The Radical Disciple by John Stott

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1 Jesus teaches his Disciples This, then, is how you should pray: The Radical Disciple by John Stott Chapter 7 DEPENDENCE Friends & Fellowship August 25, 2013 Jim Bechtel My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:7-8 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6: The Radical Disciple: 8 Characteristics often neglected in Christian Discipleship Chapter Today 8 Characteristic Non-Conformity Christlikeness Maturity Creation-Care Simplicity Balance Dependence Death 3 Who is JOHN STOTT? ( ) EVANGELICAL SCHOLAR: "I can't think of anyone who has been more effective in introducing so many people to a biblical world view. He represents a touchstone of authentic biblical scholarship that, in my opinion, has scarcely been paralleled since the days of 16th century European Reformers." (Billy Graham) Also see tributes to Stott s Influence: JohnStottMemorial.org AUTHOR of over 50 books and many documents, notably: The Incomparable Christ, Basic Christianity, Evangelical Truth, The Living Church Lausanne Covenant of Evangelical theology & social action GENEROUS MENTOR: Donated book royalties ($millions!) and personal ministry time to provide evangelical theology education for pastors and missions worldwide (LanghamPartnership.org) HUMBLE CLERIC: Lifelong Rector at Anglican All Souls Church, London; refused all promotions and offers of positions lived in a 2 room church flat, and wrote at a farm in Wales 4 1

2 Outline: Chapter 7 DEPENDENCE DEPENDENCE and Discipleship DEPENDENCE and Discipleship Jesus teaches his Disciples how to Pray Glory Dependence Jesus serves, Disciples receive Jesus command: Love One Another Spiritual Lessons for ALL of life Cases: John Stott, Miss Daisy, Bash Physical Failure Emotional Weakness Humiliation and Humility God s design: DEPENDENCE Dependence, Faith, Hope (Joni s story) Depend on the God of all Comfort! (p100 1) So-called secular theologians in the 1960s boldly asserted that humanity had come of age and that we can now dispense with God. the truth is that we are sinners who are DEPENDENT on God for his mercy and for his continuing grace. To attempt to live without him is precisely what is meant by sin. We also need one another. A recent experience of mine demonstrated my own weakness and DEPENDENCE. I had broken my hip, for I could not move. Hugh Palmer, rector managed to preach my sermon. Only later did I note its appropriateness, for I had prepared an exposition of the Lord s prayer. 5 6 Jesus teaches his Disciples how to pray (1) This, then, is how you should pray: GLORY (Worship) Our Father in heaven, 1) reverence hallowed be your name, 2) God s covenants your kingdom come, 3) God s purposes your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. --and some late manuscripts end: for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Jesus teaches his Disciples how to pray (2) John Stott s Sermon Topic (Ch 7) DEPENDENCE: 1) personal needs Give us today our daily bread. 2) forgiveness And forgive us our sins, as we also have forgiven those who sin against us. 3) protection And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one Matthew 6:

3 A C T S (+ S) Prayer A = Adoration of the LORD C = Confession of our sins T = Thanksgiving for his blessings S = Supplication for our requests +S = Surrender to God s perfect will DEPENDENCE and Discipleship (1) (Does that apply to ME?) Accepting Dependence on the Lord (John 13) Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal and began to wash his disciples feet He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. Then, Lord, Simon Peter replied, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well! John 13: DEPENDENCE and Discipleship (2) (Does that apply to ME?) Serve! and be Served! (depend on one another) Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:14-17 Blessed by DOing! (--not by KNOWing) 11 DEPENDENCE and Discipleship (3) (Does that apply to ME?) Glory of Divine Love (Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension) Jesus said, Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. John 13:31-32 Love One Another! (depend on one another) A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13: and many other One Anothers Are you One (Loving) -- or Another? (accepting Love: DEPENDENT!) So, does DEPENDENCE apply to you? 12 3

4 Physical Failure, Emotional Weakness (weeping) (p102 2) There is another aspect of the dependence that I experienced which was new to me. It is the emotional weakness that physical infirmity sometimes brings to the surface, and which finds expression in weeping. (p102 4) But then I read the Gospels and discovered that Jesus our Lord wept in public twice: once over the impenitent city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41) and again at the graveside of Lazarus (John 11:35). So, if Jesus wept, his disciples may presumably do so also. --and the Bible confirms many reasons for righteous tears 13 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 During the days of Jesus life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Hebrews 5:7 as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Philippians 3:18 older priests and Levites wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. Ezra 3:12 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. Genesis 43:30 their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. 1 Samuel 30:4 I saw the tears of the oppressed they have no comforter Ecclesiastes 4:1 I would weep day and night for the slain of my people. Jeremiah 9:1 All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. The Lord has heard my cry for mercy Psalm 6:6,9 Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance Ecclesiastes 3:4 14 Emotional Weakness: Liberating, Healing, a Gift from God Friend John Wyatt: (p103 3) In the first days I was strongly reminded of my own experience of severe illness and confusion we both found ourselves in tears, overcome by a powerful sense of our common human vulnerability and frailty. It was a painful but liberating experience. Therapist Sheila Moore: (p104 3) There are no words to say during such a deep experience--just empathy and a comforting firm hand on his shoulder. As the emotion gradually subsided, I reassured him tears are a very valuable release and form of healing. (p104 4) This completely out of character experience happened suddenly. It would be valuable to view these moments as a God-given preparation for the changes in life that lie ahead, and as a special gift from God. 15 His Power made perfect in our Weakness To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:

Humiliation and Humility The man who led me to Christ Rev. EJH Nash ( Bash ) (p105 2) Bash and I were traveling together by train one day when he told me about his early life.

humiliation. Indeed, humiliation, he concluded, was the road to humility. Having plumbed the depths of utter helplessness, it would be impossible to climb the hill of self-confidence.

5 Humiliation and Humility The man who led me to Christ Rev. EJH Nash ( Bash ) (p105 2) Bash and I were traveling together by train one day when he told me about his early life. he was struck by a serious illness thought he was on his deathbed so weak he could hardly move he had to be fed with a spoon It was an experience of total dependence and at the same time of humiliation. Indeed, humiliation, he concluded, was the road to humility. Having plumbed the depths of utter helplessness, it would be impossible to climb the hill of self-confidence. Michael Ramsey, archbishop of Canterbury re: humility (p ) Thank God, often and always confession of your sins humiliations [stay close to the Lord] humor DEPENDENCE, a mark of Maturity A refusal to be dependent on others is not a mark of maturity but immaturity. A good example is the film Driving Miss Daisy and her African American driver, Hoke. In the beginning, she will have nothing to do with Hoke. she blurts out, I don t need you. I don t want you. I don t like you! But gradually they grow to appreciate each other, until years later she says to him, You re my best friend. Really. and takes his hand. (p108 2) The film documents the transformation from the early days when she refused to be dependent on him for anything, to the end when she is dependent on others for nearly everything. Aging is the process that changed the relationship God s design: DEPENDENCE (p ) God s design is that we should be dependent. We come into this world totally dependent on the love, care and protection of others. We go through a phase of life when other people depend on us. And most of us will go out of this world totally dependent on the love and care of others. And this is not an evil, destructive reality. It is part of the design, part of the physical nature that God has given us. Christ himself takes on the dignity of dependence. He is born a baby, totally dependent on the care of his mother. And at the end, on the cross, he again becomes totally dependent, limbs pierced and stretched, unable to move. So in the person of Christ we learn that dependence does not, cannot, deprive a person of their dignity, of their supreme worth. And if dependence was appropriate for the God of the universe, it is certainly appropriate for us. 19 Depending on God: Joni Eareckson Tada s story --from Athlete, to Quadriplegic, to Visionary Leader NOW and THEN 2013: signing a book 1967: at the beach with Dad 1967 diving accident left her paralyzed from neck down Initially overwhelmed, bitter, resentful, angry, suicidal--with temper tantrums against God Transformed by Bible study -- helped by vision of Jesus on the Cross immobilized, helpless, paralyzed --like her -- and hope for a resurrection body Started Joni+Friends Disability and Wheels for the World ministries, author >50 books & theology course, artist, singer, motivational speaker, radio/tv broadcaster, honored leader

6 FAITH: Depending on God through Joni s Breast Cancer (1) Joni has lived paralyzed >45 years--comforting, serving, and inspiring other hurting disabled and disadvantaged people See: joniandfriends.org International Disability Services, Wheels for the World, Family Retreats, TV & Radio, etc. Her faith & ministries prepared Joni for a new crisis in 2010: Advanced Stage III Breast Cancer 3 inch tumor, invaded lymph nodes, maybe chest wall Disability dangers: Joni can t do a self-exam; and for 9 years had no mammograms (radiation risks to lungs) Treated by mastectomy, chemotherapy, drugs Joni s response? All smiles! I want to assure you that I am genuinely content to receive from God whatever He deems fit for me even if it is from His left hand, because better something from His left hand than no hand at all, right? FAITH: Depending on God through Joni s Breast Cancer (2) Joni and Ken Tada (married 30 years) say they are "utterly convinced" God will use cancer to "do something big" through Joni and Friends. Joni: Now I can empathize and journey alongside people struggling with cancer, as well as those with disability. Joni & Ken share vividly candid videos of their faith, love, and prayers through her most personal ordeals with fear, pain, mastectomy, chemotherapy, baldness, breathing difficulties, doctors visits, etc. --see Internet site links: joniandfriends.org/television/cancer-jonis-journey-part-1/ joniandfriends.org/television/cancer-jonis-journey-part-2/ Joni assures that she will not be shaken by the cancer but will continue to trust in God as my rock and fortress HOPE: Depending on God for Bodily Resurrection (Joni, quoted by John Stott in The Incomparable Christ) The Bible speaks of our bodies being glorified in heaven. (Philippians 3:20-21, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58) I with shriveled, bent fingers, atrophied muscles, gnarled knees, and no feeling from the shoulders down, will one day have a new body, light, bright, and clothed in righteousness-- powerful and dazzling. Can you imagine the hope this gives someone spinal cord injured like me? in heaven I will be free to jump up, dance, kick, and do aerobics. And although I m sure Jesus will be delighted to watch me rise on tiptoe, there s something I plan to do that may please him more. If possible, somewhere, sometime before the party gets going, sometime before the guests are called to the banquet table at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb, the first thing I plan to do on resurrected legs is to drop on grateful, glorified knees. I will quietly kneel at the feet of Jesus. 23 Depend on the God of all Comfort! Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:

John 14:13-14 whatever you ask in my name, that will I do for you. So how do you respond when you don t get what you want

1 John 14:13-14 whatever you ask in my name, that will I do for you. So how do you respond when you don t get what you want 2 3 The REASON for Deferred Hope * Prevention: God, in His grace, my be trying