Recipe STRONG

I vividly remember learning how to cook. The kitchen was daunting. We had plenty of ingredients, but I had no idea how to put them together in a way that would produce good tasting food. However, like a light in the darkness that provides clarity, I discovered the power of a recipe. Armed with a five-star recipe for chicken parmesan, my confidence soared! “Hey,” I thought, “if 4,236 people rated this five-stars, all I have to do is follow this recipe!” I breathed better. Tension dissipated.

So I made the parmesan according to the recipe and…shock…my family liked it! They actually liked something that I cooked, other than macaroni and cheese.

Making good food actually became fun and cool! All I needed was a great recipe.

Having a great recipe works in Christianity as well. For many of us, walking in the Spirit and following Jesus can be daunting. Having a recipe can transform any Christian from uncertainty, anxiety, and fear to confidence, boldness, and joy! Recipes have that kind of potential power.

The Apostle Paul had a recipe that he used to give shape to the dynamic, powerful life that he lived in the faith. He did not have wholeness, freedom, and significance for no reason. He lived in the Holy Spirit in a particular way, a way that blessed him, and a way which he used to make disciples.

“Brethren, join in following my example (recipe), and observe those who walk according to the pattern (recipe) you have in us” (Philippians 3:17).

Notice the generational movement of Paul’s disciple-making. Paul is the first generation. Those in Philippi with whom he has already worked with are the second generation. Those he is speaking to in this verse are the third generation. He urges the third-generation disciples to observe and be in relationship with those in the second generation, so that they could learn Paul’s recipe. All they had to do to experience the fullness of life in Christ that empowered Paul was to apply Paul’s template!

Recipes are essential in the faith, and they are mission-critical to disciple-making. My recipe is called the Way of Rest and is described in BE: The Way of Rest. Learn and embrace the recipe. Then, as you go make disciples, work the recipe into their lives. For those of you already making disciples, just walk through the recipe! You will be amazed at the inner healing, freedom, and power that can flow through each ingredient.

In the Way of Rest, we believe in:

• One God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• Two Kingdoms in conflict
• Three Enemies – Sin, the World, and Satan
• Four Promises – Love, Freedom, Rest, and Power
• Five Disciplines – Reflect, Release, Receive, Resist, and Respond  

Just work the recipe. Even as you advance in the faith, continue to work through the ingredients.

Alcoholics Anonymous is world famous for their Twelve Steps. Those steps are AA’s recipe to sober living. When a person has been sober for a year they are urged to sponsor a person who is newer to sobriety. All the veteran does is walk the new person through the steps. The veteran’s confidence comes from their own sobriety and the stories they have from applying the steps in their life. Those in AA call this “step work.”

In the Way of Rest, we don’t have twelve steps. We have five ingredients! They will work. And having a powerful recipe can embolden you to make an eternal difference in the lives of many, many people.

Use the recipe.

Make disciples!

If you need a refresher on something in the recipe, reach out and let’s talk.

Jim