Category Archives: Disciples

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Bible, Disciples, Fellow worker, Romans, Scripture, Toil, Works

THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN

ROMANS 16:12

“Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord.”

I have been in ministry since 1979. That’s a long time. I served my first church as an 18 year old college student. My role was a part-time Youth and Music Director. I could not have done that job without the support of some very precious women at Bishop Baptist Church. They supported my work with the youth by hosting parties and bible studies. My music ministry was not possible without those who accompanied me on the piano and in choir rehearsals. I dare say most ministers today could not do their ministry very effectively without women in the church.

Paul must have felt the same. In today’s verse, Paul sends greetings to three women. All we know about them is what we read here in this verse. We know they were all workers for the Lord. It’s important to point out one small difference in them. Tryphaena and Tryphosa are still working, since the verb tense here is in the Present tense. Persis, on the other hand, “has worked” which is in the Aorist tense. This could mean her work was in the past. We’ll talk about that more in a minute.

APPLICATION

Tryphaena and Tryphosa were probably sisters, according to many scholars. Their names are similar, a common custom in those days. MacLauren says they “were probably Roman ladies of some social standing.” Their names mean luxurious or delicate which may indicate they were raised to be removed from any kind of hard labor. But here Paul says they were “workers.” The Greek word there means to toil until exhausted. Obviously, their allegiance to Jesus had turned them into servants of the church.

Persis may have been an older woman (thus the past tense use of the same Greek word). Perhaps, since they are listed so closely in this verse, she may have mentored Tryphaena and Tryphosa. That is pure conjecture, but since they were in the same church, Persis probably had that role as an older woman. I love when I see older women spend time with younger women and convey the wisdom they have. That is truly being a disciple.

If you are a woman serving your church, thank you. The church has relied on women since it began. It’s not a coincidence that Jesus first appeared to a woman after His resurrection. Mary was the first messenger of His appearance. If you are a man, thank the women around you who have impacted your life. Every man comes forth from a woman. We owe them our very life. I praise God for all the women who have walked with me in my journey with Christ.

Praise You, Lord, for godly women who work to further Your kingdom here on earth.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Disciples, Romans, Scripture, Slaves, Witnessing

ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANY PLACE

ROMANS 16:11

“Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet those of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.”

Isn’t it amazing how the Lord Jesus can influence so many nations and cultures? In my role as Global Ministry Shepherd for Every Man A Warrior, I have the privilege to interact with various people from all across the globe. I regularly converse with Africans, Asians and Europeans, as well as people in the Caribbean nations and South America. One thing is constant – their love for the Lord.

In today’s verse, Paul greets a person and a group again. This time it’s Herodion and those in the household of Narcissus. We have to ask ourselves again why these people. What was so special about these early believers to Paul? Well, let’s look closer.

APPLICATION

In Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible we read that Herodion was, “According to the flesh, being of the same nation, a Jew; or of the same tribe, the tribe of Benjamin; or of the same family, and nearly allied in blood to him: though the name is of Attic, or Parthic original, and seems to be a derivative of Herod; this man is reckoned among the seventy disciples, and said to be bishop of Tarsus.” Isn’t that amazing? We now have seen Paul address greetings to three of the 70 disciples, all of which appear to be in Rome at the time of the writing. Coincidence? I don’t think so. What was going on in Rome with these believers?

We find in historical records that Narcissus “may possibly have been the powerful freedman of Claudius,…put to death on the accession of Nero, A.D. 54.” (Pulpit Commentary) Supposedly, it was the wife of Claudius who had him put to death. He was a very wicked and wealthy man whose slaves would have become the property of Nero. Once again, we have Christians in the household of an unbeliever making their way into the emperor’s home. Isn’t that incredible?

Look around you right now. Who do you suppose the least likely to become a believer? Never doubt the workings of God. Two of my childhood buddies who were as wild and reckless as I was both became pastors later in life. We often joked how crazy God must have thought we were to ever doubt His reach. God can use anyone anywhere for His glory. Whether they were in first century Rome or 21st century Tennessee, God can use us if we are willing.

Take me and use me for Your glory, O Lord.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Apostle, Bible, Disciplemaking, Disciples, Ministry

NOT ALONE

COLOSSIANS 1:1

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,”

We have been encouraged when we travel in our ministry to take someone along with us. It’s not so much about protection. I don’t need a bodyguard. But it is more about companionship and accountability. I am headed to Jamaica in a couple of months and am taking two others with me to help with the conference but to also make sure I am staying true to the Word and to our mission.

Paul understood this. He says very clearly at the beginning that he is “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.” In other words, he didn’t just decide one day to start a ministry. God called him and appointed him. And Paul also took along companions. In this case, he is mentioned Timothy, whom Paul calls “our brother.” Paul invested in Timothy to make him into a disciple maker himself.

APPLICATION

Are you engaged in some type of ministry right now? Let me ask you a question. Who told you to do that? Well Carl, it just seemed to be the right thing to do. That is not a good answer. Our ministries, whatever they are, need to be directed by the Lord. How will you know? Oh, God doesn’t make you guess. You will know very clearly.

And who is getting the glory for any ministry you are involved with? If it’s anyone besides Jesus, you are doing it for the wrong reason. You would be surprised at the number of ministries that are man-centered and not God-centered. Make sure He gets all the glory for anything you do. By doing that, you can be sure to receive God’s blessings.

Finally, who are you investing in? Do you have a Timothy? Paul spent around 20 years traveling and mentoring Timothy. He was establishing his legacy through Timothy (and others). He wanted them to experience Christ as he had and to take the Gospel forward. We need to be doing the same with our Timothys.

Father, give me the energy and time to invest in a Timothy right now.

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Bible, Boldness, Confidence, Disciples, Encouragement, Freedom, Heaven, Persuasion, Scripture

BOLD AND CONFIDENT

EPHESIANS 3:12

“in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.”

Often our boldness and confidence can be seen as arrogance or rudeness. There is no doubt that can be the perception IF we are not careful. I have prayed for boldness to witness more. I have prayed for confidence to face life’s challenges. There is nothing wrong with boldness and confidence if it is done through the Lord. We are going to see that in today’s verse.

Paul is continuing a thought from the previous verse in verse 12. “In whom” is referring back to “Christ Jesus our Lord” in verse 11. Look what Christ gives us. He gives us boldness to approach the very throne of grace. The Greek word translated as “boldness” is parrésia. It is defined as “confidence (bold resolve), leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered (taken seriously).” (HELPS Word studies) Then Paul tells us we also have “confident access.” In the Greek text it is literally “access in confidence.” Pepoithésis is the word translated for “confidence. It means “interactive-access in persuasion.”  (HELPS Word studies)

APPLICATION

You are probably thinking Okay, Carl, I already knew that. I didn’t need a Greek lesson. I get it. But you can’t just read this verse and take it for granted. This boldness and confidence can only be exhibited correctly through Jesus. We have the privilege and honor to be given these in order to talk to our heavenly Father without any fear or trepidation.

In 1 Timothy 3:13, Paul tells Timothy as he talks about deacons, “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.” As we develop as believers and learn to listen for His voice, our boldness and confidence increases. Leaders in our churches should have this boldness and confidence to lead others towards a deeper relationship with Christ.

The writer of Hebrews says this in Hebrews 10:19-22. “19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Don’t shrink back, beloved. Go before the Lord with boldness and confidence. God won’t embarrass you and send you to the back of the line. There is room for everyone at the foot of the cross. Approach Him today and thank Him for giving you this access through His Son, Jesus Christ. You’ll find Him open and receptive every time.

Lord, I praise You for all you have given me, including my access to Your throne.

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Abiding, Bible, Comfort, Disciples, Division, Divorce, Holy Spirit, Peace, Scripture

PREACHING PEACE

EPHESIANS 2:17

“And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;”

Have you ever played the part of a peacemaker? It can be a very dangerous job. I remember one time sitting in on a mediation between a husband and a wife. I was there to simply be a support to one of them. The mediator remained so calm. Even though the words got heated and threats were even made, that mediator kept bringing them back to a peaceful resolution. Unfortunately, all their efforts failed, and the couple still divorced.

In today’s verse, Paul points us back to a passage in Isaiah 57:19 which says, “‘Creating the praise of the lips. Peace, peace to him who is far away and to him who is near,’ says the LORD, ‘and I will heal him.’” In the Bible I use; this verse is marked as the key verse of chapter 2. Why? Because this was Christ’s message before and after the resurrection. In John 14:27, while speaking about the coming Holy Spirit, the Helper, Jesus said, “‘Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.’” What a promise!

APPLICATION

What do we do with this message? We rest in Him. After the resurrection Christ appeared to the disciples. We see this in Luke 24:36. “Now while they were telling these things, Jesus Himself suddenly stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be to you.’” Christ was not going to leave them in fear. Neither does He leave us in a place where we should be fearful. His peace still reigns today.

Over in John 20:19 and 21 we have John’s account of His post resurrection appearance. “19 Now when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were together due to fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be to you.’ 21 So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be to you; just as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” Can you just picture that scene? Christ is with you today.

Let me encourage you today to rest in His peace. He has sent His Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to live in us. As a believer, you can rest in His perfect peace. Why? Because the Father has sent Jesus who has sent the Holy Spirit. Be at peace, beloved.

I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river. I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.

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Accountability, Bible, Choices, Circumcision, Commands, Disciples, Following, God's Will, Heart, Holiness, Law, Scripture

FOLLOW THE RULE

GALATIANS 6:16

“And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”

Are you a rule follower? I guess I am for the most part. I have to admit, I don’t always drive the speed limit. Other than that, I guess I follow the rules of law in our country. I pay my taxes. I don’t commit any crimes. I am just so glad I don’t have to worry about following a long list of rules set down by God. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do follow His commands set forth in Scripture as best I can. But I am free in Christ.

So, what is Paul talking about here – “all who will follow this rule”? What rule? The Greek word translated as “rule” is kanon, which means a measuring rod, usually a cane or reed used as a standard of measure. Paul expected believers to keep themselves holy. That was the measuring rod. It wasn’t about keeping the law. It was about obeying God. What is God’s standard? Holiness. Paul says when we do that, we will have peace and mercy and prove ourselves as the true Israel of God.

APPLICATION

Psalm 51:16-17 gives us a clear picture of what God expects of us. “16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.” This is the “rule” Paul is referring to. God isn’t concerned with gathering a bunch of rule followers. He wants sincere followers of Christ.

Paul probably had the words of Jeremiah ringing through his mind as he talked about circumcision and rules. Jeremiah 4:4 says, “‘Circumcise yourselves to the LORD and remove the foreskins of your hearts, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,’” It wasn’t about the physical. It was all about the spiritual. Our hearts need to bear the mark of Jesus. We don’t need to bear a physical mark on our bodies.

So, let me ask you again, are you a rule follower? I pray you are. I pray you are following the rule set forth by God. Turn to His Son, Jesus, and let Him give you a new heart. If you have done that, then walk in Him. Surrender your heart to Him afresh each and every day. Amen? Amen!

Lord, I am thankful I have been considered worthy to be one of Your followers because of Jesus.

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Authentic, Bible, Commands, Deception, Disciples, Following, Love, Scripture, Trustworthy, Truth

AUTHENTICITY

GALATIANS 6:11

“See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!”

Call me a little crazy, but the first thing I thought of when I read this verse was the story of “Little Red Riding Hood.” You know, when Little Red Riding Hood remarked at what large ears, eyes, hands and mouth the wolf had. They looked very different than her grandmother’s, so Little Red Riding Hood noticed. Some things are just obvious.

Paul wanted to make sure the Galatians knew he had written this letter and not someone else. Scholars vary on why Paul wrote these words. Some say it was because he had bad eyesight, so he had to write large. Others say it was because he had difficulty writing the Greek letters. Still others say he was referring to the length of the letter. For whatever reason, this marked this letter as being authentic.

APPLICATION

I have a signed poster from Herschel Walker, the great running back of the 80’s at the University of Georgia. Someone told me I should get it authenticated. There are people out there who do that. We have someone in our lives, as believers, who authenticates us. In John 15:8, Jesus tells us if we are producing fruit we will be proven disciples. “‘My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.’” The Greek word translated as “prove to be” means to come into existence. We are authenticated as we come into existence, as we prove to be His disciples.

We are also authenticated by our love. In 1 John 4:8 we are told, “The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” How many people do you know who say they love God but hate people. They hold grudges against people. They refuse to forgive people. God’s Word says clearly that our love for others is a sure sign of being His. It authenticates us.

Keeping God’s commandments also shows the world we are authentic believers. Also in 1 John, we find this in chapter 3 and verse 24, “The one who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He remains in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” So, the question is “Are you authentic?” Are you who you say you are?

Father, I want all who see me see me as an authentic follower of Christ.

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