Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3)
40 Days of Discipline: Day 40 – Review
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:9 – 17)
Theme: The Local Church
Today we conclude our 40 days of Discipline journey. Thank you for being a part of this experience!
As we close another year of studying the Spiritual Disciplines, today is a good day to be reminded that the Disciplines only matter when under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they advance God’s kingdom. We repeatedly emphasize that we are not just interested in information sharing, we are more interested in growing to be more like Jesus.
For this year’s journey, we have examined our involvement in the local church. We have focused on the part we play in making the local church as effective as possible. If you have kept track of the questions posed every week, you have a useful collection of issues you may want to pay close attention to as you associate with a local church.
As you perform your final review for this year’s journey, one point should be abundantly clear – being a part of a local church is God’s design.
Please prayerfully consider how God wants you to continue to pursue his mission in community.
Question:
Having focused on the local church over the last few weeks, are you feeling led to focus more on any particular aspect(s) of your local church?
Please consider sharing your thoughts so others can be blessed. Thank you very much to all the commentators who ensured we had feedback every day of this journey!
40 Days of Discipline: Day 39 – Passion Week
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:44 – 46)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. (1 Peter 3:18)
Theme: The Local Church
Context
Your passionate comments about prayer yesterday were greatly appreciated. So far we have considered lessons the local church can learn from Jesus’ passion for people, God’s mission, servant leadership, and prayer. We end with the life giving passion Jesus has for all of us. His love for humanity is unparalleled and that has the most profound implications for us personally and for the local church.
Bible Passage
Our passages today are from Luke 23:44 – 46, and 1 Peter 3:18 (presented above). As we celebrate Good Friday, there should be no doubt why Jesus died. He died because he loves us and seeks to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity – a relationship broken by sin.
This is good news that the local church must share with the highest priority!
These words from a song by Andrae Crouch are fitting for our deliberation today:
The blood that Jesus shed for me
Way back on Calvary
The blood that gives me strength
From day to day
It will never lose its power
It reaches to the highest mountain
It flows to the lowest valley
The blood that gives me strength
From day to day
It will never lose its power
Please prayerfully read the passages above and answer the question below.
Question
As you reflect on the importance of Good Friday, how can you support your local church in ensuring the gospel message is a priority all year round?
40 Days of Discipline: Day 38 – Passion Week
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:39 – 46)
Theme: The Local Church
Context
Thanks again for your impactful comments yesterday!
So far, we have considered lessons the local church can learn from Jesus’ passion for people, God’s mission, and servant leadership. Today we will consider Jesus’ passion for prayer.
Prayer was a vital part of Jesus’ life and it is clear that he wanted his disciples to emulate this practice. In his early interactions with the disciples, they learned that he would steal away early in the morning to pray (Mark 1). As he approached the end of his earthly mission, he passionately pleads with the disciples to pray.
Bible Passage
Our passage today is from Luke 22:39 – 46 (presented above). Jesus knew that he would die soon and that he wouldn’t have many more occasions to interact with his disciples before his death. As we discussed earlier in this 40-days journey, prayer is of vital importance to the local church. The interactions between Jesus and his disciples as his death approached really adds emphasis to this point.
Consider the following. There would have been no better person to pray for the disciples than Jesus, and we know that he did (see John 17). Further we know from Luke 22:32 that Jesus had already told Peter that he (Jesus) had prayed for him. You might think with the assurance that Jesus was praying for them the disciples could focus on other things. No, not in Jesus’ view. He implored his disciples to pray and specifically to pray that they would not fall into temptation.
The implication for the local church is clear – pray, pray, and then pray some more!
Please prayerfully read the passage above and answer the question below.
Question
Recognizing the passion Jesus had for prayer, what can you do to amplify the importance of prayer in your local church?
40 Days of Discipline: Day 37 – Passion Week
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12 – 17)
Theme: The Local Church
Context
Thanks for the comments on yesterday’s post. There were some great exchanges!
So far, we have considered lessons the local church can learn from Jesus’ passion for people and God’s mission. Today we will consider Jesus’ passion for servant leadership, and the implications for the local church.
In most human institutions there are levels of authority. Typically, those with higher rank and power enjoy prestige and superior privileges. In today’s lesson we examine how Jesus discharged his legitimate authority as teacher and lord, and the implications for the local church.
Bible Passage
Our passage today is from John 13:12 – 17 (presented above). In a powerful object lesson, Jesus teaches his disciples how authority should be exercised. He doesn’t present a false utopia where there is no hierarchy. He acknowledges his position of teacher and lord. However, he elects a posture that has him positioned physically lower than the disciples to perform a humble act of service. This object lesson would be somewhat hollow if it wasn’t consistent with how Jesus lived every day, but we realize with awe that despite all the power Jesus had at his disposal, his passion was always service, and his posture was always humble.
The clear message to local churches is that positions of authority should not be used to wield self-promoting power. In a parallel passage in Luke 22, Jesus said, “the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.” There is a popular quote which says, “power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Jesus has demonstrated that this does not have to be the case.
Please prayerfully read the passage above and answer the question below.
Question
Whether you are in church leadership or not, how can you encourage a commitment to humble service in your local church?
40 Days of Discipline: Day 36 – Passion Week
45 When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers. (Luke 19:45 – 46)
Theme: The Local Church
Context
A big thank you to those of you who commented yesterday as we reflected on the passion Jesus showed for people. Today we will reflect on the passion Jesus displayed for God’s mission as performed in the house of God.
Bible Passage
Our passage today is from Luke 19:45 – 46 (presented above). This popular passage demonstrates how passionate Jesus was about God’s house being used for its intended purpose. It is very evident that Jesus is not pleased with the distortion of God’s mission by the those who were selling in the temple courts.
There are clear lessons here for the local church. While this passage refers to the temple, we need look no further than the report on the churches in the book of Revelations 2 and 3 to see how important it is for local churches to live out God’s mission. Evangelism and discipleship are certainly consistent with God’s mission, and over the last month, we have discussed many of the ways that the Disciplines affect these activities. However, there are times when objectives become distorted in local churches. For example, fellowship becomes distorted, and the local church becomes a social club. Or worship becomes distorted, and the local church becomes a house of entertainment. Or stewardship becomes distorted, and the local church becomes a house of commerce. The list of possible distortions goes on and on.
Please prayerfully read the passage above and answer the question below.
Question
How can you contribute to your local church staying true to God’s mission?
40 Days of Discipline: Day 35 – Passion Week
41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it 42 and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. 44 They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” (Luke 19:41 – 44)
Theme: The Local Church
Context
As we have done in prior years, this final week of our journey is dedicated to an inspection of Jesus during the final days of his earthly mission.
Consistent with our theme this year, we will focus on five key lessons for the local church and we will extract these lessons from five things that Jesus was passionate about during Passion Week.
We will start with a lesson found in the Palm Sunday story.
Bible Passage
Our passage today is from Luke 19:4 – 44 (presented above). This narrative is presented directly after the triumphal entry but instead of basking in the adulation of the people, Jesus displays his heart through his tears. He was passionate about people who most people would say deserve the horror coming their way because they did not recognize God’s revelation.
Unfortunately, the kind of compassion displayed by Jesus isn’t always evident in our local churches. Some churches are more prone to criticism than compassion. Some drown out the deep need of people with undue focus on power, prestige, and personalities. Below are partial lyrics from a song that seeks to direct our focus to where Jesus has his focus.
People Need the Lord by Steve Green
Everyday they pass me by
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where
On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides their silent cries
Only Jesus hears
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
When will we realize people need the Lord?
By the way, one of our fellow participants (Gordon) does a beautiful rendition of this song.
Please prayerfully read the passage above and answer the question below.
Question
How can you contribute to your local church in its mission to show compassion?
40 Days of Discipline: Day 34 – Review
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:27, New International Version)
Theme: The Local Church
Today is dedicated to reviewing what we have learned over the past five days about Counsel, Creation and Sabbath in our local churches. It is a great time to reflect on what was covered this week including in the comments.
As a reminder, our desire is to make this journey transformative and not just informative.
Question:
Based on your studies this week, is there anything you are now more committed to doing in your local church?
Please leave a comment. We would love to hear from you.
40 Days of Discipline: Day 33 – Sabbath
22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is what the Lord commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” 24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. 25 “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a sabbath to the Lord. You will not find any of it on the ground today. 26 Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.” (Exodus 16:22 – 26, New International Version)
Theme: The Local Church
Context:
Today we turn our attention to the final Discipline, Sabbath. There is only one day for this discipline, so we will consider a few questions about the role of Sabbath in your local church and also consider a Bible passage.
Like the discipline of Creation, the discipline of Sabbath can be controversial. In this case the controversy results from different doctrinal beliefs. 40 days of Discipline is focused on a few important concepts. First, the concept of taking regular breaks for rest and renewal. Second, the concept of freedom versus legalism. Third, the concept of trusting God enough to take breaks.
Questions:
- Does your local church clearly explain its position on the Sabbath?
- Does your local church encourage dedicated time for rest and renewal?
- Do your local church leaders demonstrate an appreciation for the need to take time away from day-to-day activities?
Bible Passage:
Our Bible passage is from Exodus 16:22 – 26 (presented above). The passage makes the link between the sabbath and trusting God to supply our needs.
Your Feedback:
Based on your answers to the questions, and your reflections on the Bible passage, how do you believe local churches should relate to the idea of taking breaks for rest and renewal?
40 Days of Discipline: Day 32 – Creation
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1, New International Version)
Theme: The Local Church
Context and Bible Passage:
We continue our focus on the Discipline of Creation. Today’s Scripture reading explicitly links nature to God as the creator. We must never be casual about this linkage because the world is anxious to provide alternative propositions.
In the local church, Christian music has historically served a crucial role in the discipline of Creation. Here are the partial lyrics of two songs you may be familiar with. The first is traditional and the second is contemporary:
How Great Thou Art by Carl Boberg
Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong UNITED
God of creation
There at the start
Before the beginning of time
With no point of reference
You spoke to the dark
And fleshed out the wonder of light
And as You speak
A hundred billion galaxies are born
In the vapour of Your breath the planets form
If the stars were made to worship, so will I
I can see Your heart in everything You’ve made
Every burning star
A signal fire of grace
If creation sings Your praises, so will I
Questions:
- How do you relate to the use of creation in corporate worship?
- Do you have a favorite worship song that uses creation as its theme?