Growth Stages Of The Disciple

Growth Stages of the Disciple is the first of a series that will be following on the blog.  The fact that they will be interspersed with news on missions and our travels, each article will be numbered.  This is the first of the series to follow.   

Discipleship has been theme of our Thursday morning group for this whole year.   Therefore we thought it was appropriate for us to give a review of what we have tried to accomplish in our studies to all the Renegades of faith.  For the next several articles you will see an explanation of growth as the disciple progresses in his growth.  In these articles you will find attempts to explain what happens to an individual as he steps out in faith, and begins the journey of living out this role as a disciple or follower of Christ.   It will be broken down into several articles that will define the follower as he passes through several stages of growth.

There are so many good books on this idea that it seems almost futile to try to improve on any of them.  But the intent here is to try to focus as much as possible on what God is doing in our midst, and in each of our lives individually, to see if we can discover some growth procedures that would be beneficial to us all. 

Although most if not all of the target audience for this particular article are already living in and walking in fellowship with God we want to begin with a pre-believer status, so one can follow each step along a path toward total commitment.

Possibly this will touch a nerve with someone who has never taken that step, and help him to understand how to take a leap of faith to enter the kingdom.  For others it may help him to understand more clearly what has happened in his life, and still for others, it may help them in learning to disciple new believers. 

Realizing that not every individual will have reached a stage in his life that he understands the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, we are going to begin at that point.  Since most people in the society in which we live, has at least a clear understanding of a loving God who seeks to bring all mankind into His presence, we will begin right there.  For this undertaking we will begin with the individual who finds himself at a point just one step before receiving Christ as his personal Savior. 

We will illustrate what the journey might look like, as he moves from a condition of hopelessness and despair, to a thriving spiritual journey with Christ.  To do so requires that we move back to the simplest steps of faith and follow our Master’s leading each step of the way. 

For this writing and the ones to follow we will see what is involved in the area of discipleship that moves an individual from his present state or condition, into another stage of spiritual growth. In the Christian world this is known as the process of sanctification.  This writer believes that sanctification is a process, and not something that just happens in one big event in a person’s life.  It is a growth process that begins at the moment of salvation, and continues all the way through an individual’s life.  So let us begin this journey. 

How can I be sure that I am saved and on my way to heaven?  How can I let go of all doubts, including, does God really exist? How did I get here?  Or how do I know the

Bible is the only true Word of God? And how can I know what it means, and how to interpret it for my life, even if it is true?

The answer to these questions is so hard and so far removed from me; yet, it is so easy and so close to me.  Let me be the first to admit I am not able to answer these questions to the point of satisfaction for all people. I can only answer them to my satisfaction, and to the degree that it has given me a deep settled peace within.  

The starting point begins with one simple word, FAITH and me.  What is faith?  The scripture teaches that “faith is being sure (evidence) of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1 we can’t see faith, we can only hope for it.  And for some reason, God gave me just a small measure of grace, to take a leap of faith.  Francis Schaeffer said, “we must all take a leap of faith.”   

But wait, how do we know we can trust the scripture?  We don’t, except for that one small measure of faith.  But that small measure allows us to know it is God’s Word to us.  Why?  Because He said it.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1.   So, if He is the Word, and if He exists, the Word must be true.  

But how can I believe God made me if I don’t know that He exists?  Again, that is how simple faith comes into play.  If the Word says that God and the Word are one in the same, then the Word must be true, if God is real, because He says it is.  And my little ounce of faith makes me believe in God.  I believe in God, because I exist, I am here.   I Know I exist because I think, I feel, I move and act.  That I am here is a fact that I would have little problem proving.  And if I am here, someone had to put me here.  It is much easier to believe I am here by creation, than to believe I came from a monkey.  So, if something or someone made me, it must have been a creator.  That creator is God.  He was, is, and always will be is a fact I believe by that little grain of faith, even though I can’t see or touch Him physically.  

If God does not give one enough grace to believe the premise that He exists, then there is probably little chance of Him believing in the “things hoped” for, or the evidence of “things not seen” which is to follow.  But it is impossible for me to believe this marvelous creation, in which we live is here by accident.  The earth, the sky the moon, stars, planets, trees, plant life animals and all living beings, could not have come into being by an explosion.  There has to be a creator, and that is God.      

If one can accept God is, and that the Word exists, and is true, then it is much easier to accept our responsibility from the Word.  What then does the Word say about eternal life, and how to find joy and peace in this world as we wait for His coming?

There is a special plan from the Word that we can follow.  It begins, with God’s invitation.   Christ says, “Here I am.  I stand at the door and Knock.  If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me”.

Rev.3: 20.  That is an open invitation for all men of all ages.  He is standing at our hearts door, knocking, calling, and pleading to be let in.  

If that is true, and it is true, how can I open the door?  How can I accept His invitation?  First of all, I must be ready.  I must be prepared to open the door when I hear Him knock. But how can I be prepared and ready for Him?  I must admit that I am lost, that I am in despair, and without hope.  Remember that Faith is something we hope for.  I must be aware that I am a sinner, and doomed, unless, God does exist, and His grace can save me.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23 “There is no one who does good, not even one” Romans 3:12, and the way of peace, they do not know.  Rom. 3:17.  And what will be the punishment, or the wages of that sin?  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 someone has to pay the debts of our sin.  If these debts are left unpaid, we face eternal death.  But He doesn’t stop there.  Those wages have already been paid by his death on the cross.  He says, “The gift that he freely gives us is eternal life” This is not something we have to pay for or work for.  This is a free gift from God’s son, directly to us. He then goes on to show exactly how to open the door.   

“That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with the heart, you believe, and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”  Romans 10:9,10      “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  Rom: 10:13.

So to sum it all up, I first have to take a leap of faith to believe God exists, and that I am without hope if He is not with me. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  All includes me.  If this is true, and it is true, someone has to pay.  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift is eternal life.  When I realize that, I take another leap of faith, to open my heart to Him.  I must open my door, and permit him to come in.  Behold I stand at the door and knock.  if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in.  Revelation 3:20.  When I do that, I become a born again believer and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within me.  I am saved.  Now that is not to say I will be perfect, I only begin a growth process that will last, until I come into His presence at death.   I will fall. I will sin.  But when I do, I must get up, dust myself off and get ready to fall again.  From here it is one day at a time, one step at a time until I see Him face to face.   (To be continued.)

 Dock Caton 10/07/12

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Greetings to all our friends out there who are following our mission travel.  We are getting ready to go back on the road again.  This time it will be a quick medical trip with PICI.  We have been given a golden opportunity to serve our friends and loved ones in Nicaragua, and at the same time be of assistance to both PICI, as well as to our home Church at Ginger Creek. 

PICI, the mission agency that Norma and I work with got word that their October 19-28 medical clinic trip to India (they do about 3 per year to poor communities in India) was aborted due to a crack down by the Indian government and police on medical groups coming into the country and giving free clinics to the poor.

Evidently, there was some large pharmaceutical company that came in recently unannounced, and used experimental drugs on a lot of poor people. Many died, and others were severely affected. Now the PICI medical team, which is already organized to do clinics, will lose their Scholl's medical grant money for October if they don't use it somewhere. Long story short, the director of PICI approached Norma and me asking if we would lead this small group of 5 or 6 medical people

to Nicaragua, during those days they were scheduled in India. 

We will be offering daily medical clinics in Maria’s Church, New Jerusalem, and the Big Family Church with Jorge in Pochocuape.  This is just another way that God is gifting, uplifting and caring for our Nicaraguan brothers and sisters and their families, their leadership and other churches and neighborhoods in Nicaragua.   

We sincerely and humbly covet your prayers that we will be given physical stamina during this time.  We have both been recuperating after knee surgery. But God is good, and we look forward to the blessings that await us on this trip. 

If any of you would like to participate financially in this medical endeavor, you may do so by simply making checks payable to PICI and earmark them NICARAGUA ACCOUNT.   Mail them to:

PICI

PO BOX 237

TEMPE, ARIZONA 85280

If you prefer paying by credit card, call the home office at 480-731-9170 or go on line to give.

Thanks again so much for all your prayers in our behalf.