These are parts 3 & 4 of our series, Becoming A Blackbelt Christian. Part 3 is, You need a Sensei. The point I was trying to make here is that the purpose of the Christian pastor is to grow up the individual Christians to look and act like Jesus.
Ephesians 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Most Christians aren't looking at their Pastors this way. If you want to become a Blackbelt Christian then you're going to have to find someone that you respect, that you want to be like, to train you. If karatecas thought about the karate dojo like Christians do about church, they'd be looking for the dojo which had the best child care facilities or maybe a singles program, or nice workout facilities, or easy parking. The identity of the sensei would be the last thing on their mind. But in Karate the identity of the sensei is everything. You're going to become what your sensei is.
Part 4 is, You have to be willing to pay the price. Everything in life costs something. If you want to lose weight it's going to cost you. If you want to be in shape it's going to cost you. If you want a college degree it's going to cost you. If you want to be a great karate guy it's going to cost you. If you want to be a Blackbelt Christian it's going to cost you. Becky pointed out to me that the amplified Bible puts a different spin on one of the scriptures I quote on this tape:
(Luke 9:59, 60) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
Luke 9:59-60 (Amplified Bible) 59 And He said to another, [a]Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me! But he replied, Lord, permit me first to go and bury ([b]await the death of) my father. 60 But Jesus said to him, Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and publish abroad [c]throughout all regions the kingdom of God.
Becky says that what the guy was really saying was, "Once my father dies and I get the inheritance then I'll be able to follow you." Makes sense to me. That's what we all say, "When I retire and my financial future is secure then I'll be able to follow you Jesus." If Jesus can't take care of your
financial needs why would you want to follow him?
The is the Sunday July 9, 2006, service. It lasts about 40 minutes.
Audio MP3: Large (Good for burning your own CD) Small (Good for just listening.)