WHO WILL DARE TO BE A DISCIPLE? (Part 9)

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST - THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP

The goal of the kingdom church (note lower case, for that is how the kingdom is described in the Bible -it is not an physical entity) is to produce disciples who will be the bride of Christ, preparing the way for the return of Jesus.

Scripture says.....

[ The Day and Hour Unknown ] “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:36)

Why does Jesus not know the date of His return. Simply, because it is not programmed in advance. For the RETURN OF JESUS DEPENDS ON WHEN HIS KINGDOM CHURCH, HIS BRIDE, IS READY! In other words it is up to us! If we are not ready for Him, He will wait for another generation.

So let's forget about the futile predictions of the date of His return and the time wasting, divisive theories of tribulation etc, that fill men's (in particular) minds, and concentrate on on becoming true disciples of Jesus, through living holy and righteous lives! Less words, less conjecture, more submission to Jesus, listening to the Holy Spirit, and so more obedience to the Fathers will in our lives.

Phew! Have got that off my chest!

Unfortunately, and sadly, much of the church today ignores key elements of the Great Commission highlighted (by me) in bold here.....

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Most of the church tries to get converts in order to bring them into the church building, denomination, etc.. Once inside they are taught to obey the church, denomination, etc, and learn its particular theology.

However, that is not what the Great Commission actually says!

It says go out (not with the purpose of bringing into the particular church etc.) but to make disciples of all nations! An outward, not inward looking philosophy, not making converts, but disciples!

And what is the difference between a convert and a disciple? A convert is taught the culture and ways of the church while a disciple, as the verse says to do is made in..... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

The evangelist obtaining commitment cards, issuing 'tickets to heaven', is not enough.
Saying the unbiblical 'sinners prayer' is not enough!
Attending church occasionally, or every Sunday is not enough!
Doing 'good works' is not enough!
Even water and Holy Spirit baptism is not enough!

ONLY WHEN AN ENQUIRER BECOMES A DISCIPLE (not of the church but) OF JESUS, THROUGH BEING TAUGHT, HELPED, GUIDED, INTO OBEDIENCE TO THE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS, ARE THEY TRULY SAVED!

You may say that we are beyond following the Law, as the law is now in our hearts. That is true, but Jesus still gave commandments for us to obey, as the verse says to..... obey everything I have commanded you.

If you want to know what some of these commandments of Jesus are, read my publication TWENTY-FIVE COMMANDMENTS OF JESUS downloadable from Amazon or available at free of charge from DAVID'S DOWNLOADS below.

You may also well say I am being too hard, too tough, but the reality is contained in the following verse in Hebrews.....

[ Warning and Encouragement ] Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)

As you can see it is both a warning and an encouragement. So it is not David, but the Word of the Lord.

The key to growing both new and existing disciples is one of an intimate group relationship, one of support, of encouragement, of correction, but most of all of LOVE.

Why am I so passionate about this? It is the Lord's ministry that He has given me. Look at the front page of the "Walking With Jesus Ministries' website and you will see His mission statement given to me to share with you and the world, for HIM...."GROWING BELIEVERS INTO DISCIPLES, UNITED IN CHRIST, REFLECTING JESUS TO THE WORLD."

Yes, discipleship is at the heart of the kingdom, the way in which we can all come into spiritual unity, as the 'Bride of Christ', fully prepared for the return of JESUS!

Will you dare to be a disciple? I will.

FROM THE WORD

THE WORDS OF JESUS

May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.

Calling the First Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11, John 1:35-42)
James and John.

“Go out into deeper water, and let down your nets for a catch.”
“Don’t be afraid,” “From now on you’ll be fishing for people!”

Then Simon Peter.

“What are you looking for?”
“Come and see,” he told them.
“You are Simon, son of John. But now you will be called Cephas.

Calling Philip and Nathanael (John 1:43-50)
The next day. Calling Philip first.

“Follow me.”

Then Nathanael.

“Look, here’s a true Israelite! There’s nothing false about him.”
“I saw you there under the fig tree, before Philip called you,”
“You believe this just because I told you I saw you under the fig tree?” “You’ll get to see much more than that!” “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open, and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of man.”

Changing Water into Wine (John 2:1-11)
As requested by His mother at the wedding.

“Mother, why should you involve me? My time hasn’t come yet,”
“Fill the jars with water,”
“Pour some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.”

You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj46p57.pdf

***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!

9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!

The final one to be added is THE PURGING OF THE CHURCH. It is based on 11 bullet points David Wilkerson, noted author of 'The Cross and the Switchblade', published about changes needed in the church of today to prepare it for the return of Jesus.

All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be charge in order to list.

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They are all found at this link.....

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BOOK OF THE WEEK

TRANSFORMATION OF THE CHURCH

One day, while in the shower, (that is, from a bucket) in Nairobi, Kenya, the Lord gave me a revelation.

I had just seen the amazing new TBN broadcasting auditorium on TV, filled with beautiful people (it seems compulsory for preachers to have glamorous wives, generally much younger than themselves!), fantastic choirs, singers and setting, all broadcast over 47 satellites.

In the shower the Lord showed me a picture of the Pentecostal church. How it started in storefronts and homes, of how rejected these first weird ‘pentes’ were. But these early pentecostals remained fully committed to the cause, staying close to God, for they were then at the forefront of God’s revelation and indeed, presence.

Gradually however, Pentecostalism (now with a capital ‘P’,) has become mainstream. Pastors (and now Bishops) have become elevated beyond a job description or a calling, to positions above the people – a new priesthood. In the west, new pastors must be seminary trained, and are likely receive a reasonable salary from the beginning of their ministry. No longer is their real sacrifice in being ‘called’ to ministry.

In our services, the emphasis has changed from listening to the Holy Spirit and following His desires, to a concentration on excellence and good order, to the near exclusion of the Holy Spirit leading us. Worship times, unlike the days of the storefront believers, are based on a proven formula of thanksgiving, praise, then worship, followed by (maybe) a prophecy, then the Word and finally ministry – until we all go home after exactly 2 hours.

Next comes an emphasis on building buildings ‘for the glory of God’, as so grandiosely epitomized by TBN. I have been involved in three different pentecostal churches over the years and have seen this process in practice. All churches that started meeting in homes, then storefronts or halls, before being ‘called’ to build or buy a church. The church then has to be rebuilt to be bigger, or ancillary buildings added, so that a ‘church complex’ is created.

Often too, we hear the statement, ‘God is in the house’. Wow! Fantastic! But is it true? Is God really in these beautiful structures man has created? Or rather, is He in the hearts of the people who inhabit the house? Or again, has He departed altogether, to allow us to ‘play church’ in the beautiful temples we have built.

The process of ‘monument building’ that started in the fourth century AD with the Roman Catholic Church, and which continued after the Reformation once those churches became mainstream, continues today as Pentecostalism enters the mainstream also. This seems to be the process of a ‘maturing church’.

The Lord showed me that the people He calls on to impart the next revelation are those with the kingdom within, those dissatisfied with the established status quo, those hungering for more of Him. Those whose emphasis remains on the spiritual, who have not been seduced by the inevitable physical emphasis of the ‘maturing’ church.

Today God is calling out another new generation, as He has in times past. It is a new generation desiring to move forward into the new (but old!) truths of submission and obedience to the Father’s will, of servanthood and sacrifice, a simple people with hearts sold our to God, those who will finally fulfil the Great Commission. A Church not of Pastors, Programmes and Property, but of ‘kingdom people’, who, through their sacrifice, will usher in the return of Jesus.

Downloadable from Amazon for USD99c at.....

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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD

Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.

One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.

You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.

Download the free PDF here.....

http://www.wwj.org.nz/pdf/wwj46p57.pdf

DAVID'S DOODLINGS

REVELATION AND RELIGION

901. Give me an ounce of revelation rather than a tonne of religion, any day.

902. Religion breeds division, revelation, unity of Spirit.

903. Religion claims to be truth, revelation is truth revealed.

904. Religion panders to people, revelation reveals God's truth.

905. Religious love is a theory, revelatory love an experience.

906. As soon as man starts interpreting revelation, you get religion.

907. Revelation expands, religion contracts.

Please feel free to quote these quotes. Acknowledgement of David Tait as the author would be appreciated. There are now over 1300 David sayings for you to view at ...

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CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER

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TUESDAY TEACHINGS

THIS WEEK:THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues.....

..... looking at PREACHING AND TEACHING.

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LAUGHING AT OURSELVES

***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused***

*** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***

374. CHURCH-O-LOGICAL DEFINITIONS
AMEN - the part of a prayer that everyone understands.

BULLETIN - a claim check to show your Mom you went to church.

CHOIR - a group of people whose singing allows the rest of the congregation to lip-sync.

HYMN - a song of praise sung three octaves higher than an operatic soprano can reach.

CLOSING HYMN - the last song in the service, usually sung softly so as not to awaken the children.

JESUITS - an order of priests known for their ability to establish colleges with good basketball teams.

JUSTICE - when your kids have kids of their own.

MANGER - where Mary gave birth because Joseph didn't have MediCare.

OFFERATORY PROCESSION - when the ushers come forward to receive the offering, followed by late visitors looking for seats.

PEW - seating designed to punish you for your sins.

373. TOUCHE!
Melba was a Christian lady who did a lot of traveling for her business. Flying made her nervous so she always took her Bible along, because reading it relaxed her.

One time Melba was sitting next to a man. When he saw Melba reading her Bible he chuckled and said, "You don't really believe all that stuff in there do you?"

Melba replied "Of course I do. It is the word of God."

"Well what about that guy who was swallowed by that whale? You don't believe that, do you?" the man asked.

Melba smiled. "You mean Jonah? Of course I believe it. God doesn't tell fairy tales."

The fellow snorted and asked "Well, how do you suppose he survived all that time inside the whale?"

Melba said "Well I don't really know. I guess when I get to heaven I will ask Jonah."

"What if Jonah isn't in heaven?" the man asked sarcastically.

"Then you can ask him." Melba replied quietly.

"FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ...

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FACTS FOR FUN

LAST WEEKS QUESTION: Do sword swallowers really swallow the sword?

ANSWER: It's not a trick: they really do swallow the sword. It's not easy though. Sword swallowers must relax the throat muscles and keep them completely relaxed while the sword is inside. The swords are dull, but without a steady hand – or sword - they can do damage to the throat, oesophagus, or stomach. (Wouldn’t want to sneeze half way!)

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION: In terms of chemical composition, what substance does human blood most closely resemble?

SOME FUN FACTS

351. A Real Need
In 1937 the emergency 999 telephone service was established in London. More than 13,000 genuine calls were made in the first month. (Would have been a lot more two years later!)

352. Looking Behind
The praying mantis is the only insect that can turn its head! (Maybe that’s why it prays. Because it can see more than others!)

353. To the Left
Bats always turn left when exiting a cave. (That’s right!)

A WORD PUZZLE FOR YOU

Make another word from this word using all the letters.

PRESBYTERIAN (Three word answer.)

Answer at the end of A David Musing

FREE DOWNLOAD: You can download the full version of our Trivia Book at TRULY TRIFFLING TRIVIA

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BIBLE OR NOT

Is this saying in the Bible or not?

13. "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

a. BIBLE
b. NOT BIBLE

Source: http://biblequizzes.org.uk

Answer at the end of A DAVID MUSING

IF ONLY I'D THOUGHT OF IT!

"""OTHER'S SAYINGS TO ENLIGHTEN, AMUSE, OR BEMUSE"""

RANDOM ACTS of THINKING

!!!!!!! If you cross a zebra with a chicken, will you get an egg with a bar code?

!!!!!! I knew a gal who couldn't see a movie because she didn't have 16 friends. The theater had told her Under 17 Not Admitted.

!!!!! Organized people are just too lazy to look for things.

!!!! Could you call an EKG ticker tape?

!!! My wife and I took a massage class, but she didn't enjoy my participation. Apparently I rub her the wrong way.

!! Some bankers are generous to a vault.

! The only book I need to tell me where I should go on vacation is my checkbook.

100'S MORE TO BE FOUND AT...

http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php

LIFE'S A LAUGH

85. BACKWARD LOGIC
Jill came home from her first day commuting into the city. Her mother noticed she was looking a little peaked and asked, "Honey, are you feeling all right?"

"Not really," Jille replied. "I'm nauseous from sitting backward on the train."

"Poor dear," Mom said. "Why didn't you ask the person sitting across from you to switch seats for a while?"

"I couldn't," replied Jill, "there was no one there."

86. THE WRONG BUS
A workman who was extremely fond of garlic boarded a bus in a Southern city, and sat himself down next to a haughty, sour-faced woman. She immediately became aware of the
garlic fragrance, and observed icily, "It's a wonder they don't run a special bus for
persons who insist on eating garlic."

The workman cheerfully answered, "They do lady, you're on the wrong bus."

87. ADDED EXTRAS
In October, a Redondo Beach, Calif., police officer arrested a driver after a short chase and charged him with drunk driving. Officer Joseph Fonteno's suspicions were aroused when he saw the white Mazda MX-7rollingdown Pacific Coast Highway with half of a traffic-light pole, including the lights, lying across its hood. The driver had hit the pole on a median strip and simply kept driving. According to Fonteno, when the driver was asked about the pole, he said, "It came with the car when I bought it."

88. THE NEW EMPLOYEE
The new employee stood before the paper shredder looking confused.

"Need some help?" a secretary asked.

"Yes," he replied. "How does this thing work?"

"Simple," she said, taking the fat report from his hand and feeding it into the shredder.

"Thanks, but where do the copies come out?"


89. NEEDLEPOINT?
One day we saw a news report on TV about the owner of a large craft store and one of her employees, who apprehended a would-be thief and held him captive until police arrived to arrest him.

As we listened to the story, my grandson commented dryly, "What did they do? Hold him at needlepoint?"

Have more laughs at life here.....

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Billy Graham Warns Against This Prominent Deception

Moral relativism now sweeps the nation. Children are being taught that they can pursue their own truth and each person can have their own moral standards.

Deceptions like these could easily be part of the lies fueling the perversion ransacking the country.

One reader asked famed evangelist Billy Graham about this very phenomenon: "I know preachers like to tell people how bad they are and that they ought to feel guilty over their sins. But I don't feel guilty over anything, because I don't believe there's such a thing as right or wrong. What would you say to someone like me?"

The evangelist was not afraid to speak the Truth.

He writes:

The first thing I'd say to you is that your letter made me very sad. By believing that nothing is either right or wrong, you are putting your faith in something that simply isn't true—and eventually your disregard for right and wrong will hurt both you and others. The Bible warns, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness" (Is. 5:20).
But the second thing I'd say to you is that I seriously doubt if you actually believe there is no such thing as right and wrong—even if you think you do. Aren't you outraged when someone abuses a child, or hates someone of another race, or deceives his or her spouse, or swindles someone in business? Aren't you outraged when a politician takes a bribe or an athlete cheats? Of course you are—because in your heart you know these are morally wrong.
The real question, however, is this: What place does God have in your life? You know the answer: You have rejected Him and turned your back on His moral standards. And the reason is because you don't want Him to interfere with your way of living.
But God loves you, and He doesn't want you to end up destroying your life. That's why I urge you to turn to Jesus Christ and submit your life to His control. His promise is true: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).

Source: Charisma News

Via: OpenHeaven.com

WAXING LYRICAL

Another lesson God gave me on Bowentown Beach.

THE PATH

I came to a path as I walked along the beach,
An insignificant path, with a lesson to teach.
For we need, from our mistakes to learn,
If the right way in life, we are to turn.

My walk had not been going too good,
Wanting to get back as soon as I could.
My mind wasn’t working as well as it should.
"I am sure my path was near that log of wood!"

You know how it is, being engaged in wishful thinking,
Believing you’re afloat, when in reality, you’re sinking!
When you are fed up, having had enough,
The mind starts believing ridiculous stuff!

So it was, with this path today,
I was so keen to be on my way,
That I told myself it was the right one,
No doubt about it, ‘twas good as done.

At first glance, it looked just like the right path,
If it wasn’t, no worry, would surely be a laugh.
Surely doesn’t matter whatever path I take,
My goal, in the end, I am bound to make!

The path looked easy, so happily, off I went,
Keen to get home, my energy almost spent.
I’m on the way, the pathway must be right,
How could I doubt it, for I’ve seen the light!

But as I walked, a niggle started to grow,
Is this truly, the way I really want to go?
The scenery’s nice, the way appears easy,
But the rubbish there, that’s a bit sleazy!

By now I knew the path was the wrong one,
But what the heck, I am having lots of fun,
Many new experiences to check out in life,
This small deviation won’t get me in strife.

So I went on with a new spring in my stride
My pathway mistake, I knew I could hide.
For all paths end up at the same place,
I will surely get there, to see His face.

Then suddenly, I found my way blocked
By sewage ponds, what had I done?
The door to progress, now firmly locked,
Where can I go, where can I run?

In desperation now, I looked all around,
There must be a way out of this mess I am in.
A faint track there, my eyes have found,
Is named ‘Repentance’, for forgiveness of sin.

This path appeared difficult at first glance,
Through bushes, and damp, long grass,
But it was the only way my life to enhance,
If in the end, my test I was to pass.

So I found my way back to the path of life,
Grateful that Jesus made a way through the cross.
Having left the path where wrong was so rife,
In the sewage pond, He would no longer me toss.

He said, "My son, you made a mistake,
It wasn’t really your heart to go that way.
But I came to forgive mistakes you make,
Take care now, not to deliberately stray."

More of David's poetry here.....

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A DAVID MUSING

Over the past few days, we have had some much needed rain. Our winter has been relatively dry, so it is wonderful to get rain in early spring, to freshen up the ground, allowing the gardens and grass to shoot away.

Spring is a time of promise. A promise of the growth of summer and the bounty of harvest to come.

Winter, at times, seems it will never end, both in the natural and the spiritual. But it does come, as surely as day follows night.

If you are currently enduring a winter time in your life, be assured the gray, wet days will end, and the sunshine will return. May the Lord's presence be with you in your time of trouble, whatever it may be.

Until next week.......

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD.

His servant and yours

David Tait

Today's 'Word Puzzle' Answer: BEST IN PRAYER

TODAY'S 'BIBLE QUESTION' ANSWER: a. BIBLE (Hebrews 11:3)

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ABOUT US

WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God’s people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ’s return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord’s direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our website
wwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.

Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand

Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567

Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz

Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "… so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole – and have a smile while doing it!

For comments upon and contributions to this service, please contact
david@wwj.org.nz