LUKE 14:26-27,33: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (33) So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."
MATTHEW 16:24-26: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?'"
1. What does it cost to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? Is it a small price? Is it easy to be a disciple or is it very, very challenging?
2. Define the word "hate" in Luke's passage.
3. a)What does it mean to "bear his cross" in Matthew's account?
b)What does Jesus mean in Luke 9:57-58?
4. What was Peter's eventual cost? Read John 21:18-19 before answering.
5. Explain Christ's paradoxical statement: "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."
6. Why do you think Jesus demands so much from His disciples?
7. What reward does a disciple receive? Read and explain Matthew 19:27-29. Compare with Revelation 20:4 and 5:10.
I remain,
-Mwaka-
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Good Deeds Attract The Goodness of God Towards You
What is the cost of being good to others? A great one it is, because at times you will deny yourself to do good to others. Take for instance the model of the early church in Acts 2: 44-45….”All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” This was maybe the greatest period of Church history, where the brotherhood of fellowship swept heavily on the members of the early church.
Sometimes our self-centred nature may deny us the opportunity of sharing with our brethren.Note that it is the same period that Ananias and Sapphira his wife were tempted by Satan regarding the giving. They sold their land and kept a part of the money to themselves as they took the rest to the apostles feet.(Acts Chapter 5)It is important to note that this was not a rule from God, but he was a partner because the believers had agreed in unity that they would share the proceeds of the sales of their property and goods. Since they agreed this in unity, the same was decreed by the heavens, and so it became an unwritten rule.We also commit the same when we vow before God with our lips and fail to fulfil our vows. God, in his great faithfulness, expects us to keep our side of the bargain.In Ecclesiastes 5:5….”It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it.”
The Bible commands us to be good to others and not withhold good from any person. Reading from Proverbs 3: 27-28…Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” when you have it with you.
Paul emphasizes the same message to the Galatian Christians in Chapter 6:9-10…..Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the house of faith.
There are many examples which we may pick from the Bible, but for now lets have only three from the New Testament.
1.The Death and Resurrection of Dorcas also called Tabitha
Acts 9:36…In Joppa there was a disciple named Dorcas, who was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room (39)….Peter went with them and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. (40)…..Peter sent them out of the room then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning towards the dead woman, he said “ Tabitha, get up”. She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
We must assume that many other people had died in Joppa as we would logically expect in an ordinary city , but in this case the deeds of Tabitha moved the widows to ask the disciples to intervene, who in turn sent for Peter (Verse 38) who prayed for resurrection of Tabitha. Her good deeds therefore, caused Peter who we believe was led by the spirit of God to pray for the resurrection. This leads to great glory to the name of the LORD since many people began to believe in the LORD.
2. The Healing of the Centurion’s servant.
The centurions servant was ill and he had sent elders to plead with Jesus to come into his home and heal the servant. Luke 7:4…When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “ This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue”. So Jesus went with them.
Jesus seems convinced by the goodness spoken of this man, and he joins them to his home.
3. Cornelius and His gifts to the poor
An angel of the LORD appeared to Cornelius to deliver a special message to him.
Acts 4:4…Cornelius stared at him in fear. “ What is it LORD?” he asked. The angel answered, “ Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.
His prayers were made a consistent reminder on the holy mountain of God, how wonderful and desirable!
Conclusion: There are many more examples in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. Always therefore, endeavor to do good, and God in his faithfulness will reward you. Feed the poor, the widows, orphans not forgetting the plight of other disadvantaged groups in the society, and God will reward you in a mighty way.
Prov 11:25..A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Prov 21:13..Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
SHALOM!!!!!
I remain,
-MWAKA-
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