WHAT MADE THE GOSPEL of Jesus Christ penetrate the known world for only thirty-three years right after the resurrection? Imagine accomplishing that without mobile phones, internet, jet planes, emails, chat rooms, television, telephones, websites, etc.
What sort of transformation took place between Acts 1:8 and Acts 8:1? What happened between the conversion of the sinners to becoming preachers of the Gospel?
I believe it has something to do with the foundations laid in the lives of the new believers and the genuine fellowship (family atmosphere) formed among them. In short, they were established – solidly grounded.
Take a look at this:
Acts 2:42-47
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Apostle Paul himself was established spiritually – a foundation was laid, when a disciple named Ananias assisted him in his new-found faith (Acts 9.10-19). Then another Christian disciple, Barnabas (which means ‘son of encouragement’), introduced him to the rest of the spiritual family (Acts 9.27).
Now, imagine the effect in his life and ministry. He wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, which were designed to help establish new believers in different regions, mostly churches he started.
One of the epistles, not the wives of the apostles, which he wrote to the Hebrews was designed to help them press on to spiritual progress and maturity. Some were neglecting the Word that he exhorted them not to drift away (Hebrews 2.1).
Try to look around us and see lots of people who responded well to the Gospel but in a stunted stage because they are drifting away like a boat, afloat but with no direction. No exertion of effort. Just at the mercy of the incoming waves. Before you know it, you’ve become so far away from the shore, and beyond reach.
But, thanks be to God, new believers don’t have to be adrift. They can be established firmly and securely (with the help of fellow ‘ship mates’).
When the storms of life start to attack us on every side; we will have nothing to worry, for our hope (Jesus Christ), is the Anchor of our lives.
Hebrews 6:19a
“We have this hope (Jesus Christ) as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
I am glad Jesus has described our relationship with Him in a biotic level: bearing fruit. He never explained it in a technocratic way; like machines.
Yet the challenge still remains: bear much fruit! Without it, we are as good as dead. To be cut-off. Thrown into the fire.
But if we bear fruit, we still have to be cut. Cut in a different way- to be cut-clean. I don’t have time to talk about pruning in viticulture, but that’s how the Word of God managed to illuminate it beautifully.
I want us to understand though that we as branches, don’t produce fruits. Yup, you heard me. We never produce fruits. It is the vine that produces the ability for the branches to bear fruits. Therefore, we can safely say that, we are like racks where fruits are hanged. Branches don’t have the capability to come up with fruits.
So, how can we, as branches, not just bear fruits, but bear much fruits? I am glad you asked: abide in the Vine. Just stay in there. You may be feeling the ‘heat’ (cutting) from the Gardener, remain anyway.
Since John 15:1 said this in red letters: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” Then you know what I mean when I say ‘abide in the Vine’.
So, which one do you like? To be cut-off or to be cut-clean? Branches that are bearing fruit need to be cut clean so they may bear ever more fruit. Yield to the pruning. God knows what He is doing. Remain connected with the Vine. The fruits will follow.
When that happens, people will start to see something. The bible described several aspects of fruits… to you my dear readers… would you please tell us some of the these fruits that are expected to be seen in us as Christ followers? Feel free to join in the discussion…
Well, let me reword it. If being a Christ follower is a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Ouch..
Don’t be burdened. It’s a privilege. Bearing much fruit is not for your sakes. It’s for the glory of our Father in heaven.
When a person decides to become a follower of someone, he becomes branded as what that person represents. Now, that’s easy and automatic. It is almost like becoming a “fan”. The downside though, is that there is no lasting and deep impression in a person’s heart.
A classic example of this is found in this text:
John 6:66 “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
I would like us to see the other side of being a follower. A follower of Christ, I mean. I consider it a responsibility. An awesome responsibility. Apostle John took the time to present an old truth in a new way:
John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
It is a command, not a suggestion. It is incumbent upon us to do so. How?
1John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
Having said these, what about the great impact of loving one another?
John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Wow… talking about being branded as a follower of Christ! I call that a privilege. A great privilege of being associated with Jesus Christ.
Whether I like it or not, the way I relate with others reflects my brand of Christianity.
I can say then that:
“Loving one another is our endorsement to the world that we are Christ followers”
Let’s enjoy this video clip that shows how others flaunt their brand..
A civilized competition between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs is seen in short commercials of two guys just sarcastically talking to each other. There names: Mr. PC and Mr. Mac.
I am sure many of you are very much familiar with what I am talking about. There seemed to be a similarity between the two but the difference is too far out. Like the difference between a lightning and a lightning bug! (I know what some of you are thinking: what is the diff between blue and green? Sorry, but I don’t have enough space).
I am talking about the diff between a so-called “christian” and a true follower of Christ.
Jesus Christ Himself has given us something that would be enough to put a wedge between existing relationships.
Between the real and the not-so-real.
Luke 14:26-27“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Does that sound exclusive? No. It is not about exclusivity.
It is about discipleship.
I could not think or even imagine anything more important than my relationships with my father, mother, and my siblings growing up.
But when I was exposed to this passage of Scripture, it made me realize that there was something even higher.
As a Christ-follower, my relationship with others is second best.
If that is resolved, then this will make sense…
Luke 14:27 “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Discipleship can not be discipleship without the cross of Christ. The cross that represents death to ’self’.
Being a true disciple does not only mean that we have to forgo of other relationships in light of Christ having the first spot in our lives, but also we have to forget self to become one.
Sounds foolish? Yes and no. Yes, in the eyes of the world. No, because to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor 1.18b).
Let’s go home with this one big idea then:
A true disciple gives Christ first place in their lives always.
If you ask me, how would it look like if a so-called christian and a Christ-follower were caught talking to each other?
Posted by Ferdie Cabiling 
Posted by Ferdie Cabiling 
Posted by Ferdie Cabiling 
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