Characteristics of a True Disciple

Mk. 9:33-50

In this section Jesus deals the some basic implications of being one of His followers.

Jesus deals with our need for acknowledgement (position) by calling us to be servants. He deals with our need for exclusivity by encouraging us to allow Him to work through others who are not like us. He deals with our carelessness in the way we do ministry by calling us to ruthless self-evaluation.

Defining Greatness

• There are different standards of greatness in the Kingdom
• Greatness is determined by servanthood.
  • What is a servant? Not occupying a "servile" position, but someone who places others' needs first and his/her needs last, sacrificing self as Jesus did.
  • Serves without expecting or demanding anything in return.
• How do we distinguish between acceptable ambition and self-serving ambition?

Being open to God using others who are different than us

The disciples complain that there are others doing ministry in Jesus name

• Disciples challenged the right of others to operate in Jesus' name,
  • but they themselves clearly did not grasp Jesus' concept of servanthood (Mk. 9:33-37)
  • They did not understand the true nature of Jesus' mission.
  • They were not regularly able to cast out demons. (Apparently this other one was successful!)
• How do we become closed to others?
  • Organizational Issues: They are not in the same organization / group. "He was not following us"
    Being a strong organization has its advantages and disadvantages.
    Advantages: loyalty, gives stability, similar goals and objectives, broad operating base;
    Disadvantages: limits our perspective, closes out other ways of operating/paradigms
  • Truth Issues. Challenges our confidence in our basic beliefs that we have struggled hard to formulate. Do we have the humility to admit that we may not have the final word on the interpretation of the scriptures? Might someone else
  • Methodological Issues. Do not use the same methods. Different type of worship, outreach, etc.
  • Personality Issues. (Thanks Grant)
  • Work with different kind of people that us, people we may be uncomfortable about
  • Credit. We don't get the credit for the work
• What is the proper definition of tolerance? We live in a day when tolerance is one of the key cultural values. How do we apply in the church? We have been label as intolerant, yet Jesus seems to call us to a new type of tolerance.
• All ministry done in Jesus' name is valued
  • "Cup of Water" Even ministry that seem to be routine and minor are valuable in Jesus' sight.
  • What does it mean to do ministry in Jesus' name? Representing him; for his purposes; not for personal advancement
• How do we know?
  • It seems to all related to "in Jesus' name"
  • It is not possible to be neutral toward Jesus. You are for or against.
  • Is it our right to evaluate others' ministry? We are to judge others by their fruits.

How do we do ministry & life? Call for ruthless self-appraisal of our selves

• Jesus uses over-exaggeration to get our attention (cp. Anyone who doesn't hate family cannot be his disciple).
  • Losing an eye, or limb would not be a little thing
  • Self-righteousness / causing others to stumble carries a much higher risk.
• Just as we would be willing to give up a limb to save our life from cancer/disease, so a true follower of Christ "must be willing to "cut off" any temptation, habit or part of their nature that could lead them to hold onto this world and turn away from Christ and into sin."
• Jesus calls for drastic action: "it is better to have lost some worldly possession, attitude or action than to keep it and to go to hell because of it. This is true, radical discipleship."
• Who are "these little ones?"
  • Innocents, childlike, people who have placed great trust in others.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:23-33 - Causing others to stumble by offering meat offered to idols
  • Are we held account when "mature" Christians take offense at something we have done?
• How do we cause others to stumble?

Conclusions

o   Serving with no thought of what others think about us. Dealing with the pride of accomplishment.

o   Balancing radical discipleship with tolerance toward others who are different from us.

o   Willing to do radical self-appraisal. Giving up personal liberty for the sake of others' spiritual progress.

Last update: 02-08-2009 21:33