Reading Notes for Introduction and Chapters 1-5.

Reading Notes for Chapters 6-9.

Reading Notes for Chapters 10-13.

Chapter 14 – Discipline of Church

• There is a contemporary problem: doctrine of church is weak, i.e., what the author calls “ecclesiastical hitchhikers” (p. 169) – no meaningful commitment and no meaningful participation.
• Visible/Invisible Church distinction is real. However, we must have a high view of Visible Church; must have a biblical view of the objectivity of the covenant.
• “As to why the Church has fallen on such hard times, historians tell us that an overemphasis on the “invisible” Body of Christ by evangelical leaders produced an implicit disregard for the visible Church. However, membership in an invisible Church without participation in its local expression is never contemplated in the New Testament” (p. 170).
• The author quotes from the Swiss Second Helvetic Confession: “For as there was no salvation outside Noah’s ark when the world perished in the flood; so we believe that there is no certain salvation outside Christ, who offers himself to be enjoyed by the elect in the Church; and hence we teach that those who wish to live ought not to be separated from the true Church of Christ (Chapter 27)” (p. 171).
• And from the Westminster Confession of Faith: “The visible church . . . out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation” (Chapter 25.2).
• Together we are “co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). “In the Church we do more than come into each other’s presence—we share membership together” (p. 172).
• Therefore, be committed to the visible church (cf. p. 175).
• From the “Food for Thought” section: “What do our attitudes toward church and toward Christ have to do with each other? If the latter is misguided, will the former do any good?” (p. 177)
• From the “Think About It!” section: “List as many strengths and weaknesses as you see in your church. Now write down the ways you personally are contributing to each of these, and also specific ways you can be part of changing the weaknesses” (p. 177).

Chapter 16 – Discipline of Giving

• History again and again reveals that men are mastered by their wealth, e.g., see story spanning from 1923 to 1948 (p. 191).
• How to avoid this? “The grace of giving” (p. 193).
• “Giving” in the OT (pp. 192-194). All those percentages add up.
• “Giving in the NT (p. 194-195). “Their [the poor Macedonians] remarkable giving was the result of their first giving themselves to God. It is so simple: when all one has is given to God, giving to others becomes the natural reflex of the soul. . . . This is where grace giving must begin – giving ourselves completely to God. Grace giving cannot exists without this (cf. Romans 12:1)” (p. 195).
• We are not “clubbed” into giving. We are grateful because Christ gave all for us. We are united to Christ, who gave all, therefore, we bear fruit (grace of giving). The Lord’s Service is corporate discipleship that “forms” us; God serves us in the Lord’s Service (e.g., called into his presence, our sins are forgiven, washes us in Word, feeds us at Table, sends us out strengthened to get dominion in the world through/by service).

Chapter 17 – Discipline of Witness

• Witnessing – “average” avenues of everyday person-to-person witness (all can do this regardless of gifting or calling), see p. 202.
• An example: Andrew brought others to Christ (pp. 203-207). Author’s comments on Andrew’s ministry were compelling.
• We need to realize the “value of relationships” – it takes (1) time, (2) effort, (3) emotional investment, etc. See p. 209 for ideas/examples for how to invest in relationships.

Chapter 18 – Discipline of Ministry

• Disciplined in:
• Labor: Labor for Christ and Church. “Big hearts, the enlarged hearts that God uses, are laboring hearts which, though weary, will willingly be expended as necessary” (p. 215). See 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Corinthians 11:27 – laboring night and day; laboring in all types of afflictions–this is persistent labor.
• To Reach Out: Example of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4). You cross barriers, you radically hurdle the conventional barriers of today, etc. Humbly goes after even “least of these.”
• In Perspective: Learn to look at world through ministry/servant eyes. See spiritual opportunities. Be attentive/sensitive to the leading of the Spirit, e.g., while driving in a car the Spirit lays it upon you to pray for a passing car, etc. So, look for spiritual potential – “part of an eternal drama in which each Christian has a special part to play” (p. 218). What is my calling? What is my perspective? What am I supposed to do? Etc. God has called each of us to participate meaningfully in the Kingdom of Heaven.