Discipleship Workshop...Part One

Enjoy part one of the C2D Discipleship Workshop that was presented at the Anglican Mission in the Americas Winter Conference last week.

ONE PURPOSE

Greetings from Snowy Connecticut!

What a great week at the Winter Conference in North Carolina. For all who prayed for us, for our c2d staff – thank you. For all who stopped by the c2d table or who came to the workshop, what a blessing to see you! 

We have incredible news in our personal life. Our niece gave birth to a healthy baby boy Sunday. For those who have followed us over the years, you may remember a sermon Thad gave on the still born death of their firstborn Noah. So this is a day of great rejoicing. (Click our church website for pix and access to sermon: www.apostlesct.org) 

VLOG coming soon from the Winter Conference workshop! Stay tuned. We pray the devotion below gives blessing and grace to you. 

With thanks in the Lord for you! 

Thad and Erilynne


ONE PURPOSE 

"For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power which mightily works within me."   -- Colossians 1:29

We need to take the next step.

We have been looking at this word “striving” in Colossians 1:29. Biblical striving always begins with one focus, one passion: This striving for the Lord Jesus Christ. Is He first in our life? Are our eyes fixed on Him as we run the race? (Hebrews 12:1-2) Is He everything to us?

It’s about Him first. Always Him first.

The Bible tells us the Christians in the church of Ephesus lost their focus. They got so caught up in their service for the Lord, they missed Him. And the Lord Jesus told them so: “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:4) 

                   

Here’s the tension: We are called into His service. He has given us specific command as to what we are to do. But before we enter into His service, and all the days we’re here on earth, we have got to find out if first things are first. Do we love Him? Is He the reason we do what we do?

                   

The Lordship of Jesus Christ in our life. Every day.

                   

This is why I have spent so much time writing about this “striving for Jesus.” I know we need to take the next step and talk about this “striving in service.” This is what Paul is talking about in Colossians 1:29. But how can we do that without setting forth this first principle above all others

                   

He comes first. Always first

                   

This is exactly what the Lord Jesus did with Peter after His resurrection. He said to him, “do you love Me more than these?" (John 21:15) This came first. When this is established, when Peter can say with all assurance, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You” then and only then does the Lord Jesus Christ set forth His call on Peter’s life: “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15, 17 ESV)

                   

You see, He does call us into His service. But always and forever, first things come first. Do we love Him? More than anything else? More than what we do for Him? for ourselves?

                   

This is the test of Christian service. If we do, when we do, He calls us to take the next step

                   

“Feed my sheep.” We are called to His people. To love them with the same passion, the same striving for Him. We are to give ourselves for His flock, His church, His bride in the same way He gave Himself for us. This is His message to Peter. This is His message to us. Love Him first, last, forever. As we do then go, find the lost, feed His sheep, love them as fully as He loves us

                   

We have purpose here on earth. One purpose. Given by the Risen Lord Himself. This was the purpose Paul spoke about in Colossians 1:29: “For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” This passion for the people of God.

Is that you? Have you got this purpose, this passion in you? He wants us to have it. He wants us to know it. As long as our eyes are fixed on Him first. Always first.