Oriented Towards Others

Let me ask you a question?  Do you think of others needs before your own?  No, really?  Do you?  

Answer these quick questions

Do you have to be first in line, middle, or are you content being last to the buffet line?

If it's your turn to do laundry but your sister didn't finish hers yesterday are you going to take all her stuff out of the way and do yours?

If there is only one serving of chocolate cake left, do you call dibs?

Do you have to have shotgun when riding in a car?

If you a full shopping basket of stuff will you let someone who only has three items get in line before you?

If your mom is having a really busy week do you bless her by doing some of the chores she normally does without being asked?

Answer honestly!  You are the only one who knows your answers.  Or are you?  People see what you do.  They hear what you say.  What kind of character are you portraying?  

   We are called to serve others.  To think of others better than ourselves.  

Phillipians 2:3 (NIV)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

But do we actually do this? Our culture tells us to take care of ourselves because no one else will.  This is not what God tells us.  Paul, the apostle, tells us in Phillipians 4:19 (NIV)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ

Jesus.

One way to serve others is to disciple them.  If you had the cure for cancer would you not share that with someone who has cancer?  As a believer in Christ you have the cure for everyone's spiritual health.  So why wouldn't you share that with everyone?  We are called to share the gospel and make disciples.

Matthew 28:19 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

   The model has been set before us.  Jesus discipled his apostles.  They in turn discipled others, including Paul.  Paul discipled Timothy, then Timothy was charged to disciple others and so on.  In fact, if these men had ignored what command had been given to them where would we be today?  Would someone had introduced you to Christ?  Take that whole idea and move it into the future.  Who will not hear about Christ if YOU don't share and disciple.  Who after that will not hear?  No, it's not always comfortable to live for Christ but the ultimate prize is worth it. 

Phillipians 3:14  NIV) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

What is Discipling?

   We have heard the term but what does it mean?  Discipling.  Basically, it is how we influence others.  Whether in actual word or in action.  Who are you discipling?  Well, with that definition you are discipling everyone in your life.  The question is how are you discipling?  Are you a good influence or maybe not so much?  

   If you are a Christian, you should be influencing people towards Christ.  But how do you do that? It may sound very basic but you need to know what God says and apply it to your life.  God's word never changes.  

Numbers 23:19New International Version (NIV)

19 God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?

Hebrews 13:8New International Version (NIV)

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

   This should make our role simpler don't you think???  Well, it sure will help us understand how we should live.  As we learn what God has to say and we apply it to our lives, life should be a breeze.  Well not so fast!  There are others who may try to influence you while you are attempting to influence them.  There are those who will take scripture and make it into what they want.  Even Satan knows scripture....and knows how to twist it.  In our service on Sunday our pastor spoke to this.  Satan even tried to tempt Jesus to move away from the true meaning of scripture by taking one single verse and using it out of context to trap him.  Jesus knew scripture.  Jesus knew the true meaning of the words.  He could combat Satan's attempt.  How well do you know scripture?

   I want to tell you a story that may help put this in perspective.  A few years ago, I was having a conversation with someone who was soon to be married.  The conversation turned to purity in the relationship.  This person confessed to me that they had had premarital sex.  The conversation continued as this person explained that a pastor had told them it was ok because of the culture we lived in.  The justification was that because as a society we wait until our 20's or longer to get married that it is ok. In the day that scripture was written people got married in their mid-teens and so this part of scripture was out of date.  The pastor had evidently gone on to say God didn't expect people to wait that long.  As we debated the situation I used the above scriptures.  God's word doesn't change.  God knew where our society was going.  He knew this was coming and he didn't say “ok, in the 20th century when people are getting married later in life they can go ahead and have premarital sex and it will be ok.”  It's probably even more reason why we should wait.  He knew the future and could predict all the trouble that intimacy before marriage could create.  Unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, heartbreak, trust issues, and the list goes on and on.  His design is to protect us and he wants the best for us.

   Well, that got off a little bit on a tangent!  But my point is we must know scripture.  Even people with the best intent at heart can lead us astray if we do not know and understand scripture.  That responsibility lies with us.  So how do you learn what scripture says?  Well, first you must read it.  Get yourself a bible or bible app in a version that you can understand the terminology.  Secondly, find yourself someone older in the faith that can lead you along the way, answer questions and be a Godly role model.  Pray about who that should be.  It is important to find someone who will love you enough to tell you the truth....and you need to be open enough to accept the truth.  Look, none of us are perfect.  We all make mistakes and bad choices.  We need someone who can come along and help us to readjust and refocus.  Thirdly, share what you are learning with those around you.  In other words, disciple those around you.  Live out what you believe in a loving manner.

Matthew 22: 37-39 New International Version (NIV).

 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

   So, here’s your challenge.  Start today with the above steps.  Start reading and memorizing scripture.  Find someone who can help explain and be a role model, and live out your faith with your family and friends.  Love those around you! 

Until next time!  Have a blessed day!