Tag: bible

Kingdom Kernel #30 – The Keys to the Kingdom

Unlocking Christ’s Eternal Reign Through Authority, Discipline, and Power

Kingdom Kernel Collection

“And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and WILL THEN REPAY EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”” (Matthew 16:17-28 NASB95)

Introduction

In Matthew 16:17-28, Jesus delivers a profound revelation following Peter’s confession of Him as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Set in Caesarea Philippi, a region saturated with pagan worship, Jesus declares, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven… I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (v. 17-19, NASB95).

He concludes by promising that some disciples “will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (v. 28), echoed in Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 as seeing the “kingdom of God come with power.” These passages collectively establish Jesus’ messianic identity, His delegation of authority to His church, and the present and future reality of His kingdom. This essay synthesizes the themes of the “keys of the kingdom,” “binding and loosing,” and “seeing the kingdom in power.”

Key Words and Phrases

The phrase “keys of the kingdom of heaven” hinges on kleis (Strong’s G2807), meaning “key,” derived from kleiō (to shut or lock). Kleis connotes authority to grant or deny access, rooted in the Jewish concept of stewardship (Isaiah 22:22). The “kingdom of heaven” (basileia tōn ouranōn, Strong’s G932) reflects God’s sovereign rule, both spiritual and eschatological, akin to the Hebrew malkuth (dominion). Basileia underscores Christ’s divine kingship, present now and culminating in eternity.

The terms “bind” (deō, Strong’s G1210) and “loose” (lyō, Strong’s G3089) denote tying/restricting and releasing/permitting, respectively. In rabbinic Judaism, these were idiomatic for authoritative decisions—prohibiting or permitting actions under God’s law. The periphrastic future perfect passive (estai dedemenon/lelumenon) in Matthew 16:19 suggests divine ratification of earthly decisions aligned with heaven’s will, linking deō and lyō to the stewardship symbolized by kleis.

The “rock” (petra, Strong’s G4073) upon which Christ builds His church signifies the revelation of Jesus’ divine sonship, not Peter himself, but the truth of His messiahship. In Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, and Luke 9:27, “see” (horaō, Strong’s G3708) implies not just physical sight but spiritual perception or experiential knowledge, as in recognizing divine authority (John 1:18). “Power” (dynamis, Strong’s G1411) in Mark 9:1 denotes miraculous strength or divine ability, associated with miracles (Luke 4:36), resurrection (Philippians 3:10), and the Spirit’s empowerment (Acts 1:8). Together, these terms frame Jesus’ authority, the church’s role, and the kingdom’s transformative reality.

Theological Significance and Christological Fulfillment

Theologically, the “keys of the kingdom” represent Christ’s delegation of authority to His church, rooted in His identity as Messiah, confessed by Peter (Matthew 16:16). The petra—the revelation of Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God”—is the foundation of the church, which prevails against “the gates of Hades” (v. 18). The kleis empowers believers to proclaim salvation, opening the kingdom to those who accept Christ (Acts 2:38-39) and closing it to unrepentant hearts (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), reflecting God’s redemptive plan through Christ’s death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21).

“Binding and loosing” (deō and lyō) extend this authority to church discipline and instruction. In Matthew 18:15-18, Jesus applies these terms to confronting sin or restoring repentant members, balancing justice and mercy (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; John 20:23). This authority, exercised under Christ’s lordship, ensures the church’s holiness and advances the kingdom. Prophetically, the keys and binding/loosing point to Christ’s eternal reign, where He holds “the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18), fulfilling His role as the Davidic King (Isaiah 9:7).

The promise that some disciples would “see (horaō) the kingdom of God come with power (dynamis)” (Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Luke 9:27) underscores the kingdom’s present and future reality. This was partially fulfilled in the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8), where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus’ divine glory, and at Pentecost (Acts 2), where the Spirit empowered the church. Theologically, this affirms the kingdom’s “already” presence through Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension (Luke 11:20; Ephesians 1:20-23), and its “not yet” consummation at His return (Revelation 11:15). The dynamis of the kingdom—its transformative power—heals, saves, and judges, manifesting Christ’s active lordship today.

Transformative Power for Believers

For contemporary Christians, the kleis symbolizes stewardship of the gospel, empowering believers as priests (1 Peter 2:9) to share Christ’s message and foster kingdom growth. Binding and loosing call for responsible church discipline—confronting sin with grace (Galatians 6:1) and teaching sound doctrine (Titus 2:1)—reflecting Christ’s attributes of justice and mercy. The call to “see” (horaō) the kingdom with dynamis invites disciples to discern God’s redemptive work through the Spirit (Romans 14:17), living under Christ’s lordship now while anticipating His return (Matthew 16:27). This transformative power demands sacrificial living (Matthew 16:24), allegiance to Christ, and participation in His mission to proclaim salvation and advance His unshakable kingdom (Hebrews 12:28).

Conclusion

The “keys of the kingdom,” “binding and loosing,” and “seeing the kingdom in power” collectively illuminate Jesus as the Messiah who delegates authority to His church, governs it with divine justice, and manifests His reign with transformative power. Linguistically rooted in kleis, basileia, deō, lyō, petra, horaō, and dynamis, these concepts reveal Christ’s present and eternal lordship, empowering believers to open the kingdom through the gospel, maintain its holiness, and discern its reality. This truth inspires disciples to steward Christ’s message faithfully, embody His kingship, and live in the power of His unshakable kingdom—now and forever.

Disciple-makers Short Story

The Weight of the Keys

The diner smelled of grease and coffee, a comforting haze after the morning’s drills. Calvin and Owen slid into a cracked vinyl booth, their firemen’s jackets slung over the seats, still damp with sweat. The clatter of plates and the hum of conversation filled the air, but Calvin’s mind was elsewhere—on a passage that had been gnawing at him for weeks. Owen, his rookie partner, was nursing a Coke, his eyes heavy from the training but curious as Calvin leaned forward, Bible open on the table.

“Alright, Owen,” Calvin began, his voice low but steady, “you asked about that tough bit in Matthew 16. Peter’s confession, the keys, all that. It’s heavy stuff, but it’s worth unpacking.” He tapped the page. “This is where Jesus changes everything.”

Owen raised an eyebrow, swirling the ice in his glass. “Yeah, you said it’s about authority or something. But what’s with the ‘keys of the kingdom’? Sounds like a fairy tale.”

Calvin chuckled, but his eyes were serious. “It’s no fairy tale. It’s power—real power. Let’s start with Peter. He’s just a fisherman, right? Rough around the edges, impulsive. But in Caesarea Philippi, surrounded by pagan shrines, he says, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ That’s not just a guess, Owen. Jesus says it’s a revelation straight from God. That’s the rock—the truth of who Jesus is. Not Peter himself, but what he confessed.”

Owen nodded slowly, leaning in. “Okay, so Jesus is the Messiah. Got it. But what’s with the keys?”

Calvin’s fingers traced the verse. “Jesus tells Peter, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.’ The Greek word for key is kleis—it’s about authority, like a steward who can open or lock a door. In Jewish tradition, keys meant you were trusted with something big, like running a household. Here, it’s the gospel itself. Jesus is saying, ‘You’re my steward, Peter. You get to open the kingdom to people—or close it.’”

Owen frowned, setting his glass down. “Close it? That sounds harsh.”

“It’s not about being a gatekeeper,” Calvin said, his voice softening. “It’s about responsibility. Jesus goes on: ‘Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.’ The words bind—deō—and loose—lyō—were rabbinic terms. They meant making decisions, like saying what’s allowed or forbidden under God’s law. For the church, it’s about guiding people—calling out sin, forgiving it, teaching truth. It’s justice and mercy, holding both together.”

Owen’s eyes flickered with recognition. “Like what we do at the station. You train us to make split-second calls—save a life, protect the team. It’s heavy, knowing your choice matters.”

“Exactly,” Calvin said, leaning back. “That’s what the keys are. A weight. You’re entrusted to act in line with God’s will. And it’s not just Peter. We’re all priests, Owen—1 Peter 2:9 says so. We carry the gospel, open doors for others to know Jesus. But it’s gotta be His way, not ours.”

The waitress dropped off their burgers, but Owen barely noticed, his mind turning. “Okay, but then Jesus says some of them won’t die till they ‘see the kingdom come with power.’ That’s in Matthew 16:28, right? And Mark and Luke. What’s that about?”

Calvin took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. “That’s the part that blew my mind. The Greek word for ‘see’ is horaō—it’s not just looking, it’s perceiving, understanding. And ‘power’ is dynamis—miraculous strength, like the Spirit’s work. Jesus is saying some disciples will witness His kingdom breaking in, right then. And they did—six days later, Peter, James, and John see Him transfigured, shining like the sun, talking with Moses and Elijah. It’s a glimpse of His glory, His reign. Then Pentecost comes, and the Spirit falls like fire. The kingdom’s not just future—it’s now, Owen.”

Owen’s burger sat untouched. “So… Jesus is king now? Not just waiting to come back?”

Calvin nodded, his voice earnest. “He’s reigning now. His death, resurrection, ascension—it’s all dynamis, power that changes everything. The church is His body, carrying that power to heal, save, transform. But it’s not easy. Jesus said, ‘Take up your cross’ right after this. Following Him means sacrifice, living like He did.”

The diner noise faded for Owen. He thought of the drills that morning—Calvin pulling him from a simulated blaze, steady under pressure. He thought of his own doubts, the way he froze sometimes, afraid to fail. “Calvin… how do you do it? You’re always so sure, so calm. Like you’ve got that dynamis yourself.”

Calvin’s face softened, but there was a flicker of pain. “I’m not always sure. Last year, we lost a kid in a house fire. I carried that weight for months, wondering if I could’ve done more. But Jesus… He’s the one who holds the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:18. He showed me I’m not the savior—He is. That’s why I want to be like Him, Owen. Not just to carry the keys, but to live with His heart—His justice, His mercy, His courage. It’s the only way to make sense of this life.”

Owen’s throat tightened. He saw it now—not just words on a page, but a call. The keys weren’t a fairy tale; they were a mission, a trust. He thought of the people he’d saved, the ones he couldn’t. Jesus was offering something bigger—a kingdom that didn’t falter, a power that didn’t fail. “I want that,” he said quietly. “To live like Him. To carry that weight and not break.”

Calvin smiled, clapping Owen’s shoulder. “Then start here. See Him—horaō. Know He’s king. Let His Spirit shape you. The keys are yours too, if you’re willing to follow.”

The diner buzzed on, but for Owen, the world shifted. The weight of the keys felt real, not crushing but grounding. He wanted to be like Jesus—not for glory, but to open doors, to bind and loose with grace, to see the kingdom’s power in every choice. As they paid the check, he felt a spark of dynamis within, a quiet resolve to live for the King who trusted him with His reign.

Kingdom Kernel Collection

A Lack of Situational Awareness – #136

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospel of John and see how the religious leaders lacked situational awareness and why it’s important for us as disciple makers to train others in this essential skill. 

So let’s get started.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document) 

John 8:21-26

Again He said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for Me, but you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews began to ask, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” “Who are You?” they asked. “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say about you and much to judge. But the One who sent Me is truthful, and what I have heard from Him, I tell the world.”

My Thoughts 

If someone just told me “You will die in your sins,” I think I’d pay attention to that statement. I would either repent or at the very least, get angry that someone is telling me I’m going to hell. Ultimately that’s what Jesus is saying here. You will spend all eternity in complete and utter torment separated from God. But it seems like it went right over the religious leader’s heads. I mean, did they just hear what Jesus said? “YOU WILL DIE IN YOUR SINS!” 

Their response was to try to figure out what Jesus was saying. “Will He kill Himself?” Or trying to figure out “who” He was. That’s getting a little closer. It was probably more like, “Who do you think you are?” But they are still poking around in the dark and missing the real issue because Jesus has to tell them twice, “You will die in your sins.”

There could be several reasons why these leaders lack situational awareness. They could be so blinded by their pride that they wouldn’t even consider their own shortcomings. They could be so focused on peripheral insignificant doctrines that they missed the forest for the trees. Or the enemy could have their ears so jammed up they only hear what he wants them to hear. The point is they apparently didn’t hear what Jesus was saying.

But it is the same today. In fact people avoid talking about sin altogether because it’s “offensive.” But if we don’t talk about sin we never establish the need for forgiveness and therefore there is no need for a Savior. We have ripped out the very motivation for turning to God. This is why I say we must share the bad news when sharing the good news. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense, Christianity degenerates into a good luck charm. No, we need to hear Jesus’ words about our sin and then repent. When we share the gospel we need to tell people about their sin so they can turn to the only One who can rescue them from the same fate as the religious leaders of His day.

My Story

The tart aroma of strawberry bubblegum wafted all the way to the back of the patrol. I quietly hustled along the single file of Ranger students snaking their way up the mountain. My goal: Find the chewing offender and school him. The smell could not only give away our position but it was filling the nostrils of everyone in the patrol. They couldn’t have smelled a skunk let alone an enemy campfire or diesel exhaust coming from the nearby objective. This one Ranger’s odiferous candy was a total lack of situational awareness.

In the Army it was important to teach soldiers the art of situational awareness. It is the skill of knowing what is happening around you and in you so you can respond appropriately. You can see how this skill would be helpful and even essential in a combat situation. But I’ve found it to be just as important in everyday life. Everything from recognizing the backup lights on a car in a parking lot, to seeing my wife needs help with bringing the groceries into the house, to someone noticing I’m struggling to get through a door with my walker and offering to help.

But it’s also extremely helpful spiritually as well. I’m having a bad day and notice someone is having a worse one and offer an encouraging word. I get frustrated with some physical challenges and remind myself some people are struggling with disastrous things. And yes, I sin and realize I need to quickly repent and thank God for the forgiveness that comes through His Son’s work on the cross. 

As disciple makers it’s important to teach and train people in situational awareness just as much as it is to train soldiers in the same. Jesus helped His disciples size up the world around them. He commanded them to be alert for both the good and bad. He admonished them to keep their eyes open for ways to serve and avoid sin. Situational awareness is a soft skill but an essential skill and we need to practice and train it into disciples of Jesus. 

Our Action Plan

Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;

  • What circumstances or situations have caught you off guard lately?
  • What “blind spots” do the people you are discipling have and how can you address them?
  • Do a Bible study on what Jesus says about “being alert.”

Situational awareness is not a natural skill for those who live in a highly protective and safe society. For a disciple of Jesus to think it’s the same spiritually is extremely naive. Our enemy prowles about like a roaring lion seeking some to devour. (1 Peter 5:8) We are charged with loving and serving those around us. We must train ourselves and others to be alert in all circumstances.

Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

Falta de Conciencia Situacional – #136

¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan y veremos cómo los líderes religiosos carecían de conciencia situacional y por qué es importante que, como hacedores de discípulos, capacitemos a otros en esta habilidad esencial.

Comencemos.

Juan 8:21-26

Les dijo de nuevo: «Me voy, y me buscarán, pero morirán en sus pecados. Adonde yo voy, ustedes no pueden venir». Entonces los judíos comenzaron a preguntar: «¿Acaso se suicidará, ya que dice: “Adonde yo voy, ustedes no pueden venir”?». Entonces les respondió: «Ustedes son de abajo; yo soy de arriba. Ustedes son de este mundo; yo no soy de este mundo. Por eso les dije que morirían en sus pecados. Porque si no creen que yo soy, morirán en sus pecados». «¿Quiénes son ustedes?», le preguntaron. «Justo lo que les he estado diciendo desde el principio», respondió Jesús. «Tengo mucho que decir de ustedes y mucho que juzgar. Pero el que me envió es veraz, y lo que le he oído, se lo digo al mundo».

Mis Pensamientos

Si alguien me dijera: “Morirás en tus pecados”, creo que le prestaría atención. Me arrepentiría o, como mínimo, me enojaría porque alguien me dice que voy al infierno. En definitiva, eso es lo que Jesús dice aquí. Pasarás la eternidad en un tormento absoluto, separado de Dios. Pero parece que al líder religioso no le importó. Es decir, ¿acababan de oír lo que Jesús dijo? “¡Morirás en tus pecados!”.

Su respuesta fue intentar descifrar lo que Jesús decía. “¿Se suicidará?”. O intentar averiguar “quién” era. Eso se acerca un poco más. Probablemente era más bien: “¿Quién te crees que eres?”. Pero siguen hurgando en la oscuridad y pasan por alto el verdadero problema porque Jesús tiene que repetirles: “Morirás en tus pecados”.

Podría haber varias razones por las que estos líderes carecen de conciencia de la situación. Podrían estar tan cegados por su orgullo que ni siquiera considerarían sus propios defectos. Podrían estar tan concentrados en doctrinas insignificantes y periféricas que los árboles les impidieron ver el bosque. O el enemigo podría tener los oídos tan tapados que solo oye lo que él quiere que oigan. El punto es que aparentemente no oyeron lo que Jesús decía.

Pero hoy en día ocurre lo mismo. De hecho, la gente evita hablar del pecado por completo porque es “ofensivo”. Pero si no hablamos del pecado, nunca establecemos la necesidad del perdón y, por lo tanto, no hay necesidad de un Salvador. Hemos arrancado la motivación misma para recurrir a Dios. Por eso digo que debemos compartir las malas noticias al compartir las buenas. De lo contrario, no tiene sentido; el cristianismo se convierte en un amuleto de buena suerte. No, necesitamos escuchar las palabras de Jesús sobre nuestro pecado y luego arrepentirnos. Cuando compartimos el evangelio, necesitamos hablarles a las personas sobre su pecado para que puedan recurrir al Único que puede rescatarlas del mismo destino que los líderes religiosos de su época.

Mi Historia

El aroma ácido del chicle de fresa flotaba hasta la retaguardia de la patrulla. Me apresuré en silencio junto a la fila india de estudiantes Rangers que serpenteaban montaña arriba. Mi objetivo: encontrar al infractor masticador y darle una lección. El olor no solo podía delatar nuestra posición, sino que llenaba las narices de todos en la patrulla. No podían haber olido ni una mofeta, y mucho menos una fogata enemiga ni el escape de un diésel proveniente del objetivo cercano. El oloroso caramelo de este Ranger era una completa falta de conciencia situacional.

En el Ejército era importante enseñar a los soldados el arte de la conciencia situacional. Es la habilidad de saber qué sucede a tu alrededor y dentro de ti para poder responder adecuadamente. Es comprensible que esta habilidad sea útil e incluso esencial en una situación de combate. Pero he descubierto que es igual de importante en la vida cotidiana. Todo, desde reconocer las luces de reversa de un auto en un estacionamiento, hasta ver que mi esposa necesita ayuda para llevar la compra a casa, hasta que alguien se da cuenta de que me cuesta pasar por una puerta con mi andador y se ofrece a ayudar.

Pero también es extremadamente útil espiritualmente. Estoy teniendo un mal día y veo que alguien lo está pasando peor y le doy una palabra de aliento. Me frustro con algunos desafíos físicos y recuerdo que algunas personas están lidiando con situaciones desastrosas. Y sí, peco y me doy cuenta de que necesito arrepentirme rápidamente y agradecer a Dios por el perdón que viene a través de la obra de su Hijo en la cruz.

Como hacedores de discípulos, es importante enseñar y capacitar a las personas en la conciencia situacional tanto como lo es entrenar a los soldados en la misma. Jesús ayudó a sus discípulos a evaluar el mundo que los rodeaba. Les ordenó estar atentos tanto a lo bueno como a lo malo. Les amonestó a mantener los ojos abiertos para encontrar maneras de servir y evitar el pecado. La conciencia de la situación es una habilidad blanda, pero una habilidad esencial y debemos practicarla y entrenarla para ser discípulos de Jesús.

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:

¿Qué circunstancias o situaciones te han tomado por sorpresa últimamente?

¿Qué puntos ciegos tienen las personas a las que discipulas y cómo puedes abordarlos?

Haz un estudio bíblico sobre lo que Jesús dice sobre estar alerta.

La conciencia situacional no es una habilidad natural para quienes viven en una sociedad altamente protectora y segura. Para un discípulo de Jesús, pensar que es lo mismo espiritualmente es extremadamente ingenuo. Nuestro enemigo ronda como león rugiente buscando a quién devorar. (1 Pedro 5:8) Estamos obsesionados con amar y servir a quienes nos rodean. Debemos entrenarnos a nosotros mismos y a los demás para estar alerta en toda circunstancia.

Escritura Orgánica – Sin Inteligencia Artificial ni Edulcorantes Añadidos

Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com

Qualis Pater, Talis Filius – #135 

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospel of John and look at what Jesus says about His identity and purpose in the Father.   

So let’s get started.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document) 

John 8:12-20

Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not valid.” Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. But even if I do judge, My judgment is true, because I am not alone; I am with the Father who sent Me. Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. I am One who testifies about Myself, and the Father, who sent Me, also testifies about Me.” “Where is Your Father?” they asked Him. “You do not know Me or My Father,” Jesus answered. “If you knew Me, you would know My Father as well.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts, near the treasury. Yet no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.

My Thoughts

“Qualis pater, talis filius” is from an old Latin proverb, “as the father, so the son.” In contemporary words, “Like Father, Like Son.” Jesus was exactly like His Father. The problem is that the religious leaders of the day neither recognized Jesus nor His Father. They had a huge case of “Mistaken Identity.”

It’s one thing to make a mistake about someone else’s identity but it’s an entirely another thing to be mistaken about your own. Jesus was sure of both His and His Father’s identity. He knew who He was and He knew who the Father was. I believe this is one of the foundational aspects of mental health. It is also foundational for having the confidence to weather the storms of life.

In this particular instance Jesus is being accosted by leaders who were considered to be experts on “knowing God.” And yet they didn’t have a clue. Their faulty concept of the identity of God directly impacted the understanding of their own identity. They saw themselves as privileged pious men. God saw them as hypocrites. They saw themselves as righteous judges. God saw them as uncompassionate murderers. They saw themselves as educated men. God saw them as fools. And the list of incongruencies goes on.

How do people land so far from the mark on their own personal identities? When one knows not from the well they came from, they are doomed to every kind of concept they can dream up. They did not know the Source and therefore they did not know themselves. That is one of the core reasons for knowing God. He is the beginning and the end of everything we were meant to be. One of Jesus’ primary missions was to live an example that clarified this simple truth for us. We are made in the image of God and truly knowing Him and being known by Him defines our identity and purpose. Stray from the Source and the only option is confusion and self-deception. If we pursue knowing Him and His Father day by day, we will have clarity, direction, peace, and hope. In a world that has lost its mind, doesn’t this sound like the antidote to the madness?

For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. (Colossians 1:9-12)

My Story

I grew up thinking “if I do such and such, I’ll be somebody.” What I had to embrace is that I was already “somebody” in the eyes of God and that my “doing” would spring out of that truth. Don’t get me wrong, that didn’t happen overnight and truth be told, I’m still working on it. It’s taken years of reading the Bible, hearing others talk about Him and seeing them walk with Him, and God Himself stripping away the layers of faulty thinking like peeling back the layers of an onion. It’s been a journey.

But the first step in the right direction brought so much relief and clarity to life. It started when I released control of my life and let Jesus have the final say. When I humbled myself before Him and confessed my sin and believed He had a better plan for my life. Then, the better I got to know Him, the better I knew myself.

If you’re just beginning to try to find your way to God, stop reading and start doing what I’ve written about above with every fiber of your being. But my blog is primarily aimed at disciple-makers so let me exhort those of you helping others. Our primary effort isn’t trying to recruit people to a church or ministry. We don’t focus on getting people on board with a certain program or strategy. It’s not even to make people into good boys and girls. Our job as disciple-makers is to help people get to know God through Jesus and become His disciples.

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

Our Action Plan

Now it’s time for application. Answer these questions;

  • When Jesus commanded us to make disciples, was it to make disciples of us or Him?
  • How are you doing at helping people become more like Jesus?
  • Make a plan to teach those you are discipling to make disciples of Jesus, not themselves.

It seems like the whole world is having an identity crisis. But this isn’t really anything new. We have lost our way since the Garden of Eden. The good news is that Jesus not only came to save us from our sins but also to show us what our identity and purpose are.

Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

Qualis Pater, Talis Filius – #135

¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan y veremos lo que Jesús dice sobre su identidad y propósito en el Padre.

Comencemos.

Juan 8:12-20

Jesús volvió a hablar a la gente y dijo: «Yo soy la luz del mundo. El que me sigue no andará en tinieblas, sino que tendrá la luz de la vida». Los fariseos le dijeron: «Tú das testimonio de ti mismo; tu testimonio no es válido». Jesús respondió: «Aunque yo dé testimonio de mí mismo, mi testimonio es válido, porque sé de dónde vengo y adónde voy. Pero ustedes no saben de dónde vengo ni adónde voy. Ustedes juzgan según la carne; yo no juzgo a nadie. Pero incluso si juzgo, mi juicio es verdadero, porque no estoy solo; estoy con el Padre que me envió. Incluso en su propia Ley está escrito que el testimonio de dos hombres es válido. Yo soy el que da testimonio de mí mismo, y el Padre que me envió también da testimonio de mí». «¿Dónde está tu Padre?», le preguntaron. «No me conocen a mí ni a mi Padre», respondió Jesús. «Si me conocieran a mí, también conocerían a mi Padre». Habló estas palabras mientras enseñaba en el templo, junto al lugar de las ofrendas. Sin embargo, nadie lo apresó, porque aún no había llegado su hora.

Mis Pensamientos

“Qualis pater, talis filius” proviene de un antiguo proverbio latino: “Como el padre, así el hijo”. En palabras contemporáneas, “De tal palo, tal astilla”. Jesús era exactamente igual a su Padre. El problema es que los líderes religiosos de la época no reconocían ni a Jesús ni a su Padre. Sufrían un grave caso de “identidad equivocada”.

Una cosa es equivocarse sobre la identidad de otra persona, pero otra muy distinta es equivocarse sobre la propia. Jesús estaba seguro de su identidad y de la de su Padre. Sabía quién era Él y quién era el Padre. Creo que este es uno de los aspectos fundamentales de la salud mental. También es fundamental para tener la confianza necesaria para afrontar las tormentas de la vida.

En este caso particular, Jesús es abordado por líderes que se consideraban expertos en “conocer a Dios”. Y, sin embargo, no tenían ni idea. Su concepto erróneo de la identidad de Dios afectó directamente la comprensión de su propia identidad. Se consideraban hombres piadosos y privilegiados. Dios los vio como hipócritas. Se veían a sí mismos como jueces justos. Dios los vio como asesinos despiadados. Se veían a sí mismos como hombres cultos. Dios los vio como necios. Y la lista de incongruencias continúa.

¿Cómo es posible que la gente se desvíe tanto de su identidad personal? Cuando uno desconoce su origen, está condenado a cualquier concepto que se le ocurra. Desconocía la Fuente y, por lo tanto, no se conocía a sí mismo. Esa es una de las razones fundamentales para conocer a Dios. Él es el principio y el fin de todo lo que debemos ser. Una de las misiones principales de Jesús fue dar un ejemplo que nos aclarara esta simple verdad. Estamos hechos a imagen de Dios, y conocerlo verdaderamente y ser conocidos por Él define nuestra identidad y propósito. Al alejarse de la Fuente, la única opción es la confusión y el autoengaño. Si buscamos conocerlo a Él y a su Padre día a día, tendremos claridad, dirección, paz y esperanza. En un mundo que ha perdido la razón, ¿no suena esto como el antídoto contra la locura?

Por esta razón, también desde el día que lo supimos, no hemos cesado de orar por ustedes y de pedirles que sean llenos del conocimiento de su voluntad en toda sabiduría y entendimiento espiritual, para que vivan como es digno del Señor, agradándole en todo, dando fruto en toda buena obra y creciendo en el conocimiento de Dios; fortalecidos con todo poder, conforme a su gloriosa potencia, para alcanzar toda constancia y paciencia; dando gracias con gozo al Padre, que nos ha hecho aptos para participar de la herencia de los santos en la luz. (Colosenses 1:9-12)

Mi Historia

Crecí pensando: “Si hago esto y aquello, seré alguien”. Lo que tuve que aceptar es que ya era “alguien” a los ojos de Dios y que mi “hacer” surgiría de esa verdad. No me malinterpreten, eso no sucedió de la noche a la mañana y, a decir verdad, todavía estoy trabajando en ello. Me ha llevado años leer la Biblia, escuchar a otros hablar de Él y verlos caminar con Él, y a Dios mismo despojándome de las capas de pensamiento erróneo como si se pelaran las capas de una cebolla. Ha sido un viaje.

Pero el primer paso en la dirección correcta trajo mucho alivio y claridad a mi vida. Comenzó cuando solté el control de mi vida y dejé que Jesús tuviera la última palabra. Cuando me humillé ante Él, confesé mi pecado y creí que Él tenía un plan mejor para mi vida. Entonces, cuanto mejor lo conocía, mejor me conocía a mí mismo.

Si apenas estás empezando a intentar encontrar tu camino hacia Dios, deja de leer y empieza a hacer lo que he escrito arriba con cada fibra de tu ser. Pero mi blog está dirigido principalmente a quienes hacen discípulos, así que permítanme exhortar a quienes ayudan a otros. Nuestro principal esfuerzo no es reclutar personas para una iglesia o ministerio. No nos centramos en que se unan a un programa o estrategia en particular. Ni siquiera se trata de convertir a las personas en buenos chicos y chicas. Nuestra labor como hacedores de discípulos es ayudar a las personas a conocer a Dios a través de Jesús y convertirse en sus discípulos.

«El discípulo no es superior a su maestro; pero todo el que haya sido plenamente capacitado, será como su maestro» (Jesús en Lucas 6:40).

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora es momento de aplicar. Responde estas preguntas:

  • Cuando Jesús nos mandó hacer discípulos, ¿fue para hacer discípulos de nosotros o de Él?
  • ¿Cómo te va ayudando a las personas a ser más como Jesús?
  • Planifica enseñar a quienes estás discipulando a hacer discípulos de Jesús, no de sí mismos.

Parece que el mundo entero está atravesando una crisis de identidad. Pero esto no es nada nuevo. Hemos perdido el rumbo desde el Jardín del Edén. La buena noticia es que Jesús no solo vino a salvarnos de nuestros pecados, sino también a mostrarnos cuál es nuestra identidad y propósito.

Escritura orgánica: sin inteligencia artificial ni edulcorantes añadidos.

Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com

Kingdom Kernel #29 – Unveiling the Kingdom: The Parable of the Sower and the Mystery of God’s Reign

Kingdom Kernel Collection

He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very large crowd gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole crowd was by the sea on the land. And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching, “Listen to this! Behold, the sower went out to sow; as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on the rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil. And after the sun had risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. Other seeds fell into the good soil, and as they grew up and increased, they yielded a crop and produced thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold.” And He was saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:1-9)

Introduction

The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, Luke 8:4–15) stands as a hermeneutical key to understanding the “mystery” (Greek: μυστήριον, mustérion, Strong’s G3466) of God’s kingdom. This term, rooted in the Greek mueó (“to initiate into secrets”), transcends its Hellenistic cultural context of esoteric rituals to describe divine truths revealed only through God’s grace. In the Gospels, Jesus employs this parable to unveil how the kingdom operates in a hidden yet transformative manner, centering on receptive hearts and the power of God’s Word.

Linguistic Roots: Defining the Terms

The Greek mustérion signifies a divine secret once concealed but now disclosed to those initiated by God. Unlike pagan mysteries guarded by exclusivity, Jesus democratizes access to this truth: the kingdom’s arrival is not through political force but through the sowing of the “word of God” (Luke 8:11). The term’s etymology underscores initiation—not into human rituals, but into God’s redemptive plan. Isaiah’s prophecy (Isaiah 6:9–10, cited in Matthew 13:14–15) frames this mystery as a divine paradox: the same message that hardens some hearts softens others, fulfilling God’s sovereign design.

The Parable as Revelation of Kingdom Dynamics

Jesus’ parable illustrates four responses to the “word of the kingdom” (Matthew 13:19):

The hardened heart (pathway soil): Satan snatches the Word, preventing understanding.

The shallow heart (rocky soil): Initial joy withers under trials.

The distracted heart (thorny soil): Worldly cares choke spiritual growth.

The receptive heart (good soil): The Word flourishes, yielding exponential fruit.

Here, the “mystery” lies in the kingdom’s unexpected manifestation—its growth depends not on human merit but on soil conditions (hearts) prepared by God. As Jesus explains to His disciples, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those outside, everything comes in parables” (Mark 4:11). The parable both reveals and conceals, separating earnest seekers from the spiritually indifferent.

Christological Fulfillment and Present Lordship

Jesus, as the divine Sower and incarnate Word, embodies the mystery. His teaching fulfills Isaiah’s prophecy, confirming His role as Messiah-King who inaugurates the kingdom in humility. The parable’s focus on hearing and perseverance (Luke 8:15) underscores that the kingdom is both a present reality and a future hope. While its ultimate consummation awaits Christ’s return, its power is active now: the Word transforms lives, and the Spirit enables believers to “bear fruit with perseverance.” (Luke 8:15)

Transformative Implications for Believers

The mystery of the kingdom reshapes discipleship. Believers are called to:

Sow indiscriminately, trusting God to prepare hearts. (Matthew 13:3–9)

Cultivate receptive soil by rooting out distractions and deepening faith. (Mark 4:18–19)

Anticipate spiritual multiplication, as good soil yields “thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold.” (Mark 4:20)

This parable also reaffirms Christ’s present lordship. Though His reign is contested, the Word’s efficacy proves His authority. As Paul later articulates, the mystery hidden for ages is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26–27)—a present indwelling that prefigures eternal fulfillment.

Conclusion: The Eternal Word and Kingdom Expansion

The Parable of the Sower reveals that the kingdom advances not through coercion but through the Spirit-empowered Word. By defining mustérion as God’s gracious disclosure, Jesus invites His followers into a participatory role: as sowers, hearers, and bearers of fruit. This mystery, centered on Christ’s redemptive work, transforms hearts today while pointing toward a harvest of cosmic renewal. In a world of shallow faith and divided allegiances, the parable calls believers to persevere as “good soil,” assured that the Sower’s promise will yield an eternal crop.

Disciple-Maker’s Short Story

The Sower’s Circle

In the soft glow of early spring, Pastor Tom and Anna’s living room hummed with quiet anticipation. The clock ticked toward 7 p.m., and the small group—Q-A-A, Questions, Answers, and Application—settled into mismatched chairs and a sagging couch. A faint breeze carried the scent of blooming lilacs through an open window, mingling with the warmth of coffee and Anna’s homemade lemon bars.

The Parable of the Sower, preached that morning, lingered in their minds like a seed waiting to take root.

Tom, lean and graying, sat in a wooden chair brought from the dining room, his Bible open to Matthew 13. Anna, her smile as steady as the lamplight, passed a plate of snacks. The group—eight in all, from college students to retirees—began with a recap of the sermon: the sower, the seeds, the soils, and the mysterious yields of thirty, sixty, a hundredfold. Tom’s voice, gentle but deliberate, invited them to dig deeper. “What stood out to you today? What questions do you have?”

The first to speak was Rachel, a barista with a nose ring and a notebook full of scribbled thoughts. “Why doesn’t Jesus just tell it straight?” she asked, her brow furrowing. “Parables feel like riddles. Why make it so hard to get?”

Tom leaned forward, but instead of answering, he turned to the group. “What do you think? Why parables?” Silence hung for a moment, then Marcus, a retired mechanic with hands like worn leather, cleared his throat. “Maybe it’s like a oil filter. You know, like filtering oil for dirt and debris. The ones who really want to understand stick around and ask, like the disciples did.” Heads nodded. Sarah, a shy college freshman, added, “It’s like he’s inviting us to chase the truth. If it was all laid out, we might not care as much.”

Tom smiled, his eyes crinkling. “That’s good. Jesus himself says in Matthew 13:11, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom, but to them it has not been granted.’ Parables separate the curious from the casual. They’re not just stories—they’re a call to lean in, to seek. And when we do, like Marcus said, we get initiated into something deeper.” Rachel jotted a note, her face softening as if a knot had loosened.

Next came Jamal, a high school teacher whose tie was still knotted from the morning service. “Okay, but the fourth soil—the good soil—feels so rare,” he said, his voice tinged with frustration. “The path, the rocks, the thorns… that’s most people, right? How much seed—how much of the Word—has to be sown to find that good soil?”

Again, Tom deflected to the group. “What do you make of that? How much sowing is enough?” Anna spoke up, her voice steady. “I think it’s not about counting the seeds. The sower in the story just keeps scattering, no matter the ground. It’s like he trusts the seed to do its work, even if most of it doesn’t take.” Peter, a wiry landscaper, chimed in. “Yeah, in my job, I plant a lot of seeds that don’t make it. You don’t stop planting—you just keep going, hoping for the ones that do.”

Tom nodded, flipping to Mark 4:20. “Exactly. Jesus says the good soil ‘hears the word and accepts it and bears fruit.’ It’s rare, sure, but the sower doesn’t discriminate. He sows everywhere, trusting God to prepare the hearts. Our job isn’t to judge the soil—it’s to keep sowing, keep sharing, keep praying. The yield’s up to Him.”

The room grew quieter as Ellen, a grandmother with a soft Southern drawl, raised her hand. “Tom, is this parable why you started Q-A-A?” Her question landed like a stone in still water, rippling through the group. Tom’s eyes met Anna’s, and a flicker of something—memory, maybe—passed between them.

“Let’s hear from you first,” Tom said, his voice softer now. “What do you think?” Ellen smiled faintly. “Well, this group feels like good soil to me. A place where we can ask hard questions, dig into the Word, and figure out how to live it. Maybe you started it to help us be that fourth soil.”

Others murmured agreement. Rachel added, “Yeah, it’s like we’re learning to sow, too—not just hear the Word, but spread it.” Tom leaned back, his smile broadening. “Exactly! When Anna and I started this, we’d been through some rocky years—ministry struggles, doubts, distractions. We saw how easy it was for the Word to get snatched away or choked out. We wanted a space to cultivate good soil, for ourselves and others. This parable? It’s a reminder that the Word works, but it takes time, questions, and persistence. Like Jesus, we’re called to sow generously and trust the harvest to God.”

The group fell silent, the weight of the parable settling in. Tom shifted gears. “Let’s close with applications. How’s this parable challenging you to live differently? To be more like Jesus?”

Peter spoke first, his voice rough but earnest. “I’m gonna start talking about my faith at work. I’ve been too quiet, worried about the ‘rocks’ or ‘thorns’ in people’s lives. But Jesus didn’t hold back. I want to sow like He did.”

Rachel, flipping through her notebook, said, “I need to stop overthinking and just listen to the Word with an open heart. Be that good soil, you know? Jesus was always seeking the Father’s will—I want that kind of focus.” Jamal, his earlier frustration softened, added, “I’m gonna keep teaching my students about truth, even when it feels like it’s not sticking. Jesus kept sowing, no matter the odds. I want His patience.”

As the group shared, Anna’s eyes glistened. She spoke last, her voice barely above a whisper. “I want to be like Jesus in how He saw people—not as bad soil, but as potential for a harvest. He never gave up on anyone. That’s the heart I want.”

The clock struck 8:30, and the group prayed, their voices weaving together like roots reaching deep. Outside, the spring night was alive with possibility, as if the seeds of their words were already taking hold, waiting for the Sower’s hand to bring the yield.

Kingdom Kernel Collection

The Depth Challenge 

Depth Charges in WWII Anti-Submarine Warfare

Depth charges were the primary anti-submarine weapon of World War II, undergoing significant tactical evolution throughout the conflict while presenting unique challenges in confirming their effectiveness.

At the war’s outset, Allied navies relied on basic barrel-shaped depth charges rolled off the stern of escort vessels. These contained 200-300 pounds of explosive set to detonate at predetermined depths. Early tactics were crude—ships would drop charges where a U-boat had last been detected, hoping for a lucky hit within the weapon’s roughly 20-foot lethal radius. The Battle of the Atlantic, however, drove rapid tactical and technological improvements that transformed these weapons from relatively ineffective to submarine killers.

Ships began dropping patterns of multiple charges to saturate an area, dramatically increasing hit probability. The innovative “creeping attack” emerged, where one ship held sonar contact while another crept in slowly to attack, preventing U-boats from hearing the approach. Forward-throwing weapons like the Hedgehog (1942) and Squid (1943) represented major advances, firing projectiles ahead of the ship to maintain continuous sonar contact during attack. These contact-fuzed weapons only exploded upon hitting a submarine, reducing false alarms. Depth settings also improved as U-boats learned to dive deeper; by war’s end, charges could reach 500+ feet. Long-range patrol aircraft became increasingly important after 1943, dropping depth charges on surfaced or shallow-running U-boats with devastating effect once the Atlantic “air gap” closed.

Confirming a U-boat kill, however, remained notoriously difficult throughout the war. The most convincing proof was physical evidence surfacing after an attack—oil slicks, hull fragments, wooden fittings, clothing, or personal effects. Large oil patches spreading over time were particularly persuasive, though clever U-boat commanders sometimes released oil and debris deliberately to fake their destruction while escaping.

Sonar operators listened for the distinctive sounds of a submarine breaking up—hull collapse, bulkheads failing, or internal explosions. If a previously active submarine suddenly went silent with no further contact despite extensive searching, crews claimed a “probable” kill. This uncertainty was deeply frustrating for crews who might spend hours in brutal attacks without knowing if they’d succeeded.

The difficulty in confirmation led to widespread overclaiming. Allied navies classified results as “confirmed,” “probable,” or “possible” kills, but actual success rates were often far lower than reported. Early in the war, it sometimes took over 100 depth charges per U-boat actually sunk. Intelligence from decoded German communications occasionally provided confirmation when U-boats failed to report in, but this couldn’t be shared with crews for security reasons.

Many wartime claims were only verified years later by comparing Allied attack records with German U-boat loss records. Despite these challenges, improved tactics, technology, and training transformed depth charges into effective weapons by 1943-44, contributing decisively to the defeat of the U-boat threat and Allied victory in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Depth Charges and Discipleship: Generational Assessment 

The challenge facing World War II naval commanders dropping depth charges into uncertain waters mirrors a contemporary challenge in disciple-making: how does a first generation disciple-maker accurately assess what is happening at multiple levels below them? In both cases, information must travel through layers—whether ocean depths or spiritual generations—and what surfaces determines understanding and action.

When Allied warships dropped depth charges against U-boats, they sent destructive force through multiple depth layers, waiting for evidence to surface that confirmed success. Sonar operators at various positions reported what they heard, lookouts scanned for debris, and commanders pieced together fragmentary information to assess whether they had achieved their objective. The uncertainty was maddening. Oil slicks might indicate a kill or a clever deception. Breaking-up noises heard at one depth might not be detected at another. Each level of observation contributed partial knowledge, but only the commander integrating all reports could attempt to see the complete picture.

Discipleship faces a parallel dynamic, but with an essential difference: the purpose is constructive rather than destructive. When a primary disciple-maker seeks to assess the health and progress of discipleship spanning multiple generations, they face the same challenge of penetrating multiple “depths” of leadership. Just as depth charges had to reach through layers of water to their target, assessment questions must travel through generations of disciple-makers—from the first generation disciple-maker, through second-generation disciples, to third-generation and beyond. Each generation represents a spiritual depth in the multiplication chain.

The critical parallel lies in responsibility at each level. Just as naval crews had to accurately report what they observed at their position—sonar contacts, visual confirmation, acoustic evidence—each disciple-maker must faithfully transmit information both up and down through the assessment system. An intentional process can serve as the modern equivalent of sonar, providing the mechanism for information flow, but it only functions effectively if each generation faithfully pushes data upstream to leadership and downstream to those they disciple. The primary disciple-maker at the beginning of the stream, like a naval commander, sees the complete picture aggregated from all depths, but depends entirely on the timeliness, integrity, and accuracy of feedback at each intermediate level.

Where depth charges brought destruction, discipleship assessment must bring construction. The goal is not to destroy but to build up the body of Christ—identifying where discipleship is thriving, where it needs support, where spiritual “pressure” exists in the form of challenges or needs at various depths. The information that surfaces through an intentional process should reveal spiritual vitality, multiplication patterns, obstacles to growth, and opportunities for encouragement. When a third-generation disciple-maker reports struggles, and that information travels faithfully through the second generation to the first generation disciple-maker, the response should be resources, prayer, and support flowing back down through the same channels.

The dangers, however, echo those faced by WWII crews. Communication can break down. Information can be filtered by fear or pride at intermediate levels. Just as some U-boat commanders released fake debris to deceive pursuers, disciple-makers might report inflated success to please leadership above them especially if they perceive their salaries or resources are contingent on their performance. Conversely, they might suppress troubling information to avoid appearing unsuccessful. The intentional process of gathering information provides the mechanism, but cannot guarantee transparency.

This is where the comparison reveals its most important lesson: multiple verification points proved essential in naval warfare, and they remain essential in discipleship assessment. The first generation disciple-maker cannot rely solely on what bubbles up through official channels. They need direct relationships, periodic face-to-face contact, and cultural norms that reward honest reporting over optimistic fiction. Just as naval intelligence eventually compared attack reports with intercepted enemy communications to verify kills, wise primary leaders create feedback loops—visiting downstream generations, encouraging peer-to-peer communication, and modeling vulnerability about their own challenges.

The ultimate goal transforms the comparison entirely. Depth charges succeeded when they destroyed their target. Discipleship assessment succeeds when it strengthens every generation of disciple-makers—when the first generation disciple-maker gains accurate understanding, when intermediate generations feel supported rather than merely monitored, and when the newest disciples at the deepest levels know their reality matters to leadership even though they may never meet face-to-face. The intentional process of assessment downstream becomes not a weapon sent into the depths, but a lifeline connecting generations, ensuring that assessment remains constructive, that information flows freely in both directions, and that the entire generational chain grows stronger through transparent, faithful communication across every spiritual generation.

Biblical Examples

Jesus established the pattern of commissioning disciples, sending them into ministry, and receiving their reports. In Matthew 10 and Luke 9, He focused on the Twelve, giving them authority and specific instructions before sending them out, then gathering them afterward to hear what had happened. Later, in Luke 10, He expanded this approach by sending seventy-two disciples in pairs, who returned with joy to report that even demons submitted to them in His name (Luke 10:17). Jesus didn’t send His disciples into the harvest and abandon them to figure things out alone—He created a rhythm of sending, assessing, and responding. His prayer in John 17 reveals the generational scope of His vision: He prayed not only for the disciples He had personally trained, but also “for those who will believe in me through their message” (John 17:20)—acknowledging multiple spiritual generations flowing from His original investment. His final commission made this generational multiplication explicit: “Go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20), which necessarily includes the command itself to make disciples, creating an unbroken chain until He returns.

Paul replicated this same pattern throughout his apostolic ministry, maintaining active assessment across the churches and leaders he had established. He regularly sent co-workers like Timothy, Titus, and Epaphroditus to assess situations and report back (Philippians 2:19-30; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24), while also receiving reports from church members about both encouraging developments and troubling conduct. The Corinthian correspondence reveals this dynamic clearly—Paul responds to oral reports from “Chloe’s household” (1 Corinthians 1:11) and written questions from the church, addressing specific issues at multiple depths of their community life. He didn’t wait for problems to surface accidentally; he intentionally created channels for information to flow.

Moreover, Paul trained those he mentored to practice the same assessment principles in their own spheres of leadership. He instructed Timothy to carefully evaluate potential elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 5:22), to assess the effectiveness of different workers (2 Timothy 2:2—”entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others”), and to pay attention to how teaching was being received and applied (2 Timothy 2:14-19). To Titus, he gave similar directives about appointing elders in every town and addressing false teaching that was disrupting “whole households” (Titus 1:5-11), requiring Titus to assess not just individual leaders but the ripple effects of their influence through family and community networks. Both Jesus and Paul understood that faithful multiplication required more than initial training—it demanded ongoing assessment, honest reporting, and responsive care across every generation of disciple-makers.

Potential Application

5 Step Process:

  1. Identify & List: Identify and list your top ten discipleship elements
  2. Select & Ask: Choose one discipleship element and ask one of the people you are discipling the associated question during your regular meeting
  3. Engage & Equip: Listen, encourage, and coach based on what you hear—then ask them to do the same with someone they’re discipling
  4. Surface & Synthesize: Each generation reports key insights upstream in their next meeting (2-3 sentences max)
  5. Pray & Respond: Disciple-makers up and down the chain review, pray, send encouragement/resources back downstream

Key Suggestions for Implementation:

Make it Conversational, Not Clinical:

  • Embed the question naturally in existing discipleship meetings—don’t create a separate “assessment meeting”
  • Frame it as “I’m curious about…” rather than “I need to assess…”
  • The question should spark genuine conversation, not data collection

Simplify Information Flow:

  • Each person only passes upstream: (1) their own answer, (2) one memorable insight from downstream
  • Avoid lengthy reports—think “headline + story” not “comprehensive analysis”
  • Use voice messages or quick texts between meetings if something significant surfaces

Rotate Elements Organically:

  • Establish regular rhythms (e.g., “Love God” one week, “Prayer” in another)
  • Let the first generation disciple-maker choose the next element based on what surfaced in the previous cycle
  • This makes it responsive rather than mechanical

Build in Multiple Verification:

  • First generation disciple-maker periodically asks the same question directly to 2nd or 3rd generation disciples perhaps in a 1-3-9 meeting (bypassing layers)
  • Compare: Does what they say match what was reported upstream?
  • These relational meetings filters information without creating surveillance culture

Create Psychological Safety:

  • Explicitly celebrate “I’m struggling with…” reports more than “Everything’s great!” reports
  • Share your own struggles first before asking downstream
  • If salaries or resources are involved, expect it to muddy the waters in your assessment

Additional Pitfalls to Avoid:

  • Going too deep too fast – Start with just 2-3 generations until the rhythm is established
  • Forgetting to close the loop – If someone shares a struggle and never hears back, trust evaporates
  • Making it one-directional – Downstream generations should also ask the first generation disciple-maker the same questions periodically
  • Losing the “why” – Regularly remind everyone: “We do this to strengthen each other, not monitor each other”
  • Collecting without connecting – Information without relationship breeds cynicism

The Simplest Version:

One question → One conversation → One insight upstream → One response downstream → Repeat when natural

The power isn’t in the system’s complexity—it’s in the consistency of care it reveals.

Example – First Generation Disciple-Maker’s Assessment Notes

Discipleship Element: The Word
Question: “What are your rhythms in getting in the Word of God?”
Date: September 30, 2025
Stream: John (me) → Marcus → Al  → David

Generation 1 (John – Me)

My own answer first:

  • Morning coffee + OT/Gospel/NT (one chapter each) – consistent 7 days a week
  • Struggling with depth – Sometimes I’m on autopilot and don’t get much from my reading
  • Need to spend some concerted time in Bible study (2-3 hours a week)

Generation 2 (Marcus)

What I heard from Marcus:

  • Reading through Matthew right now, 15-20 min during lunch break at work
  • Uses audio Bible during commute (30 min)
  • Said he’s feels like he’s getting plenty of time in the Word

What Marcus reported from downstream:

  • Al mentioned he’s all over the place with it

Generation 3 (Al)

What Marcus heard from Al:

  • Tries to read before bed but often too exhausted
  • Sometimes goes 3-4 days without opening his Bible
  • When he does read, it’s “just a verse or two from a devotional app”

What Al reported from downstream:

  • David is actually doing better than he is—reading with his roommate

Generation 4 (David)

What Al heard from David:

  • New believer (8 months), reading through John with his roommate Jake (also new believer)
  • They meet 3x/week at breakfast, read a chapter, talk about what confuses them
  • Misses days when his roommate travels for work but loves discovering new things

Observations & Patterns

Strengths:

  • David has built-in accountability and freshness of a new believer
  • Marcus has multiple touchpoints (visual + audio)
  • Everyone has some rhythm, even if inconsistent

Challenges:

  • Al is isolated in his struggle—very little accountability 
  • Marcus and I both sense we’re going through motions (mature believer drift)
  • Weekend gaps, bedtime struggles for Al, travel disruptions for David

Surprises:

  • The newest believer has the most joy and consistency
  • The “problem” isn’t lack of discipline—it’s lack of engagement/freshness (me & Marcus) or sustainable structure (Al)

Prayer & Response Plan

Prayer Focus:

  • Al: Needs encouragement and accountability. Pray and suggest integrating into a morning routine.
  • Marcus: Pray for renewed hunger, not just habit.
  • David: Protect his enthusiasm, help him build depth and daily consistency.
  • Me: Ask God to break through my mechanical approach and draw some folks into a deeper Bible study.

Downstream Encouragement:

To Marcus: “Thanks for your honesty about ‘checking the box.’ I’m feeling that too. What if we both tried asking God one question each week: ‘What do You want me to see that I’m missing?’ Let’s ask each other what we are getting out of the Word when we meet.”

Marcus to Al: “Tell Al I’m proud he was honest about his struggle. Ask if he’d be willing to try something: read one chapter a day beginning in the Gospel of Mark for the next 16 days in the morning with coffee instead of at bedtime. In 16 days you’ll have finish your first book in the Bible. A quick win!”

Al to David: “Tell David his question about him and his buddy reading together made my day. His hunger is a gift. Encourage him to write down his questions as he reads—they’re gold. Maybe Al could meet with him and Jake once to answer some of those questions? That might help both of them.”

A Look in the Mirror – #134

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospel of John to see how Jesus made judgmental people look at their own imperfections.

So let’s get started.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document)

John 8:1-11

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning He went back into the temple courts. All the people came to Him, and He sat down to teach them. The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” They said this to test Him, in order to have a basis for accusing Him. But Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with His finger. When they continued to question Him, He straightened up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her.” And again He bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman standing there. Then Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, Lord,” she answered. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Now go and sin no more.”

My Thoughts

It should only take a little self reflection to help truth and grace find their way to the top.

The religious leaders had Jesus pinned to the mat on this one. Or at least they thought they did. It was a requirement of the Mosaic Law to put an adulteress or adulterer to death. (Deuteronomy 22:22-24; Leviticus 20:10) Surely this was a sin that required the strictest justice. But there are several things wrong with this situation.

First, where’s the man? I mean the woman was caught in the very act. The Law requires both the man and woman be put to death. That’s the initial clue that something fishy is going on here. Second, the Jews were under Roman occupation and law. They were forbidden to execute capital punishment. (Hence the reason they had to bring Jesus to Pilate to have Him crucified.) This was just another attempt to put Jesus in a political headlock between the Jews and the Romans. And lastly, their trickery was quite apparent to Jesus and He knew they were trying to trap Him. They weren’t interested in justice or righteousness. They were interested in one thing, getting rid of the person who exposed their hypocrisy. But it all backfired.

Jesus, with the wisdom of heaven, puts a counter move on them that they couldn’t squirm out of. He tells them to look in the mirror. He exposes their imperfections publicly and they slink away with their tails between their legs. The Master, as always, was ready with the wisdom, mercy, and forgiveness to counter anything they threw at Him.

But notice too that Jesus didn’t declare her innocent. He didn’t wink at her sexual immorality or justify it as though it was just an “alternate life-style” or some degenerative birth defect that she was unable to resist. No, He called it what it was, sin. And He added, don’t do it again!

We as disciple makers need to be careful when using the sharp edges of truth and grace. Truth does not always demand punishment and grace doesn’t always demand tolerance. They must both be applied and taught as a unit and great wisdom needs to be applied as a brain surgeon would use a scalpel. Just as Jesus did in this situation.

This will demand that we first take a long look in the mirror. It doesn’t mean not helping a brother get a speck out of his eye. But it does mean removing the log from our own.

My Story

I’m not often put into situations like this one. Jesus had to navigate the tricky shoals of each party being in the wrong and dealing with both in an appropriate manner. No, mine are either “black and white” or a matter of “preference.” Let me explain.

There are times when it is absolutely clear to me that a person is in the wrong and I don’t address it. Usually, it’s because I’m afraid. Afraid of losing a friendship or afraid of the backlash it might cause. I’m working on being more loving by being courageous. To let a person walk off a cliff when you know it’s there, is not very loving.

The other side of the coin is when it’s not a moral issue but preference. There are times when I’ll weigh in too strongly and I shouldn’t. If that person is being told by Jesus to do something different from the way He told me to do it, who am I to judge the servant of another. (Romans 14:4)

So should I stop making disciples because I don’t get it right every time? Ridiculous! As disciple makers we are learning the art of influencing people the way Jesus did. This takes practice and probably a whole lot of mistakes. We must take the risk of leading even when we know we won’t get it right every time. But as leaders, we also need to humble ourselves, be willing to admit our faults, repent, and look to Jesus for the next right thing to do. This is the heavy mantle of disciple making and we should bear its burden comfortably.

Our Action Plan

Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;

  • Pray for wisdom
  • Listen to the people you are discipling, are they too harsh or too soft on sin?
  • Do a Bible study with them on the application of grace and truth

Jesus was put into some tricky situations but handled them like the expert disciple-maker He is. Like Jesus, we will enter into some awkward, messy, and even hostile circumstances where the wisdom of God is the only solution. Let’s acknowledge our own shortcomings and apply grace and truth appropriately.

Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document)

Una Mirada al Espejo – #134

¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan para ver cómo Jesús hizo que las personas críticas se fijaran en sus propias imperfecciones.

¡Comencemos!

Juan 8:1-11

Pero Jesús se dirigió al Monte de los Olivos. Temprano por la mañana, regresó al templo. Todo el pueblo acudió a él, y se sentó a enseñarles. Pero los escribas y fariseos le trajeron a una mujer sorprendida en adulterio. La pusieron de pie ante ellos y le dijeron: «Maestro, esta mujer fue sorprendida en el acto mismo de adulterio. En la Ley, Moisés nos mandó apedrear a tal mujer. ¿Qué dices, pues?». Decían esto para ponerlo a prueba, para tener base para acusarlo. Pero Jesús se inclinó y comenzó a escribir en el suelo con el dedo. Como insistían en preguntarle, se enderezó y les dijo: «El que esté sin pecado, que tire la primera piedra contra ella». Y de nuevo se inclinó y escribió en el suelo. Al oír esto, comenzaron a retirarse uno a uno, comenzando por los mayores, hasta que solo quedó Jesús, con la mujer allí de pie. Entonces Jesús se enderezó y le preguntó: «Mujer, ¿dónde están tus acusadores? ¿Nadie te ha condenado?». «Nadie, Señor», respondió ella. «Entonces yo tampoco te condeno», declaró Jesús. «Ahora vete y no peques más».

Mis Pensamientos

Basaría con un poco de introspección para que la verdad y la gracia se abrieran paso.

Los líderes religiosos tenían a Jesús condenado a muerte por este caso. O al menos eso creían. La Ley Mosaica exigía la muerte de cualquier adúltero o adúltera (Deuteronomio 22:22-24; Levítico 20:10). Sin duda, este era un pecado que requería la justicia más estricta. Pero hay varios aspectos erróneos en esta situación.

Primero, ¿dónde está el hombre? Es decir, la mujer fue sorprendida en el acto mismo. La Ley exige que tanto el hombre como la mujer sean condenados a muerte. Esa es la primera pista de que algo raro está sucediendo. Segundo, los judíos estaban bajo la ocupación y la ley romanas. Tenían prohibido ejecutar la pena capital (de ahí la razón por la que tuvieron que llevar a Jesús ante Pilato para que lo crucificaran). Este fue otro intento de poner a Jesús en una situación política difícil entre judíos y romanos. Y por último, su engaño era bastante evidente para Jesús, quien sabía que intentaban tenderle una trampa. No les interesaba la justicia ni la rectitud. Les interesaba una sola cosa: deshacerse de quien había expuesto su hipocresía. Pero todo les salió mal.

Jesús, con la sabiduría del cielo, les lanzó una contraofensiva de la que no pudieron escapar. Les dijo que se miraran al espejo. Expuso sus imperfecciones públicamente y ellos se escabulleron con el rabo entre las piernas. El Maestro, como siempre, estaba listo con la sabiduría, la misericordia y el perdón para contrarrestar cualquier cosa que le lanzaran.

Pero note también que Jesús no la declaró inocente. No hizo la vista gorda ante su inmoralidad sexual ni la justificó como si fuera solo un “estilo de vida alternativo” o un defecto de nacimiento degenerativo al que no podía resistirse. No, lo llamó por su nombre: pecado. Y añadió: ¡No lo vuelvan a hacer! Como hacedores de discípulos, debemos ser cuidadosos al usar las aristas de la verdad y la gracia. La verdad no siempre exige castigo, ni la gracia siempre exige tolerancia. Ambas deben aplicarse y enseñarse como un todo, y se requiere gran sabiduría, como un neurocirujano usaría un bisturí. Tal como lo hizo Jesús en esta situación.

Esto requerirá que primero nos miremos detenidamente en el espejo. No significa no ayudar a un hermano a sacarse una paja del ojo. Pero sí significa quitar la viga del nuestro.

Mi Historia

No suelo encontrarme en situaciones como esta. Jesús tuvo que sortear los escollos de la injusticia de cada parte y lidiar con ambas de forma adecuada. No, las mías son o bien “blanco o negro” o bien “cuestión de preferencias”. Déjenme explicar.

Hay veces en que tengo absolutamente claro que alguien está equivocado y no lo abordo. Normalmente, es por miedo. Miedo de perder una amistad o miedo a las consecuencias negativas que pueda causar. Estoy trabajando en ser más amoroso siendo valiente. Dejar que alguien se tire por un precipicio cuando sabes que está ahí no es muy amoroso.

La otra cara de la moneda es cuando no se trata de una cuestión moral, sino de preferencias. Hay veces en que intervengo con demasiada fuerza y ​​no debería. Si Jesús le dice a esa persona que haga algo diferente a lo que me dijo a mí, ¿quién soy yo para juzgar al siervo de otro? (Romanos 14:4)

¿Debería entonces dejar de hacer discípulos porque no siempre lo hago bien? ¡Ridículo! Como hacedores de discípulos, estamos aprendiendo el arte de influir en las personas como lo hizo Jesús. Esto requiere práctica y probablemente muchos errores. Debemos asumir el riesgo de liderar incluso cuando sabemos que no siempre lo haremos bien. Pero como líderes, también debemos ser humildes, estar dispuestos a admitir nuestras faltas, arrepentirnos y buscar en Jesús la siguiente decisión correcta. Esta es la pesada responsabilidad de hacer discípulos y debemos llevarla con comodidad.

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora es momento de aplicar. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:

  • Ora pidiendo sabiduría.
  • Escucha a las personas a las que estás discipulando: ¿son demasiado duras o demasiado blandas con el pecado?
  • Realiza un estudio bíblico con ellas sobre la aplicación de la gracia y la verdad.

Jesús se vio envuelto en situaciones difíciles, pero las manejó como el experto hacedor de discípulos que es. Al igual que Jesús, nos encontraremos con circunstancias incómodas, complicadas e incluso hostiles donde la sabiduría de Dios es la única solución. Reconozcamos nuestras propias deficiencias y apliquemos la gracia y la verdad apropiadamente.

Escritura orgánica: sin inteligencia artificial ni edulcorantes añadidos.

Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com

Kingdom Kernel #28 – The Divine Commission – Pray, Appoint, and Send (Luke 10:1-12)

Kingdom Kernel Collection

Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city. (Luke 10:1-12)

Introduction: Contextualizing the Mission

In Luke 10:1-12, Jesus, the Messiah and King, expands His kingdom mission by appointing seventy “others” to go ahead of Him, preparing the way for His arrival in every city and place. This follows the earlier sending of the Twelve (Luke 9:1-6), revealing a pattern of divine delegation rooted in God’s redemptive plan. The passage highlights key actions—appointing, beseeching, and sending—intertwined with praying and going, which illuminate Jesus’ lordship and the Kingdom of God’s nearness. This essay analyzes these terms linguistically and theologically, connecting them to Christ’s eternal reign and their transformative power for believers today.

Linguistic Roots: Defining the Terms

The Greek terms in Luke 10 provide a foundation for understanding this commission. “Appointed” (ἀνέδειξεν, anedeixen, Strong’s G322) derives from ana (up) and deiknumi (to show), meaning to lift up or designate publicly. Jesus visibly sets apart the seventy, marking them for a purpose tied to His authority as King. “Beseech” (δεήθητε, deēthēte, Strong’s G1189) from deomai (to beg or petition) conveys urgent, dependent prayer, as the disciples implore the Lord of the harvest to act. “Sent/send” (ἀπέστειλεν, apesteilen, Strong’s G649) stems from apostellō, blending apo (from) and stellō (to set in order), signifying a deliberate dispatch with divine commission, echoing the apostolic mission of the Twelve.

Etymologically, these words emphasize intentionality and authority. Anedeixen suggests a royal appointment, deēthēte a reliance on divine power, and apesteilen a purposeful extension of Christ’s mission. Together, they frame the seventy’s role as an outflow of Jesus’ messianic kingship, preparing the world for His presence.

Theological Significance: The Kingdom in Action

The appointment of the seventy mirrors the sending of the Twelve, expanding the scope of God’s kingdom proclamation. This dual commission prophetically points to Christ’s reign over all mankind and how the kingdom would spread, fulfilling God’s redemptive plan (Isaiah 49:6). Jesus, as the Lord of the harvest, orchestrates this mission, revealing His divine attributes: omniscience in knowing the need, omnipotence in empowering laborers, and mercy in offering peace and healing (Luke 10:9).

Prayer (deēthēte) and going (apesteilen) are inseparable. The command to beseech the Lord for laborers underscores human dependence on divine initiative, while sending them as “lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:3) demonstrates faith in action. This duality reflects the Kingdom of God’s nearness—present in power yet requiring participation. The message, “The kingdom of God has come near” (Luke 10:9, Luke 10:11), ties directly to Jesus’ identity as Messiah, whose presence inaugurates God’s reign, a reality both now and not yet fully consummated (Matthew 4:17).

Christological Fulfillment: Jesus as King

Jesus’ lordship shines through this passage. He appoints with authority, directs prayer to Himself as the harvest’s Lord, and sends with a mission that prefigures His eternal reign (Revelation 11:15). Unlike earthly kings, His rule is marked by vulnerability and provision, as seen in the command to carry no resources (Luke 10:4), trusting the King who supplies all needs (Philippians 4:19). This lordship is not merely future; it is real today, transforming believers into laborers who extend His reign in this age, even as we await its ultimate fulfillment.

Transformative Power: Living the Commission

For contemporary Christians, this concept inspires a life of purpose and dependence. Being appointed calls us all as priests (1 Peter 2:9) to recognize our divine calling under Christ’s kingship. Beseeching fuels prayer for kingdom expansion, while being sent compels us to go boldly, trusting God amid rejection or reception (Luke 10:10-11). The interconnectedness of Scripture—seen in the Twelve’s mission (Luke 9), the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and the harvest imagery (John 4:35-38)—reveals a unified narrative of God’s unstoppable kingdom. Embracing this transforms disciples into active heralds, reflecting Jesus’ eternal reign and the expansive nature of His rule, both now and forever.

Conclusion

The appointment and sending of the seventy in Luke 10:1-12 unveil Jesus as the Messiah who reigns with purpose and power. Through anedeixen, deēthēte, and apesteilen, we see a King who delegates, invites prayer, and commissions laborers to proclaim His near kingdom. This passage bridges ancient text to modern faith, affirming Christ’s lordship as a present reality with eternal promise, urging believers to pray and go as reflections of His redemptive plan.

Disciple-Maker’s Short Story

The Weight of the Call

The late afternoon sun spilled golden light across the park, threading through the budding branches of ancient oaks. Ed’s sneakers crunched against the gravel path as he walked beside the outreach team, their voices rising in soft prayer. The air carried the scent of damp earth and the faint tang of blooming azaleas. Every Saturday, they came here—prayer walking through the local park, sharing the gospel with joggers, dog walkers, anyone who’d listen. Today, though, Ed’s attention wasn’t on the strangers they approached. It lingered on Felix, who, as always, hung back with the prayer team, his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Felix was a wiry man in his late twenties, all sharp angles and quiet intensity. He’d joined the church a year ago, drawn in by the community, but Ed had noticed this pattern early on. When the team fanned out to talk to people, Felix stayed rooted, murmuring prayers under his breath. At first, Ed figured it was just his way—some people were talkers, others intercessors. But lately, it gnawed at him. Felix wasn’t shy; he’d banter with the team over coffee or fix a kid’s bike tire without any problem. So why this hesitation?

The next day, Ed found Felix at the bike shop where he worked part-time. The bell above the door jingled as Ed stepped inside, the space humming with the metallic clink of tools and the faint hum of a radio playing classic rock. Felix was hunched over a derailleur, his fingers deftly threading a cable, his brow furrowed in concentration. Ed leaned against the counter, watching for a moment before clearing his throat.

“Hey, Felix,” he started, his tone light but steady. “Got a sec?”

Felix glanced up, wiping his hands on a rag. “Yeah, sure. What’s up?”

Ed shifted his stance, choosing his words with care. “I’ve seen you out there with us—prayer walking, lifting up the team. You’re solid, man. You’ve got the training, too—those evangelism workshops we did last fall. You aced the role-plays. So I’ve been wondering… why don’t you ever step out and share?”

Felix’s shoulders stiffened, his gaze dropping to the greasy rag in his hands. He twisted it once, twice, before answering. “I’m not really built for that, you know? Evangelism’s a gift, right? Some people have it—guys like you who can just walk up to anybody and start talking about Jesus. I don’t. I figure my part’s praying for you all. That’s what I’m good at.”

Ed nodded slowly, letting the words settle. He’d heard this before—people carving out their roles, dodging what scared them by calling it a “gift.” But something in Felix’s voice, a faint tremor beneath the excuse, told Ed there was more. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter.

“Fair enough,” he said. “But let me ask you this: when you signed up for this team, didn’t you commit to sharing the gospel? Not just praying, but going out with us?”

Felix’s jaw tightened, and he tossed the rag onto the workbench. “Yeah, I guess. But like I said, I don’t have the gift. I’m not off the hook or anything—I just think God’s got other people for that job.”

Ed straightened, his voice softening but carrying a quiet weight. “Felix, you know the Great Commission, right? Matthew 28:18-20—Jesus tells the disciples to go, make disciples, teach them to obey everything He commanded. And that includes Mark 16:15—‘preach the gospel to all creation.’ He didn’t say, ‘Only if you’ve got the gift.’ He said it to all of us. You, me, the whole church. Prayer’s vital, don’t get me wrong—but it’s not a substitute for going.”

Felix didn’t respond right away. He turned back to the bike, fiddling with the chain, but his hands moved slower now, less sure. Ed waited, the silence stretching between them like a taut wire. Finally, Felix let out a breath, his voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s not about gifts, okay? I’m… I’m scared, Ed. What if I mess it up? What if I say the wrong thing and push someone away from God instead of toward Him? I’d rather pray and let you guys handle it.”

There it was—the real thing, raw and jagged. Ed felt a pang of recognition; he’d wrestled with that fear himself years ago. He stepped closer to Felix, his tone gentle but firm.

“I get it. I’ve been there. But here’s the thing: Jesus didn’t send us out because we’re fearless or perfect. He sent us because He’s with us. Look at Luke 10—the seventy He appointed weren’t superheroes. They were just people, like us, told to go as lambs among wolves. And you know what? He went with them. He goes with us, too. How about this: next week, you come with me. I’ll share first, show you how I do it. You just watch. No pressure.”

Felix met his eyes, uncertainty flickering there, but he gave a small nod. “Okay. I’ll try.”

The following Saturday, the park buzzed with life—kids shrieking on the playground, a guy strumming a guitar under a pavilion. Ed and Felix walked side by side, the outreach team scattering ahead. Felix’s hands were back in his pockets, his posture tense, but he stayed close. Ed scanned the path and spotted a man sitting alone on a bench, scrolling on his phone—a wiry guy in a hoodie, maybe mid-thirties.

“Watch this,” Ed murmured to Felix, then approached the man with an easy smile. “Hey, we’re sharing a story that changed our lives. Mind if I tell you mine?”

The guy glanced up, shrugged. “Free country.”

Ed settled beside him, leaving space, and started his story;

Well there was a time in my life when I was angry and alone. One day this guy approached me like I did you and told me how God loved me so much He sent His Son Jesus to the earth, He lived a perfect life and then Jesus died on a cross for everything I’ve ever done wrong. The man said if I surrendered my life to Jesus as my King, my Boss, He would give me true life. I did that by telling God I believed what this man said and I wanted to start living my life His way not mine. My life radically changed from that point on. I was much happier and had people that really cared about me. Have you ever had an experience with Jesus that changed your life?”

The man snorted, but it wasn’t hostile. “Not really. Church isn’t my thing.”

“Fair enough,” Ed said, unfazed. “I wasn’t big on it either till I figured out it’s not about the building. It’s about a relationship with Jesus”

The man paused, then shrugged again. “I’m not very religious.”

Ed pulled out a small tract and gave it to the man, “ Well if you ever change your mind, my contact info is on the back and this is just something to chew on.”

The guy took it, nodded, and Ed stood, clapping Felix on the shoulder as they walked away. Felix’s eyes were wide, his voice hushed. “That’s it? You just… talked to him? Like it was nothing?”

“It’s not nothing,” Ed said. “It’s everything. But yeah—it’s simple. Tell them who Jesus is, what He’s done for you, and let Him do the rest. You ready to try?”

Felix swallowed hard, but something shifted in his stance—a spark of resolve. He nodded. Ahead, a woman sat on a picnic blanket, reading a book. Felix took a shaky breath and stepped forward, Ed trailing just behind.

“Uh, hi,” Felix started, his voice cracking slightly. “Mind if I interrupt for a sec?”

She looked up, surprised but not annoyed. “Sure, what’s up?”

“I’m Felix. I’m here with my friend Ed, and… I’ve been telling people a story that changed our lives.Would you like to hear mine?” Felix started with his simple story that bled into a meaningful conversation that lasted twenty minutes.

The woman wanted to know more. Felix blinked, startled by her openness, then fumbled for one of the cards Ed had given him. “Here—this has some info if you’re curious.”

She smiled faintly, taking it. “Thanks, Felix.”

As they walked away, Felix turned to Ed, his face lit with a mix of shock and exhilaration. “Oh, I can do this! It’s not… it’s not as hard as I thought.”

Ed laughed, slinging an arm around his shoulders. “Told you. It’s not about being slick or fearless. It’s about being like Him—Jesus went to people, met them where they were. You just did that, too.”

Felix grinned, the weight lifting from his frame. For the first time, he saw it—not just the call, but the One who’d called him. And he wanted to be more like Him, one shaky step at a time.

Kingdom Kernel Collection

The Spiritual Jackhammer – #133

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospel of John to see the people most hostile and opposed to God’s love and discover how some actually turned to follow Him later.

So let’s get started.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document) 

John 7:45-53

Then the officers returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring Him in?” “Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered. “Have you also been deceived?” replied the Pharisees. “Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law—they are under a curse.” Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who himself was one of them, asked, Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?” “Aren’t you also from Galilee?” they replied. “Look into it, and you will see that no prophet comes out of Galilee.” Then each went to his own home.

My Thoughts 

I have a saying; “You can’t push a rope.” In other words, no matter how hard you try, you aren’t going to change that person’s mind. The religious leaders of the day had set their minds in rebar and concrete and it would take a spiritual jackhammer to change it. Sometimes you just have to pray and let the Holy Spirit go to work. He is that “Spiritual Jackhammer.” And although these characters railroaded Jesus to the cross, many of them crossed the tracks. They saw the light. They gave their lives to Jesus as the Messiah.

The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:7)

Do you have family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances who you’ve shared the gospel with and they stubbornly hold to their own devices? Keep praying! You can’t push a rope, but God can. 

My Story

We are living in very interesting times. Never have I seen people so divided. Truth has been trashed for opinion. Even “Mother Nature,” the false goddess of the last several centuries, has been kicked to the curb by many who can’t even acknowledge simple biology. We are in chaotic times. People are angry and spew their vileness on each other in ways that seem to look like we are on the brink of the end of civilization. 

But I have hope. Hope in a God that can take a murderer and turn him into a staunch proclaimer of the very truth he opposed. And he did it to such a degree it cost him his own life. Of course I’m talking about the Apostle Paul. And many such opposers in our time are seeing the lies the enemy has fed them and just like the Apostle Paul and many of those guilty of hanging Jesus on the cross are turning to the very Truth they persecuted. As disciple makers, now more than ever, we need to cast the nets wide. Share the gospel. Train the young believer to follow Jesus and then train them to make disciples themselves. But above all, we need to pray that the “Great Spiritual Jackhammer” does His work in people’s lives.

I see the Light shining through. I am witnessing the Holy Spirit at work. I see Jesus Christ breaking in. And the Father having His way. I have hope!

If you want to follow Jesus and be a part of the process called discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20) that makes a difference in this world, email me: Charleswood1@gmail.com

Our Action Plan

Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;

  • Pray for the people in your relational network daily (family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, etc…) Video
  • Share the gospel with them. Video 
  • Keep praying for them daily

It can be very discouraging to see the people you love dearly reject Christ. It is painful to God to see anyone reject Him. Let’s keep praying in faith that the Holy Spirit will do the work needed to change the hearts and minds of the people around us.

Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

Los de Corazón Duro – #133

¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan para ver quiénes eran las personas más hostiles y opuestas al amor de Dios, y descubriremos cómo algunos lo siguieron posteriormente.

Comencemos.

Juan 7:45-53

Entonces los guardias regresaron adonde estaban los principales sacerdotes y los fariseos, quienes les preguntaron: “¿Por qué no lo trajeron?”. “¡Jamás nadie ha hablado como este hombre!”, respondieron los guardias. “¿También ustedes han sido engañados?”, respondieron los fariseos. “¿Acaso alguno de los gobernantes o fariseos ha creído en él? Pero esta gente que no conoce la ley, está bajo maldición”. Nicodemo, quien había ido antes a Jesús y que era uno de ellos, preguntó: “¿Acaso nuestra ley condena a un hombre sin escucharlo primero para determinar lo que ha hecho?”. “¿No son ustedes también de Galilea?”, respondieron. “Infórmense, y verán que ningún profeta sale de Galilea”. Luego cada uno se fue a su casa.

Mis Pensamientos

Tengo un dicho: “No se puede empujar una cuerda”. En otras palabras, por mucho que lo intentes, no vas a cambiar la opinión de esa persona. Los líderes religiosos de la época tenían la mente puesta en las varillas y el hormigón, y se necesitaría un martillo neumático espiritual para cambiarla. A veces solo hay que orar y dejar que el Espíritu Santo actúe. Él es ese “Martillo Neumático Espiritual”. Y aunque estos personajes llevaron a Jesús a la cruz, muchos cruzaron las vías. Vieron la luz. Entregaron sus vidas a Jesús como el Mesías.

La palabra de Dios seguía difundiéndose; y el número de los discípulos seguía aumentando mucho en Jerusalén, y muchos sacerdotes se hacían obedientes a la fe. (Hechos 6:7)

¿Tienes familiares, amigos, vecinos, compañeros de trabajo o conocidos con quienes has compartido el evangelio y se aferran obstinadamente a sus propios recursos? ¡Sigue orando! Tú no puedes empujar una cuerda, pero Dios sí.

Mi Historia

Vivimos tiempos muy interesantes. Nunca había visto a la gente tan dividida. La verdad ha sido destrozada por la opinión. Incluso la “Madre Naturaleza”, la falsa diosa de los últimos siglos, ha sido desechada por muchos que ni siquiera reconocen la simple biología. Vivimos tiempos caóticos. La gente está enojada y se lanza su vileza unos a otros de maneras que parecen indicar que estamos al borde del fin de la civilización.

Pero tengo esperanza. Esperanza en un Dios que puede tomar a un asesino y convertirlo en un firme proclamador de la misma verdad a la que se oponía. Y lo hizo a tal grado que le costó la vida. Por supuesto, me refiero al apóstol Pablo. Y muchos de estos opositores en nuestro tiempo están viendo las mentiras que el enemigo les ha dado y, al igual que el apóstol Pablo y muchos de los culpables de colgar a Jesús en la cruz, están recurriendo a la misma Verdad que persiguieron. Como hacedores de discípulos, ahora más que nunca, necesitamos extender las redes. Compartir el evangelio. Capacita a los jóvenes creyentes para seguir a Jesús y luego capacítalos para que ellos mismos hagan discípulos. Pero sobre todo, necesitamos orar para que el “Gran Martillo Neumático Espiritual” haga su obra en la vida de las personas.

Veo la Luz brillando. Presencio la obra del Espíritu Santo. Veo a Jesucristo irrumpiendo. Y al Padre haciendo su voluntad. ¡Tengo esperanza!

Si quieres seguir a Jesús y ser parte del proceso llamado discipulado (Mateo 28:18-20) que marca la diferencia en este mundo, escríbeme a: Charleswood1@gmail.com

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora es momento de aplicarlo. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:

Ora por las personas de tu red de relaciones a diario (familiares, amigos, vecinos, compañeros de trabajo, conocidos, etc.).

Comparte el evangelio con ellos.

Sigue orando por ellos a diario.

Puede ser muy desalentador ver a tus seres queridos rechazar a Cristo. A Dios le duele ver a alguien rechazarlo. Sigamos orando con fe para que el Espíritu Santo haga la obra necesaria para cambiar los corazones y las mentes de quienes nos rodean.

Escritura orgánica: sin inteligencia artificial ni edulcorantes añadidos.

Si ve un problema importante en la traducción, envíeme una corrección por correo electrónico a charleswood1@gmail.com

Kingdom Kernel #27 – Grace Empowered Obedience as the Foundation of Kingdom Entrance: A Theological Analysis of Matthew 7:15-27

Kingdom Kernel Collection

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Matthew 7:15-27

Introduction

Matthew 7:15-27 concludes Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with a sobering discourse on authentic discipleship. Within this passage, three pivotal concepts – enter (εἰσέρχομαι, G1525), does the will (θέλημα, G2307), and acts on them (ποιέω, G4160) – reveal a tension between professed faith and lived obedience. Set against warnings about false prophets and the parable of two builders, Jesus establishes that verbal allegiance alone cannot secure entry into God’s kingdom. This essay explores how these terms linguistically and theologically underscore the necessity of grace-empowered obedience to Christ’s lordship.

Key Words and Phrases

Enter (εἰσέρχομαι, G1525): This compound Greek term (eis = “into,” erchomai = “come”) denotes intentional movement across a threshold. In Jewish eschatology, “entering the kingdom” (Matt 7:21) implied participation in God’s redemptive reign. Unlike passive admission, the term carries covenantal overtones – one actively aligns with divine authority.

Does the Will (θέλημα, G2307): Thelēma refers to God’s determined purpose, distinct from human whims. In the Septuagint, it often translates rāṣôn (“pleasure”), emphasizing God’s sovereign desire (Ps 40:8). Jesus redefines obedience as participation in the Father’s redemptive agenda rather than legalistic observance.

Acts On Them (ποιέω, G4160): Meaning “to make, do, or practice,” poieō implies habitual action. The wise builder “acts” (Matt 7:24) by embodying Christ’s teachings, contrasting with the folly of mere hearing.

Theological Significance

1. The King’s Authority and Judgment

Jesus presents Himself as the Messianic arbiter who discerns true allegiance (Matt 7:22-23). The shocking rejection of those performing miracles in His name (v22) exposes a critical distinction: external works devoid of internal submission constitute “lawlessness” (ἀνομία, G458). This aligns with His earlier warning against wolves in sheep’s clothing (7:15) – outward religiosity masks spiritual bankruptcy.

2. Kingdom Ethics: Grace and Obedience Intertwined

The passage resolves the faith-works paradox: salvation is by grace (Eph 2:8-9), yet genuine faith inevitably produces “fruit” (Matt 7:16-20). Christ’s lordship demands transformative obedience, as exemplified in His own fulfillment of the Father’s will (Heb 10:7). The ability to obey stems from the New Covenant promise: “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts” (Jer 31:33).

3. Christological Fulfillment

Jesus embodies the “rock” foundation (7:25), fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy of a tested cornerstone (Isa 28:16). His teachings transcend Moses’ law (Matt 5:17), establishing a kingdom where love and humility define righteousness. The rejection of false followers (7:23) parallels Luke 13:27 (““And He will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from; depart from Me, all you evildoers.’”), asserting His divine authority.

Contemporary Implications

1. Lordship in the Present Age

Christ’s kingship is not deferred to eternity; believers now live under His active reign (Col 1:13). The call to “build on the rock” (7:24) demands daily obedience, enabled by God’s empowerment (Phil 2:12-13). Modern discipleship must confront cultural Christianity that prioritizes verbal confessions over sacrificial love.

2. Transformative Power of Grace

Augustine noted, “God crowns not your merits but His own gifts.” The ability to obey – itself a grace – dismantles pride and fosters dependence. As Bonhoeffer warned, “Cheap grace is grace without discipleship”; costly grace compels action.

Conclusion

Matthew 7:15-27 dismantles performative religion, revealing Grace empowered obedience as the hallmark of kingdom citizenship. Through careful linguistic analysis and theological reflection, we see Christ not merely as a future judge but as the present foundation for life. His words, when enacted through Spirit-empowered faith, create an unshakable identity that withstands life’s storms. This passage ultimately points to the gospel’s heart: we are saved by grace for obedience (Eph 2:10), participants in a kingdom where the King’s will becomes our joy.

Disciple-Maker’s Short Story

Chai and the Cornerstone

The apartment smelled of cardamom and cinnamon, a warm haze curling from the steaming chai in chipped ceramic cups. Sally sat cross-legged on a woven rug, her Bible open on her lap, its pages creased from years of thumbing. Across from her, three women—Fatima, Aisha, and Priya—nestled into mismatched cushions, their dark eyes flickering between curiosity and quiet skepticism. The late afternoon sun slanted through the window of Priya’s modest apartment, gilding the edges of a faded tapestry on the wall. A ceiling fan whirred lazily overhead, stirring the spiced air.

They’d been meeting like this for weeks, these discovery Bible studies, peeling back layers of scripture with questions that hung heavy between sips of tea. Today, they’d reached Matthew 7:15-27, Jesus’ words slicing through the text like a blade through silk. Sally had just finished reading aloud, her voice steady but soft, letting the weight of “Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness” settle into the room.

Priya tilted her head, her braid slipping over her shoulder. Her voice, lilting with the cadence of Hyderabad, broke the silence. “Sally, this Jesus, He says only those who do His Father’s will, will enter the kingdom. Then why do I see American Christians no live this way? They say ‘Lord, Lord,’ but I see fighting, greed, so much noise. Where is this obedience?”

The question wasn’t accusatory, but it carried an ache, a thread of disillusionment woven into her words. Fatima nodded faintly, her fingers tracing the rim of her cup, while Aisha’s gaze dropped to the rug, as if searching its patterns for an answer.

Sally exhaled, feeling the weight of Priya’s observation settle into her chest. She set her Bible down, letting her hands rest on her knees. “You’re right to notice that,” she said, her tone gentle but unflinching. “It’s a paradox, isn’t it? Jesus warns us about this exact thing—people who look like they belong to Him but don’t live it out. He calls them wolves in sheep’s clothing, or houses built on sand that collapse when the storms come.”

She paused, glancing at each of them, their faces a mosaic of doubt and longing. “But here’s the thing: being a follower of Jesus isn’t about what we say or even what we do on our own strength. It’s about grace. We’re saved by faith—by trusting Him, not by earning it. But that faith, if it’s real, changes us. It’s like He gives us the ability to obey, to build our lives on His words, because He’s the rock that holds us up.”

Fatima’s brow furrowed, her voice barely above a whisper. “So, you’re saying it’s not just rules? Not like… a list we follow to be good?”

“No,” Sally said, leaning forward slightly. “It’s deeper than that. It’s about knowing Him, letting His love and His will become yours. Those people Jesus rejects—they did miracles, big things, but their hearts weren’t His. They didn’t want Him as Lord, just as a name to use. True followers, though? They’re not perfect, but they’re being shaped by Him, step by step.”

Aisha looked up now, her eyes sharp with something unspoken. “But how do you know? How do you know if you’re the wise one or the foolish one?”

Sally smiled faintly, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face. “That’s the sober part, isn’t it? Jesus says we’ll know by the fruit—the way we live, the love we show, the obedience that grows out of trusting Him. It’s not about judging others; it’s about looking at ourselves. I ask myself that question too, Aisha. Am I building on the rock? Or am I just hearing and not doing?”

The room grew quiet, the hum of the fan blending with the distant clatter of pots from a neighbor’s kitchen. Priya sipped her chai, her gaze distant. “I like this Jesus,” she said finally, her voice low. “He sees the heart. But it’s hard. To live that way—it’s not what I see around me.”

Sally nodded, her own cup warm against her palms. “It is hard. And I won’t pretend it’s not. But here’s the encouragement: if you want to follow Him, really follow Him, He doesn’t leave you to do it alone. He promises to put His law in your heart, to give you His Spirit. It’s not about being strong enough—it’s about wanting to be like Him, and letting Him make you that way.”

Fatima shifted, her scarf slipping slightly as she met Sally’s eyes. “Like Him,” she echoed, the words tasting new on her tongue. “You mean… kind? Forgiving? The way He was with people?”

“Yes,” Sally said, her voice softening with a quiet fire. “And obedient to His Father, even when it cost Him everything. That’s the rock we build on—His life, His love. I want that too. Every day, I’m asking Him to help me be more like Him, because I can’t do it on my own.”

Priya set her cup down, her fingers lingering on its edge. “Then maybe we should ask that too,” she said, almost to herself. “To be like this Jesus. Not just to hear, but to do.”

The air shifted, a subtle tension giving way to something fragile and alive. Outside, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the rug. Sally picked up her Bible again, but she didn’t open it—not yet. For now, it was enough to sit there, the chai cooling between them, as the words of the Carpenter from Galilee lingered like an invitation.

Kingdom Kernel Collection

Real Spiritual Sustenance – #132

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

ENGLISH / ESPAÑOL

Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be looking at the Gospel of John to see what spiritual sustenance Jesus offers. 

So let’s get started.

(Click here to get a copy of the Gospel Sync document) 

John 7:37-44

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. For the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet been glorified. On hearing these words, some of the people said, “This is truly the Prophet.” Others declared, “This is the Christ.” But still others asked, “How can the Christ come from Galilee? Doesn’t the Scripture say that the Christ will come from the line of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?” So there was division in the crowd because of Jesus. Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him.

My Thoughts 

Jesus provides us with a spiritual sustenance that no one else can give. Here He promises “Living Waters” flowing from within those who come to Him. Of course He’s talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit in this passage but Jesus makes many such references to spiritual food and drink coming from a relationship with Him. Earlier in John, He told the woman at the well He would give her living waters if she simply asked for it. (John 4:7-14) In the same chapter when His disciples offer Him food, He replies, “I have food to eat that you do not know about. My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.” (John 4:31-34) Two chapters later He says, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) And in Matthew 4:4 He says, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” 

There is a spiritual sustenance that is, do I dare say, more important than physical nourishment. Jesus not only modeled this, He promises and provides this spiritual food and drink. How does one appropriate such provisions? By relating, by abiding in Jesus. It comes through His Word and His Spirit. It comes with faith and obedience. It comes by our asking and His giving.

Oftentimes, spiritual leaders unwittingly get in the way of this sustenance. By constantly feeding people their predigested food they treat people like baby birds, regurgitating on them what is now missing a vital nutrient called “self-discovery.” Instead of teaching the flock to seek Jesus on their own, we have created an unhealthy dependency. The spiritual leader is expected to spoon feed the sheep when they should be learning how to feed themselves. As disciple makers this is one of our highest priorities, to teach people to feast on spiritual food and drink for themselves in their relationship with Christ. We want to exhort them to read the Scriptures for themselves and obey them in love for God. We want them to seek the Lord in a vibrant prayer life. We want to help every disciple to become a self-feeder.

My Story

One of the greatest gifts I was given as a baby Christian was the exhortation to read the Scriptures and pray daily. A guy named Randy would meet with me regularly and ask me, “What are you getting out of the Word?” The lion share of our discussions were centered around what God was saying to us and how we were applying it to our lives. Not only have I been in the Word daily for 45+ years but I have been allowing it to shape and transform my character and actions. I have no clue where I would be today had Randy not taken the time to mentor me this way. In fact I have been asking other men the same question since he modeled it for me in the early ‘80s. He taught me to be a self-feeder from the very beginning. What are you getting out of the Word?

The second thing I needed to learn was the answer to this question; “What are you hearing from the Holy Spirit?” I learned this from the very Scriptures I was reading. I had to distinguish between what I might be telling myself and what was coming from God. As I saturated myself in the Scriptures and prayer, it became easier to tell the difference. Through experience and practice I’ve gotten better at hearing from the Spirit.

Now a tip for disciple makers. I almost always ask people what they are getting out of the Word but for a season I would ask people what they were hearing from God. It was a challenge to get new disciples to read the Word on a consistent basis. But it was interesting anytime I asked someone what they were hearing from God they would always have an answer. On the surface that sounds wonderful but with some of the answers I was getting I wondered if it was indeed from the Holy Spirit or from another spirit. People who are not knee deep in their Bibles are very susceptible to the lies of the enemy. They have a hard time distinguishing the voices in their head. The Scriptures are the best way to authenticate the things we hear. The Holy Spirit and the Bible will always be in alignment with one another.  

Here’s another important pointer I’ve learned as a disciple maker; I make a very poor “Junior Holy Spirit” and an even worse “Jesus.” As mentors we can make the easy mistake of causing an unhealthy dependency on us rather than God. I try to always point people back to God for the answers and authority in their lives. Get them in the Bible for themselves. Teach them how to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice. Always have this caveat, “Take what I say with a grain of salt. Do what Jesus tells you to do.”

Our Action Plan

Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas;

  • Have a simple plan to help people read the Bible and pray daily
  • Ask them “What are you getting out of the Word?”
  • Ask them “How do you distinguish between the voice of the Holy Spirit and other voices?”

It is essential that disciple makers are making disciples of Jesus and not themselves. The best way to do that is by getting people in the Word for themselves and listening to the Holy Spirit. This creates a healthy mentoring relationship that always points them to the One who provides the real spiritual sustenance. 

Organic Writing – No Artificial Intelligence or Sweeteners Added

Index for all posts in the Gospel Sync Series

Verdadero Sustento Espiritual – #132

¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Hoy analizaremos el Evangelio de Juan para ver qué sustento espiritual nos ofrece.

Comencemos.

Juan 7:37-44

En el último y gran día de la fiesta, Jesús se puso de pie y exclamó a gran voz: «Si alguno tiene sed, venga a mí y beba. El que cree en mí, como dice la Escritura: “De su interior correrán ríos de agua viva”». Hablaba del Espíritu, que más tarde recibirían los que creyeran en él. Pues el Espíritu aún no había sido dado, porque Jesús aún no había sido glorificado. Al oír estas palabras, algunos decían: «Verdaderamente este es el profeta». Otros decían: «Este es el Cristo». Pero otros preguntaban: «¿Cómo puede venir el Cristo de Galilea? ¿No dice la Escritura que el Cristo vendrá del linaje de David y de Belén, la aldea donde vivía David?». Así que hubo división entre la multitud a causa de Jesús. Algunos querían prenderle, pero nadie le echó mano.

Mis Pensamientos

Jesús nos provee de un sustento espiritual que nadie más puede dar. Aquí promete “Aguas Vivas” que fluyen desde el interior de quienes acuden a Él. Por supuesto, en este pasaje habla de la venida del Espíritu Santo, pero Jesús hace muchas referencias similares al alimento y la bebida espirituales que provienen de una relación con Él. Anteriormente en Juan, le dijo a la mujer junto al pozo que le daría agua viva si simplemente la pedía (Juan 4:7-14). En el mismo capítulo, cuando sus discípulos le ofrecen comida, él responde: “Yo tengo una comida que comer que ustedes no conocen. Mi comida es hacer la voluntad del que me envió y llevar a cabo su obra” (Juan 4:31-34). Dos capítulos más adelante, dice: “Yo soy el pan de vida; el que a mí viene, no tendrá hambre, y el que en mí cree, no tendrá sed jamás”. (Juan 6:35) Y en Mateo 4:4 dice: “Escrito está: ‘NO SOLO DE PAN VIVIRÁ EL HOMBRE, SINO DE TODA PALABRA QUE SALE DE LA BOCA DE DIOS’”.

Existe un sustento espiritual que es, me atrevo a decir, más importante que el alimento físico. Jesús no solo lo modeló, sino que promete y provee este alimento y bebida espiritual. ¿Cómo podemos apropiarnos de estas provisiones? Relacionándonos con Él, permaneciendo en Él. Viene a través de Su Palabra y Su Espíritu. Viene con fe y obediencia. Viene por nuestras peticiones y Su dádiva.

A menudo, los líderes espirituales, sin darse cuenta, obstaculizan este sustento. Al alimentar constantemente a las personas con su comida predigerida, las tratan como pajaritos, regurgitándoles lo que ahora les falta: un nutriente vital llamado «autodescubrimiento». En lugar de enseñar al rebaño a buscar a Jesús por sí solo, hemos creado una dependencia malsana. Se espera que el líder espiritual alimente a las ovejas con cuchara cuando deberían estar aprendiendo a alimentarse a sí mismas. Como hacedores de discípulos, esta es una de nuestras mayores prioridades: enseñar a las personas a deleitarse con el alimento y la bebida espirituales para sí mismas en su relación con Cristo. Queremos exhortarlas a leer las Escrituras por sí mismas y obedecerlas con amor a Dios. Queremos que busquen al Señor en una vida de oración vibrante. Queremos ayudar a cada discípulo a alimentarse a sí mismo.

Mi Historia

Uno de los mayores regalos que recibí cuando era un cristiano incipiente fue la exhortación a leer las Escrituras y orar a diario. Un hombre llamado Randy se reunía conmigo con regularidad y me preguntaba: “¿Qué te aporta la Palabra?”. La mayor parte de nuestras conversaciones se centraban en lo que Dios nos decía y cómo lo aplicábamos a nuestras vidas. No solo he estado en la Palabra a diario durante más de 45 años, sino que también he permitido que moldee y transforme mi carácter y mis acciones. No tengo ni idea de dónde estaría hoy si Randy no se hubiera tomado el tiempo de guiarme de esta manera. De hecho, le he estado haciendo a otros hombres la misma pregunta desde que él me la enseñó a principios de los 80. Me enseñó a alimentarme por mí mismo desde el principio. ¿Qué te aporta la Palabra?

Lo segundo que necesitaba aprender era la respuesta a esta pregunta: “¿Qué estás escuchando del Espíritu Santo?”. Aprendí esto de las mismas Escrituras que leía. Tenía que distinguir entre lo que me decía a mí mismo y lo que venía de Dios. A medida que me empapé de las Escrituras y la oración, me fue más fácil distinguir la diferencia. Con la experiencia y la práctica, he mejorado mi capacidad para escuchar al Espíritu.

Un consejo para quienes hacen discípulos: casi siempre pregunto a la gente qué perciben de la Palabra, pero durante un tiempo les pregunté qué escuchaban de Dios. Era un reto conseguir que los nuevos discípulos leyeran la Palabra con regularidad. Pero era interesante que cada vez que le preguntaba a alguien qué escuchaba de Dios, siempre recibía una respuesta. A primera vista, suena maravilloso, pero con algunas de las respuestas que recibía, me preguntaba si provenía realmente del Espíritu Santo o de otro espíritu. Las personas que no están inmersas en la Biblia son muy susceptibles a las mentiras del enemigo. Les cuesta distinguir las voces en su cabeza. Las Escrituras son la mejor manera de confirmar lo que escuchamos. El Espíritu Santo y la Biblia siempre estarán en sintonía.

Aquí hay otro consejo importante que he aprendido como hacedor de discípulos: Soy un pésimo “Espíritu Santo Menor” y un “Jesús” aún peor. Como mentores, podemos cometer el error de crear una dependencia malsana de nosotros mismos en lugar de Dios. Siempre intento guiar a las personas hacia Dios para que encuentren las respuestas y la autoridad en sus vidas. Que se adentren en la Biblia por sí mismos. Enséñenles a reconocer la voz del Espíritu Santo. Siempre tengan esta advertencia: “Tomen lo que digo con pinzas. Hagan lo que Jesús les dice”.

Nuestro Plan de Acción

Ahora es momento de aplicarlo. Aquí tienes algunas ideas:

Ten un plan sencillo para ayudar a las personas a leer la Biblia y orar a diario.

Pregúntales: “¿Qué te aporta la Palabra?”.

Pregúntales: “¿Cómo distingues la voz del Espíritu Santo de otras voces?”.

Es esencial que quienes hacen discípulos hagan discípulos de Jesús, no de sí mismos. La mejor manera de lograrlo es involucrando a las personas en la Palabra por sí mismas y escuchando al Espíritu Santo. Esto crea una sana relación de mentoría que siempre las guía hacia Aquel que proporciona el verdadero sustento espiritual.

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