2025

Disciple-less Christianity

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

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

What is the difference between being a Christian and a disciple of Jesus?

Why are there Christians who accept the teachings of Jesus, but lack the power of the Spirit in their lives?

Why is the Church declining in the developed countries of the world today? Whereas in the third-world domains, Christianity is growing.

Somewhere the western Church has lost their way.

To clarify definitions, the Church are the people, not the buildings. Discipleship is the process of being spiritually train for Kingdom impact. This process is Spirit led from the inside-out. The goal is to be shaped into the character of Jesus.

The faith institutions provide the leadership for their respective members. Why are they not held accountable for the condition of the Church today? The majority of established Church communities have lost membership these last thirty years. Many of these churches are at the end of their life expectancy.

When did the Church stop growing?

Could it be when leadership began to water down the cost of discipleship? Instead of providing a path of being a disciple of Jesus, they lowered the bar. They switched goals. They made it easier for people to become members of their faith community.

One now can become a member of the Christian community without being a disciple. In a sense, one could practice Jesus’ teachings without committing to HIM. People now confuse living within a Christian culture is all that is needed to be a disciple. Instead of majoring in the most important mission of the Church, they get lost in activities.

The Church began to focus on social programs to signal their virtue. These programs took energy and resources away from a pathway to discipleship. Discipleship programs became the minor activities of the Church. Though they have remained on the docket, the content contains introductory material. Instead of training and maturing disciples, the courses repeat grade school material. If one wants graduate work, one is on their own.

Thus today, one can be labelled a Christian. They could be a member of a faith community. But they may not even have a relationship with Father-Son-Spirit. Membership allows one to maintained the outer form of service, yet ignore the inner practice of becoming more Christlike in their everyday routine. Members may have a form of religion, but lack the power of God in their lives.

So, if you want more from life than play church, commit to being a disciple of HIS. Ask Jesus to make you a full-time disciple of HIS. Ask HIM to show you how to be a follower of HIS within your home, marketplace, and community. Ask HIM to lead you to people who are likewise hungry for more of HIM. Allow HIS Spirit to enter your heart and mind. Seek HIS Kingdom to govern yourself and others. Become a theologian yourself. Study HIS Word. Learn to dance with HIM in your everyday routine. Let HIM be your #1 partner at work, at home, and play. Focus on building a walking relationship with HIM. Otherwise, who are you going to become? A Disciple-less Christian? Or a Disciple of HIS?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Living Sacrifice

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.   Romans 12:1

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Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.   Hebrews 13:16

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…you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.   1 Peter 2:5

A Christ-follower is called to live a life of sacrifice.

Did Jesus not emphasize this point? If you want to follow HIM, you need to deny yourself and accept the responsibility of carrying your cross (Mt. 16:24). Did HE not teach us this lesson throughout HIS life? And did HE not leave us a strong reminder with HIS sacrifice on the cross?

Do you want to know how mature of a believer you are? Ask yourself. How willing are you to sacrifice your time, money, or resources for another person? No strings attached. It could be a family member or a total stranger. Do you have to fight the sacrificial urge or does it flow through you without a second thought?

Have you ever noticed how a self-centered child will rarely sacrifice themselves for another? Yet as we age, we learn the value of sacrifice as one of the highest acts of love we can perform.

When we marry, do we not sacrifice our own needs to become one with another? As parents, don’t we accept the responsibility and sacrifice for the sake of the children? On the job, don’t we sacrifice our desires for the sake of the team? As grandparents, don’t we sacrifice our resources for the sake of the entire family?

Throughout life one learns sacrifice is the art of loving another.

Yet, what about those who are not willing to sacrifice? The person who always wants to take without giving? The one who always has to have it their way. The spoiled child who grows up being the center of the universe.

Sacrifice is the way of life for a Christ-follower. Jesus demonstrated how sacrifice is about serving others. Most of the time it is always inconvenient. Most of the time it will cost you something. It could be time, money, or even opportunity. If you love someone without willing to sacrifice, are you truly loving that person? Or are you only filling up your own insecurity?

As Christ-followers, we live everyday willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. We consider it an honor to do so. We know who holds us in HIS grip. Our needs and desires are in good hands. We just want others to experience the same grace of God upon their lives. It begins with being a living sacrifice pleasing to God.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Similarities & Differences

Dr. Mike 2025 , ,

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,   Colossians 1:9

An old mentor taught me that you don’t really understand a subject until you compare it with its opposite. You need to know all its similarities and differences. When you do, then you will be able to identify its strengths and weaknesses. Only then will you have an understanding of its practical application.

It doesn’t matter what subject you are discussing. We could speak about love and hate. Or people and institutions. Males and females. Rich and poor people. Life of indulgence and sacrifice. How to lead and follow. When to submit and rebel. The list is endless on what two items you can compare. The purpose is simply to identify everything you can about the subject. Then look at its practical application within the confinements of the situation. This is taking knowledge to a level of understanding all its applications. Then you will be able to exercise your understanding into wise action on the matter.

This holds true in the fields of business, government, and education. This is true in the operations of the local faith community. This is also true in our personal relationships, including our with-God understanding.

Take for example the with-God or without-God life.

What are the similarities?

Your list may include something like this: both require a choice. Both are a worldview. Both determine who you are going to serve. Both establishes a moral basis for decision-making. Both reflect the core of one’s identity. You could list more. But these are just a beginning example.

What are the differences?

You could list these for starters. One places a higher authority of accountability on oneself and others. The without-God places supreme authority unto self or government or another person. One finds meaning for living from their eternal God and the other finds it in themselves. One finds an ultimate purpose for life with-God and the other finds life is a happen-chance. One places value on each life because they are made in God’s image. The other finds only utility value in a life – a rat is like a dog and a dog is like a person. There is no value difference between each.

By analyzing similarities and differences, you develop a better picture of each. You then can choose which way you want to live your life.

This is a modest example of an exercise to help one determine a more thorough understanding of a subject. Most of us live life under the one note music theme. We hear or think of one message and that becomes the basis of our knowledge. An educated person gains knowledge from many sources. Then integrates different scenarios for a better understanding of the matter. This allows you to better apply wisdom in the situation you find yourself in.

The same is true in spiritual matters as in physical items. Know your similarities and differences. They open the door for a greater experience with God and others.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved