Luke 9:23: Then Jesus said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” (NRSV)
Good morning world! Good Morning Conference! Good Morning Districts! Good Morning Community! Good Morning Church! Good Morning faithful followers of Jesus Christ! Good morning neighbors! Good Morning everyone!
I have been a part of many conversations lately around the topics of discipleship, Intentional Discipleship Plans, vital congregations, accountability, and lifelong learning. What does all of this mean for us as followers of Jesus?
Over the next several months I hope the above noted topics will have more clarity and with the clarity a new sense of purpose for you, me, and the connection we are a part of. Remember our mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for transformation of the world. You will be hearing the words: Discover-Develop-Deploy!
Let’s begin with the purpose of the Annual Conference. This may be new for some and a reminder for others:
We begin with growing Christ-Following Leaders. This leads us to Build Healthy Congregations. Leading to Making Disciples who Make Disciples. Who then Transform the world? Then this process begins again. This process is a circular process and in the center of this process is Spiritual Vitality and Revival. ¹
This poses the question, “How do we do this well?” There is a world right outside of our doors that needs the love and grace of God found in Jesus Christ. So, let’s start at the very beginning of learning what it means for you and me to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
First, we confess faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.¹
In our membership vows, we are asked the question, “Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations and races?” (United Methodist Hymnal, pg. 34)
Within the Apostle’s Creed we say:
“I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.”
Do you believe in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?
Do you believe John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Do you believe Jesus died for your sins?
This is what is means to have Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Now, do you promise to serve Jesus as your Lord? To serve Jesus as Lord means that Jesus is first in your life. If you want to see who or what is first is your life, look at your checkbook and your calendar. Where are you spending your money and your time?
Disciples humble themselves in the sight of the Lord. We are not in control. If we are truly striving to be faithful disciples serving Jesus as Lord, we do not jump on the bandwagon of what the current culture says we need (for example, the latest in technology) or what we should be doing (being glued to our electronic devices, or having our children’s schedules or our schedules packed trying to keep up with the Joneses).
Serving Jesus as Lord leads us to live out our faith: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39 NRSV) In the United Methodist Tradition this is called works of mercy and works of piety.
Serving Jesus as Lord means we are living out our faith with Kingdom eyes. Are you seeing the opportunities God is giving you each day, to make an impact with God’s love found in Jesus Christ?
We do not know the impact we have on people with our actions and with our words. We plant the seeds and God makes them grow. Serving Jesus as Lord means we are out in our communities, outside of our buildings and building relationships. This is not easy work, but this is where the good stuff is.
John 15:12-17: My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Together, we can do this by living this out in our daily lives! Let us rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us to join the movement of God! Sharing the love of God found in Jesus Christ as we promise to live as faithful and stronger disciples confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!
Rejoicing in our Risen Lord,
Suzanne
¹From the Upper New York Annual Conference
