Life Of A Disciple That Believers Will Enjoy (Matthew 16:21-25) 9/1/2024
Eternal Answer of the 1st 2nd 3rd RUTC:
Life Of A Disciple That Believers Will Enjoy (Matthew 16:21-25) 9/1/2024
From the moment we were saved we hold on to the fact that we were simultaneously given the identity as children of God and Disciples of Christ. Disciples are known as those who meet Christ, get to know Christ deeply, and are then used by Christ throughout their lives, and perform the works of Christ in his stead.
Throughout history, these people were few in number. Historian Arnold Toynbee said that people who change the world are a “creative few,” which is both correct and incorrect. Those who change and save the world are the few chosen and used by God, thus they were the few disciples. It doesn’t just mean that their numbers are small. These were people that, by worldly standards, were the weakest in strength and without any background.
Jesus’s Twelve Disciples were like this, and so were the 70 Laypeople who were called by Him. These people gathered in Mark’s Upper Room which is our model. They saved those who suffered through Roman persecution and various other spiritual problems. Later, they even conquered and saved Rome. Today, this Gospel has been passed down all the way to us.
But then why can’t we enjoy the blessings in this generation? It is because we have lost the identity of being a Disciple, and have misconceptions about a disciples’ life. The misconceptions regarding the Disciples lives starts with the passage. Jesus said “whoever wants to be my Disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” The instruction to “deny themselves” can be understood as a call to empty oneself and abandon everything (the message of religious people). We are, however, not to “throw ourselves away.” We are instead to be filled by Christ. If this is done, naturally, the self will disappear. If we attempt to throw away ourselves without having been filled by Christ first, spiritual problems will arise (Matthew 12:44-45). The instruction to “take up their cross and follow me” sounds like an instruction to sacrifice everything no matter what. We must correctly understand the words of the scripture to enjoy how honorable and blessed the life of a Disciple is.
- First, hold onto the blessing that Disciples who know and follow Christ enjoy (Matthew 16:16-19). No matter how many times we fail or how powerless we are, this blessing is enough to save us, our families, family line, and the world. This covenant must be clear. It must become our imprint, root, and nature. That is Discipleship training.
Christ is His authority. The Son of God with the authority of heaven and earth has eternally delivered us from sin, curses, destiny, and hell (Priest – Romans 8:1-2). As He resurrected, he crushed the head of Satan (King – Genesis 3:15, 1John 3:8). As He dwells within us, He will change everything into blessings and evidence and take responsibility for our future (Prophet – John 14:6, Revelation 3:8). He has promised three things to those who accept this Christ (salvation), hold onto this Christ (faith), and follow Christ (Disciples).
1) He said we are the rock. We are no longer weak. Christ is with us.
① On this rock, Christ will build His church. A church represents not a place that God uses but the people that God uses. That is why saved people of God are called the “temple” or “believers” (1Corinthians 3:16). It is because God Himself is with us.
② Why is He within us? Because we are weak, He will be with us to help us, protect us, guide us, and bless us. Ultimately, we will be able to save people like ourselves and be raised as witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
2) The gates of Hades will not overcome you.
① The gates of Satan, who will be destined for Hell. What is this Satan doing? He destroyed the first life Adam and his relationship with God (Genesis 3:5). He destroyed the marital relationship between Adam and Eve and the brotherly relationship between Cain and Abel (John 8:44). He put King Saul through trials (Samuel 16:14) and made the Disciples deny Christ (Luke 22:31-32).
② The Christ that destroyed this Satan’s head and came out victorious is now fighting for us and giving us victory (Revelation 17:14). If you understand Satan’s nature, his trickery, and if you fight with the power of Christ, the blessings to enjoy will be double the victory (Job 42:10).
3) He said he would give us the keys to the kingdom of heaven.
① The doors of heaven will open through our prayers. Even non-believers know that God blesses them from above and that the gates of the heavens must open.
This is what is meant by the teachings of the tithe offerings (Malachi 3:10). This is the reason prayer to the throne is stressed.
② In believing this covenant, there is nothing that prayer cannot accomplish to fulfill God’s will. (John 14:12-14)
- But why are many believers, those who carry out God’s work, unable to truly enjoy God’s blessings? Jesus gives the answer in the scripture. He gives us three answers.
1) He said to “deny yourself.” It would be fine if we could trust and follow God’s promise, but the fact that we cannot is the first reason. The interpretation of the same words and incidents differ based on our own condition. This becomes a channel for Satan.
① My experiences, standards, and level create disbelief. This is the reason why the Disciples were afraid during the storm (Mark 4:35-40). Do not be tricked by your environment and reality. Acknowledge God (Isaiah 55:8-9). It is the depth of His love, His plan, and His power.
② My scars and hidden trauma blocks my path. When similar things occur, our previous scars and traumas reappear and our faith disappears. This can create anger, depression, panic disorder, and even addiction. No scar can be bigger than Christ (1 John 4:4).
③ Worldly and earthly greed blocks true blessings (James 1:14-17, 1John 2:15-17). The greed that arises from the corrupt nature creates a jealous mindset and competition. It makes you discontent and forget gratitude. Meditate and pray that the covenant given to us by Christ is fulfilling. Then you will be free from all things.
2) Jesus said to carry our own cross. The cross is a mission given to us by God and portioned out according to our faith.
① Act knowing that even small things can be a mission (Matthew 10:42, 25:40). In this moment, our life becomes Christ’s scent (2 Corinthians 2:15)
② Give your all to the work that has been entrusted to you and be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). At this moment our lives will become someone’s light (Ephesians 5:8). “Faithful” has the meanings of “trustworthy”, “entrust worthy,” and “wholehearted.” The words that come from your mouth are confessions of faith. Among the spies, these were the blessings that Joshua and Caleb enjoyed (Numbers 14:24).
③ When you can see God’s absolute plan, act with your life on the line (Revelation 2:10). In this moment, our lives become salt that wards away rotten things. (Matthew 5:13). When salt melts it feels like death but it is not death. God brings us victory even in moments where it may feel like death. In the last moment Satan will do evil things. But even if there are things we may lose, if it is for Christ we will find it again. Even though there are blessings on Earth that are hundred-fold, do not forget about what is eternal (Eternal Inheritance, Masterpiece, Legacy).
3) Jesus said to follow Him. Disciples are those that follow Christ. What is the method?
① It is following the Gospel given to us by Him. The world follows not the Gospel but laws, mysticism, religion, and even religious unification movements.
② It is following the Word given to us by Him (John 6:68). Do not follow the words of men, do not follow rumors, but confirm with the word.
③ It is following the covenant given to us by Him. Find God’s promise that is in the word, hold onto it, and make it yours.
Conclusion – Life of a disciple is to enjoy and to follow Him. It is the most blessed life and performing the works of Christ in his stead. In following the Gospel, following the Word, and following the Covenant, celebrate in being Disciples that find victory in all problems and circumstances.