“Fakes of Followers?” Pt.2

I John 2:1-11

v.1- The central theme of this book is fellowship with God. They way to attain consistent fellowship with God is by keeping sin out of our lives. Advocate?- Jesus Christ

- That’s were our righteousness comes from. Not by following rules or regulations. We are helpless and dead to our sins, but Christ is our Advocate and He is the One who justifies us.

v.2- propitiation= satisfaction or appeasement. Christ satisfied our sin debt. All the sin, guilt, and shame that we’ve ever had, or ever will have was paid for by the shedding of Christ’s blood. Not only ours, but for every human being.

v.3- This is a sign of a true believer. You can say that you believe in Jesus all day long, but the true test is if you’re keeping His commandments.

v.4- John is straightforward here and says that those who are saying that they know God, but are not keeping His commandments are liars. It’s heartbreaking to see to see those who claim to be Christians, but keep indulging in sin.

v.5- This does not mean that followers are perfect, but that God’s love is in them and it is becoming greater and greater with perfection as the goal.

v.6- As followers, we are to seek to live just as Christ lived. This is actually our obligation as believers. We should be reaching out just as Christ did. Examples?

v.7- This is not something that is new. It’s always been about love. Deut. 6:5- “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

v.8- In a true follower, you should see progressive sanctification taking place. You should see continual maturity in a believer. The darkness should be passing away and the true Light should be overtaking every area of our lives.

v.9- Love should also be an unquestionable characteristic of a follower. If you have hatred for God’s creation, how can you have love for the Creator?

Loving someone is not always easy, but it is commanded, so it is possible.

v.10- When we are loving others, we are living in the Light. There is also then nothing for other believers to stumble on when we are living in the Light.

v.11- Hatred causes us to be blinded from the Light, and it robs us of the true joy that it is to love one another.

Conclusion

We see that the true sign of a follower of Christ is someone who loves, someone who keeps God’s commands, and someone who is continually progressing spiritually. I am not trying to get anyone to doubt their salvation, but if you do have a question concerning one of these areas I would encourage you to talk to someone about it. But these are things that we are called to do, and we should desire to do these things as followers of Christ.

Personal Restatement (Pt.1)

In the first section of his book, Battle Cry for a Generation, Ron Luce tells the condition of today’s American youth, and he expresses the importance of getting involved in order to save this next generation. In the opening chapter, Luce tells of how his brother once rescued a teenage girl from an accident in which the car was on fire. This illustration is used in order to show the condition and desperation of today’s youth in this country. The teenagers of this nation are in a sense in this very situation. Every day they are bombarded with temptations that many of this culture have deemed acceptable in today’s society. They are tempted with lust, sex, and pornography, drinking, drugs, smoking, and foul language. These temptations are thrown at them from every angle of the media. They come from the television, radio, music, and the internet. The outside appeal of these temptations is literally luring our youth in to this deception, and is holding their minds and hearts captive. Instead of having godly role models, teenagers have movie stars and pop artists to look up to. Guys do not see men that are leaders, and lovers of their families. Instead they see men who could care less what their wives think, and they do whatever they please. Girls do not see ladies that are modest and submissive to their husbands. Instead they see scandalous ladies who disrespect their husbands. Teenagers now think that their identity is found in how they look, or what they have, or what they do. Satan is keen and he will do anything that he can to keep this cycle continuing the way that it has been going. Although, there is hope and there are people who can make a difference. We, the church of Jesus Christ, are called to make a difference in the lives of today’s American youth. It will not be easy, but this is a war and we are commanded to fight back.

Personal Reaction (Pt. 2)

Reading these first three chapters of Battle Cry for a Generation was very eye-opening to me. I have seen the condition of our youth by just coming out of high school a little over a year ago myself, but the stories and the statistics in these chapters were just shocking! I read about the kids who have been raped, addicted to pornography, or hooked on drugs and it really breaks my heart. Although, I am reminded of God’s grace that He has shown to me and I am truly thankful because I was at one time headed down the path that many of today’s teenagers are today. I have been caught up in all the worthless things that the world offers. Now it is amazing to see where God has brought me, but I cannot stop there. Now it is my job to help rescue other teenagers from the bondage of sin, and tell them the good news of Jesus Christ.

Personal Response (Pt. 3)

It does not matter if one is called to be a full-time youth worker, or not. We all are called to get involved in saving the youth of America. Developing personally relationships are prevalent in developing godly students. Students need godly role models. There are so many actors, movie stars, and artists that have a negative influence on our students. They need someone in their lives to show them love, and show them how to live a godly lifestyle. Students need to know that there is more to life than the fleeting pleasures that this world has to offer. Also, solid and practical Bible teaching is essential in developing godly students. Giving students an entertaining sermon or just a social talk is not what will truly impact their lives for eternity. Students need to be taught biblical principles, and how to personally apply those principles in order for their lives to be changed. They are already getting enough entertainment from today’s culture, and their minds are being dulled in many aspects. We need to give them the truth of the Word, and need to engage their minds in how to live out their faith. Ministry should be focused on Jesus Christ, and His power to transform lives for His glory.

“Fakes or Followers?” Pt.1

I John 1:1-10

Background of John

-One of the original twelve disciples.

-Was in Jesus’ inner circle of three along with James and Peter.

-Same John that wrote the gospel of John.

-This letter was written around A.D. 90, which was approximately 60 years after Christ’s death and resurrection.

vv.1-10

v.1- Here John is giving proof of the Messiah. He is one has actually seen Jesus, and experienced what He has done.

- Now John was the only original disciple still living at this time and other original witnesses had also been martyred.

- He also emphasizing the importance of understanding that Christ’s death and resurrection was something that historically took place.

- It is evident even after 60 years, that the Gospel of Christ was still very real to John.

v.2- John is emphasizing the importance of these truths in order to refute the fakes who were claiming to be Christians.

- v.3- Fellowship here means that John wanted his readers to share in the gift of eternal life. He wanted his readers to be true followers, as opposed to fakers. He wanted them to know the truth that salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone.

-v.5- We are told to walk in the Light. As Christians we should desire to walk in the Light.

v.6- We’re only fooling ourselves if we say that we are following God, yet continually living in darkness. As a follower, you will not want to continually live in darkness. God has called us out of darkness. (Col. 1:13- He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves.)

v.7- If we are continually walking with God our Christian fellowship will be better. We won’t have to feel like we have to hide anything from other believers. Also, constant fellowship with God results in a constant and continual cleansing of sin. As we walk closer with God, the more evident our sin becomes to us.

v.9- Continual confession of sin is an indication of true salvation.

-“Confess” literally means to say the same thing about sin that God does.

- God hates sin, and we must hate it too.

Seek to live in the Light, and to be a true follower of Christ. The signs of a true follower are fellowship with God, which will result in confession of sin and the desire to live a holy lifestyle.

Reading “Disciples are Made, not Born” was a great book for me to read before becoming a prayer leader this coming semester. It has great insight on how to disciple someone after leading him to Christ or helping someone in a prayer group to further advance his relationship with Christ. This book also provides helpful ways to grow one’s personal relationship with Jesus.
The first chapter of this book really hit me. It describes the kind of person that God uses. Although a lot of this information I had heard before, it really struck me that being a disciple of Christ is a huge responsibility! Christ demands that I give my all in serving Him. I cannot hold anything back, and I must lay everything on the line for God every day of my life. This includes this semester as I become a prayer leader. I do not want to do this simply out of duty or for Christian service, but I want to do this job as a service to my Savior, who has given me purpose in life more than anyone else can. It will not always be easy I’m sure, but I seek to do more for my prayer group than just simply “getting by.” It is a privilege to be given by God this leadership position, and I never want to take that for granted.
This book also emphasized greatly how important it is to follow-up with a person whom you have lead to Christ. There is often the misconception that Christians are to lead as many people to Christ as possible, and then their job is done. Although, the author adequately explains why this is perspective is faulty and unbiblical. He gives an example of an evangelist who leads 1,000 people to the Lord every day for one year. So at the end of the year this evangelist will have lead 365,000 people to Christ. But then there is a man who has led one man to Christ that year. It may seem that this man has been “outdone” by the evangelist, but this is not the case. The difference is that this man has discipled his convert, and has taught his convert how to become spiritually stable by himself. This man now knows the importance of fellowship with other believers, praying and praising the Lord, studying the Bible, and telling others about his faith. So now this new Christian is also able to lead others to Christ and to disciple those whom he leads to Jesus also. So this man now leads a person to Christ at the end of this year. Now at the beginning of the second year each man not only leads another person to Christ, but also disciples him on how to live the life of a Christian. This may seem like a slow at first, but if this process keeps continuing to the 24^th year, the numbers of converts will have well surpassed the evangelist! This should be the goal for all Christians to not only lead a person to Christ, but to disciple him also in order that he may be able to grow spiritually and repeat the process.
My desire to become a prayer leader had much to do with the example that was set by the prayer leader that I had my first semester at Liberty. When I first came to Liberty I did not know many people, and I was very nervous. My prayer leader was one that was very serious about his ministry, and reaching out to the guys in the prayer group. He really reached out to me from the beginning, and I and he were able to become very close friends. One thing that this book emphasizes is building close relationships with those whom you are in the disciple-making process. That is exactly what my prayer leader Phil did with me. This is also what I seek to do with the guys in my prayer group. There’s a good chance that I will have one or more guys that are in the same situation I was in just one year ago. I want to be a friend to the guys in my prayer group, seek to be a servant to them, and desire to help them grow in Christ.
Chapter 8 spoke on how to train your disciple. This was a helpful chapter which sparked ideas for me. The “wheel” illustration gave great points on how to build a solid foundation of faith in Christ. The hub of the wheel is what represents Jesus Christ. He should be the center and solid foundation in all of our lives. Then there are the spokes of the wheel which are: the Word, prayer, witnessing, and fellowship. All of these parts are essential in the Christian life. The Word is what God has literally breathed to us. Reading the Bible gives understanding to a follower of God and His character. It is important to emphasize the significance of prayer also. Prayer is communion with God, the one who has created us. It is important to approach God with petitions as well as praises. Witnessing is what Christ commands all of His followers to do. It does not matter if you have the gift of speaking well; God wants every one of us to share the gospel! Fellowship wit    h other believers are also vital in the life of a Christian. Christians should constantly be fellowshipping Christians in order for spiritual edification to take place. All of these spokes are important because they need to reach the rim. Just as the spokes are connecting the hub to the rim, Jesus Christ is connecting to the world.
This book was great to read before entering the prayer leader position. I really see the importance of living my life above reproach so I can teach others how to do the same. I want to be a servant, and impact the lives of the young men that will be in the prayer group. God has truly been gracious by allowing me this position of leadership, and do not intend to take it for granted. I seek to impact as many lives as I can for the cause of Christ.

Romans 7:1-9; 15;19; 24

1-6- One who leaves his wife he is considered to be an adulterer. But if the man’s wife dies, he is no longer bound to her. The same is true when one becomes a follower of Christ. The law then dies from you, and you are free to unite with God through His Son.

7-9- The Bible is not saying that the law is sin! The law lets us know what sin is. Although the law itself is not sin, it arouses sin within us. We now know what sin is, and because of our sinful nature our flesh wants to sin.

15;19- Note that this is Paul speaking after he had become a Christian. These verses show what happens when you try to live by the law or rules. We see that living by grace as opposed to the law is the only way to gain true freedom.

24- Wretched literally means exhausted. We will literally become exhausted by trying to “follow the rules” and get to God. It doesn’t work, and it doesn’t because it never was meant to work that way.

Seek to follow God through the grace that He has provided through His Son. Seek to do this ministry not out of habit, or routine, or because you are expected to. Seek to serve out of a thankful heart for the grace that the Lord has showed you, and go take that love and compassion to the community.

-Romans 8:28-30

These have been incredibly encouraging verses for me lately. It is amazing when God’s truth comes to you personally. At times I feel like I am going backwards in my Christian walk instead of forwards. I sometimes think to myself, “Am Ireally a Christian?” Although, when one is a  believer in Jesus Christ ,there is no need to ever fear this situation. God promises in Scripture that those who have placed their faith in His Son will never fall from His grace, and He will keep molding and perfecting us until we meet Him after this life. Even though a Christian may be struggling with a sin that does not want to go away, it does not mean that he is not a Christian, but that God is working through this “trough” in his life to ultimately make him a better servant for Him. Author Doug Fields says in his book “Refuel” that, “Our messiness leads to holiness” (p.79). This statement has become incredibly personal to me in the last several months. This passage says that those that God knew would come to Him, He would finish His good work in them until the very end. Here is a powerful and inspiring quote by C.S. Lewis:

” ‘ Make no mistake,’ He says, ‘if you let me, I will make you perfect. The moment you put yourself in My hands, that is what you are in for. Nothing less, or other, than that… Whatever suffering it may cost you after death, whatever it costs Me, I will never rest nor let you rest, until you are literally perfect( Mere Christianity, p.172)‘.”