BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #17

Posted on March 2, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, by William H. Hicks, copyright March, 2005:

“CHAPTER TWO: WHAT IS DISCIPLINE?

“The account of Abraham’s chief servant in Genesis 24 also shows us the third important characteristic or attribute of disciples, that is, disciples are disciplined.  Abraham’s chief servant exercised authority over others, over material resources and over his own flesh to the accomplishment of his master’s purposes. He was self-controlled; he managed his master’s resources efficiently and effectively and he was trustworthy.  Having taken an oath to do his master’s bidding, he brooked no interference in the completion of his task.  In Genesis 24: 2, the Scriptures note that this servant “had charge of all he (Abraham) had.  Verses 2-60 depict how this chief servant administered his master’s resources.  Had Eliezer been untrustworthy, he could have left Abraham and never looked back.  He obviously had enough wealth in the form of the gold, the gifts, the camels and the people under his authority to set himself up in the land of Ur or elsewhere.  He was all the way on the other side of the known world at the point he encountered Rebekah.  He could have been deceitful and made off with her for himself.  Yet, at every turn, Eliezer was mindful of the fact that he was on a mission for his master and he was disciplined enough to remain faithful.”

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #16

Posted on February 28, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

Bill’s Blog Entry #16

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, by William H. Hicks, copyright, March, 2005:

“A disciple of Christ cannot love without being kind; we cannot show self-control without being patient; a follower of Jesus Christ cannot demonstrate peace without gentleness; love and joy are but reflections of each other.  We must demonstrate all of the attributes of the Spirit or we demonstrate none of the attributes of the Spirit. A person cannot say,  “I love you!” and yet be faithless. Kindness and goodness go hand-in-hand. Love engenders joy, which brings peace and a desire to be gentle towards the one loved.  Thus, Paul is certainly accurate in his transmission of the Holy Spirit’s message as the fruit of the Spirit is one (singular), having many manifestations, all of which are consistent with the other.  In fact, bearing the fruit of the Spirit is an “all or nothing” proposition.  You cannot grow half an orange, can you?  Nor can you grow an orange a section at a time.  Even when immature, a growing orange will evidence the presence of each section.”

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #15

Posted on February 23, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, by Willliam H. Hicks, copyright, March, 2005:

“A disciple’s task is to glorify God the Father.  This is accomplished by bearing much fruit.  Earlier in John 15, the Lord identified Himself as the “true Vine”, illustrating the mechanics of how we bear fruit.  But to what fruit is He referring?  In Galatians 5: 22 – 23, the Apostle Paul says:  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  These elements of the fruit of the Spirit are all relational terms.  They describe how we move from the Word of God to the world and in the world.  These attributes cannot be made manifest unless they are manifest in our relationship to others.  Paul explores the application of these principles and attributes also in Romans 12: 9 – 21.  Remember that our Lord Jesus came “not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill”.  Thus, it is established that our task is to bear much fruit and that fruit-bearing is lawful, congruent with Hebraic legacy.  Notice that the Apostle says the fruit of the Spirit is (singular), not fruits of the Spirit are (plural); yet, he goes on to list nine elements of the fruit of the Spirit.  A useful means for visualizing this truth is to consider an orange.  The single fruit, encased in its distinctive skin, is called an orange- whole, undivided.  However, once you peel it to get at the sweet, juicy edible fruit inside, you may find as many as nine sections that comprise the one orange.  Each section bears the distinctive taste of an orange.  Thus, when the apostle Paul refers to the fruit of the Spirit in the singular, it is helpful to think of an orange.”

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #14

Posted on February 21, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, copyright March, 2005, by William H. Hicks:

“What is our responsibility as disciples of Christ?  What is the task assigned to us?  The Lord identified the task of every one of His disciples:  “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;” John 8: 31a.  Acceptance of responsibility is one of the dynamic attributes of discipleship which we will address later on; however, it is important at this point to identify our responsibility to our Lord.  This admonition from our Lord goes beyond turning us into libraries.

The term “abide”, as compared to the term “reside” means to actively dwell within, being alive, dynamic.  Thus, the Lord wants His word to be “alive” in His disciples, active towards fulfillment of a purpose.  What, then, is this purpose?  If we are not merely to know His words, how are we to know that His words are alive in us so we know that we have properly accepted the responsibility of a disciple?  In John 15: 8 the Lord is explicit as to how we manifest our discipleship:  “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #13

Posted on February 20, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, by Minister William H. Hicks, copywright March, 2005:

Isaiah also addresses this characteristic of a disciple when he prophesies about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:  “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.  He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.  The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not disobedient, nor did I turn back.  I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.  For the Lord God helps Me.  Therefore, I am not disgraced.  Isaiah 50: 4 – 7.  The prophesied Messiah puts this principle into action:  Therefore, I have set My face like flint, (Luke 9: 51) and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”   It is clear here that dedication to task has its risks!  But, it is also clear that a disciple understands this and keeps his mind, eye and ear on the task at hand.  Finally, it is clear also that a disciple of Christ is not without support.

The Lord Jesus identified His task in part in Matthew 5: 17, saying, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”  A disciple also has priorities.  He is able to put first things first.  Our Lord knows what a struggle this can be, because He experienced it firsthand.  He says, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”  Matthew 26: 39. And I was not disobedient, nor did I turn back.”

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #12

Posted on February 16, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #12

“The account of Abraham’s chief servant also offers us insight into the second important characteristic or attribute of a disciple, that is, Dedication to Task.  A disciple is focused.  A disciple “stays on target” (Star Wars, Episode 4: A New Hope).  A disciple is set apart for sacred use (consecrated).  A disciple displays singleness of purpose.  We see in Genesis 24: 54 that Eliezer understands that his task is not yet complete. He knows that his efforts on behalf of his master Abraham will have been fruitless up to this point.  He must see Rebekah safely delivered to Isaac and hope to be invited to the wedding!   Thus, Abraham’s chief servant says to Rebekah’s family, “Do no delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way.  Send me away that I may go to my master.”  Genesis 24:56.  Dedication to task also means seeing the job or task through to completion.  Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished!”  (John 19: 30).

A disciple also is aware of the scope and limits of his responsibility.  Remember, a disciple is not above his master.  A disciple takes his cue from his master.  A scriptural example of this principle and its application is found in Genesis 39: 9 – 12, where we observe the encounter between Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.  Verse 9 specifically details Joseph’s position:  “There is no one greater in this house than I, and he (your husband) has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife.  How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?”   Joseph is in charge of all Potiphar has- except Potiphar’s wife. Joseph could have used the lame excuse that, if Potiphar’s wife was willing, why not?  She would not be likely to tell Potiphar about their tryst.  Everyone else was gone.  They were alone.  But Joseph was dedicated to the task assigned to him and only to that task, not to his own lusts or desires.  Joseph recognizes that giving in to Potiphar’s wife would foremost be a sin against God as well as a violation of the trust placed in him by his master Potiphar.  So he follows Paul’s advice and flees from fornication (I Cor. 6: 18).

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #11

Posted on February 15, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

The greek word for teacher, didaskalos, means one who, in a special sense, is acquainted with and an interpreter of God’s salvation- one who knows and understands how salvation is manifested in the life of a disciple.  The function of these teachers in the early church developed to include the duty of giving progressive instruction in God’s redeeming purposes. The term, or title, also means scholarship or scholar, one especially concerned with God’s salvation, which is known via His Word.  Rabbinical tradition emphasized oral teaching and scriptural study as the mode of transmission of knowledge.  In order for this method to be effective, you have to be within earshot of your teacher.  If you are within earshot, you also are within sight of or with insight of your Teacher, so that you can see how He does what He is instructing you to do.  Moreover, you can grasp His motivation (love) for doing what He does- in relation to you and to all He encounters.  Discipleship is a “full contact” endeavor, best manifested when the discipler and disciple can be “in touch” with each other, within physical proximity.  For this reason, I do not think that televangelists can be effective disciplers or pastors.”

In John 12: 26, Jesus says, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me and where I am, there shall My servant also be;”. The Lord promises propinquity, nearness of blood, or kinship, not just proximity.  John 14: 20 says, “In that day, you shall know that I am in My Father and you in Me, and I in you.”    In John 13: 23, we read “There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.”  Imagine being able to lay your head on Jesus’ chest?  You just can’t get any closer than that!  Imagine Abraham’s trust of Eliezer to not only entrust him with his material goods but also to trust him with his very posterity!  The placing of his hand under Abraham’s thigh describes a deep, abiding trust that extends beyond Abraham’s person to those who would be a product of his loins.

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #10

Posted on February 14, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

Our Lord is telling us that our measure of devotion to Him must be so much greater than our love for our families and ourselves as to seem like hate for them in comparison to our love for Him.  There is a difference in kind and quality, not just in degree, respecting our love for Christ in comparison to our love for each other, or even for ourselves.  Although we should love one another as Christ has loved us (v. 26), discipleship is a matter of life and death, or life and everlasting life.  It is appropriate here to say something about the position of a disciple relative to his/her master.

In Matthew 10: 24 – 25 and Luke 6: 40 the Lord describes the Teacher/disciple relationship in spatial metaphors.  “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.  It is enough for the disciple to become as his teacher, and the slave as his master.” A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher”.  If we revisit Exodus 33, 11-15, we find that God spoke with Moses “just as a man spoke to his friend.”  This word ‘friend’ in the Hebrew implies the same kind of Master/disciple relationship, a superior/inferior positioning that is implied in the New Testament word, ‘mathetes’.

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BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #9

Posted on February 10, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

BLOG ENTRY#9  February 9, 2012

From “Discipleship and Discipline”, by William H. Hicks, copyright March, 2005:

 “Speaking of Christ, what does He have to say on this point of devotion to one’s master. In Matthew 6:24, the Lord says, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”   We must be single-minded in our focus on Christ.  Again, our Lord says, at Luke 6: 46-49, “And why do you call Me, `Lord, Lord’, and do not do what I say?  Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock (singular and a singularity, i.e., there is no other rock upon which it is safe to build); and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.” 

 Devotion requires sincerity that results in follow-through.  Faith is the act of trusting God.  Thus, we must act according to our master’s instructions.  Prior to that, we must be dedicated listeners, because “faith comes by hearing and hearing comes by the word of God”. What is involved in this devotion?  Looking to our Lord for wisdom, that is, what to do next, in Luke 14: 26-27, we find His instructions as written,  “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.  Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”  Lord!  This is “a difficult saying!  Who can listen to it?”  You’re telling us we have to hate our parents and family before we can be Your disciples?  Isn’t that a contradiction?  Didn’t You say we should honor our father and mother?  Didn’t You also say we must love one another?  What is the meaning of this?

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AN INTERLUDE

Posted on February 8, 2012 by THE DISCIPLE

My lovely wife says that I should shorten the length of the blog submissions so that you can digest it more easily. Let me know what you think. I AM flexible. God bless!!

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