DT Reading VII: The Bible and It's Authority

Dear brothers and sisters,

This week’s lesson/reading I believe is the foundation on which everything else will either stand or fall apart. Just like all buildings and bridges are built on foundations, our lives as disciples of Jesus are built on a foundation. The foundation is the Bible and its authority. If we fail to build our beliefs and lives on this foundation, we will fall apart like a foolish man who built his house on sand, but if we build on this foundation, we will stand like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27).

As you go through and contemplate this week’s reading, I would also like to ask you to get your Bible, open it, and read it with much joy. 

WEEK VII: LEARNING OBJECTIVES

-          The Bible
-          The Authority of the Bible
-          The Bible has withstood the Test of Time
-          Life Journey Map
-          Read and Live

THE BIBLE

First, let us look at the meaning of the word Bible. The word “Bible” is from Late Medieval Latin biblia "the Bible", derives from the Greek word Biblia, meaning “books.” So the Bible basically means the Books. The same Greek word also means “scroll” or “parchment.” The first words of the scripture would have been written on parchments, and then copied to scrolls and distributed, and so on. When the movable printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg, he completed printing the Bible about 1455 working at Mainz, Germany.

Like every book has an author (s), who wrote his or her thoughts, what in his mind, his views, and so on, the Bible also has an author who is God. However, God used various people (his servants) to write the Bible. God inspired his servants to write the Bible. The servants of God received God’s words and instructions in various ways and wrote the Bible. Some of them heard the voice of God, some were shown vision, and some through their inner voice and experience, and still others were given revelation. God inspired his servants to write the Bible in their own styles, using their own languages (Hebrews, Aramaic/Greek), and in different situations, places, and histories.

 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).

The books of the Bible were written at different times by different authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years. About 40 servants of God wrote the Bible.

 THE AUTHORITY OF THE BIBLE

The next vital truth we need to know as disciples of Jesus is the authority of the Bible. Without fully trusting, acknowledging, and relying on the authority of the Bible we cannot stand our ground in our walk and journey of faith.

I have read some books in the past that I don’t know the authors well. I am also not sure what they have written was based on rigorous studies and researches and universal truth. I am not even certain what was written in those books were reliable, trustworthy, or flawless? The Bible on the other hand is entirely different. The God of the universe is the author of the Bible, and He did it by using his servants to write His Words. The omniscient (knowing everything), the omnipotent (all-powerful), and the omnipresent God (present everywhere at the same time) is the source of the Bible; consequently, every word in the Bible is true, perfect, and flawless.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5); “the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible like gold refined seven times” (Psalm 12:6).  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Authority comes from the author and the author of the Bible is God therefore the authority of the Bible comes from God himself. Behind every word and command in the Bible is the mind of God. The Bible is God’s Words and God’s Thoughts. The Bible reveals God’s Will and Ways and they are flawless, reliable, and universal.

As disciples of Jesus, we rest our lives on the authority of the Bible

WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME

The Bible is the bestselling book of all time. It is the only book that has changed and completely transformed countless lives down history, and it will remain the same in the age to come. “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). But at the same time, countless people have been killed because of the Bible, and so in that sense, the Bible is also the most hated book that has ever been written. Satan and demons hate the Bible, and the people of this world (those who love the world, those who follow the works of Satan) hate the Bible.

We learned from history that many people have tried their best to destroy the Bible. Many have burned the Bible, many have tried to distort the Bible, many have spoken against and tried to disprove the reliability of the Bible, and still many are trying their best to destroy the Bible in various ways even today in and around the world. However, the Bible has withstood the test of time.

Many who have tried to destroy the Bible are dead and gone, but the Bible is still available and alive. I know a certain atheist (a person who doesn’t believe in God or the Bible), a well-known British thinker- Christopher Hitchens. I have listened to his talks and debates with Christians a few times and have bought and read a little bit of his famous book, God is not great. It was a bitter book I should say. He insults God; he laughs and mocks at the thing of God and the Bible. He did his best to destroy the credibility of the Bible, but he didn’t succeed. I know also several people like Hitchens who are trying their best to destroy the Bible. Hitchens died in 2011. He is dead and gone, but the Bible is still credible, and it is still the bestselling book in the world. “The scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35).

THE JOURNEY MAP OF LIFE

I assume some of you might have read the famous allegorical book, “The Pilgrim Progress” by John Bunyan. If you haven’t read that book, I highly recommend you to read it, not one time, but several times. In his book, Bunyan tells a story of a man named Christian, living in a city of destruction with his wife, children, and friends, and he later journeyed his way from the city of destruction to the celestial city.

Life is indeed a journey. We are all pilgrims, and we are traveling in this world toward a destination, either to hell, a place of God’s wrath or to heaven where God dwells. In this life’s journey, God has given all of us a map to read and follow. For example, we are instructed to follow the narrow path; we are counseled to run away from lust and sexual immorality and flee from idolatry (Matthew 7:13; 1 Cor. 10:14). We are to be careful in all our ways as we travel. The map of life God has given us is the Bible, His Word.

“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11); “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

READ AND LIVE

If the God of the Universe is the author of the Bible; if the Bible is supremely authoritative; if the Bible has changed and transformed the lives of countless people; if the Bible has withstood the test of time; and if the Bible is the map of life that God has given to us, then we are the most fortunate people alive on earth to have the Bible in our hands and homes today. On the other hand, we are the most pitied or unwise people if we don’t take it, read it, or live accordingly knowing that the Bible is God’s Eternal Word.

As the disciples of Jesus, we have no other books but the Bible; we have no other authority but the authority of God’s Word; we have no other map of life but the Bible. Let us read the Bible, apply our minds, humble before the Lord, and may God in His grace come and make us understand His word, so that we may live as his true disciples here on earth. Amen.

Prayer points:

1.      Give thanks to God for the Bible in our hands and homes
2.      Prayer of commitment to reading the Bible

DT Reading VI: A Student of Jesus

 “To be a disciple of Jesus is the greatest honor in the universe.” 

In our week 1 reading, I pointed out that the word ‘disciple’ in the Greek New Testament is ‘Mathetes’, which is also translated as a follower, pupil, and student. When we think about followers or students, we normally assume base on our experience that it is the students who seek, apply, and join schools or places to learn from teachers and not the other way around. Similarly, we also learn that this was typically practiced in the Jewish world; a disciple would voluntarily join a school or otherwise seek out a master rabbi; however, with Jesus the story was different. Jesus who is the Master, Teacher, and Lord, He seeks out and chooses those who He wants as His disciples (Mark 1:17; 2:14; Matthew 4:18-21). Again, a dedicated disciple was generally expected someday to become a rabbi (or teacher) himself, yet Jesus teaches his disciples that he will always be their rabbi and they will have a lifetime of discipleship (Matthew 23:8; Luke 14:26-27) (Disciple, MED).

Reading VI: Learning objectives:

 1.  He chose us

2. A growing disciple keeps learning

3.  A growing disciple keeps practicing\

4.  A lifetime student

 HE CHOSE US

To His disciples, Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16). One thing should be clear to us- Jesus always made the First Move. He did not choose his disciples because they chose him; He first chose them. Also, Jesus never chose His disciples on the basis of their performance, righteousness, or status; rather He chose them because of His own great love and plans for them. The words of Jesus stated in John 15:16, are true for us as well. None of us has chosen Jesus first, but He first chose us and appointed us. He has chosen us to be His disciples not because we are good people, but because of His great love, mercy, and plans for us. And we are chosen to be His followers all the days of our lives. We are all recipients of God’s grace and love; and we receive by trusting in His Words and what Jesus did for us through His life, death, and resurrection.

A GROWING DISCIPLE KEEPS LEARNING

A disciple or student's primary purpose is to learn, and when learning takes place the result is growth (mental faculty, life, and social skills, etc.). If a disciple stops learning, he or she will stop growing and become a stagnant or dormant disciple. There is also a saying that ‘decay begins when learning stops.’ We also know that there can be a colossal distinction of growth between a student who learned in a prestigious university under a renowned professor and a person who never went to school, or learned anything from teachers.

Learning is vital in the process of growth. As disciples of Jesus, we are to keep learning to grow and become godly men and women. We learn about God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Love, Church, Discipleship, Faith, Serving, Giving, Sin, Redemption, Mission, and the list goes on. Various things are involved in learning, but two important factors that stand out are intention and attitude or our mindset. Without intentional effort, what we learn will not remain in us, and without the right attitude, learning cannot take place. The disciples of Jesus ask, Lord, teach us how to pray! Do you and I desire to learn and ask questions?

Christ has chosen us to be His disciples and so we are not disciples of pastors or professors or anyone, but at the same time, let us also not forget that when Jesus died and ascended to Heaven, He has given the Church the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip the saints (Christians/disciples of Christ/to make disciples of Jesus) for the service, so that the body of Christ may be built-up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,  attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13). We are to learn from our leaders, our pastors, our teachers, elders, etc., and from one another. 

A GROWING DISCIPLE KEEPS PRACTICING

In his letter to Timothy, describing the people in the End Time Paul says, “There are people who always learn but never able to come to the truth” (2 Timothy 3:6); similarly James also warned his readers, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says (James 1:22). Growing disciples are doers, not just listeners or readers.

There is no human being born on earth that has grown up and become a world-class footballer without rigorous exercise and practice, nor is there any human being on earth without practicing has become an expert in driving cars. Everyone who desires growth must put into practice what he or she learns.

Learning and practicing are two sides of the same coin. One side cannot do away without the other. A person who learns about who God is but never puts into practice what God says cannot grow in his walk and relationship with God. The Scripture tells us, “In fact, this is love for God: To keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). A growing disciple keeps practicing what he or she learns from the Scripture; he submits and obeys a still voice of the Holy Spirit inside of him; he/she obeys and honors his parents, he receives counsel from the servants of God, he participates and serves in the fellowship of God’s people, etc.  

A LIFETIME STUDENT

Christ has chosen us to be his disciples for a lifetime, which also means He will be our teacher for a lifetime as well. What can be more exciting than to be a lifetime student of Jesus! And indeed, “To be a disciple of Jesus is the greatest honor in the universe.”

“God guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (Psalm 25:9)

Prayer points:

1.    Give thanks to Jesus for choosing you to be one of His disciples.
2.    Commit/recommit your life to God

DT-II October Class Q & A

 

DT-II October Class Q & A with Pastor Maurice & Mrs. Ruth Charman

DT READING-V: KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT: REDEMPTION & REIGNING WITH GOD

“Repent, for the Kingdom of God has come near you”_ Jesus Christ

Dear brothers and sisters,

I am glad to learn together with you again. I hope you have read and thought through the readings we had in the last two months. May the Lord continue to encourage you even as you labor to learn and grow in the knowledge of God! Today we will look at a crucial theme, which is “the kingdom.” I believe as you read contemplatively you will be guided, encouraged, and helped in the Lord.

 READING V: LEARNING OBJECTIVES

-        What is a kingdom?

-        The many kingdoms

-        Kingdoms in conflict

-        With whom are you reigning?

-        Disciples reigns with God

WHAT IS A KINGDOM?

A kingdom refers to a country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen, as in the Kingdom of Thailand.  In a kingdom such as Thailand, it is the king who rules the nation. His choice, his will, and his decision fundamentally determine what happens in his Nation.

A kingdom however also refers to a domain in which something is dominant; it refers to a realm that is uniquely our own, where our choice determines what happens.

We all have our own kingdom, in other words, we all rule, we govern, or are in charge of at least our own lives. When you come across a boy, who shout and scream at other boys not to come near him, or not to touch his toys, he is basically saying “I am in charge of these toys,” “I rule over them,” and you boys (have no right or) should not touch my toys. Well, that’s a kingdom thing. A boy is reigning and he rules over his toys.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, Your Will be done” (Matthew 6:9). The key to understanding a kingdom is “Will.” In His likeness, God has created us as free will creatures, we are made to exercise our Will, to rule, to govern, and that is what makes a human being unique. We are given a “Free Will,” power and ability to choose and reject, to build and destroy, to rule and govern, etc. that is what it means_  “to be human.” Dallas Willard poignantly wrote, “In creating human beings God made them to rule, to reign, to have dominion in a limited space. Only so can they be persons.” (Divine Conspiracy, 29)

THE MANY KINGDOMS

Not only do people have their own kingdoms, we learned from the Bible that even Satan has his kingdom. In Matthew 4, we learned how Satan tempted Jesus after 40 days and nights of fasting. Satan pointed Jesus to the kingdoms of this world and said he will give it (assuming his power over and reign over the kingdoms of this world) if Jesus would bow down and worship him. In Mark, we read an account where the teachers of the law accused Jesus saying that he is possessed by the prince of demons, and Jesus replied, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:20-24). So apart from kingdoms we all rule and govern, there are the kingdoms of the worlds, and there is a kingdom of Satan. Each one governs their own kingdoms.

When Jesus came to the world, he came to announce the Kingdom of God, “Repent, for the Kingdom of God has come near you” (Matthew 4:7). Jesus announced the Good News that His coming to the world has now made it possible for all of us to be in God’s Kingdom here on earth, to rule and reign with God.

 

KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT

The nation of Israel after the reign of King Solomon was divided into the Northern and the Southern Kingdom. They fought with each other, they fought against enemies, and they even fought with among themselves, in their own kingdom. As Jesus truly stated, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand,” so it was with the Nation of Israel. Both the kingdoms were totally destroyed by their enemies!

Do we also not see the countless divisions and conflicts in our society and the world today? It’s a kingdom conflict.

When Jesus came and announced the Good News of the Kingdom of God, the teachers of the law, the Pharisees, and many other people opposed Jesus. There were countless conflicts, kingdoms in conflict. The teachers of laws and Pharisees wanted to rule and reign even in the streets and the Synagogues. They strongly opposed Jesus and eventually with the help of the Roman government they crucified Him.

There was a group of people who opposed the truth of God’s grace and bewitched the believers in Galatia. Their beliefs and practices were in conflict with the Gospel of Grace and the teachings of the Apostles. In such context, Paul rebuked believers wrote, “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you (to bewitch a person, frequently by use of evil eye and with evil intent) before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified” (Galatians 3:1). Apostle Peter wrote to believers to be alert and of sober mind, because their enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

The last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation ends with a great conflict between the kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of Jesus, a mighty war between the kings of this world led by Satan and the King Jesus Christ along with his followers. Of course, the victory was easily won by King Jesus because He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Revelation 19).

The kingdoms in conflict are real. History is loud and clear about the conflicts. The present-day is not without exception. There are conflicts and wars (physical and spiritual) happening somewhere even as I write, and there are conflicts and wars happening within each one of us, in the spiritual realm, every day, and every hour.  Indeed we must heed the words of Apostle Peter, to be sober mind because our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

WITH WHOM ARE YOU REIGNING?

 “For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living,” writes Apostle Paul (Romans 14:7-9).

We all have our own kingdom, we live, we rule, and we reign, but by our will, our kingdoms are either given, and so controlled by the kingdom of Satan, or submit, and so received into the kingdom of God. Satan dominates and controls people to do his will- which are evil, destructive, and bad. God liberates and frees people to do His will- which is good, pleasing, and perfect.

If someone’s lives, deeds, and beliefs are opposite to how Christ lived and taught, he or she is living in his own kingdom and is reigning with Satan. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and other rulers of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient” (Ephesians 2:1-2).

Those who have surrendered their “will,” and said to God and themselves, I am no longer the one and only in charge of my own life, I am no longer the one and only ruler of my own desire, and have I submitted my life under the Lordship of Christ.  Such people will begin to reign their lives with God

Jesus reigned with God when He came on the earth for the redemption mission that is why He said, “My Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not my will, but as your will” (Matthew 26:36-42); “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken” (John 12:49).

DISCIPLES REIGN WITH GOD

At the gate of the temple called Beautiful, a lame beggar begged Peter and John for money, but they don’t have it with them. Peter then looked straight at the beggar, said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! Then taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk” (Acts 3:1-8). Again on another occasion the Apostles were persecuted and commanded not to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God, but in such a thorny situation Peter and the other Apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29).

Without God’s power, Peter could never have performed the sign and wonder. The miracle event at the gate of the Temple was a manifestation of Peter reigning with God. Also in the midst of the life-threatening situation, the Apostles could courageously stand on their ground, to do the will of God which was to keep preaching the Good News. God was with them, they were reigning with God.     

What about us as disciples of Jesus? Do we see God’s working through our lives? We are very limited in our ability and power to bring about changes and good things; we have lots of limitations as humans. I would like to quote Willard once again, he said, “Now, what we can do by our unassisted strength is very small. What we can do acting with mechanical, electrical, or atomic power is much greater…. What we can do with these means (mechanical, electrical or atomic power) is still very small comparing to what we could do acting in union with God Himself, who created and ultimately controls all other forces.” (Divine Conspiracy, 30)

Wow! As disciples of Jesus, if we reign with God there is much we can all do… Do you believe that?

As we continue to seek, to learn, and to obey as disciples of Jesus, may the Holy Spirit teach us to know more about the Good News of the Kingdom of God!

 “When we submit what and where we are to God, our rule or dominion then increase”_ Dallas Willard

 PRAYER POINTS:

1.      Pray that you submit yourself to God, and then resist the devil (James 4:7)

2.      Pray for God’s Kingdom to come and for His Will to be done in your life, in our society, in our political realm (Matthew 6:9-14)

3.      Pray that God will continue to give you wisdom and knowledge to live as a faithful disciple of Jesus (James 1:5)

4.      Pray for RCFD Discipleship-II members.

DT READING IV: THE DISCIPLES’ ROAD

 “…broad is the road that leads to destruction…and narrow in the road that leads to life.” (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Dear brothers and sisters,

God delivered the Israelites in the hands of Egyptians and on their journey to the Promised Land, through His servant Moses God said:

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life or death, blessings, and a curse. Now choose life, so that your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life...” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).  

When God gave His laws to the Israelites He gave them a choice either to follow or to reject His words. It is also learned that the Greek, Roman, and Jewish writers often spoke of two ways; which is a choice between life and death.

Speaking to crowds, Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction… and narrow in the road that leads to life” (Matthew 7:13-14). Here again, Jesus explicitly stated that there are only two roads: one that leads to destruction and another to eternal life, and a choice was given for all of us to make!

READING-IV: learning objectives

-        Less fun, less fulfilled life, really?
-        The Alternative
-       We all follow something and someone
-        The Disciples’ Road
-        Cut your hand and pluck your eye

Less fun and less fulfilled life, REAlly?

If someone asks you, is Jesus worth Following? My guess is you will answer, YES! it sure is worth following Jesus.

Through Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, deliverance from evil, victory over sins, eternal life, peace, etc. We have countless reasons as to why it is worth following Jesus. It sure is worth following Him. And yet, one may wonder why many people reject or don’t seem to desire these precious gifts and blessings that come from following Jesus. And why do people opt for worldly things and sinful ways of life, such as corruption, sexual immorality, lies, greed, falsehood, alcohols, injustice, and the like that lead to destruction?

According to the Scripture, at the root of all problems in human life is sin. And Alas! Sin can be pleasurable, sin can be attractive, sin can momentarily meet the need of human corrupted appetites, sin can be fun, and sin can be addictive, and so on. We know how powerful and addictive sin can be, as such multitudes of people find it difficult to give up sinning and choose to go by the wide gate and the broad road.

It is sin that also distorts the sight of people to not see the glory of freedom from sin. And Satan who is the “father of all lies” (John 8:44) deceives and lies to people that the alternative to sin isn’t fun, isn’t real, and isn’t pleasant.

Let us be on our guard my brothers and sisters. Allow no one to deceive us into believing and thinking that following Jesus is less fun and less fulfilling.

The alternative: A Fullness of life

We now shall ask ourselves: Is the alternative to sin really fun and fulfilling? The answer is YES, absolutely! The alternative to sinning, which is following Jesus is not only fun and fulfilling but joy, peace, freedom from sin, contentment, meaningfulness, love, harmony, etc. There is the fullness of life in following Christ.

To experience the fullness of life we must come out of sin, we must put off our filthy clothes_ the sinful practices of any form and shape and color. Don’t look at others’ big sins and compare yours as smaller than someone else. The standard is not to compare with others. Christ is the standard and that is why the Scripture says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Measure up yourself with Christ. But the good news is that there is a solution to sins. The solution is a genuine confession, renouncing of sinful practices, and repentance (Change of mind- wrong and wicked thinking to good and right thinking, and turning to God).

Christ died for all human beings on earth, for the remission of all sin. As a result, there is freedom from sin, and in that freedom, there is fullness of life. God truly loves us.

We all follow something and someone

Whether we know it or not, the fact is that we all (every human) follow something and someone in our life and with our life. All humans are followers: some follow Jesus Christ; some follow Buddha; some follow Mohammad; some follow celebrities; some follow deceiving spirits; some follow life gurus or certain thinkers, etc. The fact that someone talks about his or her beliefs, dresses or lives in certain ways, or even thinks a certain way is a manifestation of whom he/she follows.

(Unfortunately) many diehard young people today, for example, dress like K-pop or rock stars and even trim and dye their hairs like them; this is the (outward) manifestation of what is stored in their mind and in their subconscious, as they follow K-pop stars or some rock stars (listen, admire, talk, watch, study, and learn about them, etc.). On the other hand, (fortunately) there are also young people who live a godly life, do good works, assist helpless people, work faithfully, are dedicated in their given job, dress modestly, do mission works, etc. This too is the (outward) manifestation of what is stored in their mind, subconscious, and in their spirits as they follow Jesus Christ (listen, read, study, admire, obey, and share the things of God and Christ). Their minds are renewed (see Romans 12:1-2), meaning, what they think (their minds) are not their own, but what Christ thinks (Christ’s mind). That is why Apostle Paul said, “… we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), in other words, we think the way Christ thinks.

Let me repeat this again, everyone follows something and someone in their life and with their life. And what and who we follow will manifest in who we become, what we do, and why we do. It is extremely essential therefore to ask and examine ourselves what and who we follow.

Following Jesus is entering through the narrow gate; following Jesus is walking on the narrow road that leads to life. And following others, Buddha, Celebrities, or any life guru, etc. is entering through the wide gate, the broad road that leads to destruction. When Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6) Jesus is explicitly saying, there is only ONE WAY that leads to life and He is the WAY.

The disciples’ road

We all are travelers in this world as poets write, or as the Psalmist would say, “I am a stranger in on the earth” (Psalm 119:19).

Travelers travel different roads that lead us to various destinations. “All roads lead to Rome” is an idiom people use to convey a message that all paths or activities lead to the center of things, or that there are many different routes to the same goal. Likewise, (sadly) multitudes of people also believe there are many roads that will lead them to God (religious pluralists).

However, according to the Scripture, there are only two roads in life’s journey: A narrow road that leads to life, and a broad road that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14). Following Jesus, as I mentioned earlier is entering the narrow gate and taking the narrow road.

The disciples’ road is the narrow road. It is a road that leads to life. It is a road of loving God with all our heart, with all our mind, with all our soul, and with our strength. It is a road of undivided loyalty to Christ alone. Remember, disciples owe no devotion to any other gods. And yes it is a road of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves (Mathew 22:37-39; Mark 12:30, 31).

Also, the road of disciples is exclusive and is found in Jesus alone. Let me restate this, Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life. NO one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Similarly, the Apostles tell us, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved,” and “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:10). The disciples’ road is the road of faithfulness, love, devotion, obedience, holiness, and justice, etc. and the disciples’ road leads to life, eternal.

Keep this in mind: There are only two roads; one will take us to God, the other to a place of damnation.

cut your hands and Pluck your eye

Before we conclude our reading-IV, I think it is also good to look at the lethal alternative to following the disciples’ road, the broad road that leads to destruction, hell. Jesus knew what and how dreadful hell is, as such He told his follower, ‘if their hands and legs will cause them to sin and lead them to eternal hellfire, or if their eye causes them to sin, pluck it and throw for it is better to go heaven without eye or hand than to be in eternal fire’ (Matthew 5:30). I mention this to remind us how dreadful it is that the broad road will lead people into.

The Scripture is plain and simple with regards to this message. The Scripture tells us that those who believe and follow Christ enter through the narrow gate and walk the narrow road that leads to eternal life, and those that choose the broad road will be condemned to eternal fire.

With that, I will leave with you these questions as we make continue to ponder and choose the disciples’ road.

1.      Have I made my life journey’ decision?
2.      What are some of the areas in my life (things of the broad road) that I need to come out of?
3.      Shall I commit/recommit my life to faithfully follow Jesus and take the narrow road?

 

Prayer points:

1.      Prayer to follow the disciples’ road
2.      Pray that God will give you a discerning spirit to walk His ways
3.      Pray for the strength to walk the narrow road with faithfulness

 

DT READING-III: CALLED AND CHOSEN

“Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14)

Dear friends,

In our DT reading-II, we learned that God’s call is based on His Grace, His Sovereignty, and His Foreknowledge. We also learn that God calls us all at a certain point in life and in various ways and situations. And so it is not uncommon to hear people sharing their testimonies declare, ‘God called me through sickness or during such and such tragic incident.’ We also hear testimonies like_ ‘God called me through my friends, or from a Youth Bible Camp,’ etc. Apostle Peter and his brother Andrew were called when they were fishing (Mathew 4:18-20). Recently, I heard a testimony of one of our own members (a former Muslim) who shared with us that 23 years ago he lived in the dark and indulged in all kinds of sinful practices. But God in His mercy called him through a Russian evangelist, who invited him to a church. Then gradually he responded to the call of God and surrendered his life to Christ. I believe by God’s grace today that brother is on fire for the Lord. He keeps sharing the Good News of Jesus to people everywhere, on the streets, and in the marketplaces. 

Reading-III: Learning objectives

-        The parable of the wedding feast
-        A few chosen
-        Disciples are chosen
-        The wedding garment
-        Many are called, but few are chosen

 

The parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14)

The parable of the wedding feast is a teaching of Jesus on “the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus spoke this parable to the religious leaders (Pharisees) who were always trying to find his mistake and to accuse him. (A “parable” is a story from everyday life used to illustrate a moral or religious truth. It is the primary method Jesus used to teach about the Kingdom of God).

In the parable, Jesus compared (invitation to) the Kingdom of heaven as a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, sent out his servants to call/invite/summon those who were invited/called. But those who were called, none of them paid attention to the call by the king’s servants. They were busy with their jobs and earthly concerns, some of them even went to the extent of threatening and killing the king’s servants. The king was furious with those invited, sent his troops and destroyed those murderers (invited people who turns out to be unworthy), and sent out his servants to go out in the street and invite as many as they can (both good and bad people). So the wedding hall was filled with the guests/people on the street.

The king came in to look at the guests and found a man who had no wedding garment. The king then ordered his attendants to bind the hand and foot of the man with no wedding garment and throw him into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Hell).

Jesus concludes the parable by saying, “Many are called, but few are chosen.”

 A few chosen

 In our DT reading-II, we have learned that regardless of who and what people have done in the past or are doing at present, God in His Grace and Sovereignty calls/invites people to Himself, (to be citizens) into His Kingdom at a certain point in life. God calls people by sending his servants (e.g. teachers, pastors, evangelists, or even your friends,  etc.) like a king sent servants who went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad for his son’s wedding feast (Mathew 22:10). This truth was repeated by Apostle Paul, “How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14) also, see Matthew 24:14_ everyone will get a chance to (a call) to hear the good news of the Kingdom of God..

However, not everyone who is called is chosen, nor everyone on the street that God’s servants invite/call is chosen as we learned in the parable. Not all the Jews (Israelites) whom God called are chosen, nor all the Gentiles whom God calls are chosen. Do you also remember that God delivered the Israelites in the hands of Egyptians but later destroyed many of them (all who were 20 years old or above), and only two men, Joshua and Caleb reached the Promise Land?  (See Number 32:10-13)

Who are the few chosen? And why did God choose them? A few chosen are those who humble themselves and respond to the calls of God (through/in various occasions and from the proclamation/preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom by the servants of God). A few chosen are those who heed the calls from the king’s servants and they went (took action/by faith responded to the call) to the wedding feast. A few chosen are those who wear wedding garments (We will later discuss what is wedding garments refer to). People are not chosen on the basis of their ethnicity or race (Jews or Gentiles), but because of God's Grace and Sovereignty- He chose those that humble themselves, accept and acknowledge His calls.

 Disciples are chosen

As we have learned in our DT reading-I, disciple simply means student, follower, or apprentice. We all know that during His earthly ministry Christ chose only twelve people to be His disciples. And of course, in a generic sense, everyone who followed Jesus during His earthly ministry was His disciples or his followers, but Jesus chose only 12 people, to train them so that they could go and make more disciples. The 12 disciples became Apostles (messengers, delegate, or sent one) and went to fulfill the great commission of Jesus, to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:16-20; the book of Acts).  

What we are today, becoming disciples and making disciples of Jesus is a continuing work of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles. Yet, what is extremely important for us to realize is that not everyone who is called is chosen. And if someone is not chosen he or she cannot be a true disciple of Jesus. You might be attending churches or doing churches activities but if you are not chosen, you cannot be a disciple. Disciples are chosen.

Do you think that out of 43 souls/members that are doing RCFD discipleship-II are all true disciples of Jesus? Or chosen? Only God knows! But I also believe we are all called by God, or rather God is calling all of us, and so we all can become true disciples. We become disciples by humbling ourselves and responding to His call; we become disciples by faith and respond to God’s call (God use his servants to call/invite us into His Kingdom) and submit ourselves to Him; we become disciples by putting off our old clothes/filthy clothes (sins, sinful deeds, wickedness, corrupt ways, etc.) and put on a new clothe (a wedding garment). As such, God in His grace and sovereignty may choose us to become His own disciples, His students. 

I also hope some of you remember the Bible passage I shared in our DT WhatsApp group a few weeks ago. The passage is Psalm 25:9, “He (God) guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His ways.” Humility is the prerequisite in responding to the call of God.

Indeed God guides the humble and teaches them His ways.   

 The wedding garment

In the Bible garment/clothing is used both in literal/general and symbolic ways. Also, various types and colors signify different meanings, and certain types of people wore special clothing (e.g. priest clothing/garment, see Exodus 28). We also learn that clothing is used in symbolic ways for spiritual realities (see Revelation 3:17, 18; Revelation 16: 15; Revelation 19:7-8; Matthew 22:11-12). 

In the parable, a wedding garment is referring to the righteousness (innocence/justification) that is given to people (clothe people) because of the deeds of Jesus Christ on the Cross (cf. Romans 1:16, 17_ the righteousness of God). 

The man who did not wear a wedding garment (but wore his own garment) at the wedding feast was not chosen though he was also called/invited/summoned. His hand and foot were binds and he was thrown into the outer darkness. Why? Because he did not come by faith when he was called by the king’s servants; he did not put off his old filthy clothe which is his sins, wicked deeds, and corrupted life of the street. He was not wearing a wedding garment (Christ’s righteousness) that Jesus offers freely to everyone who comes to Him. He came with his own self-righteousness and hence he was not justified.

As sinners, no one is able to clothe themselves to stand clean in God’s presence as Joshua the high priest discovered, “Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off your filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” (Zechariah 3:3).

 Many are called, but few are chosen

My brothers and sisters, I hope and pray this message is clear to you now. Yes, God has called every one of us (calling everyone), but are we all chosen?

We are all called/ invited into the Kingdom of God and so we need to humble ourselves and respond by faith. We need to put off our flighty clothe/garment, which is our sins, our wicked deeds, and corrupt ways, and we need to put on a wedding garment that God so freely gives to everyone who comes to Him. The wedding garment is the righteousness (justification/ innocence (declared as not guilty) given to us through the works of Jesus on the Cross. God chooses people who humble themselves and by faith accept/receive/believe in Jesus, His words, and His works, and they are given His righteousness (we are justified, we are counted righteous, innocent, not guilty), only then we can take part in the feast of a royal wedding; only then we can enter the kingdom of God and be the citizens.

But sadly as Jesus concludes the parable, “Many are called but few are chosen”. Have we humbly responded to God’s call yet? Have we by faith accepted the Good News of the kingdom of God? And do you also remember the narrow and wide gates? The Bible tells us that many enter through the wide gate that leads to destruction, but few go through the narrow gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). Let us enter the narrow gate that leads to life.

May God help us all to understand this message and may we all heed the call of God today.

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the Churches” (Revelation 2:29; 3:6, 13, 22)

 Prayer points:

1.     Pray that God may open your mind to know and understand the scripture (Matthew

2.     Pray for the forgiveness of sins (confess/repent/change of mind). By faith in Jesus' name put off/renounce your old flighty clothes_ sins, wicked deeds, corrupt ways, etc.

3.     Prayer of commitment and response to God’s calling. Put on a wedding garment_ the righteousness that comes through Christ. By faith accept/receive Christ, His words, His works on the Cross.  

4.     Prayer of thanksgiving to God for choosing you as His disciple by His grace and sovereignty.

5.     Pray that you will humble yourselves and continue to learn God’s Word, His Ways, and follow His Will.