a definition of discipleship
In throwing the net wider (deliberate fishing reference … weren’t many of the disciples fisherman?!) in our Greater Than challenge to the followers of Jesus at Life Bridge Church, our focus in week two becomes our definition of discipleship. I hinted last week that our definition was going to be a bit different … a bit simpler. Most would begin the effort of discipleship in a “classroom.” We believe the definition lies in the simple, yet profound truths in the following word picture…
Him > Me
Last week the word picture was “You > Me.” That truth is the heartbeat of the Greater Than challenge, the call for our church to make a major shift in the direction of our local and global communities. To consider others Greater Than ourselves, as the scripture calls us to (Philippians 2:3), is our mission. We saw that illustrated nowhere clearer than in Christ’s own life here among us (Philippians 2:6-8).
This week we build on the foundation that was laid last week and consider the word picture above illustrated perfectly by the life of John the Baptist.
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist
Matthew 11:11
Those were Jesus’ own words as He described John, a man who was chosen from birth to be the one who would come before Jesus and proclaim Him to the world. Yet in understanding and living out this high calling, this was John’s heart…
A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.
John 3:27-30
This was John’s answer to his own disciples and their concern about Jesus’ growing popularity. John understood and communicated to us the most powerful truth of what is required to be a true follower of Jesus … “I must become less.” And so it is not missed, please take specific note of how the sentence that immediately precedes that statement begins. “That joy is mine.” I am absolutely certain from studying John the Baptist, that it was his all-consuming joy in life to be the one who went before and announced Christ. He was a crazy character, and he was crazy sold-out for his Savior.
It is our genuine desire that Life Bridge Church be a community where people can come and see the very love of Jesus in action. We are already a crazy cast of characters, and we want to be crazy sold-out for our Savior. If you are already in our midst, join us on this journey of all journeys. If you are curious about us and this Jesus of whom we speak, come and see!
