Pursuing "Mature Discipleship"
I mean, after all, I worked hard and built this life, and I'll pray that God puts money in your hand, everything that you need to get back.
Season 5, Episode 19 · Pursuing "Mature Discipleship"
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The story behind the idea
I mean, after all, I worked hard and built this life, and I'll pray that God puts money in your hand, everything that you need to get back on your feet. I think I've confessed this before, but without the power of the Holy Spirit in me, that is exactly the category I would be in. According to Rollheiser's progression, I would be someone who looked back at the early stages during essential discipleship, where I was seeking to connect to God and putting my life together, and I would take some pride in the way that has come together.
What stands out
Then we'll finish with the story of the Gentile woman who begged Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus refused initially, but then her faith effectively led to him expanding his ministry beyond the Jewish people to help her as well. Each one of those has something within it that I need you to see.
Why it matters
He ascended into heaven to the glories that come in the spiritual realm after this life is over. Those two men and the other disciples learned that the greatest achievement you can make in this life is to fully sacrifice yourself here for the good of others. His resurrection didn't prove that if you make a few big sacrifices here, you'll get it all back and you'll have great glory here on this earth. Instead, it proved that if you learn to give yourself entirely to the good of others in this world, there is a great glorification coming in eternity.
A faithful way forward
Peter learned a lot more later and became more refined in his speech, but early on all he knew was Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that salvation is found in him. He was often so confused that he thought what should happen was the opposite of what Jesus said was going to happen. His faith was deeper than his understanding and his emotions. His faith was a decision to side with Jesus no matter what.
Put it into practice
I need to see some benefit from the struggle to give my life away.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
- 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
- 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
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