Discipleship – Page 2 – HeartQuest 101

How to Make Lasting Change

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Scott Chafee

We are often perplexed on why we make commitments to change yet fall miserably short of success. One essential start is to make your life based on the Bible:

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.” (John 8:31b NASB)

One cannot stress enough how important it is to make a commitment to reading the Bible regularly. Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” (John 8:31b NASB). It’s a long-term commitment to learn from Jesus and his Word that makes us his disciples.

How do you continue in the Word and stay connected with Jesus through his Word for the long-term?

1. Make the decision. It starts with your commitment to actually do it. Don’t wait for a better time to make God’s Word a regular part of your life. Start your commitment today.

2. Make a declaration. Announce your intentions to others. Hold yourself accountable and allow yourself to be held accountable by others. If you keep your commitment to God a secret, it’s easier to slip up.

3. Make a determination. Don’t allow anything to knock you off your commitment. Absolute determination can make this a permanent habit in your life, particularly in the early months. If you start skipping days, it will be much harder to stay committed to God’s Word.

4. Double up. Get a spiritual partner to come alongside you for support and encouragement. This is someone with whom you can share what you learn in your quiet times. It could be someone in your small group, a friend, or a family member. The Bible says, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed” (Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT).

[print_link] [email_link] [Based on a devotion by Rick Warren]

No More Facilitators

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Scott Chafee

I just read this from Josh Hunt and had to pass it along!

I wish I had a nickle for every time I have heard this: “We don’t really need teachers; we need facilitators.”

I disagree.

Jesus said to, “Teach all nations” (Matthew 28.19). He didn’t say to facilitate discussions of all nations.
In the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-2) we read that Jesus began to teach them. We don’t ever read that He facilitated a discussion.
In Acts 2.42 we do not read that the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ facilitation of discussion. We read they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching.
In 2 Timothy 2.2 Paul admonished Timothy to entrust the truth he had heard to reliable men so that they would be able to teach others. Teach—not facilitate discussions.

Perhaps it is time we defined our terms. Wikipedia defines a facilitator this way: A facilitator is someone who helps a group of people understand their common objectives and assists them to plan to achieve them without taking a particular position in the discussion.

I draw your attention to that last phrase: “without taking a particular position in the discussion.” I can’t imagine Jesus ever doing that.

Paul said, “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others” (2 Corinthians 5:11). Persuade. It sounds like he took a particular position as well.

This is not to say that we should not use a question-and-answer approach. Jesus did. We have 100 recorded examples of Jesus using questions to teach. But, when he asked questions, He had an agenda. He was teaching through using questions, not facilitating a discussion about who knows what.

When I write Good Questions Have Groups Talking, I don’t do it so that teachers can facilitate discussions. I do it so that teachers can teach using questions. There is a world of difference. We don’t need facilitators of discussion; we need teachers who teach.

[print_link] [email_link]

Building Compassion

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Scott Chafee

This lesson deals with Jesus building into the lives of the disciples a character trait that is necessary for reaching people with the gospel. The disciples needed to learn about compassion. A lack of compassion will cause disciples to not see the needs of people around them, and will prevent them from engaging people in hopes of sharing the gospel with them. Jesus’ mission was to seek, serve, and save the lost (Matthew 20:28, Mark 1:28, 10:45, Luke 4:43, 19:10).

Read Matthew 9:9-13

Once these two pairs of brothers committed to follow Jesus in order to be trained in evangelism (Luke 5:1-11), Jesus led them into one of the cities near the Sea of Galilee. A man full of leprosy saw Jesus and bowed down before him. While not being demanding, this outcast acknowledged the sovereignty of Jesus and his power to heal him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). Mark says that Jesus was moved with compassion, and proceeded to heal him (Mark 1:41). Immediately the man was cleansed and he was told to go to the priests so they could verify the cleansing and announce to the nations that the Messiah had arrived (Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:44, Luke 5:14, Leviticus 14-15).

The theme of compassion is a thread which runs through this level of disciplemaking. Jesus appealed to Hosea on two different occasions to stress the importance of showing compassion (Matthew 9:13, 12:7). Cleaning this man with leprosy was followed by a lot of publicity (Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:44-45, Luke 14-15).

Jesus ended this first tour through Galilee by forgiving and healing a paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26). Jesus showed concern for more than man’s physical well-being (Matthew 9:2-6, Mark 2:5-10, Luke 5:20-24) because he came to save those who were lost.

The command for the day (the third in this level) is to GO (Matthew 9:13) and LEARN (Matthew 9:30).

1. What was Matthew’s occupation (Matthew 9:9, Luke 5:21)? He was a tax-collector or publican, who served the Roman empire against his own people. While he owned his own franchise, his first loyalty was to Rome. He collected taxes for Rome and kept anything above that for himself. He basically had a license for extortion, backed by the power of the Roman army. As you can imagine, he was a despised man, considered a traitor by his own people. They accepted bribes from the wealthy which made the common people hate him even more. A man like Matthew was barred from the synagogue and forbidden to have social contact with the Jews. He was on the level of unclean animals.

2. What did people think about that profession in Jesus’ day (Matthew 9:9, Luke 3:12-13)? Matthew himself gives five little words to describe his formed character, “Sitting at the tax office.” This phrase marked him as the most despised, vile, corrupt man in Capernaum. The fishermen likely thought that because of his profession, Matthew was an unlikely candidate for disciple training.

3. What was Jesus inviting Matthew to do (Matthew 9:9, 4:19, Mark 1:17)? Jesus invited Matthew to join these fishermen that he was training to fish evangelistically for men.

4. Did Jesus know Matthew before giving his this call to be trained in evangelism (Luke 19:1-10)? It seems obvious that Matthew had investigated the claims of Christ and placed his faith in him before signing up for this evangelism training. Jesus’ first encounter with another tax-collector was to bring him to the place of repentance for salvation (Luke 19:1-10, Luke 3:12-13). Jesus focused on getting lost people saved before training them to win others to faith in Christ.

5. Did Matthew accept Jesus’ invitation (Matthew 9:9, Luke 5:28)? That simple call was enough for Matthew to turn his back on everything he was and possessed. Notice that Matthew was too humble to even mention his name in the story. He knew that once he left his post, he would never be able to return to his tax-collecting position. Of all the disciples, Matthew appears to have made the greatest sacrifice of material possessions, yet he makes no mention of it in his gospel. Following Jesus is costly and not just another add-on to an already busy life.

6. What was the first thing that Matthew did after enrolling in Jesus’ evangelism school (Matthew 9:10, Luke 5:29)? Luke is the one who mentions Matthew throwing this party at his own expense. But catch what is happening, Matthew has all these lost friends, who are also outcasts, and now he has the opportunity to influence this crowd with the message of the gospel. He was building evangelistic bridges, which shows a lot about Matthew’s heart; he wanted his buddies to hear the gospel, too.

7. Who was invited to this party hosted by Matthew (Matthew 9:10)? Matthew’s old co-workers. Jesus intentionally wants his disciples to spend time with people who are not near to God. This was not a one-time happening, but Jesus regularly spent time with the riffraff of society (Matthew 11:19). Jesus was called a friend of tax-collectors and sinners. Jesus wants us motivated to reaching our circles of influence.

8. Who objected to the guest list (Matthew 9:11, Luke 5:30)? The religious leaders. This may happen ever today!

9. How did Jesus answer their accusatory question (Matthew 9:11-13, Luke 5:30-32)? He answered with a logical argument (Luke 5:31b), Scripture (Matthew 9:13), and mission (Luke 5:32).

10 The argument from LOGIC: It is so simple, a doctor doesn’t surround himself with healthy people, but goes to where they are sick! The Pharisees where experts in diagnosing the sinful condition of others yet had no desire in providing a cure. We are not suppose to disassociate ourselves from lost people (1 Corinthians 5:9-11, John 20:21). Every believer has a spiritual Hippocratic Oath!

11. Is the fear of being contaminated by unbelievers a valid concern? Fulfilling the Great Commission demands that we be in proximity with lost people. There is no impact without contact. As a doctor takes precautions to not get infected with the disease, we too must take precautions. There is a danger in identifying with the culture when the Christian is minimally involved with other believers. We can be absorbed back into the darkness. We are to be IN the world yet not OF the world (John 17:16, 18). We are good for nothing if we are no longer salt and light (Matthew 5:13).

12. What did Jesus command these Pharisees to do (Matthew 9:13, Hosea 6:6)? To GO and LEARN about compassion. LEARN is aorist imperative which denotes urgency. The phrase was familiar to these rabbis because they used it to rebuke those who did not know that which they should have known.

13. The argument from SCRIPTURE (Hosea 6:6): Hosea was a prophet to the Northern Kingdom between 755-717 BC during the last days of King Jeroboam II (as they were enjoying political peace and material prosperity, they also had moral corruption and spiritual bankruptcy). After Jeroboam died (753 BC) anarchy prevailed (4 of 6 kings were assassinated in 20 years) and Israel declined rapidly. The prophet of the day warned against moral decline and their breach of covenant with God. Judgment was coming, soon. (See 2 Kings 14-20, 2 Chronicles 26-32 for historical perspective).

God used Hosea’s personal experience of an adulterous wife to illustrate Israel’s spiritual adultery. They were going through religious motions but their hearts were not in it, they didn’t love God or other people. The form and ritual became more important than substance. God wanted a spirit of compassion and forgiveness in contrast to their judgmental and condemning attitudes.

The Pharisees were the apostates of Israel whose focus was on preserving the temple ceremonies while forsaking the substance of it. Truly redeemed people have a heart that become increasingly tender toward God and lost people. It is easy for us to fall into this same trap! Don’t get all wrapped up in the performance trap of doing things for God without a heart of compassion for others. Don’t let your heart grow cold. Are you growing in tenderness toward lost people? Do you ache for lost family and friends? Are you getting bolder and more creative in your personal witness?

God is never pleased with religious routine and activity that does not come from a heart of compassion for other people.

14. What does the word “compassion” mean (Hosea 6:6)? It means “to be compassionate” in the Old Testament, but Matthew uses the Greek word meaning, “an outward manifestation of pity, it assumes need on the part of the one who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of the one who shows it” (Vines, page 403). God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4, Titus 3:5).

The word also is used in the NT meaning, “taking another person’s condition or situation into the bowels” (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 18:27, 20:34, Mark 1:41, 6:34, 8:2, 9:22, Luke 7:13, 10:33, 15:20). Compassion make your sick to the stomach. Compassion is fully identifying with another person (terror, grief, sorrow, pain, agony, despair, humiliation, shame, hopelessness, fear, lostness). The Pharisees made no emotional connection.

Biblical compassion moves you to action. Pity is often used to feel bad for another but does nothing; compassion calls the heart to action.

15. The argument from MISSION (Matthew 9:13, Luke 5:32): The Pharisees were likely jealous that Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and did not spend time with the self-righteous, religious establishment who were unaware of their falleness. He articulated his mission and target audience: sinners who are in need of repentance.

We need to stay on God’s mission, too. God could have saved us and taken us home, but we are here on this planet because we have work to do. The church doesn’t exist for itself, but for those who are outside of the church. It is not a country club for saints but a hospital for sinners. Avoid “koinitis” which is a perversion of koinonia (fellowship, sharing a common life).

[Based on my classes with Richard D. Leineweber, Jr. c. 2000]

Don’t Be Afraid of Fishing

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Scott Chafee

This lesson deals with the disciples going back to fishing after they spent about nine months investigating the words and works of Jesus. Fear causes many today to drop out before they are fully trained and convinced of the claims of Jesus.

Background: These men spent nine months off and on with Jesus so this passage is not their first exposure to Jesus. After those initial nine months, Jesus stopped by their places of business and called to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Perhaps Jesus had hoped these men had developed a heart for the harvest and reaching lost souls for Christ. They dropped everything and followed him. We don’t know what caused them to return to their nets; perhaps it was fear. Luke 5:1-11 is really a confirmation of their call to become fishers of men.

Bill Hull writes:

When Jesus called the handful of Galilean fishermen away from their nets to follow him, they responded directly to that invitation (Mark 1:16-20). After a short sojourn with the master in Capernaum and the surrounding villages (Mark 1:21-39, Luke 4:31-44), they returned to Galilee to take up their nets again (Luke 5:1-11). Apparently they went home under the guise of straightening up their personal affairs, but Jesus knew better. He knew they needed a little more time to solidify their commitment, one more time-out from ministry to fish for a few days, experiencing the futility of empty nets.

He goes on to say that it is a leadership art form to be able to salvage the dropout. They were discouraged, fearful, and slipping into the old life patterns. Many good disciples fall through the cracks but Jesus teaches us that the dropout syndrome may be reduced by bringing would-be disciples to total commitment in stages.

John Mark is a great example of this in Acts 15:36-38. John left the ministry (Acts 13:13) and Paul wrote him off early (Acts 15:39-41), but over time, John Mark became a valuable asset to Paul in the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).

Is Matthew 4:18-22 the same event as Luke 5:1-11? Likely not because notice the differences:

The location of Simon and Andrew: they were not fishing in Matthew and Mark, but they were in Luke.
The location of Jesus: he did not enter a boat in Matthew and Mark, but he did in Luke.
The catch of fish: Matthew and Mark don’t mention a catch of fish, but Luke does.

So, it appears that these two pairs of brothers went back to fishing after their call to come and follow Jesus. After responding to this second call, they stayed with Jesus until the end, and returned to fishing only after the crucifixion.

What do we know about the popularity of Jesus at this point in the narrative (Luke 5:1)?

Where did all of this take place (Luke 5:1)? Gennesaret or Galilee?

Why did they go back to fishing? Perhaps they were overwhelmed and longed for the safe and familiar.

Dealing with demons (Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31b-37).
Dealing with needy people (Mark 1:29-34, Luke 4:38-41) and the reality of compassion fatigue.
Dealing with the demands of the crowds (Matthew 8:14-17, Mark 1:29-34, Luke 4:38-41).

Why did Jesus want to be in Peter’s boat (Luke 5:1)?

A better position for acoustics: podium and how sound carries over the water.
A better position for the miracle: to teach Peter a lesson of faith.

It may have been an awkward moment for Peter facing Jesus, whom he left to go back to fishing. Jesus was unwilling to let these guys fall through the cracks.

Why does Luke choose to call the disciple Simon son of John when Jesus had given him a new name, Cephas (which means Peter – John 1:41-43)? Maybe the old Simon was resurfacing during this time, and he was not “the rock” that Jesus said he was. People often take a step forward and three steps back. “Simon” reflected Peter at this time in his life.

What happened when Peter let the nets down into the water (Luke 5:6)? What symbolize might we see here?

When the nets began to break, what happened (Luke 5:6-7)? What lesson might we see in partnerships, working as teams, or doing ministry on our own?

How did this miracle affect Peter (Luke 5:8-9)? Shame and amazement. Peter knew that God alone was omniscient, and since Jesus knew where these fish were hiding, Jesus therefore is God. The one who called them to catch men was none other than the second person of the trinity! Peter falls on his knees. While fishing was Peter’s thing, and he knew about fishing, what he witnessed was not fishing. Jesus knew where the fish were and was controlling them (that is not fishing). This was supernatural.

What experience is more overwhelming than the challenges of fishing for men (Luke 5:10)? Jesus says to not be afraid, even though he knows our sinfulness, finiteness, fear.

At the end of it all, Jesus does not offer another invitation, but rather an affirmation (Luke 5:10b) of the previous call.

How did they respond to this affirmation (Luke 5:11)? They realize that fishing for men is not a temporary activity but an eternal pursuit. Now they are getting ready to build their faith and get equipped for a life of fruitful service.

Give Up Everything?

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Scott Chafee

This study is on the hard saying of Jesus about having to give up everything (Mark 10:17-31) Mark 10:21.

This is an amazing illustration of evangelism? Is this the Jesus method of evangelism?

With what method are you most familiar?
Which method appears to be most effective?
What is the difference between sharing your story and sharing his story?

Imagine this evangelism encounter as a dream come true. The man point blank asks how to be saved!

Jesus does not just hand him a tract and get him to pray the sinner’s prayer.
Jesus does not correct the man’s theology, good works don’t save.
This man had not come to Jesus to hear him say that keeping the commandments was the way to eternal life (Leviticus 18:5).

Why does Jesus tell him he can be saved by keeping the commandments?

Jesus doesn’t mention belief or faith or grace, he says to keep the Law.
Jesus seems to want to make it harder on the guy: he had not done enough.
When was the last time you felt that there was always just one more thing that you need to do to be saved or please Jesus?
In your theology, what is the relationship between what you believe and what you do?

Jesus said there was one more thing… but it was too hard for this guy to accept. (Read more about the Rich Young Ruler).

Why would the disciples be amazed at Jesus’ answer?

The concept of God’s blessing: health, wealth, children, goats, all meant blessing.
Those sick and poor, not so much.
It would have made more sense for Jesus to say, “Blessed are the rich, blessed are the healthy, blessed are the comfortable.”
- How do you define blessing? What about Jesus’ definition of blessing?
- How does Christian persecution and martyrdom fit in to this definition?
- How reliable is a world with a works/reward theology?

What must I DO to be saved? It is not about doing, it is about receiving. Trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.

Notice that Jesus loved him before he asked him to do anything (Mark 10:21).

Do you sometimes feel that Jesus will only love you after you follow him?
Do you feel he is judging your performance; he will love you more if you do better?
When you are well connected to Jesus, how is the rest of your life affected?
In what ways do you feel you must prove yourself to God? How does that reflect other relationships in your life? (do you have to continually prove yourself to your friends)?

Let’s check our identity.

What three things do you generally tell others about yourself?
How important is career development in your identity?
How many of your friends really know you, not just facts about you?

The Point: who am I? What are the markers that define who I am?

This is the question Jesus was trying to get this man to ask? Who am I?
People identified him the same us we do… the rich, young, ruler, but is that who he really was?
Jesus saw much more, his core. Selling all he had would have stripped him of his identity.
Only by stripping these away could he identify himself the way Jesus did.
This question can only be answered at the point of crisis. When something is attached to your core and is taken out (health, achievement, wealth, career, family, life)… Who are you when all these are threatened?

In a previous story (Mark 10:13) Jesus says that these nobodies had a quality that was kingdom-worthy, something that escaped the rich man and the prosperous members of society. This is what we know, NOBODIES…

Don’t come to God and offer contributions.
Don’t tell God who they are.
Don’t have a claim to their lives.
Don’t rely on trivial marks of identity.

Key truth:

Paul tells us that giving all we have to the poor is of no use, if we don’t have love (1 Corinthians 13:3).
Matthew 19:21, “if you wish to be complete…” Perhaps Jesus was testing the man’s devotion because Jesus did not ask all of his followers to do this.
What could he have sold?
- Sell your self-righteousness.
- Sell your dreams of fame and fortune.
- Sell your popularity.
- Sell your efforts to secure a comfortable future for yourself.

Other passages to consider:

Others left all and followed him (Luke 8:3) women who were not asked to make such a sacrifice.
Zacchaeus apparently took his action on his own (Luke 19:8), the language means, giving is something he was already doing or that he would now start, either fits.
Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves (Matthew 6:19-21), this is not to an individual but to his followers in general, we must have the right priorities.

Greed is a Barrier to Faith

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Scott Chafee

We are now up to the fourth command in this infant stage, or Win Level. So far we have…

Come and see – John 1:39
Repent and Believe – Mark 1:14-15
Fear / Do not Fear – Luke 12:5-7

Now we come to GREED being a second barrier to faith in this introductory level, Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15).

BEWARE and BE ON YOUR GUARD – present imperatives that could be translated, “be ever on alert and be guarding yourself from every form of greed.”

Jesus is pointing out that greed seeks more material possessions which are not to be equated with “really living” (John 10:10, 1 Timothy 6:19).
Material possessions can become a substitute for the proper object of worship, which makes greed into idolatry (Colossians 3:5).
A person is measured by what he is, not by what he has.

Our passage of study today is Matthew 19:16-27. The point of this lesson is to encourage seekers to NOT place their trust in wealth. While wealth can be good to provide a measure of protection in life (Proverbs 10:15), riches have no value on the day of judgment (Proverbs 10:2, 11:4, 28, Ezekiel 7:19, SEC 177).

The wealthy often believe they are in God’s favor since they have been blessed financially, but they are actually spiritually bankrupt without Christ.
Wealth is NOT an indicator of God’s favor. This is a tough teaching for affluent America because many wealthy people put their trust in their investments.
Trusting in riches is basically covetousness, breaking the tenth commandment.

Jesus is on his way through Perea to Jerusalem and is stopped and asked a question (the story of the rich, young, ruler SEC 178). It is interesting to note the differences in these stories only to discover the rich, young, ruler does not exist!

Behold, ONE came to him (Matthew 19:16) – perhaps the rich one (Matthew 19:22) and the YOUNG one (Matthew 19:20).
A man RAN up to him and KNELT before him (Mark 10:17 – perhaps the young one, since elders did not run, nor kneel before a 30 year old preacher.
And a certain RULER questioned him (Luke 18:18) – certainly it is the ruler we find here.

The point is that this person is in contrast to the children Jesus has just blessed (Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17). Even though this guy was young (maybe 20-40) he had already achieved financial success (Luke 18:23).

The command is found in the gospels (Matthew 19:21, GO and SELL, Mark 10:21, GO and SELL, Luke 18:22, SELL). It is also illustrated in the book of Acts (Acts 8:18-24) and emphasized in the epistles (Romans 1:29, 7:7-8, 13:9, 1 Corinthians 5:10-11, 6:10, Ephesians 5:3, 5, 2 Peter 2:3, 14, James 5:1-6).

1. How do you feel about this rich young ruler?

Sorry for him – he couldn’t help he was rich.
Disappointed in him – he walk away from God.
Upset – Jesus shouldn’t have been so hard on him.
Frustrated – do I have to give up all my stuff too?

2. What was this man’s position in society (Matthew 19:20-21, Luke 18:18, 23)? We learn about this guy as we connect the stories together, he was young (Matthew 19:22), owned property (Matthew 19:22), and was extremely rich (Luke 18:23). Since Luke tells us he was a ruler, he was likely a ruler in the synagogue, quite an honored position for a young man. We can assume that he was devout, honest, wealthy, prominent, and influential.

3. How does the man approach Jesus (Matthew 19:16, Mark 10:17)? His running indicates that he could not wait to hear the answer from this great teacher. He was not embarrassed by the fact of being a respected and well known person coming to seek Jesus. Rabbi, is a term of respect for a teacher of divine truth.

4. Why does Jesus object to the man addressing him as good (Mark 10:17-18, Luke 18:18-19)?
The man seemed to recognize Jesus had the stature and character that was higher than regular rabbis, but there is no indication that he considered Jesus to be divine or the promised Messiah.

Jesus may have been telling the man, “you better start thinking of me in terms of being God, or don’t call me good, because no man is good” (Romans 3:10-12).
Notice the difference between Matthew 19:17 (there is only One who is good) and Mark 10:18 or Luke 18:19 (no one is good except God alone).

5. What does this man’s question tell us about his theological beliefs (Matthew 19:16)? He has a works righteousness, “what good thing must I DO?”

This reveals his pharisaic tradition and legal system, where doing things for God was the way to securing God’s favor.
What is one work that Jesus said we can do? In John 6:28-29, he says, “This is the work of God that you believe him whom he has sent.”

6. What does Jesus say this man needs to do for eternal life (Matthew 19:17)? Keep the Commandments? What kind of answer is THAT? That certainly doesn’t sound very evangelical, or Baptist. Look at it this way, Jesus wants this guy to recognize that he is a transgressor of the Law and in need of Jesus’ forgiveness. If the standard of the perfect Law was his measurement, he was in trouble as a law-breaker. For more information on this topic, consider Way of the Master evangelism.

The Apostle Paul had falsely put his confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3-9) and realized that he was a covetous man based upon the law, (Roman 7:7).
Paul needed a righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, (Philippines 3:9).
The New Testament teaches that by the works of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for through the law comes the judgment of sin, (Romans 3:23).
Whoever keeps the whole and yet stumbles in one point has become guilty of all, (James 2:10).
In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he wrote, therefore the law has become a tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith, (Galatians 3:24).
The law was intended to expose our sin and need for Christ. Then the young man asks which one of the commandments?

7. Which of the Ten Commandments did Jesus quote, omit, and add (Matthew 19:19-19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20)?

The Ten Commandments is broken up into two parts: the first four commandments are about our relationship with God and the last six are about how we relate to one another.
Jesus quotes five of the six commandments in the second part of the Decalogue.
Then he added the second greatest commandment about loving your neighbor as yourself. It appears that Jesus conspicuously omits “you shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17).
Notice that Mark 19:19 inserts, “do not defraud.” This command is NOT a part of the Ten Commandments but perhaps is inserted to stir the conscience of the rich young ruler. This young man might have defrauded someone in order to satisfy his covetous desires. It appears that this man refused to acknowledge is idolatry of material things.
The young man does not mention the absence of the tenth commandments but quickly offers his self assessment based upon the commands that Jesus quoted, “teacher I kept all these things up from my youth” (Matthew 19:20). Only Matthew includes his follow-up question, “what am I still lacking?” (Matthew 19:20).

8. How does Jesus feel about this young man (Mark 10:21)? Mark alone made reference here to the emotional reaction of Jesus, he felt love for him. It is probably better translated, “began to love him.” Jesus felt strongly drawn to this young man for what he already was, and Jesus wanted to lead him to a full discovery of his quest.

Love does not mean mere emotional affection but a high spiritual love of which desire is the greatest welfare of others.
Jesus was approaching the time when he would shed his own blood for the sins of the rich young ruler and for the whole world, but as much as he loves people and desired to save them, he could not save this man while he refused to admit that he was lost.

9. What did Jesus say this man was lacking (Matthew 19:20-21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22)? Jesus basically says, “if you wish to be completed (or perfect) you have to deal with your greed.” Jesus gave him three commands to deal with his greed. Jesus instructed man to go, sell, and give (Matthew 19:21).

Materialists believe if you give your wealth away you will lose it, while Jesus taught if you give everything away your wealth will then be in heaven.
If the rich young ruler were willing to obey these commands he would not earn his salvation but it would be evidence that he desired salvation about everything else.

10. What was the rich young ruler’s response to these commands (Matthew 19:22, Mark 10:22, Luke 18:23)?

He went away “grieving.” Mark added the words “he was saddened.” Luke adds, “he became very sad.” His conscience prevented him from making any objection to the demand.
The young man did not want Jesus either as his Savior or his Lord.
He was not willing to give Jesus his sins to be forgiven, or his life to be ruled.
Therefore when he heard Jesus statement, he went away grieving. He felt that Jesus had asked too much of him. He worshiped money more than God when put to the test.

11. Does Jesus require everyone to give away all of their monetary possessions in order to be saved (Luke 16:1-13)? Not unless the money has a grip on the person. Different people are under the power of different sins. One sin is enough to keep someone away from Christ.

Jesus taught all of his followers that they were to give up all they have (Luke 14:33).
In this verse, Jesus requires everyone who would be one of his disciples to GIVE UP the rights to his possessions, but he doesn’t require that he GIVE AWAY all of his possessions.
A disciple of Christ must see himself as a steward rather than an owner of his possessions. You must hold these possessions loosely and be prepared to give as God leads.
In Luke 16:1-13, Jesus stresses that one facet of discipleship involves the stewardship of one’s positions. This passage and others would be meaningless if Jesus required every potential follower to give away everything he does as a test.
1. The Philanthropy is not a means of salvation.
2. If giving our possessions away saved us then those to whom we gave our possessions would become lost, since they would no longer be poor. People are saved when they repent from sins and receive Christ as their Lord and Savior.
3. For this rich young ruler his sin was greed, or covetousness. The fruit genuine repentance was to give away all of his possessions. Jesus gave this young man a test; he had to make a choice between Christ and his possessions. He failed the test. His money meant more than his eternal destiny.
Salvation is for those who are willing to forsake everything.

12. Why is it so hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:24). Notice the way the NKJV translates this: “…how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:24 NKJV). The Bible already has addressed this issue:

The rich man’s wealth is his fortress (Proverbs 10:15).
A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, like a high wall in his own imagination (Proverbs 18:11).
Riches do not profit in the day of wrath (Proverbs 11:4).
He who trusts in riches will fall (Proverbs 11:28).
Riches are not forever (Proverbs 27:24).

13. How hard is it for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:24)? Jesus says it is difficult yet it is not impossible. It is interesting that there is a Jewish proverb that is taken from the Babylonian Talmud, that a man not even in his dreams see an elephant pass through the eye of a needle. Camel is substituted for elephant since in Babylon, the elephant was common, but in Palestine it was unknown.

What about the story of the Needle Gate? Vines Expository Dictionary (p.429) says the idea of applying “eye of a needle” to a small gate into the city, appears to be a modern one. The word used in Matthew 19:24 and Mark 10:25 comes from the root verb, “to sew.” Luke 18:25 uses a word meaning “dart” like a pointed object, perhaps like a surgical needle (after all, Luke was the doctor). There is no need to soften the Lord’s words by making it to mean anything more than the ordinary instrument for sewing. There is no justification to change this from the language or traditions of Palestine.

The point is that eternal life is not just difficult for a rich man, but it is impossible without God.

14. How did the disciples respond to Jesus’ words (Matthew 19:25)? The disciples’ use of the word “saved” is the same as entering the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24) or obtaining eternal life (Matthew 19:16). They were astonished at his words.

[Based on my classes with Richard D. Leineweber, Jr. c. 2000]

Growing Deeper With Jesus

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Scott Chafee

You may wonder why you do not feel as close as you once did in your relationship with Jesus, or you may not be growing deeper in your relationship.

God has a Purpose:

Fact – Jesus wants to be in control of your life, Luke 6:46.
Fact – God want your life to be useful and enjoyable, John 15:10-11.
Fact – God wants you to live with him in an intimate relationship, 1 John 1:7.
Fact – God wants to fill your relationship with his Spirit, Ephesians 5:18.
Fact – God wants to get you ready to do is work, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Fact – When you mess up in your walk with Him, God wants to forgive you and restore your relationship with him, 1 John 1:9.

Our Need:

Fact – Personal sin will damage our relationship with God, Isaiah 59:2.
Fact – Situations and circumstances in life may require us to seek God even more and to grow deeper in our relationship with him, Romans 12:1-2.

God’s Provision:

Fact – God has given us tools to grow deeper in our relationship and to be continually change to buy him.
Fact – God uses the Bible to bring Christians to a place where they can be used for His purposes, John 17:17.
Fact – Spiritual exercises, such as prayer, Bible study, worship, fasting, sharing Jesus Christ with others, and serving others help us to grow, 1 Timothy 4:7.
Fact – Family and home influences may encourage us toward spiritual growth, 2 Timothy 1:5.
Fact – The church, as the body of Christ, encourages us to grow deeper in our faith and knowledge of Jesus, Ephesians 4:12-13.
Fact – God uses and works in all circumstances of life to make us more like Jesus, Romans 8:28-29.
Fact – God disciplines his children to make us more like Jesus, Hebrews 12:10.

Our Response:

Act – Confess and turn from any known sin, Proverbs 28:13.
Act – Recommit your life to the Lord Jesus Christ, John 20:28.
Act – Give yourself daily to Jesus and experience the fullness of his life in you as you go deeper, Romans 6:12-13, Galatians 2:20.

My Commitment: As you seek to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus you will see evidence of the Spirit in your life, Galatians 5:22-23. You may not be able to see evidence of the Spirit in your life as much as you would like. Are you willing to ask God to work in you to help you grow toward the fullness of his life? If so, you may want to pray the following prayer or one like it.

“God, I want to be like Jesus. I commit myself to you and ask you to work in my life to help me develop evidence of the Spirit to work in me.” Amen.

Sheep Are Led, Not Driven

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Scott Chafee

I was recently reading some A. W. Tozer on leadership; very sobering and needed in American cultural Christianity…

Cattle are driven; sheep are led; and our Lord compares his people to sheep, not to cattle.
It is especially important that Christian ministers know the law of the leader—that he can lead others only as far as he himself has gone.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.—Psalm 95:6-7

The minister must EXPERIENCE what he would teach or he will find himself in the impossible position of trying to drive sheep. For this reason he should seek to CULTIVATE his OWN heart before he attempts to preach to the hearts of others.

If he tries to bring them into a heart knowledge of truth which he has not actually experienced he will SURELY FAIL. In his frustration he may attempt to drive them; and scarcely anything is so disheartening as the sight of a vexed and confused shepherd using the lash on his bewildered flock in a vain attempt to persuade them to go on beyond the point to which he himself has attained.

The law of the leader tells us who are preachers that it is better to cultivate our souls than our voices. It is better to polish our hearts than our pulpit manners, though if the first has been done well and successfully it may be profitable for us to do the second. We cannot take our people beyond where we ourselves have been, and it thus becomes vitally important that we be men of God in the last and highest sense of that term.

[ The Price of Neglect, 151-153 ]

Passing the Baton

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Scott Chafee

Every leader needs mentors and models – typically other leaders just ahead of where we are in our growth and our journey. Every leader also needs to be mentoring and modeling those just behind us. This is the only way for discipleship to take on the multi-generational nature described by Paul in 2 Timothy 2:2, “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.” (NLT)

In order to both mentor and be mentored effectively, it’s important to see how the relationship between Paul and Timothy developed over time. It unfolded in three phases.

Phase One: Parenthood – In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he addresses him as “my true son in the faith.” (1 Timothy 1:2) We first meet Timothy in Acts 16 when Paul is heading out on his second missionary journey. He stops in Lystra to pick up the young disciple who accompanies him, assists him, and serves as a sort of apprentice under him. Timothy’s biological father was Greek, but no evidence is ever given that he was a Christian. So Paul filled the shoes of a spiritual father to Timothy.

Phase Two: Pacesetting – The second phase of our ministry mentoring is pacesetting – being the example of what mature ministry looks like. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he points out that, “you know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance…” (2 Timothy 3:10-11 NLT) Paul sets the pace with his life and challenges Timothy to learn by keeping up and emulating his lifestyle.

No generation is exempt from the call to fulfill the Great Commission or to serve God’s purposes as fully as possible. The next generation is always watching, so we get to set the pace.

Phase Three: Partnering – In the book of Romans, there is a somewhat obscure reference that Paul makes to Timothy in Romans 16:21, “Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings.” Timothy has gone from being a son, to a student, and now to being a colleague and a co-laborer. We spend plenty of time desiring and praying for more laborers, but perhaps not enough time investing in those with the potential to become our partners in the mission.

We serve today because of the repetition of this three-phase process for centuries. It didn’t stop with Timothy. The baton has been passed to you who are reading this, and it is our responsibility to be parents, pacesetters, and partners with the next generation until Jesus comes!

[print_link] [email_link] From Rick Warren

The Commands of Christ

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Scott Chafee

The theme of all Scripture is to love God with all of our hearts and to love one another (which is the Great Commandment in Matthew 22:36-40 and John 13:34), but how do we love God? And how do we know that we are loving our neighbor? The commands of Christ precisely tell us how we should love our neighbor.

These commands are the secret to loving God: Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” (John 14:21).

Rather than in chronological order, here is an alphabetical listing of commands that we can obey in order to show our love for God and others.

Ask in Faith (Mark 11:24).
Ask, Seek, and Knock (Matthew 7:7–8).
Await My Return (Matthew 24:42–44).
Baptize My Disciples (Matthew 28:19).
Be a House of Prayer (Matthew 21:13).
Be a Servant (Matthew 20:26–28).
Be Born Again (John 3:7).
Be Perfect (Matthew 5:46–48).
Be Reconciled (Matthew 5:23–24).
Be Wise as Serpents (Matthew 10:16).
Beware of Covetousness (Luke 12:15).
Beware of False Prophets (Matthew 7:15–16).
Beware of Leaven (Matthew 16:6).
Bring in the Poor (Luke 14:12–14).
Choose the Narrow Way (Matthew 7:13–14).
Deny Yourself (Luke 9:23–24).
Despise Not Little Ones (Matthew 18:10).
Do Not Cast Pearls (Matthew 7:6).
Do Not Commit Adultery (Matthew 5:29–30).
Do Unto Others (Matthew 7:12).
Fear God, Not Man (Matthew 10:28).
Feed My Sheep (John 21:15–17).
Follow Me (Matthew 4:19).
Forgive Offenders (Matthew 18:21–22).
Go the Second Mile (Matthew 5:38–42).
Go to Offenders (Matthew 18:15).
Hear God’s Voice (Matthew 11:15).
Honor God’s Law (Matthew 5:17–18).
Honor Marriage (Matthew 19:4–6).
Honor Your Parents (Matthew 15:4).
Judge Not (Matthew 7:1–3).
Keep My Commandments (John 14:15).
Keep Your Word (Matthew 5:37).
Lay Up Treasures (Matthew 6:19–21).
Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16).
Love the Lord (Matthew 22:37–38).
Love Your Enemies (Matthew 5:44–45).
Love Your Neighbor (Matthew 22:39).
Make Disciples (Matthew 28:20).
Practice Secret Disciplines (Matthew 6:1–18).
Pray For Laborers (Matthew 9:37–38).
Receive God’s Power (Luke 24:49).
Rejoice (Matthew 5:11–12).
Render to Caesar (Matthew 22:19–21).
Repent (Matthew 4:17).
Seek God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33).
Take My Yoke (Matthew 11:28–30).
Take, Eat, and Drink (Matthew 26:26–27).
Watch and Pray (Matthew 26:41).