When your name comes up in a gathering what do you hope is said about you?
How would you like to be known or remembered?
What would you like your public perception to be?
Here are some choices: Successful (accomplished), Talented (Proficient, skilled), Smart (Intelligent), Wealthy (Loaded),
or…Wonderful …he/she is just a wonderful person
- usually said with some level of emotion and longing
- suddenly everybody in the conversations wishes you were there
If you asked David Brooks the popular, successful, talented and probably wealthy Op-Ed columnist of the NY Times which he’d prefer … he’d say he’d want to be known as a wonderful man. He’s just written a book about this very thing.
The Road to Character – David Brooks
A few excerpts:
· A few years ago I realized that I wanted to be a bit more like these people (wonderful)
· I want to develop eulogy virtues not resume virtues
o The résumé virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace. The eulogy virtues are the ones that are talked about at your funeral — whether you were kind, brave, honest or faithful. Were you capable of deep love?
I came to the conclusion that wonderful people are made, not born — that the people I admired had achieved an unfakeable inner virtue, built slowly from specific moral and spiritual accomplishments. David Brooks
Wonderful people are made, not born.
So let me return to my original question – how do you want to be known?
If you would prefer for your reputation to be Successful, Talented, Smart, or Wealthy…that’s cool but I got nothing for you…but if you want to become and to be kn own as a wonderful person then you are in the right place.
I am going to show you how to become a wonderful person. It will be simple, it will be clear, but it will be difficult.
Wonderful people are made, not born.
Wonderful people are made by surrendering to, then following Jesus.
If you surrender you life to Jesus Christ and become his apprentice (follow him) you will become a wonderful person:
A wonderful person: (1) clear calling (2) strong character
Clear calling: impact, making a difference, getting stuff done that benefits others
Strong character: moral integrity, internal rightness
Both those aspects of wonderfulness can be found through following Jesus.
Matthew 5
A brief overview of the greatest sermon ever given in human history: (Matt 5 – Matt 7)
Background:
· he is uber popular – being followed by many, healings,
· he is also developing a smaller cadre of close followers
So…he goes up on a hillside and sits down and begins to teach – both his apprentices and the crowds.
1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:1-11
· not a list of qualities to master…not a checklist of what you are to become to earn those things
· these are descriptions of the people in the crowd.
His point – look at these folks. They have chosen wisely! They have come to the right place! They have surrendered to the right person…and now watch their lives change!
· They will see God! They will become his children! And they will get it all!
Jesus offers a portal into life that is truly life. Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy
The road to wonderful begins with surrendering to Jesus. Coming to the right place. But like Barry said a few weeks ago at baptism…that’s only the beginning.
The rest of this sermon details a lifestyle of following Christ…doing what he did, living the way he suggests…and following his instructions on the development of internal character and external calling.
he begins with the external calling…the impact:
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. Matthew 5:13-15
Wonderful people are salt and light…they make things happen…from the little unseen acts of kindness to the outrageous efforts of global change they are doers.
Wonderful people believe they have a destiny given them by God. Wonderful people are on mission. Are you?
If you surrender to Jesus Christ and follow him, you will become a wonderful person…one who has impact.
Most of the rest of the sermon focuses on the internal…the moral fiber…the character of a wonderful person…let’s highlight just a few…
5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Matthew 5:21-22
5:27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28
5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:38-39
5:43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44
Here are just four internal character traits that are developed by following Jesus:
· Desire for reconciliation with those from whom you are estranged
· Commitment to marital faithfulness.
· Lack of revenge – withholding of payback
· Love for all people even those with whom you are embattled.
STOP! If all of humanity would surrender to Jesus and through him develop JUST THOSE FOUR CHARACTERISTICS … the world would change forever.
But that’s only scratching the surface. Here is a summary of the other character traits that apprentices of Jesus develop…
· Plain speaking truthfulness
· Forgiveness
· Compassion for the needy
· Ability to practice self-denial
· Deep trust in God
· Generosity vs. covetousness
· Freedom from anxiety
· Non-judgmental attitude
If you surrender to Jesus Christ and follow him, you will become a wonderful person…one who has character.
There’s one more benefit of surrendering to then apprenticing under Jesus:
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25
If you do not follow Jesus you risk stunted character development, loss of wellbeing and loss of sanity. Dallas Willard
So…is this something you desire? Do you want to be a person with clear calling and strong moral integrity? How?
Wonderful people are made, not born.
It’s simple, it’s clear…but it’s not easy…
1) surrender to Jesus – come to him
a. repent of the direction you are going
b. commit your life to him
c. tell him that right now!
2) Follow him – become his apprentice – become his disciple
How? for 2000 years people have been fussing with this.
· classes, seminars, books, sermon series…
· 5 years ago we decided once and for all to try to get this figured out.
· And after months/years of research and development we debuted
The Way of Discipleship
The Way of Discipleship is an intentional, time bound relationship focused on learning and embracing 11 practices essential to following Jesus.
· it is one person inviting another person to follow them as they follow Jesus (as David explained two weeks ago you can’t do it alone! It is best modeled by a leader and practiced in community)
· intentionally setting times to meet, discuss and learn 11 practices which are a distillation of the teachings of Jesus.
· And at some point in the process the one who is being discipled then invited another to follow them as they follow Jesus and it perpetuates.
When I was growing up I had just a small taste of this form of discipleship – my pastor took me under his wing – taught and encouraged me. It wasn’t comprehensive in any sense but it was enough to ignite my desire to follow Jesus and frankly…the reason why I stand here before you today.
In the last 5 years…since we launched the WoD I’ve been doing it with a number of guys…some completed and others still in process.
· It has been profound – nothing I’ve experienced in 37 years of ministry is anywhere near as effective as the WoD.
· I continue to grow even as I repeat the discussions over and over. And I’m sure the guys I’ve been with would agree.
It is simple. It is clear….but it is not easy.
· Jesus warned his followers and implied that apprenticing under him would be difficult.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
· It takes time. It takes commitment for 2-3 years. And it takes a willingness to replicate it in others.
But as difficult it is…remember…it is the road to wonderful. You will become a wonderful person…one with a clear calling and strong internal character!
What practically should you do?
1. Pick up a copy of the WoD book – in our bookstore.
2. Look for someone to ask to disciple you and ask them!
3. Look for someone to ask to follow you and ask them!
4. If you want to become a discipler…
Remember…
Wonderful people are made, not born.
If you surrender to Jesus Christ and follow him, you will become a wonderful person…one who has a clear calling and deep character.