Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 1221 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

I am Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Disciples Suffer and Make More Disciples – Worldview Wednesday

Wisdom – the final frontier to true knowledge. Welcome to Wisdom-Trek where our mission is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

Hello, my friend, I am Guthrie Chamberlain, your captain on our journey to increase wisdom and create a living legacy. Thank you for joining us today as we explore wisdom on our 2nd millennium of podcasts. This is Day 1221 of our trek, and it is Worldview Wednesday. Creating a Biblical worldview is important to have a proper perspective on today’s current events. To establish a Biblical worldview, you must also have a proper understanding of God and His Word.

On our Worldview Wednesday episode today, we will complete a detailed review of a book from one of today’s most prominent Hebrew Scholars Dr. Micheal S. Heiser. We have taken a deep dive and will share Dr. Heiser’s insights into the question, which is also the title of his book “What Does God Want?”

Disciples Suffer and Make More Disciples

Last week we studied how disciples confess sin and accept forgiveness and also study the Bible. This week we will explore two more specific responsibilities for a disciple.

The first one is, disciples, at times, suffer.

This element might surprise you, but it’s clear in the New Testament. Jesus told his disciples in John 15:18-20, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.”

This is where believing loyalty is really tested. It’s one thing to learn that we need to have a change of heart on how we live. It’s quite another to be following Jesus and suffer for it. The apostles suffered for following Jesus (Acts 5:41; 9:16; 21:13; 2 Corinthians 11:22-29). Holding on to faith is a theme throughout the New Testament (Romans 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; Philippians 1:27-30; 1 Peter 3:13-17). Peter, one of the original twelve disciples, had seen Jesus suffer and been imprisoned for his faith (Acts 12:1-19). He wrote to believers who had been displaced and scattered by persecution in l Peter [2:20]-23:

Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

He never sinned,
nor ever deceived anyone.
He did not retaliate when he was insulted,
nor threaten revenge when he suffered.
He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly.

Enduring suffering requires us to remember that the gospel does not promise ease in this life, but an everlasting place in God’s family in the life to come. This world is not our real home.

Finally, disciples make more disciples.

While loving God, our neighbor, and each other is the most important aspect of being a disciple, the most important thing disciples do is make other disciples. This was the task Jesus commanded his followers just before he ascended to heaven. For that reason it’s called the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20,“Jesus came and told his disciples, “’ have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'”

“Make disciples of all nations.” That was a big part of the story of the Bible. The authority of the supernatural powers that have enslaved the nations has been taken away. God wants his children, his partners—disciples of his Son, Jesus—to share the good news of the gospel everywhere. God wants as many people in his family as possible. Our task is to tell the good news, live it out in front of them, and bring them into the family of God—and teach them to do the same.

How do we do that? We share our faith and how we came to believe the gospel. It’s amazingly simple.

First, tell people about your life before you believed the gospel and embraced the forgiveness of God through Jesus. People enjoy stories, especially about other people. Why? There’s always something in a person’s story that connects to our own story. When you tell someone about your life before understanding the gospel, some detail of your life will be familiar to the person you’re talking to, will connect with them.

Second, tell them why hearing and believing the gospel was a turning point for you. Usually, this has something to do with forgiveness for our sins. It’s wonderful to know that despite the things we’ve done to ourselves and other people, God still loves us and wants us so much that he offers us salvation. Then share the story of how God sent Jesus so that we could be forgiven and have everlasting life with him—the thing God has wanted from the beginning.

Third, tell people about the impact of believing the gospel and being forgiven has had in your life. Tell them what it’s like to know God’s forgiveness, love, and promise of everlasting life. Tell them how it’s changed your perspective on who you are and why you’re here. Tell them how embracing the gospel has changed you.

Some people may want to see proof of a changed heart. That’s normal—and an opportunity to imitate Jesus. This is one of the important reasons to live a holy life. Jesus loved and served people. People want to be loved and look for authenticity in other people. Responding to people the way Jesus would is powerful. They will notice. They know when someone loves them or not. They know when you put them ahead of yourself for the sake of the message of the gospel. Not everyone believed Jesus. Not everyone will believe in the gospel when you share it with them and treat them like Jesus would. But many will.

That will conclude our lesson and Dr. Heiser’s book “What Does God Want?” Next Worldview Wednesday, we will begin a new series, from another of Dr. Heiser’s works as we cover brief insights on mastering Bible doctrine. I believe you will find each Worldview Wednesday an interesting topic to consider as we build our Biblical worldview.

Tomorrow we will continue with our 3-minute humor nugget that will provide you with a bit of cheer and help you to lighten up and live a rich and satisfying life. So encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along with us tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

If you would like to listen to any of our past 1220 treks or read the Wisdom Journal, they are available at Wisdom-Trek.com. I encourage you to subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on your favorite podcast player so that each day’s trek will be downloaded automatically.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all, your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you tomorrow!