Disciple of Jesus Christ

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

I first ran across this reading about twenty years ago. It continues to challenge and inspire me on a number of levels. When I think about our calling to be in the world as an extension of Jesus Christ, I find myself going back to these words time and again. I pray they minister to you as they have ministered to me on countless occasions.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.
The die has been cast. I've stepped over the line.

The love of God controls me. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple
of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning,
smooth and ease, colorless dreams, mundane talking, cheap giving, and
dwarfed roles.

I no longer need prosperity, position, promotion, preeminence, or
popularity.

I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or
rewarded.

I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk in patience, live by
prayer, and labor with power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is the Kingdom of God. My road
is narrow. My way is rough. My companions few. My guide reliable. My
mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back,
deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of
adversaries, negotiate at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of
mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up until I've stayed up, stored up, prayed
up, paid up, spoken up, for the cause of Christ.

I must go until He comes, give until I drop, teach until all know, run
until He stops me.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ

("I am a Disciple" by Ed Cole)

Gracious Father, sharpen our minds with such thinking that we may indeed be in the world as extensions of the living Christ. Strengthen our resolve, focus our hearts and make us instruments for your use in a world that needs to know the gospel. Equip us with what we need, reduce in us what needs to be reduced and, awaken us to the vision of life that you offer until you send your Son for us. Amen.

Randy Daugherty - Stephenville, Texas

The Wonder of Skin

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

Let me recommend a great book called Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Philip Yancey and Dr. Paul Brand, in which the authors explore the human body as an expression of spiritual reality.

Paul reminds us in I Corinthians 12:27, ‘Now you are the body of Christ.’ The human body is a great reminder of the way in which we represent Jesus in our world today. I see all kinds of skin when I look around me. Wrinkled, age-spotted, and worn skin on the elderly. Smooth and soft and without blemish on an infant. I see multiple shades of skin—light and dark. Take a look at your own skin. You can just look down at your hands or you can be more thorough, looking at yourself in a mirror. The skin that surrounds our bodies reminds us of our functions as Christians in this world. Just a few days ago, I cut myself and now that damaged skin has repaired itself. Think about it. God encloses us in a wrapper called skin that is pliable and flexible and lasts for, in some cases, 100 years. Our body’s skin serves many functions. And, when we think of Paul’s analogy of the body parts functioning like the church, what does skin do as a part of the body (church)?

1. When people meet us, the first things they observe about us are our outward features. Many impressions are drawn from seeing another’s skin. Likewise, we are making daily impressions on those we interact with. The first impression we make on someone may be the most important impression, because it may determine if we will have future opportunities for influence.

2. Our skin is filled with nerve endings, allowing us to sense pain and pleasure. The sense of touch is one of God’s great gifts to us as humans. As Christians, we are called to ‘feel’ the pain and suffering and needs of our world, and then, to respond to those needs. This was how Jesus functioned in His ministry. As the skin of God in this world, may we also be compassionate and caring to our world as we ‘feel’ its pain.

3. Our skin is amazingly pliable and flexible. It stretches and bends. It fits over variously shaped parts of the body. We, as the skin of the body of Christ, also need to be pliable and flexible in our methodology. As Paul adapted himself to Jews and Gentiles, to the weak and the strong, in order to reach all people, we need to be willing to try different approaches of ministry to reach our world.

The body as an image of the body of Christ is a great image. All the different parts with their individual functions remind us of our individual usefulness for God. Skin reminds us in numerous ways how we can serve God in this world. Look at your skin again right now. Are you representing God in the best possible way? What do people see when they interact with you?

Prayer: God, help me to be your skin in this world. Help me represent you to this world, feeling for others with compassion, adapting myself to the needs and concerns of others.

Terry Brown
Abilene, Texas

If We Are the Body

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

“If We Are the Body” is the title of a song written and performed by a contemporary Christian group called Casting Crowns. This song touches my heart every time I hear it. "It challenges us all to be more Christ-like; to step outside the circles we are involved in and see the needs of others around us.

In the first verse the song talks about a girl who visits church. She is somehow different; maybe not as pretty, or not as popular, or not dressed as well as the other girls. The other girls at church notice her and point & laugh at her, making her feel unwelcome and out of place. The second verse is about another visitor to the church; a traveler who doesn’t look like the other church-goers. He gets judgmental glances from people and soon decides he’s better off not being there. After each verse the chorus asks,

If we are the Body
Why aren’t His arms reaching?
Why aren’t His hands healing?
Why aren’t His words teaching?

And if we are the Body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way.

When Jesus was on this earth, He showed us what was important. Through His example and his teachings we know how we should live and what our mission should be. The gospel that came through Christ should continue to come through his body, the church. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." What Christ did here on earth is now our mission because we are the body of Christ (I Peter 2:21, John 13:15). Jesus came to minister and to share the gospel. Now "we are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20).

We are challenged many times in the New Testament to be the body of Christ.

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." Hebrews 3:25

"God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." Hebrews 6:10

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12

In the song, "If We Are the Body" part of the chorus says, “Jesus paid much too high a price for us to pick and choose who should come. And we are the body of Christ."

Thank you Lord for the price you paid. And thank you for the opportunities you give me to become more like you. Forgive me when I follow my own selfish ways instead of choosing to do your will. May I share the message of your love by touching the lives of those who don't know. I want the grace that you have given me to make my heart sensitive toward the poor and hurting. Help me with my emotions and thoughts, as well as my decisions and actions to be a blessing to others.

Lynn Anne Hughes
Stephenville, Texas

Common People, Uncommon Calling

Series: The church as the extension of Jesus: His eyes, feet, hands, mouth, ears

“Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

At once they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:19-20

The first disciples called by Jesus were ordinary people. They were men with calloused hands and strong backs. They were men with real life experiences and human insecurities. They had no idea the significant purposes God had in store for their lives. In the first chapter of his book, Twelve Ordinary Men (Nelson Books, 2002), John MacArthur points out the Master shaped his disciples for greatness. These twelve men, commissioned as Jesus’ apostles, would speak and act with the same authority as the One who sent them. They would establish and lead the early Church; teaching, encouraging, equipping, and modeling Christ-like behavior. Although they were common men, theirs was an uncommon calling. The task they were called to was what made them important.

We share in God’s calling, just as the first disciples, and, likewise, are being prepared for an important mission. The Lord accepted us in our brokenness and is patiently strengthening us for works of service in His kingdom. The Creator of the universe desires for our inward fixation to be turned to outward compassion. How else will we effectively function as “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20)? Calling others to the Father, on His behalf, is a tremendous privilege and responsibility.

In our weakness, God’s strength is revealed. It is possible for our talents and abilities and vision, limited as they may be, to accomplish tremendous victories for His cause. It is His power at work within us that makes us “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). God’s purposes are accomplished through us. Allow the Master to shape your life for greatness. Good fishing!

PRAYER:
Our Lord and Master, we confess our weaknesses and ask for Your strength. We apologize for our nearsighted perspective and desire Your eternal vision. Give us caring hearts and a willingness to serve on Your behalf, calling others to Your righteousness. Through Jesus, Amen.

Carl Smith

Stephenville, Texas