Radicalis 2010, Part 4

Alright, we have reached the halfway point. Session 4 of Radicalis is one of my favorites (since I am a Christian Education Pastor). Rick said the entire Purpose Driven phenomena was not something he ever thought would be what it became. He also never intended it all to become a growth strategy for churches - it is supposed to be a people building strategy!

So from session 4, here are my writings using Rick's outline!

Radical Discipleship

"Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life"...Matt 28:19 (MSG)

What does it mean to be a disciple:

1. I must spend time with Jesus - This is the worship of a disciple. So many people think that going to church is their "moment of worship" but they miss the point. Worship is a choice, a commitment, and a relationship. When we approach worship in this manner we grow as Christians.
   
2. I must love Jesus supremely - Again, this is worship. All spiritual maturity is measured by love. I cannot love God only Sunday. My growth as a disciple is determined by my love for God, just read Luke 14:26.
3. I must love His church - This is the fellowship or membership, or whatever you call getting to know people in the church body, of a disciple. Lone wolves never grow - they are skinny and pitiful. Spiritual growth takes place in community, and we are all created to live this way (John 13:35).
   
4. I must obey Him completely - This is being a disciple (John 8:31-32). Obeying God is an ongoing process. Following God will always be measured in obedience, not knowledge. You can know everything about God's Word, never obey anything, and always live in bondage; or you can let truth set you free when you choose to obey. By understanding that we need a path to follow (or a process), we can learn to develop spiritual habits (disciplines) to enable us to become more obedient. Habits are a way of life, and Jesus set the example.
   
5. I must serve others unselfishly - This is the ministry of a disciple. I have learned a lot about exercise over the years. The lack of exercise in my life has led to weight gain and problems with my back. I have had to retrain my body as I exercise more regularly now. I have had to learn to sacrifice meals as a means of eating more healthily. Spiritual growth requires regular exercise and sacrifice. Serving others is a true means of exercising our spiritual life. Read Mark 9:35; Matthew 20:28; and Matthew 16:24.
6. I must share the good news - This is the evangelistic means of a disciple. If you are not fishing for people, then you are not following Jesus. Those Jesus called were called to follow Him so He could teach them how to be fishers of men! (Matthew 4:20; 2 Timothy 2:2)

So those 6 things tell what it means to be a disciple. How does one grow spiritually?

• Spiritual growth is incarnational (a fancy way of saying it is bodily). We grow by letting Christ live through us. That means we open our lives to the way of Christ and go where He leads us. People get stuck in a rut because they "shall never be moved for Jesus" but they will paint themselves funny colors when their football team does well.
  

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

• Spiritual Growth is intentional. Spiritual growth is not automatic! We grow by making a commitment to do as Jesus did! Living for Jesus isn't a sideline experience. I used to be a guard and tackle in high school football - I guarded the water bottles and tackled anyone who got near them. I also spent time as a rear back - every time I went on the field the coach screamed, "Get your rear back!" I know what it feels like to be on the sidelines. It can get comfortable and make a person lazy. Growing spiritually is not a "come and see" event like many churches experience every week. Spiritual growth is a "come and die" event where we learn to die to our old ways of life and take on the new life offered by Jesus.
  

• Spiritual growth is incremental. In other words, it is a step by step process. Growth is never instant. Just as a child grows through developmental stages, a Christian also experiences developmental stages in their spiritual growth: knowing Christ, loving, growing, serving, and sharing.
  

• Spiritual growth is personal. We grow according to whom God made us or how God is shaping us (SHAPE for you Rick Warren fans) through His Holy Spirit. We have to examine ourselves regularly to determine whether we are on God's path or on one we decided to forge on our own.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)

• Spiritual growth is habitual. We grow by developing good habits. Usually we spend years growing and honing old bad habits. To break those old habits takes a conscience effort on our part in developing new habits that honor God.
  

• Spiritual growth is relational. The myth says that people can grow to maturity by themselves. The Bible says we grow in community with others.
  

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 in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

• Spiritual growth is multi-purpose. It is not measured by how much you know. We grow warmer through fellowship. We grow deeper through discipleship. We grow stronger through worship. We grow broader through ministry. We grow larger through mission. That looks like five purposes to me.
  

• Spiritual growth is seasonal. We grow in spurts. Our roots have to get settled to handle growing up taller. If our roots are not ready, then they cannot support us and we fall. That is why churches use spiritual campaigns like the 40 Days of Purpose.

So, are you just a come and see Christian, sitting on the sideline, and not following? Or are you a come and die Christian who is ready to be built up instead of just puffed up?