'm about to present will help you find the balance between these subheads in LORDSHIP.

 

DISCUSSION

 I. THE USE OF THE WORD DISCIPLE.

  1. The word is used in the Gospels about 240 times. In the Acts it occurs 32 times. In is NEVER found in ANY of the epistles.
  2. Although the Twelve are termed "disciples" some 200 times in the Gospels, they are NEVER so designated after Pentecost, when the dispensation of the Church began. However, in the Gospels they are called "apostles" six times, in the Acts at least twenty- five times, and ALWAYS in the Epistles.
  3. Strong gives the meaning for "disciple" (Greek, "mathetes") as "a learner, a pupil"; Vine, as "one who follows one's teaching ... not only a pupil but an adherent."
  4. From these observations we conclude the following:

1.      "Disciple" was connected with Christ's earthly life where it had a twofold significance.

a.      The literal, physical following of Christ to learn from His personal teaching.

(1)   This is why He demanded that such as would be His disciples forsake all (Luke 14:33).

(2)   If they were to actually follow Him in His itinerant ministry, they must leave possessions, loved ones, home, and occupation.

a.      The deeper Spiritual following of Him in heart affection and loyalty.

(1)   Judas was a disciple in the outward sense, but not in the inward.

(2)   This would seem to be the explanation of John 6:60-66, an otherwise difficult passage.

(a)   Some of His "disciples" murmured (verse 61).

(b)   They are charged with not believing (verse 64).

(c)   Many of them "went back, and walked no more with Him" (verse 66).

(d)   They were outward followers who did not possess the inward reality.

 

 II. STEWARD AND SERVANT AFTER THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF CHRIST.

A.      When Christ died, arose, and ascended to Heaven, the personal aspect of His teaching ended.

B.     We now learn through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-15) and the Scriptures (John 17:17; Ephesians 6:17).

C.     There is no literal, physical following of Christ now; it is a Spiritual exercise.

D.     While there are many precepts and principles in discipleship that continue on in the exercise of LORDSHIP such as:

1.A supreme love for Jesus Christ (compare Luke 14:26 with Romans 12:1,2; 2 Corinthians 5:14,15; Philippians 3:7-14; Colossians 3:1-17),

2.A denial of self (compare Matthew 16:24 with Romans 1:1 "servant"),

3.A deliberate choosing of the cross (compare Matthew 16:24 with 2 Corinthians 4:10,11 and 2 Timothy 3:12),

4.A life spent in following Christ (compare Matthew 16:24 with 1 Peter 2:21-23),

5.Love for all who have been born again (compare John 13:35 with 1 John 3:16-17),

6.A serious continuance in His Word (compare John 8:31 with 1 John 2:3,19), all who claim the Lordship of Jesus Christ are under no obligation to leave home, loved ones, occupation, and possessions as in the time of the Lord's itinerant, discipleship ministry while on earth (Luke 14:33), even though some may be called to a specific ministry requiring many, if not all, of these things.

E.     In the practice of LORDSHIP in the epistles, Christians sought to be servants ("willing bond slaves") of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1).  "Discipleship" had given way to "stewardship" or, better still "servanthood" which is the recognition that all belongs to the Lord to be held in trust for Him, and administered as He directs (1 Timothy  6:17-19).

1.There is now no "one size fits all" pattern. Each one must receive directions from the Lord through the ministry of the Word by the Holy Spirit, and is answerable to the Lord alone for obeying His instructions.

2.In 1 Corinthians 4:5, the Apostle Paul wrote, "Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have (his) praise of God."

 

III. GUIDELINES FROM THE EPISTLES AS TO HOW "CHURCH AGE" CHRISTIANS LIVE.

A.      There is no evidence in Scripture to indicate that the community of purse and property referred to in Acts 2:44,45 was the model for all churches.

B.     In Acts 11:27-30, the disciples in the church in Antioch according to their ability sent assistance to the Christians in Jerusalem. This indicates that, among other things, they at least had some surplus above their immediate needs.

C.     In contrast to the forsaking of all things during the itinerant ministry of Christ in the Gospels, the picture presented in the Acts and Epistles is that of ordinary home and family life (all, of course, in consecration to Christ).

D.     In Acts 2:46, the Christians broke bread from "house to house."

E.     In Acts 9:11, we read of the "house of Judas."

F.      In Acts 10:17, we read of "Simon's house."

G.     In Acts 21:16, Mnason, "and old disciple" provided lodging for Paul and his party at Jerusalem."

H.     In Acts 21:8,9, Philip the evangelist was quite a family man. He had a house and four daughters.

I.         In 1 Corinthians 11:22, the Corinthians had their own homes.

J.       In Romans 16:5,23; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; and Philemon 2, certain believers had homes large enough for their church to meet in.

K.     If Peter and John "left all" (and Peter said they did in Mark 10:28), we find John with a house later on (see John 19:27).

L.      In Ephesians 6:5-9, some Christians were "masters."

M.     In Romans 16:23, some Christians were in positions of responsibility.

N.     In 1 Timothy 3:12, elders were expected to have wives and families.

O.    In 1 Timothy 5:14, young women were exhorted to marry, rear families, and attend to the household.

P.     In Ephesians 5:22-25,31, and 6:1-4, instructions that suggest normal family life are given to husbands, wives, fathers, and children.

Q.    in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, the rich are not instructed to dispose of their possessions, but rather exhorted to humility and a readiness to give of their means to support worthy causes.

R.     In Ephesians 4:28, some are exhorted to continue in gainful employment that they might assist others in need.

 

CONCLUSION

A.      To equate LORDSHIP, discipleship, stewardship, or being a willing bondslave to Jesus Christ with a "vow of poverty" (so to speak) is to fall into the error of Romanism with its cloisters and convents, its celibate priests and penniless nuns.

B.     I know of at least one Christian couple whose lives, marriage, child, and Spiritual growth were greatly diminished by trying to practice discipleship as presented in the gospels when they should have been practicing stewardship and service to Christ as presented in the epistles.

C.     The hymn writer caught the true meaning of LORDSHIP, as it applies today:

 "Naught that I have MINE OWN I'll call;

 I'll hold it for the Giver.

 My heart, my strength, my life, my all are His and His forever."

 

Bob Bruton