Posted on Jun 23, 2008 under This Weeks Article |
Since I was baptized almost ten years ago on December 13, 1998 at the young age of thirteen in the Wichita Church of Christ, God has taught me so much and has blessed me with the dream of being in the full-time ministry. I moved to Portland, Oregon to train for the ministry while pursuing a Bible degree in Theology/Ministry at Cascade College, a mainline Church of Christ school. After graduating, the Lord then took me to Phoenix, Arizona to be the campus minister at the nation’s largest university! Recalling back to my church of Christ college experience, I especially enjoyed learning from my professors in my Bible classes. I saw countless “Christians” on campus who claim to have gone “onto maturity” but in my opinion are dull … their zeal is lost in all their “deep” knowledge. (Let me say here, I do believe a growing knowledge of God’s Word is essential to becoming mature.) Sadly, I have seen this same attitude of “knowledge is maturity” seep into our former fellowship of churches in recent years. In the climate of our churches, more than ever people want to go on to “spiritual maturity,” myself as well. I have read so much literature and listened to brothers of various persuasions on the theme of maturity. All of this challenged me as a campus minister to study out what spiritual maturity is, according to the Bible.
The Pharisees knew more about God and the written Law than most did in the time of Jesus! Would Jesus have said they were “spiritually mature” or “mature in their knowledge of God?” Certainly not! Jesus said, “Wisdom is proved right by her actions.” (Matthew 11:19) Also, the Scripture says to “become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) Combining these two Scriptures, one becomes mature when we are like Christ in both our hearts and actions! From my Bible studies and observations, God has laid the conviction on my heart that true spiritual maturity is simply obeying, serving, building, discipling and producing. Let’s look at the Scriptures!
1. Obeying – Luke 8:14-15 Jesus addresses a lack of maturing in the parable of the sower. Those whose hearts are of the third soil are “choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.” Maturity is shown in verse 15, “But the seed in the good ground – these are the ones who, having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, bear fruit.” (HCSB) Maturity is holding on to the Word. If the Bible says it, obey it. Obedience to God’s Word is maturity.
2. Serving – Ephesians 4:12-16 This Scripture shows us not only how to attain maturity personally but also as a ministry. “It was He who gave … some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Our leaders are to prepare us to serve, so we can be unified and mature. Serving is what Jesus did, and this defines spiritual maturity. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served, but to serve.” (Mark 10:45)
3. Building – Ephesians 4:12-16 After you are obeying the Word of God and serving others, the next aspect of spiritual maturity is building your local congregation “so that the body of Christ may be built up.” What talents and gifts are you using to build the ministry — preaching, leadership, financial giving, teaching, encouraging or showing mercy? (Romans 12:3-8) Becoming a mature ministry is the only way we are going to “no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” So many have been deceived by Satan and are tossed back and forth in what they believe. Biblical maturity will protect us from the false teachings out there, such as autonomy, dating non-christians, discipling is optional, baptism is not necessary for salvation, etc… Obeying, serving and building will help the ministry grow. (v. 16) Every part must do its work. (v. 16)
4. Discipling – Colossians 1:28 “We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (HSBC) Discipling is a command from God that is necessary to become mature! Who is discipling you to maturity in Christ? Not just giving you “Biblical knowledge” or “deep insights into the Scriptures” or their “opinions,” but someone who is challenging you to become Biblically mature, calling you to obey the Word of God. That means someone who is training you to become like Christ in every aspect of your character. Who trains you to obey the Scriptures, serve others, build the church, disciple others and produce a crop? Discipling is vital for each of us to be presented mature in Christ. Discipling relationships are friendships with Christians who “speak the truth in love,” “warning and teaching” us in every aspect of our lives. In our church, the leadership has called for every member to be in a discipling relationship to help us mature as a church and evangelize Phoenix.
5. Producing – Hebrews 5:11-14, 6:8 “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” According to verse 12 we should be teachers. You may be asking, teachers of what? In 6:1, the writer shows that we should have left the “elementary teachings” (“first principles”- KJV) long ago. (“First principles” or “elementary teachings” are simply the teachings essential to one becoming a disciple.) In Hebrews 5-6, the Spirit is saying that every disciple should be a teacher of the “elementary teachings!” Can you bring someone to faith using the Bible? The writer is very direct, one must know the “first principles” of Christianity. (6:1-3) Next, one must persevere and not fall away. (v4-6) Remember Jesus called us to “bear fruit that will last.” (John 15:16) This is expressed in Hebrews 6:7-8, “Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.” The writer of Hebrews shows us what true spiritual maturity is. He says that it is producing a crop, just like Jesus said spiritual maturity was in Luke 8:14-15; it is bearing fruit of new disciples. This is why the Spirit says we must become teachers of the “elementary teachings,” so that we can bear fruit. The mature Christian has down the “first principles” of the Bible and is using them to make disciples!
Surprised? Spiritual maturity is simply obeying the Word, serving others, building the ministry, giving and receiving discipling, and producing fruit. Jesus was our perfect example and demonstrated all of this in His ministry. We like to think of spiritual maturity as wrestling in “gray areas” or being able to “discern things better so we have more freedom in Christ.” Some tend to think their churches are maturing since they are “studying” the Bible on a “deeper” level, when sin is being tolerated and the church is not growing! This is not maturity! In fact in Hebrews 5:14 it says, “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
In my life I have spent too much time in “gray areas.” Joining God’s new movement helped me to discern that while knowledge, insight and depth are essential, maturity is putting the Word into practice, walking with God, saving the lost and keeping the saved faithful. More than ever, I am growing in the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience…” (Galatians 5:22-23) Being mature is knowing good from evil. There is NO in-between. Jesus in His teaching was black and white. You repent or perish; there is light or darkness, heaven or hell, narrow road or broad road, etc. The mature understand this and bear fruit. It has been amazing to be in Phoenix and to fellowship in a mature church, where good and evil are distinguished and the harvest is being brought forth. Let us all strive to be spiritually mature; then we will know right from wrong by simply obeying, serving, building, discipling and producing. And to God be glory and honor for all the fruit of new disciples!
Campus Minister,
Mike Patterson
Posted on Jun 18, 2008 under This Weeks Article |
When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” “Come,“ he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. (John 1:37-39)
Jesus came to this planet for a very specific reason: to save our souls. The disciples were told that he was the Lamb of God. In John 1:29 John the Baptist yells, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the World!” Andrew and another man then followed Jesus, and Jesus turned and asked them “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” They then responded by asking Jesus where he was staying. I don’t believe that was really what they wanted to know. They really wanted to know more about the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the World. They did go to where Jesus was staying and spent the day with him. What do you think they talked about with Jesus? I bet they talked about many things, but you can bet that Jesus talked about why he had come to earth and what God his Father’s plan was for him and for them. We go on to see that they later committed their lives to Jesus and followed him. Why would anyone give up their life and commit to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? The only reason I can think of is because they had come to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and was going to die on cross to take away their sins. When people come to church and hear a message from God’s word, we need to be like Jesus and ask them “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” Too often after someone hears a message from God’s word at church, or bible talk or any of a number of situations, they will talk about everything from where are you staying to what is your favorite sports team. We as disciples need to get to the heart of the matter and try to help people know that the hope of having their sins taken away is still available to anyone who is willing to follow Jesus as a sold out disciple.
Mark 10:26-30 says, “The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Peter said to him, “WE HAVE LEFT EVERYTHING TO FOLLOW YOU!” I tell you the truth, “Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life.” WHAT DO YOU WANT? I think everyone wants to know “Who then can be saved?” Peter tells Jesus that he and others had left everything to follow Jesus. I think Peter told Jesus that they left everything because he wanted to hear how Jesus would respond to what he did. PETER WANTED TO KNOW IF HE WAS GOING TO BE SAVED BY LEAVING EVERYTHING FOR JESUS. Jesus told him he would receive eternal life and other rewards for following Jesus. But he would also have to endure persecutions. Are you living your whole life for Jesus? As disciples, we should examine ourselves regularly to make sure we are in the faith.
2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” As a Christian, are you failing the test or passing the test? Are you single-minded for the Lord? Are the commands of the bible becoming burdensome or are they the joy of your life? Are your relationships in the church close, real and loving? Do you love your bible study? Do you have a deep conviction about sin. Do you come to church to encourage others? Is your mindset that of, “Ask not what God’s Kingdom can do for you, but what can you do for God’s Kingdom?” Do you look at yourself in God’s church as a customer or a owner? A customer comes to be served, and a owner comes to serve others. Matthew 20:26-28 tells us, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Let us all have the attitude of a servant, be faithful disciples of Christ, and follow him each and everyday in how we live our lives.
Luke 9:23-26 says, “Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’ ” The only way we are going to let our lights shine for God is to live a sold out life for Jesus.
Be a Fisher of Men
Evangelism was at the heart of Jesus’ call to his disciples.
In Matthew 4:17-20 we read, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”
As Christians, we must realize that God has always intended to work though us in reaching the lost world. To share your faith with people is not just a good idea, but expected by God. “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” No one wants God to be ashamed of them at judgment. But we must not make excuses for not sharing God’s word with or co-workers, friends and family. To follow Jesus is to share your faith in Jesus. Have the faith that God will use you to help someone become a Christian.
Life is short, then we get to go to Heaven!
Love, your brother in Christ,
Chris Chloupek
Posted on Jun 09, 2008 under Archives |
Romans 1:17 says, “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
This passage written by the Apostle Paul changed Martin Luther forever. After he finally understood the phrase “righteousness from God”, Luther said, “I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of scripture took on a new meaning … This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to Heaven.”
Our brother Matt Sullivan preached his last message to our church last Sunday entitled, “Falling.” One of his points was “Falling in love.” I believe that Martin Luther had fallen in love with God in a deeper and more meaningful way then he ever had. God has always wanted us to love Him back the way He demonstrated His love for us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ ied for us.” Jesus died on the cross knowing that many people from that time on would never even
take time to notice of the sacrifice he made for their sins. But he also knew that many would.
Are You In Love With God?
Do you know what that means? 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 tells us, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” Once a person understands what a “righteousness from God” really
means and it hits their heart, they are never the same person again. They now live for the will of God not themselves. Does this sound like you? Are you sold out in every area of your life for God? As disciples of Christ, do you gladly offer your time to God in worship? Are the meetings of the body a number one priority before anything else in your life? Are you compelled to be at worship service early? Would you be late if Jesus invited you over for dinner? Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” You can see that the 1st century Christians understood what the “righteousness of God” meant to their lives. The word devoted translated in the
Greek has a meaning of being “steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing.” As a church, let us be devoted to worshiping God together. Let us be devoted to one another in love. Let us be devoted to seeking out the lost souls to bring them the hope of salvation. In Hebrews 10:23-25 we read, “Let US hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let US consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let US not give up meeting together, as some are the habit of doing, but let US encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Falling Out of Love
Don’t let yourself drift from your relationship with God. Isaiah 40:28-31 reads, “Do you not know? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Why do so many relationships fail? Because it takes effort to have a great marriage. It takes the effort of both people in the relationship. If only one wants to make their marriage great, and the other doesn’t really care, the relationship will suffer. To have great friendships it takes the effort of both people involved to make it a great friendship. Well, we see from the verse in Isaiah that God has given us the promise of giving 110% to us. Are we giving the same back to Him? My grandparents were married 60 plus years. They had a very loving, devoted marriage. It was obvious to anyone who was around them that they loved each other deeply. I would ask my grandmother how they built such a great marriage. She would tell me that each of them would give 110% to their marriage. Not 100%, but 110%. They stayed married for 60 years and they stayed in love for 60 years. My grandfather died or they would have been married even longer. Today many couples will stay married for convenience sake only. They can’t afford a divorce or they don’t want to upset the children, or a number of other reasons. But a married couple who is together because they still see each other as their first love is what makes a great marriage. But it takes 110% on both parts. In Revelation 2:3-5 it says, “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.” God expects us to love him back and make him first in every area of our lives. He will not tolerate a distant unloving relationship. He gave his only son Jesus to die for us. He has gave us 110%. Revelation
3:15-16 says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” We don’t appreciate a lukewarm marriage, why should God?
Give God 110%
In Psalm 119:10-11 it says, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” David is a great example of what it means to love God with all your heart. At our leaders meetings I give out a memory scripture each week. I expect us to know the scripture by heart the next week. I want us to have it hidden in our hearts. I encourage each of you to make an effort to memorize a verse a week. And not to forget the ones you previously memorized. Get a partner and hold each other accountable. You will be amazed how holding scripture in your heart will deepen your faith and love for God.
Life is short, then we get to go to Heaven,
Love, your brother in Christ,
Chris Chloupek