The 500th Anniversary of the New Testament in the Language of the People 1522 – 2022
The Digital Disciples Series
CALLING – Step 3
Why did Jesus call you to be one of His disciples?
I am Spiritually Empowered!
John 15:16 “‘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.’”
Jesus chose His disciples for a purpose which is why we need to be connected to Him as branches are part of the vine. Through reading God’s Word, prayer, repentance, worship, and receiving the Lord’s Supper we mature and bear fruit. We were called to faith and baptized for a reason – to be a 21st century disciple!
Martin Luther explained that there were two realms in the universe, the realm of the flesh and the realm of the spirit, the secular and the religious, the regnum mundi and the regnum Christi, the things of the world and the things of God. The realm of the flesh included not only physical nature but also the fields of philosophy, mathematics, law, history, and what we call the social sciences, indeed the whole man and the whole world ‘apart from Christ’.
Our knowledge of history and life is limited by facts, empirical examples, and important lessons. The social sciences are not able to educate me as a spiritually empowered person because this comes through the study of God’s Word, reading, talking with friends, listening to sermons and podcasts, prayer, personal experiences, and life-changing situations.
A new perspective might be to understand contemporary discipleship as God calling us to become entrepreneurs in doing His business – which satisfy needs instead of wants. Each of us has been given spiritual gifts to use for this purpose. When we hear that God calls or chooses us, we believe. Because we know Jesus Christ, we have the gift of love! It is intimate, personal, and precious!
Imagine a world where people desire a relationship with Jesus as much as they desire a handbag, shoes, concerts or sports!
Comments: hbitten@reverendluther.org
Bible 500 