Seven Irresistible Words

Over the past two to three years I've been overwhelmed at the sudle power of narrative. Certainly I'm not new to this idea; I've been listening to and telling stories since I could speak. Most everyone has in some form or another. They are woven in the minutiae of everyday life and indeed, they make up everyone's everyday life. Stories are timeless, and their sway, whether good humored or glum, is undeniable.

Here's an example: I teach middle school English and have the bleeding pleasure of having a very lethargic group of pre-teens first thing every morning. At 8:30am, I can think of nothing more exiting than a room full of droopy eyed, disheveled middle schoolers eager not to be eager about anything in particular. I am confident that, even if I am giving free directions to a fountain flowing with sugar potent Kool Aid that promised immortality and a life time supply of silly bands, video games and freedom from peer pressure, I would get no response. Until, from my pocket, I pull out my secret weapon. Seven simple words: "Do you want to hear a story?"

Seven simple words act like sixteen shots of B-12 in sixteen tiny little, wrinkled sleeve covered arms. Backs straighten. Eyes widen. Smiles even begin to grow.

"Oh yea! Yea! We want to hear a story. Is it a funny story? What kind of story?"

I may choose to tell them a story about Darren the Dependent Clause who was lonely and without a friend until Ingrid the Independent Clause came along and they became friends, and of coarse things became very complex. Funny funny, haha. Sure, I've roped them in with the lure of my seven simple words, only to disappoint them with some fictitiously male sentence fragment named Darren whose desires for companionship only lead him into having difficulty with members of the opposite clause. They listened, but they feel more like they've been trick rather than enthused. Let me tell you what really holds their interest--stories about me. Not because I'm great (I'm not) or because my stories should be on the big screen (I wouldn't pay to see it) but because I am real just like they are and the truth is, real stories are the best ones.

So, because I believe in the power of narrative I use my blog and wirting for the purpose of telling real stories. Stories of the minutiae of everyday life; the ones that make up who we are and that will make up who we'll be. I hope you enjoy it and are encouraged by what you read.

Mostly, I am thankful for the greatest Author of the Greatest Story ever told Who captivates the hearts of men and women with His Great Story, changing their stories forever. My story is one that has most certainly been changed.

Yeah, Well That's Nothing! (An Older Story)

Tonight I had the privilege and pleasure of spending time with a new friend who has a very intriguing story (I'll let him tell you that here). He wanted a taste of Philadelphia so I took him to Tony Luke's for a roast pork sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. I wanted some conversation so, after enjoying our sandwiches, we headed to one of my favorite South Philly coffee shops.

One of the most interesting things about my friend is that he has decided to walk from Maine, most of the way down the east coast. I don't know too many people willing to do that. In fact, the only person I know who's walked anywhere near that distance is my father; he walked across the city, but that was because he had to get to the other side. My new friend is doing this for the sheer joy of adventure. So needless to say, I was excited to tell others about his story thinking that they would respond with the same enthusiasm. A coffee shop is the perfect place to do this, right? Most times, a room filled with people, who are full of caffeine and the conviction of personal opinion makes for some pretty fertile ground to share an interesting tidbit. I thought so.

We walk into the coffee shop. The room is warm and I'm livened by the smell of coffee and the chatter of small talk and study groups. I hunt for an unsuspecting ear to tell my story to. It's probably because I was so eager to share my news that I just told the first person I saw, but, I told the first person I saw--a young lady behind the counter.

"Hello there! Listen. I have something to tell you," I say, "my friend--you're just gonna love this--walked from Maine all the way here to Philadelphia. Isn't that crazy? I mean what do you think of that!?"

At this point I'm simply waiting for any one of several replies; "Oh wow! That's so crazy!" or "My, you're very dedicated. Not many people are up for such things." or even, "Oh see. . .sir. . . YOU are the most interesting man in the world, and you're too young to drink Dos Equis! You are purely the most interesting man I've met!" Any one of those would've been acceptable.

What I got was a listening look of neutrality, a little smile, and ensuing words:

"Uh-huh. That's neat. . .I walked across Spain."

"Oh. . ." I said, "Well. . .what are the odds somebody would pull that one out? I just. . .I just really wasn't. . .ah. . .That's really interesting that you did that. . ."

At that point, I was more or less isolated from the conversation because my friend, and the swashbuckling Spain-walker had their travels in common. I just wanted my coffee. Nonetheless, I was and still am encouraged by my new friend and I'm sure you will be too. That is of coarse, if you haven't walked across Asia.

I'm supposed to have Indian food with my dad this Sunday. I know Maine to Philadelphia tops Baltimore Avenue to Broad Street any day.

This story reminded me of another funny tale told by one of my favorite comedians:

My Yoke Is: Questions

I am writing this post because a friend asked me to flush out some things in my last post. I thought it would be helpful to do that here so that, if others would like to, they can view my answers. 

1) Who is a disciple? Aren't all believers disciples?

The word 'disciple' as it is used in the New Testament, means learner (Mt 10:24; Jn 18:16; Acts 9:26). In a broad sense every image bearer of God is a disciple--we are all learners of something. Peter, James, John and  Andrew were fishermen and learners of their trade, the Pharisees were learners of religion, etc. We cannot help but learn, simply because we bear the image of God. Jesus mission in calling his disciples was to make them learners and followers of Him.

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:18-19 ESV

It's the fall that ruins God's original intention for discipleship--that we be learners and followers of Him. As a consequence of the fall, we are learners of our trade, culture, the media, etc. Jesus mission in calling His disciples (and us as well) was to show them God's original intention for their life as a disciple. Because Jesus--the God Man--was the image of the invisible God, he was perfectly equipped to model what it looked like to be truly human, and thus, a true disciple and follower of His Father. 

Before Jesus approached Peter and Andrew, they were disciples. During the disciples three years with Jesus, they were disciples. We shouldn't assume that the moment these men began to follow Jesus that they were regenerate believers in their Messiah. Somewhere during those three years their hearts were regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Gospel, and they became Believers as well as disciples of Christ, but from the moment they dropped their nets at the Sea of Galilee they were disciples (of Christ).

Just to reiterate--all image bearers of God are disciples of something. It is the Christian's mission and responsibility and the work of the Gospel to make disciples of Christ who build the entirety of their life around their Savior, God, and King.

2) Is discipleship (as we understand and practice it, coffee shops, one on ones, etc.) our responsibility? I ask because if we're called to make disciples, once they become disciples, does the role of discipleship then become to role of the elder?

Discipleship is the work of showing, and teaching others, through relationship, how the Gospel applies to every area of life and effectually makes them more like their Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. It always our responsibility! If we believe the Jesus' commission in Matthew 28, then it is our duty to make disciples if we are to be obedient to our Creator and live lives worthy of the Gospel.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:16-20 ESV

Consider the previous idea that 'all image bearers of God are disciples of something'. What then is the responsibility of the believer? To make disciples of Christ. The mission of making disciples is done in the relationships we have with those who know Jesus and those who do not know Jesus. Consider the fact that the followers of Jesus may not of even known that they were being "discipled" by Christ. They were following Him, and watching Him, and learning from Him, and in doing this their hearts were increasingly attracted to Him to the point that many gave their lives for the Gospel of Jesus Christ--the one they had followed for three years. They were always disciples, even before they were believers in the Gospel.


In light of that, the better question might be: Once they become a believer isn't the responsibility of discipleship that of an elder/pastor?


My answer to that would be, yes and no. The work of the pastor is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry (of making disciples).

He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Ephesians 4:10-16 ESV

It is the pastor's job to make disciples himself and to equip the flock of God with necessary teaching and care so that they too are able to make disciples who make disciples. We would be disobedient to the call of the Great Commission if we discipled someone, they came to faith in Christ, and then we "passed them off" to the pastor. If we believe that discipleship is done in and through transparent relationship then we would simply be being a bad friend and brother if we left the work of making a disciple once they became believers in Jesus. Jesus is a perfect friend and brother who never leaves those whom He is in relationship with (Prv 18:24). Abandoning a relationship with someone at the point of conversion so that the pastor can "take over" would be the opposite of what God has called us to. Practically speaking, if we believe that discipleship is done through relationship, than it would not be the most helpful way to love your pastor; imagine if it were every pastor's responsibility to have a close relationship with everyone in their church once they came to a saving knowledge of Jesus. Not only is that impossible, but it's a great way to ruin a marriage and torpedo a ministry. The pastor's job is to make disciples and to equip the saints to make disciples themselves. 


If we believe that we are always "being saved"  as Paul writes (1 Cor 1:18, 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15) than the mission of making disciples is never over for the believer. Just as the work of the Gospel in the heart of the believer is continual and constant, so are our relationships. Granted, some discipleship relationships last our entire lives while others only last for a season, sometimes we may disciple someone and never see them come to a saving knowledge of Jesus (Judas comes to mind), but the work of discipleship is never finished.  


In terms of qualification and responsibility, the only thing that seems to separate an elder from any other believer is the desire to be an elder (1 Tim 3:1), and the ability to teach and shepherd the flock of God. Every other quality that should characterize an elder should also be the character of every other believer and disciple of Christ. If this is true, than it is the pastor's and "the laymen's" responsibility to make disciples of Jesus Christ. 


There is certainly more I could say on this, but I simply wanted to try my best to thoroughly answer the two questions that were asked. I hope my response has been helpful, and I am more than open to rebuke, wisdom, and more questions if you have them.

My Yoke Is Easy

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

Matthew 28:18-20

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:27-30

I've been lovingly impressed by Jesus' words in Matthew 11 in light of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). As believers, we've been given the task of making disciples; this is often called discipleship. Through the history of the American church (the only one I've ever been a "part of") we've dressed it many different outfits: small groups, one-on-one coffee shop meetings, and book studies. All of these are good, but I fear that too often we place this burden of performance on ourselves labeled discipleship. 

Typically, we are faithful to our small group, one-on-one meetings, and book studies for a stretch of time and then. . .we're not. As a result, disappointment and a feeling of not measuring up to the task settle in. "I'm supposed to be a disciple. I'm supposed to be pouring into others," we clamor to ourselves. If you're pattern is anything like mine has been, then you'll carry this around until something new comes along, be faithful to that, and then. . .you won't be--repeat shame cycle.

Have you ever considered Christ's words in Matthew 11 in light of your failures in this area? If we are following Him faithfully and our hearts are bent on showing others what the Savior looks like, our burdens should be light. This does not mean that we approach the ministry of life with a foolhardy attitude, accepting no real responsibility for the care and discipleship of others. The call of Matthew 28:16-20 is serious; Christ has not simply called us to hang out with each other and wait for sparks to fly. Yet, in a sense, He has (more on that in a bit).

Ministry is done with our lives, and the task of discipleship happens through our lives and the relationships we have with the lives of others. Surely, the Savoir of the world did not come under the wrath of His Father, for the sins of many just so we could work like mad at maintaining well versed chats over coffee, and producing Puritan-literate Christians. You see, answering that kind of call is too easy. We can crank that out in our own strength with ease. All the while, we carry this heavy burden of performance that is never satisfied. I can't count the times I've gone begrudgingly into "discipleship situations" where I said to myself, "I'm not measuring up today. I just need to get through this and I can go home." I performed my duties, went home, and no one really noticed. My task was too easy, but too heavy for me to bear at the same time.

Christ's burden is light because He has accomplished the work, and carried our burdens. Christ call is more challenging than ours because He calls us to acknowledge our weakness as we depend on the Spirit and not in our own strength for results. Christ's call to make disciples is easy because He calls us to build meaningful relationships with others and spend time with them--hang out. Christ's call to make disciples is more challenging than ours because in those relationships we are called to transparently show others what He is like, living fruitful lives of sacrifice and repentance. In the Kingdom and Family of God we don't really get the luxury of limiting discipeship to a comfy chair and a cappuccino. We are called to bear our lives for the glory of God.


Questions for you to consider

1. When I think of ministry, do I think of a series of tasks to complete, or do specific people come to my heart and mind?
2. Am I faithfully investing in the relationships that God has given me with believers and non-believers by intentionally making them a part of my life so that they (and I) can see and hear the Gospel?
3. Have I marginalized my relationships? 
4. Am I prayerful before and after I go to "hang-out"with people (believers and non-believers)?
5. Do I consistently look for evidence of God's grace, and the work of the Spirit in my relationships?