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Returning to Jesus; Restoring Discipleship

Writer's picture: John CaldwellJohn Caldwell

John Stott once said: ““The Sermon on the Mount is probably the best-known part of the teaching of Jesus, though arguably it is the least understood, and certainly it is the least obeyed.” I think this is true.


For example, I once (not so long ago) visited a Bible Study. The group was looking at the Beatitudes. It soon became clear, that this evangelical group were confused about the priority, purpose & practice of this teaching of Jesus. I think this could be true for the church on the whole.


Before we delve deeper, first a disclaimer: I recognise that I myself haven’t prioritised this area as much as other areas. And this is something I’m seeking to correct. However, I am convinced of this. If we are neglecting the beatitudes, we are neglecting Jesus. No beatitudes; no Christ.


The Beatitudes are the goal, the fruit, & the proof of individual salvation. We will never perfect them, but we should be growing in them. They are not simply a law, they are the sign of the life of Christ within. As teachings, they can’t be separated from union with Jesus.


I think many of us have made a mistress out of doctrine, gifts of the Spirit, prophecy, mission, church growth, worship etc, and we have missed the pearl of great price in our neglect of the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are not just to be studied, they are to be experienced and lived.


We can win souls, but lose our own souls if we neglect the beatitudes. We can pursue the prophetic, but miss the true prophetic, if we neglect the Beatitudes. And we can profess faith in Jesus whilst being a stranger to Jesus, if we neglect the Beatitudes.


I became a Christian amongst evangelicals who emphasised the Pauline epistles and the cross.

Later, at an inter-denom theological college encountered liberals who emphasised the Beatitudes as a social and moral policy.


I later came to see that both views are faulty. The missing element was the Pentecostal inner life of the Spirit bridging the evangelical and the moral transformation.


The Beatitudes are the true signs of what it means to be saved. It’s impossible apart from the new birth (as emphasised by Paul) but it must lead to real life transformation and righteousness.


The Spirit is the one who applies the redemptive work of Christ and who supplies the power to live out the Beatitudes. We also have a part to play. It begins with seeing our lack (spiritual poverty) and hungering for Jesus by His Spirit to supply that lack.


There’s a lot of talk about the discipleship crisis in the church today. And many intelligent voices have many suggestions and strategies.


Perhaps the answer is simpler than we realise.


Jesus’ commission to make disciples included these words “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”


The teaching of Jesus is in the Gospels, especially the Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes.


The answer is not found in exchanging the Gospel of justification by faith alone for the Beatitudes as a law to follow, but rather it’s realising the free gospel of grace must manifest in the lifestyle of the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.


Likewise, for charismatics, we must prioritise the character of Jesus over the gifts of the Spirit. The Sermon on the mount, lived out on the foundation of justification by faith alone, and enabled by the infilling of the Spirit, is the key to restoring discipleship.



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