“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4 (ESV) Jesus didn’t hesitate to speak truth to those he met, whether it was the Pharisees being confronted with their self-righteousness, his disciples being called to be servants of all, or an adulterous woman being asked to leave her life of sin. His willingness to challenge others combined with sharing the mercy and forgiveness of God led many people to repent and devote their lives to him. When he called us to make disciples, Jesus expected that we would follow his example by preaching the kingdom of God and calling others to follow him, as well - a challenging message! Sometimes this means holding other believers accountable for sins in their life, or sharing the gospel message with someone you’re not sure will want to hear it. When we challenge others while caring for them and being committed to them, and pointing them to the grace and forgiveness of God, He can use us to work powerfully in people’s lives. Testimonies "Discipleship is not just done by one individual but it's done by the body of Christ. I met Calvin (Undergrad - LoFi) during his sophomore year in LIFE group, Ohana. He wasn't following Christ at this time and he was in a season where he was questioning if God was real. It was frustrating because no amount of retreats, church gatherings, and meetups could help him believe. But I was thankful for the many brothers and sisters that continued to invest in and pray for him. A year later, we were in the same LIFE group, the found[ation], again. I decided to have him be LCGs (LIFE Change Groups) with another brother that I was investing in. He faced difficult circumstances that year but through these circumstances, God led him to Him. Later that year, he accepted Christ at a retreat and he continues to walk in the Lord till this day. I saw beauty in a unified body that poured into this brother and there was no one person but it was the gathering of believers that God used to bring salvation." Davey Chang Undergrad/Working - GPS "I remember after one of Soohyung's (Undergrad - POW) dance performances, I joked to him about him being my disciplee. Funny thing was that the next time we met, we both had the idea of starting a discipleship relationship. But honestly, I had no idea what that meant. I thought it just meant giving advice on life and all that. But over the past two years, God has blessed our relationship immensely, from me rebuking him about his choices and challenging him, to me apologizing for not being real with him. Seeing so much of myself in him, I am thankful that God allowed me relate to him deeply and to walk life on life with this brother in so many areas of his life like friends, family, career, relationships, etc. I've been so blessed to just see him grow as a man through the commitment and care we had for each by pouring out our difficulties and insecurities to each other over the years. Where Soohyung used to find his identity and comfort from those around him, he has grown more and more into a man whose desire is to be a witness and simply, in his words, "to strive after God in all areas of his life." It hasn't been easy at times, and there were definitely moments where our discipleship relationship became sour, but seeing where he is now reminds me ultimately of God's love for us in that He delights when we choose to follow Him over the ourselves." Tim Chon Undergrad/Graduate Student - POW Reflect and Pray
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
“But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.”
Philippians 2:22 (ESV)
Jesus showed the full extent of his love by laying down his life for us. It’s no surprise that his disciples would also be known by their love for one another. Our Lord didn’t just love his disciples when they were at their best. He loved them when they were immature, selfish, rebellious, and proud. That’s what Care and Commitment looks like - loving others selflessly and sticking with each other even when times get tough.
The call to make disciples can feel frustrating. People can be difficult to love, and sometimes the hard times we go through make giving up look like the easy way out. But Jesus calls us to follow his example by caring for people and committing to them even through stress, disagreements, frustration, and disappointments. Many times that’s where the deepest growth and most valuable lessons come from.
Reflect and Pray
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’"
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV)
Jesus’ primary calling was always “follow me”. He was looking for people with whole-hearted commitment to him who would live as ambassadors for his kingdom; their lives would become like his. By calling them to take up their cross, he made it clear that this was not an easy path, but that it would ultimately lead to his disciples finding true life.
If a life of discipleship is the way to true life in God’s kingdom, then this is the pearl of great value (Matthew 13:46) that Jesus said was worth losing everything else to gain. The world around us says that the way to life is to hold onto as much as we can for ourselves - to achieve, perform, and control - but Jesus tells us to follow the way of the cross.
Reflect and Pray
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,”
Acts 16:25 (ESV)
After Jesus ascended to heaven, his followers continued the same patterns of life that he had shown them. The early church was built up by people who lived life-on-life with one another, and passed on the ways of the kingdom they had learned from Jesus. Their love for God was so thoroughly integrated into their lives that they even sang worship songs in jail cells together!
Much of the way we learn in modern times is through classrooms and structured curriculum. While there is value in that, Jesus’ way of teaching his disciples was much more like an apprenticeship than a classroom. He wanted them to see and experience the life of the kingdom, not just hear about it. God wants you to have these experiences, and invest in others in the same way, and that’s what we call life-on-life discipleship.
Reflect and Pray
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV) Think about how intentional Jesus was in building relationship with his disciples (including you!). He knew that the only way for them to truly understand the kingdom of God and know the Father’s heart was to be very intentional about getting to know them and inviting them into his life. He did all of this on purpose so that they could know God and have faith in him. Through the Great Commission and verses like 2 Timothy 2:2, we know that Jesus is calling us to live the same way, and for the same purpose. We might not be able to travel constantly or spend every hour of the day with a group of twelve people, but we can still be intentional in building relationships with others to help them grow closer to God. There are people around us every day who don’t have the hope, joy, and peace of Jesus in their lives. Others have already begun to follow Christ, but need encouragement and guidance in growing closer to him and discovering his purpose for their lives. We can be part of God’s work this way every day by loving people and pointing them toward Christ. The world won’t get closer to Jesus on accident, but we have the privilege of sharing him with others on purpose! Testimony "This dude (Edwin Tang - Focus - CARBS) super busy, but he still makes time for me. He started discipling me my senior year. At the time he was part of ET, TC, Worship Team, and in a relationship, but he still consistently met up with me, which continues to this day. I'm so thankful for the commitment and investment he has poured into my life. I'll be honest, I'm not the most open/vulnerable person in the world, but with Edwin I always felt like I could share anything with him. I know that he cares about me. Thankful that he really pointed me toward God, and encouraged me to grow in my relationship with Christ. I always took his words to heart. I knew he always said them out of love. When he challenged me I knew he believed in God's plan to use me in ways I might not have seen or believed for myself. He's a brother that I love, and I'm grateful that he has walked with me through so many different seasons of life." Kyle Kue 5th Year - POW Reflect and Pray
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) The Great Commission is not just a call for every believer to go and become a missionary in a far away country. We are all called as His children to proclaim His excellencies, and part of this call to go and make disciples of all nations is to invest in people who may one day receive the miraculous call to go and make disciples in other countries. We must be faithful in the call to discipleship in our spheres of influence. Testimony "We met each other at the OCR BBQ when she was a freshman (Lily Tai - Undergrad - GPS) and she ended being in my LIFE Group last year. Since then, we've been able to walk closely together and just experience God together as we experience life through different seasons. Throughout our relationship I've been able to see the evolution of her relationship with God–through working through hard questions, running to Him in difficult circumstances, trusting in Him in seasons of uncertainty, identifying His active work in our lives and delighting in His nearness. I really believe that when people who are striving to know & live for God walk closely with one another, God uses that to anchor them in Him, produce fruit in their lives, and glorify Himself." Mady Kwon Undergrad - Otwo Reflect and Pray
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.’" Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV) Pastor James and Faith Cha have been a blessing to us this weekend. Take a listen to our sessions below and continue to reflect this week! Reflect and Pray
“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’” Luke 9:57-58 ESV Jesus’ life was attractive and compelling to those who met him. He loved, served, and performed miracles, and people wanted to be around him. But a life of following Jesus meant that change would be needed. Much like a person adapting to live in a new country and culture, Jesus called his disciples to stop living as citizens of this world, and begin living as citizens of God’s kingdom. It was exciting, but difficult.
Whether he was speaking truth to the religious leaders of his day, pointing out the spiritual need of the Samaritan woman at the well, or showing his disciples how they would live differently than the leaders of this world, Jesus challenged those around him to step into the kingdom and live by faith in him. Reflect and Pray
“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep.’” John 21:17 ESV When it mattered most, Peter denied that he was one of Jesus’ disciples (John 18:15-27). Jesus appeared to seven of his followers together after his resurrection, and there Peter came face to face with the one he had denied. Would Jesus reject him? Judge him? Condemn him? No. Jesus’ calling on Peter’s life had not changed, and rather than berate him for his mistake, Jesus takes the opportunity to restore Peter.
It’s tempting to think that when times are tough, God has given up on us, or when things are going well, God is pleased with us. The truth is, God never gives up on His children, and Jesus’ calling for his disciples doesn’t change in spite of our failures, weaknesses, or mistakes. Whatever comes your way in 2020, God is committed to you. Reflect and Pray
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) What would you do if you dropped something down a sewer grate and heard it land in something horrible? To convince you to go down into the sewer and fish through its contents, that possession would have to be incredibly valuable to you. God’s love for us is so great that He was willing to join us in the brokenness, pain, and injustice of humanity to save us from our sins. As familiar as this message is to many of us, it tells us a huge amount about God’s care for us.
Even beyond that sacrificial act of love almost 2,000 years ago, the Bible tells us that God rejoices over us, provides for us, and brings us peace in anxious times. His love and care for us never seem to end. While we go through difficulties in this world, we have the assurance that the God of the universe loves us tremendously. Reflect and Pray
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