DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY - PARTNERING IN TRUTH

DISCIPLESHIP JOURNEY – PARTNERING IN TRUTH

Monday, February 3, 2014

The following is from notes taken, thoughts provoked then and further study this morning, from Pastor Paul Marine’s sermon yesterday. EBB4 

              Proverbs [NLT] 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Ephesians [NIV] 4:12-25 [1-25 God’s provision is] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

  As followers of Christ are one body (Rom.12:5; Cor.10:17; 12:27; Eph.4:12; 5:23; Col.1:24; Heb.13:3), and are to not walk alone but to partner with one another in truth. One way God says we’re to do this is accountability partnering with one or more individuals. (Unless married to her/him, then preferably of the same sex.)

  As we partner in truth we are to Biblically encourage, sustain, and build one another up. I find it helpful to see myself as upon Christ as the one foundation, I’m in and by His love a builder, and a building under construction; with our goal being pleasing God as constructing takes place.

  This pursuit of righteousness cannot be facilitated without the direction and help of The Carpenter. We must submit to His authority! Indeed we know our building’s flaws, anger, lust, narcissism, whatever . . . but only Christ sees our frame.

  With our trusted discipleship partner in truth we should:

·         Check in, assume nothing, actually communicate.  

·         Pray, but not pry.

·         Be examples to each other.

·         Share personal revelations.

·         Work together to discover Biblical spiritual and ministry gifts.

·         Work together to find where best to apply/exercise those gifts.

  Now, the challenge for this week is: Fast again. Seeking God’s direction in who your trusted discipleship partner in truth should be.