21st Century Discipleship!
John 10:17 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (NKJV).
My first job was as a motor mechanic. Back in those days (40 years ago this year!) we did our training via an Apprenticeship. I remember trying to come to grips with all that I had to learn. There were a number of qualified journeyman as they were called, and they each had their own ways of doing things. It became confusing. Which was the best way? They all had strengths in the ways they did things. But one day I had a serendipitous moment! (A good and beneficial discovery made almost by accident). I decided that instead of following all the guys in the workshop, I should follow just one, the foremen.
Since that day I asked him the most questions, I did things his way, I tried my best to learn the same skills he had, even spending time at his home with his family. It worked! Confusion gone! A newfound confidence was born. My skills grew.
When I began preaching and ministering, those who knew me could tell who I had served and trained under. I even had a family member say once they thought my teacher/mentor/trainer/pastor spoke just like me! In those early days of my ministry, you could say I was an imprint of his ministry.
In our text for this Brief Word, we have Jesus saying something so simple. It’s the essence of 21st Century Discipleship. John 10:17 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (NKJV). So what is it to be a 21st Century Disciple? A modern-day Christ follower? Pretty much the same as it has always been! Hearing His voice, and obeying Him.
Firstly 21st Century Disciples Hear the Shepherd’s Voice.
John 10:17 My sheep hear My voice … (NKJV). Here in New Zealand shepherds drive the sheep ahead of them, mostly through fear of dog! But in Eastern countries in Biblical times and even today shepherds lead their sheep, through relationship.
Many people get frustrated and disappointed, about what they perceive as “God doesn’t speak to me”, or, “I can’t hear the voice of God”. But when God the Father speaks to us, we know it is Him, because He never condemns or criticises; though He does convict and show us ways to be free of sin. But you know, God just loves to speak to us, for the simple reason, that we’re His kids! He’s our Father, and He loves us and wants to speak to us and give us the assurance, the peace, the direction, the security that Father’s voice brings.
Followers of Jesus put themselves in places to hear His voice. When was the last time, you and I really heard God speak to us? Maybe we need to slow down a little, clear some clutter from our lives, establish boundaries, so that we can hear from God. In leadership the difference between monumental success or failure of wonderful projects, is sometimes that we heard from God, which changes things from a good idea to a God idea!
When you really personally hear from God, it changes everything! Faith, confidence, trust, and hope rises. And the most important way we can hear the voice of God is through his Word!
Secondly 21st Century Disciples Obey the Shepherd’s Voice.
John 10:17 … and they follow me. (NKJV). You can’t follow Jesus without obeying Him. It’s not rocket science! Just do what He says to do! And do not do what He says not to do! Pretty simple. Charles Stanley says “Obey God and leave the consequences to Him.” Very good advice!
Moses was obedient, though reluctant, in going to Pharaoh, and led the Israelites out of Egypt. Samuel was obedient, and became the prophet God sent to the Israelites. Ananias was obedient and the ministry of the Apostle Paul was birthed. Paul, was obedient, left prestige, power, position, and went and preached the Gospel. Jesus, in the greatest act of obedience, went to the Cross!
Someone once said, “The water was turned into wine in the process of obedience.” Provision comes when we’re obedient. When He hasn’t called us to do something, there won’t be any provision for it. If God has spoken to us and we’ve heard His voice then we can be confident He will provide.
This is a trait of 21st Century Disciples. They obey God! So when God speaks to us and says to pray, let’s pray. When He says to stay, let’s stay. When he says to go, let’s go. When he says to go across the room and speak to someone, then let’s go across the room and speak to that person. When God says to start a business, let’s start a business. If God says to close a business, let’s close a business. When God speaks to us to serve, then let’s serve. When God speaks to us to lead, then let’s lead. Kevin Dyson says, “There is always someone waiting on the other side of our obedience.”
But notice also; John 10:17 … I know them … (NKJV). Wow! We sometimes enjoy the fact that we know famous or important people; but as good as that is, it is by far better to be known by Jesus! What a blessed position that is to be in!
Sheep can be dumb animals. But they do know a thing or two. They know where their safety is. They know where their provision is. They know where their protection is. They know where their blessing is! Where is that place? Right where the Shepherd is!
This is how we know we are a Disciple of His. And it’s not too hard – hear what the Shepherd says to us, then, simply obey. That way, we’ll look increasingly like the Jesus we follow! And won’t that be helpful to the world we live in!
