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John 13.5-11

Jesus washed their feet up close 5

He did things to teach a deeper meaning 7

He was metaphorical in His teaching 7

He spoke of washing a relational act 8

His metaphor was to teach of a partial cleaning 9

He said that one of them was not “Clean” 10-11

What was Jesus’ metaphor suppose to teach? Serving? Cleansing? Forgiveness?

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John 13.1-4

Jesus is acutely aware of timing 1

He knew He was going back to the Father 1

He loved His own to the end 1

He knew that God had given Him all things 3

With this since of timing and assurance He washes the disciples feet 4

Washing the Disciples feet was a very calculated and timely act of Jesus

Are we calculated and timely in our fellowship or discipling of another?

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What Techniques Will We Use?

The Wise Master Builder (Part 25)

If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is… (1 Cor 3.12-13)

And now we come to a very tricky component of disciplemaking. Generally, what people are looking for is the “how to” of discipleship; tools, methods and techniques. But one of the problems with consumer Christianity is that the latest spiritual growth fad that promises instant spiritual growth fails to deliver. Unfortunately, after falling victim to a series of these glitzy programs people become suspect and tired (and well they should). This is not to say that we shouldn’t have a plan for disciplemaking (Heb 10.24-25). But it does mean that we need to be wary of any promise for instant spirituality. Our safest methods can be discovered by viewing the principles Jesus modeled in His life and then developing tools for our context. Once we understand the principles they will guide us to meaningful methods. We’ll continue this theme in the next chapters.

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Becoming a Student of Mankind

The Wise Master Builder (Part 24)

A plan in the heart of a man is like deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out. (Proverbs 20:5)

A modern proverb says, “We do what’s inspected, not what’s expected.” And just like other proverbs, although not absolute, it is a good general description of the human heart. Understanding the human condition and its tendencies is essential to being a Master Builder. We must study those that we plan to help and train. We intensely observe their personalities, their pasts, their dreams, and their values. To do less would only be naive and lead to some gross miscalculations in the disciplemaking process.

This is why it is so important to make appropriate application of grace and truth in a person’s life. They need both! Giving a person grace without the truth is actually a form of unintended hate. It denies the person of the knowledge and accountability needed to glorify God. Presenting truth without grace crushes the spirit under the weight of perfection and inability to ever measure up to its standard. Jesus came full of grace and truth and we’d do well to do the same. (Jn 1.14, 17)

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Who are We Working With?

The Wise Master Builder (Part 23)

… He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man. (John 2:24-25)

Spiritual transformation is more a restoration than a new building project. We are presented with the special challenges of working with both the old and the new. Jeremiah was instructed to, “pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jer 1.10) There’s a bit of demolition happening in a person’s life as we simultaneously construct newness in thought and deed. This makes the builder’s job a little more complex as he multi-tasks and studies the many needs of an individual. There’s a need to prioritize the spiritual work being done in a person’s life. For example, getting them in the Word multiplies and personalizes the restoration process. As you can see, the complexities of building truth in a person’s life requires patience, endurance, and grace. The bottom line: a Master builder must know who he is working with and be able to adapt appropriately. The job may seem daunting, but the Great Master Builder is always with us (Mt 28.20).

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What are We Building

The Wise Master Builder (Part 22)

“A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40)

There are so many ingredients that go into making disciples that sometimes we forget what we are making. The supreme objective of discipleship is to glorify the Father (Isa 47.3, 1 Cor 10.31) by becoming like His Son, Jesus Christ (Gal 4.19, Col 1.28, Rom 8.29, 1 Jn 2.6). Our job as Master Builders is to point the way, provide support and instruction and even admonish and rebuke those who desire to follow Jesus (Heb 10.24-25, 1 Thes 5.14). We must be absolutely convinced the only way to glorify God is by helping people conform their lives to the life and words of Jesus (Jn 14.6, 15.5, 1 Cor 3.18). Anything less is simply a waste of time (Phil 2.16, 3.18). Our objective as Master Builders is not to get someone to read their Bible, pray, witness, or any other religious activity. Although these are essential aspects of know Christ, we could miss the forest for the trees if we focus on means rather than the end.

What Motivates a Master Builder?

The Wise Master Builder (Part 20)

… “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” … (Matthew 28:18-20)

If you have read this far, you must be motivated to become a Master Builder. But the question must be asked, “What motivates us to build spiritual principles into another person’s life?” There are several answers that come to mind, some good and some bad. But a primary reason we pursue this quest is because, quite simply, Jesus commands it. A person with God’s heartbeat is ready and willing to do what their Master bids (Ac 13.22, 1 Jn 5.3). Not grudgingly or merely out of duty (although we must acknowledge we find ourselves in this state of mind at times), but we are thrilled at the prospect that the Creator of all things has allowed us the privilege to participate in His great venture– the nurturing of souls. What an incredible mission we have been given (Mt 4.19, Ac 1.8).

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A Personal Tragedy Averted

The Wise Master Builder (Part 19)

‘But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. (Revelation 2:4)

After 25 years of being a “Christian” I was jolted into a stark reality. I was sharing some monumental theological concept with my lifetime mentor when he turned to me and asked, “Chuck, what does that have to do with Jesus?” I angrily thought, “Connect the dots man! We are talking about spiritual things aren’t we?” But as I began to reflect, I realized it didn’t have anything to do with the Master, in fact much of my ministry had very little to do with Jesus. I had drifted from my intentional relationship with Christ into the plastic concerns of theology and ministry techniques. Don’t get me wrong, theology and ministry are essential to disciple making. But when Christ is conspicuously missing from our religious ramblings, they’ve become nothing more than manure (Phil 3.8). That day I quit following ideas and methods and began to follow Jesus with a refocused zeal to be like Him (Lk 6.40, 1 Jn 2.6).

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Examining Your Foundation

The Wise Master Builder (Part 18)

For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2)

How can I tell if Jesus is the foundation I’m building on in other people’s lives? This is a great question that should be asked often. The answer can be found in a few more simple questions.

– What is the focus of my ministry? Phil 3.8
– Am I helping people to do something or become like someone (Jesus)? 1 Jn 2.6
– What do I talk about most often? Luke 6.45
– Are Jesus’ priorities my priorities? Mt 6.33, Mt 22.37-39

Do a quick study of the Letter to the Philippians. In the first chapter alone Paul refers to Jesus over 20 times. If you were to read this chapter aloud, it would take you a little over 3 minutes. Question: If I were to state your name over 20 times in 3 minutes, what would you think? Do you think the Apostle Paul could answer the questions above in an affirmative manner?

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What Other Foundation is There?

The Wise Master Builder (Part 17)

For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Unfortunately, many “Christians” fail to recognize the disasters that come with building life on foundations other than Jesus Christ. Worldly foundations: materialism, self-gratification, egotism, etc. fly in the face of God (1 Jn 2.15-16). But, even the most committed can be subtly duped into adopting faulty foundations if they are not careful. Bible reading, prayer and other disciplines can become the central focus in the place of Christ for spirituality (Jn 5.39). Doctrinal concepts like grace, morality, predestination, dispensationalism, or any other theological dogmas can be mistakenly set up as a faulty foundation (Col 2.8). Techniques for ministry and ministry itself can ascend to the throne of our hearts and become our “end all and be all” (Mt 7.21-23, 23.15). It’s essential that we constantly examine our own lives and the emphases we are imparting to others to insure they rest squarely on the foundation of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 13.5).

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