Deandre “Dre” Walker after his baptism

Guest editorial by Kip McKean, with introduction by Chris Broom.

“For what is the use of a man gaining the whole world if he loses or forfeits his own soul?” Luke 9:25 (Phillips)

Our Sunday, October 8, church was incredible as we started our first principles classes by teaching a lesson on seeking God with all our heart. We desperately want to be equipped to teach people about how to inherit eternal life, so we are very serious about learning the elementary teachings (Hebrews 6:1). It was so special on that day to witness Deandre Walker (”Dre”) as he made the decision to seek God with all his heart and was baptized by the campus brothers after church.

Juan Mendoza (2nd from left) now restored to the Lord, enjoys his revival with the brothers who helped him through it (from left): Chris Williams, Rodrigo Ceballos and David Cadell.

Equally inspiring was seeing Juan Mendoza stand before the church and share how he had become a Christian, but then stopped seeking God with all his heart. He shared how he had started to seek happiness in other ways but still was not happy. He told us of a day where he was just wandering around the city of Chicago discouraged until a scripture came to his mind: “but seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). He immediately called Joe Chiappetta who welcomed him back with open arms and yet challenged him to once again seek God with ALL HIS HEART. It was awesome to hear Juan say, “I am here for good this time!” He was restored to God with the help of the Latino ministry. After the restoration, Chris Williams (who moved here from Portland to lead the Spanish Ministry), Rodrigo Ceballos (recently baptized), Dave Cadell (recently restored to God) and Juan stood up in front of the church together as Chris Williams prayed for communion. It was so inspiring.
After church we shared a meal as we do every Sunday. One woman had read negative things (persecution) about us on the Internet, but then she read our website and came with her husband to see for herself. They came all the way from Joliet to find us, and loved the service so much that they came back just this past Wednesday night to hear the Word study. Another young man who was visiting for the first time simply said, “I love the energy here.” This energy is not by chance, it comes from every member’s personal devotion to God. Please pray for us as we continue to lay down our lives in order to build a church of “Sold Out” disciples to the glory of God.

Chris Broom

Jesus calls every man and every woman to be a radical, sold-out disciple. In Luke 14:26, Jesus proclaims, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters ““ yes, even his own life ““ he cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is emphatic that to follow him one must love him more than any person. Interestingly, the word “hate” did not have to be used, yet our perfect, sinless Savior did not tone down his teachings to become “PC,” “politically correct.” As a matter of fact, Jesus called those with lust “to gouge out their eyes” (Matthew 5:27-29), those who do not practice what they preach, “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27-28), and on at least one occasion turned to Peter, a best friend and said, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” (Matthew 16:23).

John records in his gospel, “The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John [the Baptist], although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized but His disciples” (John 4:1-2). As one of His apostles, John fully understood that Jesus’ ministry baptized only disciples. This begs the question, “To be ready to be baptized, what does it take to be a disciple in one’s heart?” In Luke 14:33 Jesus clearly taught, “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” The account of the rich young ruler in Mark 10 again reinforces the concept of giving up “everything.” The Bible reads, “Jesus looked at him and loved him. “˜One thing you lack,’ he said. “˜Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’” Jesus commanded the rich young ruler to “sell everything,” thus the term “sold-out.” Later in this same passage Peter exclaims, “We have left everything to follow you.” Peter understood Jesus called each of His followers to give up “everything.” Today, Jesus is still calling each follower to be sold-out.

Sadly, there was a time in the ministry of Jesus when some of “His disciples turned back.” “On hearing it, many of His disciples said, “˜This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’ Aware that His disciples were grumbling”¦ Jesus said”¦ “˜Does this offend you?’ From this time many disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.” Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked them if they wanted to leave as well. “Peter answered Him, “˜Lord to whom should we go? You have the words of eternal life’” John 6:60-68. Both then and now, grumbling and bitterness among disciples indicates a “non-sold-out” heart. These sins cause people’s hearts to drift from God (Hebrews 2:1-2) and their sold-out commitment of “Jesus is Lord” confessed at baptism (Romans 10:9-13, Acts 22:16). Ultimately, if there is no repentance, they will lose their salvation (Hebrews 12:15). If Jesus’ call to be sold-out is preached in a lukewarm or dead church, the message will appear divisive and harsh as many will choose to turn back and not follow him. In some cases, two new churches will be created, one that is composed of only sold-out disciples and the other church will be those who love the status quo.

In 2 Chronicles 16:9, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” To be “fully committed” is to be sold-out. Recently on the Internet I read an account from the Muslim nation of Indonesia of three “Christian-oriented” teenage girls who were beheaded. This event reminded me of our study last year of the book of Revelation. In Revelation, over and over again Jesus “corrected, rebuked and encouraged” the church to remain “fully committed” by not compromising their convictions in order to please the beast (the Roman emperor), the false prophets, and a world that loves sin. To be “fully committed,” to be faithful in Revelation is defined as holding to “the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:2, 9; 2:13; 6:9; 12:11, 17; Revelation 19:10). In fact in Revelation 2:10 Jesus says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.” In the first century, to be baptized meant you could be killed the next day! I still remember “counting the cost” with a Chinese student from mainland China. (He happened to be a Clint Eastwood movie fan!) At the end of this session I asked, “If you return home to communist China and the authorities put a gun to your head and demand that you renounce Christ or die, what do you say?” The student’s quick reply was, “Go ahead, make my day!”

In the parable of the pearl of great price, a merchant found a precious pearl (the kingdom) and, “he”¦ sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-46). Our salvation is priceless and cannot be bought, but Jesus requires us to give up “everything” in response to this “gift.” Jesus reasons with us in Luke 9:25 (Phillips), “For what is the use of a man gaining the whole world if he loses or forfeits his own soul?” Jesus pleads not to “sell-out” to the world, but to be “souled-out” to Him! Portland Church, let’s remain humble yet unapologetically sold-out disciples willing to go anywhere, do anything and give up “everything” for Jesus, his church and his mission! And to God be the glory!

Kip McKean

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