12 Jun 16
Series
Discipleship -
The Life of Being an Apprentice
Whole Heart for the Whole Gospel, Pt 2:
Don’t Be A Dodo!
This is a useful tool for small group
discussion, personal reflection or in a one-on-one conversation. We believe
that if the Sunday teaching in this series is discussed outside the morning
services, it will be an opportunity to go deeper and build community because
God's Word needs to be discussed in community.
Read
the following and discuss.
“In
Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, the Dodo organized something called
a "caucus race." First it marked out a race-course, in a sort of
circle ("the exact shape doesn't matter," it said), and then all the
party were placed along the course, here and there. There was no "One,
two, three, and away," but they began running when they liked, and left
off when they liked, so that it was not easy to know when the race was over.
However, when they had been running half-an-hour or so, and were quite dry
again, the Dodo suddenly called out, "The race is over!" and they all
crowded round it, panting, and asking, "But who has won?" This
question the Dodo could not answer without a great deal of thought, and it sat
for a long time with one finger pressed upon its forehead, (the position in
which you usually see Shakespeare, in the pictures of him), while the rest
waited in silence. At last the Dodo said "Everybody has won, and all must
have prizes. "
(Winning
on Purpose, Chapter 4)
Ever
been a dodo?
Where
does life for you feel a little like this race these days?
In
our second part of looking at the 4th mark of a disciple, “Fully Committed to the
Whole Gospel for the Whole World”, we looked at how the Gospel represents the
clear win for the church. In other words the Church in is to resemble Dodo’s
race in no way at all - there is a
clear win, goal, and finish line. We know when we have hit the bull’s eye and
when we have missed.
How
do we see what the clear win is for the church? Answer:
The win is
clearly seen by what Jesus was empowered and appointed to do,
and what He
empowers and appoints us to do.
Look
again at last week’s text, Luke 4:18,19
Empowerment
What
does this text say about empowerment?
Why
would Jesus, of all people, need empowerment?
Note
the two stories that bookend this synagogue announcement - what does this say
about the need for empowerment?
More
importantly what does Philippians 2:6-8 say about Christ’s need for
empowerment?
“As
God He had all the rights of deity, and yet during His incarnate state He
surrendered His right to manifest Himself visibly as the God of all splendour
and glory.”
In
other words Jesus modeled for us the Spirit-filled life. He needed to be
empowered because of his human state.
Appointment
What
does this text say about Jesus’
appointment?
Being
“anointed” means to be set aside for a clear purpose, task or responsibility.
Bottom
line: There was nothing “dodo-like” regarding Jesus’ ministry. With laser-like
focus Jesus initiated his ministry, and accomplished his mission. Check out
John 17 for the sense of accomplishment of the mission.
Now note the parallel.
Read
Matthew 28:18-20.
Empowered
Three
years later in a very different context, Jesus empowers the disciples. In v.18b - Jesus in that resurrected
state has all authority (the official right and power), a place of highest
honor. See Phil 4:9-11.
In
that authoritative state he empowers the disciples. They were to go on the
basis of his authority. Check out v.20b.
In
Luke 4, Jesus depended on empowerment because he set aside aspects of his
deity. Why did the disciples need empowerment? (Yes, the mission would be hard,
check out Acts 1:8, but there is something about their nature, the fundamentals
of who they are as people, that cries out for their need for empowerment). Remember
they had not too long ago fled, floundered and flopped as disciples!
What
is it about your story that reminds you of your need of empowerment?
The
great truth of the gospel (good news) is not only does it embrace the lowliest
and most marginalized, but it is announced and declared by people that are also
in much need of grace! I am just a person in need of God’s grace telling
another person where they can find grace!
Appointed
Finally,
just as Jesus in Luke 4 was clearly appointed for a mission, likewise the
appointment of the disciples for mission is clear!
V.19
“make disciples”- is in the imperative mood and anchors the main clause of the
sentence. Going, baptizing and teaching are the actions that accompany making
disciples.
Note
that it says to “teach everything I have commanded”. In other words, they have
heard and seen Jesus carry out this mission.
On
Sunday I listed a number of things that they would have concluded about making
disciples because as apprentices they saw and heard Jesus make disciples. What
would they have concluded about making disciples?
How
different does Jesus ministry and the disciples ministry look in comparison to
Dodo’s race?
The win is
clearly seen by what Jesus was empowered and appointed to do and what He empowers
and appoints us to do.
Questions
for discussion.
1.
How
does your life group contribute to the task of making disciples?
2.
How
can or does God use your story to help you make disciples?
3.
Is
there a particular demographic that you feel called to in making disciples?
4.
Finish
this sentence, “We at Bethel Church make disciples by…”
Don’t
be a dodo!
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