The Full Sequence of Discipleship
Good afternoon GBC Family!
I hope you were all safe in the storm. Perhaps someone made a radical vow to the Lord, Martin Luther style. Maybe some good will come from it!
Midweek Meditation: The Full Sequence of Discipleship- John 12:20-26
20Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
Quilts are satisfying for the OCD mind. When I look at a quilt I can see the full sequence, from its origin to its resolution. The pattern contributes to the completeness; indeed, the pattern is its completeness. It’s a faulty product without the pattern.
In John 12:20-26 we see the complete sequence of God’s pattern for discipleship. All New Testament discipleship follows this pattern. The quilt never jumped out at me like it did in this past reading. This is a rich and wonderful passage. Tracing the sequence of discipleship in John 12:20-26 follows this pattern: (1) God makes sinners seekers, (2) God appoints ambassadors, (3) God reveals the glory of the gospel, (4) God calls new converts to self-sacrifice.
1. God makes sinners seekers- V. 20-21
What a glorious truth! God turns spiritual apathy into spiritual openness. These Greeks come looking for truth. Remember according to Romans 3 turn isn’t normal. This means that God went looking for them first. We shouldn’t be surprised by this. Remember Jesus tells the woman at the well that God seeks sinners to make them worshippers. Hallelujah!
2. God appoints ambassadors- Vv. 22-23
God uses human messengers to hand off the seeker to the regenerating work of the Spirit. Again, what glory! God calls you and me to introduce the sick to their healer, the broken to their restorer, and the slave to their redeemer. We introduce outsiders in sin to the King of salvation, and he makes them our spiritual siblings.
3. God reveals the glory of the gospel- V. 24
This is Christ’s summary of the work of his death, burial, and resurrection. He would lose his life that salvation, upon his resurrection, would spring eternal. God settles the seed of the gospel in the soil he has softened and raises dead hearts to new life. The fields truly are white to harvest.
4. God calls new converts to self-sacrifice- Vv. 25-26
Following the way of self-giving is the immediate expectation of every new disciple. Jesus lays down the two fundamental functions of true disciples, they follow and they serve. The new purpose (following and serving) proves new life. Look how the paragraph resolves. God makes seeking sinners into honored servants. Grace!
Follow Christ. Serve Christ. And introduce people to Christ.
Ministry Prayer Requests
· Pray that God would increase the spiritual interest and family commitment of the many visitors we’ve had lately.
· Pray for grace for the grieving.
· Pray for strength and endurance as we serve and follow!
Ministry Reminders
· Come for our Family Bible Study on Wednesday. This week we will continue inductively studying 1 John 2.
· Check bulletins and the Weekly updates for upcoming ladies and men’s ministries events.
· We have upcoming missionaries and a missions emphasis Sunday. Come ready to be impassioned for gospel missions.
Book Recommendations
· Delighting In the Trinity – Michael Reeves
This is not only one of the best books on the Trinity I’ve read, but one of the best theological books I’ve read. Do yourself a favor and read this. It’s short, accessible, and rich.
· Each for the Other - Bryan Chapell
This is an excellent book on marriage. It provides great biblical foundation and warm practicality. Also, this is the same Bryan Chapell who is speaking for our upcoming preaching conference, and he will be preaching the following Sunday morning.
In Christ,
Pastor Kyle