Mark 1:40-45, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Our reading from 1 Corinthians reminds us that Christian living requires self-discipline in spiritual things, akin to physical exercise. Our Mark reading reminds us that Jesus makes it all worthwhile. In this instance Jesus healed a man who asked for help. And we know that Jesus is generous with his help for us, as we ask.
Given the amount of exercise my wife and I got on holiday, we have found walking and biking around home to be much less effort than before we went away. That is a benefit of exercise. The more we exercise the stronger we grow. And it works just as much for spiritual exercise. The more we exercise our faith the stronger it grows.
Another benefit of discipline is self-respect. When we have good intentions and don’t fulfill them it is easy to regard ourselves as failures. When we do do what we intend we respect ourselves so much more. And there’s a build-up effect. The more we do the right thing the more we do the right thing and the more self-respect we gain. We don’t need to be doing this for someone else’s approval or out of a sense of duty, we can do it for ourselves and for Jesus – indeed, with Jesus.
I read a definition of church this week. It goes like this: “The local church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to Scripture they organise under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical sacraments of Baptism and Communion, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness and scatter to fulfill the Great Commandment and the Great Commission as missionaries to the world for God’s glory and their joy.” [Brad House, Community, p.21.]
Grow Stronger through Meeting Together
Meeting regularly with other Christians has the power to strengthen us. We can overcome challenges together. As we grow spiritually together we can change our world. None of us do particularly well on our own but we benefit from the wisdom, suppport and encouragement of others.
Every church and every Christan needs a Community Group meeting each week. It is a place of ministry and growth. Deep friendships can develop in a Community Group, where you meet with the same people each week. It’s the sort of thing that helps you get through life’s challenges.
We have groups starting next week and going through to Easter. I would encourage everyone to join in and to that end we have two group times. Either Sunday 7-8pm after the bread or, for those for whom evening meetings are not their thing, there is Monday from 12:05 to 12:55pm. Both groups meet here at church. Groups are part of our discipline, and part of the blessing – and it’s because of love.
Love the Lord you God
I read in my daily reading yesterday about a scientific study of love, emotion and relationships. The study is called, A General Theory of Love. According to the authors, “Where intellect and emotion clash, the heart often has the greater wisdom,” In the past, they say, people believed that the mind should rule the heart, but science has now discovered the opposite to be true. “Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love.” (p.144)
Those familiar with Scripture recognize this as an ancient truth, not a new discovery. The most important commandment God gave to His people gives the heart the prominent place. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deut. 6:5). Jesus added “and with all your mind” (Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). So, what scientists are just now discovering, the Bible taught all along.
When we obey the greatest commandment and make God the object of our love, we can be assured of having a purpose that transcends anything we could imagine or our strength could achieve. When our desire for God dominates our hearts, our minds will stay focused on ways to serve Him, and our actions will further His kingdom on earth and in heaven. [Our Daily Bread, 14.2.2015.]
I thought of this in relation to the churches we visited while on holiday. We picked up their love for God, particularly from those who led the services. And we received their love of us from those who took the time to talk with us, for to take an interest in another person is an act of love. It is basic to human nature that we have a need to love and a need to be loved. Lewis says, “Love is simultaneous mutual regulation, wherein each person meets the needs of the other, because neither can provide for his own.” (p.208) Jesus stated this another way when he said, “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
Being friendly is loving; so is sharing our faith. Look again at our definition of the church. We are to fulfill the Great Commandment, which is to love God and to love one another as Christ has loved us, and we are to fulfill the Great Commission, which is to make disciples, which means sharing our faith, telling people the good news about Jesus and how they too can be loved by him.
I wonder sometimes if you think I talk about this a lot – even too much. And I wonder whether I do it because I am not as disciplined in this area as I’d like to be. Do I push you because I need pushing too? I still have over 200 of the Hope booklets sitting at home waiting to be given to people who haven’t seen it. I do need encouraging – and a bit of help would go a long way.
When our definition of church says we scatter to be missionaries it doesn’t mean we are each on our own. It means that we do mission in community groups. While there will be individual action it always is part of the communal action and has others’ support.
Therefore, apply the discipline you need and apply it in loving ways. You might consider the things you do every day and see how you are loving others. Join a group and share God’s love in closer relationship. Loving God is primary in our lives, but we often forget this and do our own thing. However, when our desire for God dominates our hearts, our minds will stay focused on ways to serve Him, and our actions will further His kingdom on earth and in heaven.
Lord, we long to make You the supreme desire of our heart.
As You taught Your disciples to pray,
so too we ask You to teach us how to love.
Guide us today.