How a healthy discipleship rhythm leads to long obedience in the same direction.
The “Prince of Preachers” CH Spurgeon once said, “it’s not the flash in the pan, but the steady flame that gives light.”
A flash is bright, immediate, then gone.
Think of a candle’s flame. It is steady, quiet, but gives off enough light to give sight in a dark room.
The life of a disciple of Jesus Christ is meant to be steady, durable, consistent and lasting. Scripture calls us to endurance throughout our lives. This has often been referred to as “a long obedience in the same direction.”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Endurance in the race set before disciples implies that there is preparation, order, sustenance and discipline.
Let’s take a look at four essential components to keep the steady flame of discipleship:
- Communion with Christ
- Cultivation at Home
- Community with the Church
- Calling in the World
I. Communion with Christ
Before a disciple is seen, they are shaped. In recent topics for disciples, we discussed abiding in Christ as John writes in John 15. We must abide first. Jesus Himself prioritized communion with the Father through prayer.
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
Jesus prioritized private communion before the public ministry. What a blessing it is to dwell consciously in communion with God. To know and experience the love of Christ. This is a relational participation with God that Christ made possible. John Owen describes this communion as:
- Receiving the Father’s love.
- Resting in the Son’s finished work.
- Yielding to the Spirit’s strengthening presence.
Through Christ you are invited into “distinct communion with the Father in love, with the Son in grace, and with the Spirit in comfort.”
Communion will produce fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Our joy and resilience is built through prayer as a rhythm. This is how private communion brings power. Not a loud or platforming power to showcase our name, but durable sustenance that leads to a steady flame.
What are some other ways we have communion with God? It’s in reading God’s Word, meditating, prayerful response and praising His goodness and grace. Praise the Father for who He is, be thankful of the Son for His finished work that brought grace, and rely on the Spirit for sanctifying help. Daily dependence comes by daily abiding.
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. – John 15:3-4
II. Cultivation at Home
Discipleship at home is vital in the life of the believer. This comes from the overflow of communion with God. Paul encourages disciples to not be imbalanced in their ministry, knowing that instruction at home must be a priority.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4
Long obedience that neglects the home is not Biblical obedience.
“A minister’s life is the life of his ministry.” – JC Ryle
This is true for every believer. Notice the order: 1. Communion with God. 2. Cultivation at Home.
III. Community in the Church
You have heard it taught well that God’s intention for the disciple’s life is community not solitude. The early church was structured, ordered and devoted.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” – Acts 2:42
Notice the ordered rhythm here: teaching, fellowship, worship, prayer.
“The church is a discipleship greenhouse.” – John Macarthur
The disciple’s growth must have an environment to grow in. Hebrews instructs us in this:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Encouragement and equipping will enable endurance.
IV. Calling in the World
A steady flame gives light. This is what we are called to be. Jesus says this in the Gospel of Matthew:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Your calling will be lived out when ordered rightly.
- Communion
- Cultivation
- Community
- Calling
The great commission gives us the structure of our calling:
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Christ gives the authority, we are to go, make disciples, and teach.
Closing Thoughts
What happens when we reverse the order?
- Calling without communion leads to burnout.
- Serving God’s church without faithfulness at home is not faithfulness to God’s instruction.
- A home without discipleship is neglected.
- Communion without commission is stagnation.
When the rhythm prescribed in scripture is followed, the flame of discipleship will burn with long obedience and faithfulness in the same direction.
Communion will fuel, the home will refine us, community and church will equip and strengthen, and our calling will shine brightly unto the Lord. Not sustained by our strength, but sustained by Christ’s faithfulness.
Faithfulness repeated over years becomes a life that shines. May we pursue communion, cultivate our homes, commit to the local church and live out our calling all for the Glory of God.
The savior who brought you into the light is the one who will keep you.
“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” – Jude 24-25