GROWTH STAGES OF THE DISCIPLE #4

(The Personal Evangelist)

For our past three articles, we have been discussing the growth process of the believer.  We have done so by illustrating what might appear to be the opposite of growth. That is, we are talking about losing weight, or reducing.  We are using the analogy of one who will be running in an important race and is preparing to lose a lot of extra pounds. For our purpose this weight loss is the equivalent of spiritual growth. In this process we are using a series of five circles decreasing in size. At the last writing our new disciple finds himself blossoming in the third ring. 

Going all the way back to the first writing, you may remember that the first circle means one has taken the leap of faith to receive Christ as his personal savior and has accepted the challenge to pray and read the Word.  Having taken that leap, he has started the growth process.  In that first circle, he loses a lot of weight, and follows through in the reduction process by ridding himself of sin.  

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily ensnare us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”  Heb. 12:1b

The new believer continues to reduce by moving into the second circle, where he becomes the bridge builder evangelist.  In that sphere, he begins to understand what evangelism is all about by building relationships.  Because he has been praying and reading the Word, he continues to follow the example of the blind man of John Chapter nine.

By living out the example of the man who was blind from birth, he now sees many people following Christ.  He discovers that witnessing and sharing his life story are getting easier.

He may have already taken, or is about to take the step of faith in baptism. He may be beginning to understand the importance of tithing and giving back to the Lord.  He may be committed to practicing faithful attendance in Worship services.  As important as all of these things may be, that is not what brings about salvation.  At this point some will begin to feel that this whole spiritual walk is about a life of being good and following a set of rules.  Another reaction is that sometimes at this point in the process, some become tired, or discouraged and they turn back on their commitment.

But we are going to assume that one has kept on running, and is reaping spiritual blessings by keeping in the race.

With the understanding of bridge-building skills, he may be seeing his friends and loved ones being introduced to Christ.  That good feeling of seeing souls won begins to work on him.  He becomes burdened for the lost and wants to share his faith in a greater way.

He continues praying, reading and studying the word and has been putting a cadre of verses into his mental bank.  These verses begin to come alive.  He places in his arsenal a group of verses that have become known as the Roman Road, because each verse is taken from the book of Romans.  He remembered these were the same ones he used when he took that leap of faith to begin this pilgrimage.  So once again he studies through those same scriptures and all of a sudden a light comes on.  He realizes how easy it is to put this plan into action.  He knows by memory, Romans 3:23; 6:23 and 10:9-13.  He finds opportunity to share these verses any time he can with friends and acquaintances, and before long, he no longer needs to be a bridge builder.   He is now capable of doing the work of an evangelist for himself.  He no longer needs anyone to help him build that bridge, because he has been successful in leading someone to Christ on His own. 

This makes him ready to move into the third circle; that of the Personal Evangelist. This is a circle of about 34 to 38 inches in circumference, perhaps the size of belt the well-trained runner might wear. 

He now appears to be growing and advancing very quickly, and feels confident in his growth.  But often it is about this time that some begin to falter and sometimes there is no explanation.  Suffice it to say that because he is doing everything he can to grow and prosper spiritually, he has caused pain and misery to his adversary, the great deceiver.

Satan is not a happy camper when he sees spiritual growth.  He will do all in his power to hinder ones progress.  He works overtime at trying to stir up doubt and confusion, sickness, deaths, divorces, lawsuits; and on and on it goes.

He sticks his ugly face right in the middle of everything one tries to do to help advance the kingdom.  This is real spiritual warfare, and it is where the rubber meets the road in ones spiritual life and growth.  Because the believer is now living in victory, Satan is so angry that he can’t sit still. He pulls out all the plugs to keep one from following in the Master’s steps.   To be continued. 

Dock Caton 12/28/12

GROWTH STAGES OF THE DISCIPLE # 3

(The Bridge Builder Evangelist )

Having made the leap of faith into that big circle of salvation, and using your gifts of praying and reading the word you are beginning to grow in the faith.  There are so many aspects of Christian growth, that one is probably not going to be able to take them all in immediately.  You may be hearing people say things like, “you must be baptized” or “you have to take communion”.  Perhaps you will hear someone say you must start tithing.  These things will come in time as you grow in the faith, but each believer will grow at a different rate of speed, and much of it will depend on what type of Church culture he has been around.  One must be careful not to be misled in thinking the Christian walk is a bunch of legalistic do’s and don’ts.  Some may be baptized and start tithing immediately at the salvation experience.  This does not mean they have arrived at spiritual maturity.  Some may feel pressure to dive right into various doctrines they have heard about from friends or family, especially if they have come from a legalistic background.   There are ordinances and doctrines the new believer will grow into, but since sanctification is a process it takes time, and that can be difficult for some new Christians to understand.  Sometimes the new believer because of emotionalism and excitement from the joy he feels at the new birth experience thinks those feelings will be there forever.  He is sure what he has found will protect him from all the evil forces of life that may fall in his path. What he has received at the new birth truly is enough to carry him through life and any potential setbacks.   But how this all fits together will probably not be understood in the beginning stages of his Christian walk.  The new believer has been equipped with the Holy Spirit, and every thing he needs to carry him through life, but this does not mean he is going to understand all this at the inception of new birth.

Sanctification is a process that continues until God in His timing calls us home.   Some church cultures teach there are separate actions one must go through to receive the Holy Spirit.  But when we make that leap of faith into the salvation experience, we receive the Holy Spirit, and are equipped with everything necessary to give us a peaceful victorious life in this world, and the gift of eternal life in the world to come. 

Since you are now praying and reading the Word, one of the passages you will want to study in depth is John Chapter 9.  Familiarize yourself with this chapter, and begin to think on the disciplines that you believe Christ would have you follow.  By now you are familiar with making commitments that only come, as you are found faithful in daily reading and praying.  You may want to start thinking about following the Lord in baptism or other ordinances.  But one thing that will stand out as you focus on John 9 is what happened to the blind man.  A clear understanding of this passage will help you begin to understand what sharing your faith is all about.  Let us look to this story and see what happens.

Just as you are obedient in praying and reading the Word, the blind man too, was obedient. One day as Jesus was walking along the road he saw a man who was blind from birth.  He simply spit on the ground and made some mud with the saliva and put it on the man’s eyes.  He told him to go to the pool of Siloam and wash his eyes.  The blind man did not put up any kind of defense.  He just did what he was told.  He was obedient.  He washed his eyes and came seeing. This is equivalent of what happens to us when our spiritual blindness is healed and we can see.  But there is more to the story.  What followed caused an uproar as the Jews and Pharisees and the neighbors in the community began to question this man.  Some asked,  “is this really the man who was born blind that we led to the gate every day?”  Some said. “No, this is not the same man.  It can’t be, even though it looks like him, this is not the man.”  Others called him a phony or a fake.  The Pharisees are becoming a little agitated and they go to the parents of the blind man.   His parents could see the stir that was caused and they may even have been a little fearful.  “Is this really the man that was born blind?” they asked.  “Is this really your son?”  Of course the answer was yes, but they did not answer when asked how it all took place.  They were fearful that they to may be thrown out, or maybe they even feared for their lives.  So their final response was, look, “we don’t know what happened we can’t tell you how he was healed, or who healed him.”  “We can only tell you that this is our son, and that he was born blind, and that now he sees.” “He is of age, go and ask him yourself.” 

So the Jews sought the man a second time and began to question him.  Maybe he too is now a little fearful because he is being greatly pressured.  The Jews told him they thought this man named Jesus was a sinner, because he had supposedly healed on the Sabbath.  The blind man stopped them hoping to cut off the subject, and replied in this fashion.  “I have told you already.”  “I am the man who was born blind and laid down by the gate.” “I don’t know if the man called Jesus is a sinner or not.” “But I do know this.” “I am the man.”  “I once was blind, and this man named Jesus walked by.  He told me what I could do to be able to see.  I believed him, I followed his directions and now I see.”  Again they asked how he was healed, and he became vexed with annoyance and possibly growing angry said.  “I have told you already and you would not listen.”  At this, the Jews threw him out of the city.

Later that day, Jesus came by to talk with him.  He explained the whole story to Jesus and now he tells Jesus that he truly believes in Him.  He can see.  And now being able to see he is able to point others to Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Let us create a scenario in which this newly healed man can point others to Jesus.  It goes like this.  The man who was born blind, now being able to see, is walking among friends and new acquaintances near the entrance of the city. He is telling his story of how he was born blind.  

They look at him in interest, yet in doubt, and cannot understand what happened.  But he leads them through the same story.  At the end, his new followers and those listening begin to question and badger him about how all that has happened.  He stops them and looks them in the eye and says look, I am not a physician, I cannot explain this to you.  I do not know how it all happened.  But I do want to tell you.  I was born blind, and now I see.  And now that I can see, I want you to look out there on the side of the mountain.  Do you see that man up there teaching all those around him?  His name is Jesus.  He healed me and gave me sight.  I don’t know how he did it, but if you will go with me, I will take you to this man and introduce him to you.  He then can tell you what happened if you really want to know.  He is the healer of blinded sight, and the healer of broken hearts.  He can give you what you need to be healed spiritually.  At that point, the blind man became what we call a bridge builder evangelist.  He is the bridge from the lost or blind man, to the healer of men. 

This same thing can happen to you.  And you too, can be able to lead others to Jesus simply by telling them what happened to you.  By giving your story, or your testimony, you can be a bridge builder evangelist.  You may not know how to lead someone to Christ, but you can certainly take him or her to the Pastor, the elder, the teacher or evangelist in the Church who can give them sound guidance in becoming a new believer.  You can lead someone to Christ by being that bridge builder. 

By praying and reading the word you have opened your eyes.  You have been healed by new birth.  You are so happy that you have new life in you that your desire is for the whole world to have what you have.  So you begin talking to your friends and neighbors.  You tell them what happened in your life, and they start asking you questions.  They will then ask you, “Is that really you John Doe?” “Yes”, you will say, it’s really me.  And they will want to know what has happened to you.  What is it that has changed you?  When and how did it all happen?  And your response may be.  I don’t know, I can’t explain it all, I only know that once I was blind, and now I see.  I was on a dark road all alone and without hope.  And this friend came by and told me a story about a blind man.  It didn’t take long for me to discover that I was that blind man.  I was born blind, but now I see.

Since you can clearly see now, you too are able to go look for that person who led you to Christ, and bring them back to help someone else.  Although you may not know exactly what took place in your life and probably are not able to explain all the theological implications, you know a change has been made. And now, as a BRIDGE BUILDER EVANGELIST, you can lead someone to Christ.  You can lead them to the pastor, an elder, evangelist, soul-winner or leader in the Church.  This bridge building effort too will heal them of their blindness.   At that point, you have just stepped into the next circle.  Using the analogy of reducing, this circle is about the size of a hula-hoop, one that you could pick up and place easily over your body.  Praying, reading the word, and witnessing by sharing your life story are getting easier for you.  But spiritual growth continues as you follow in his footsteps.    To be continued. 

Dock Caton 12/08/12