| | Explore | | |

February 24, 2008AM

Ephesians 4:1-10

The Attraction of a disciple

 

We are all somewhat familiar with the story of the ugly duckling.

 It is a story that has literally endured centuries.

  It was written by Hans Christian Andersen and first published November 11, 1843.

   In an interview Andersen claimed "The Ugly Duckling" was his autobiography.

    One critic commented, “This fable demonstrates Andersen's identification with, and his sympathies for, the 'outsider' searching for his or her place in society.”

     That sounds very much like how the church should work in the world.

      Wouldn’t it be nice if a critic of our congregation said that about us?

       “This church demonstrates God's identification with, and his sympathies for, the 'outsider' searching for his or her place in society.”

        I came across an abbreviated version of the fable.

         Here are some excerpts from it.

“The poor ugly duckling became more and more unhappy. His brothers didn't want to play with him, he was so clumsy, and all the farmyard folks simply laughed at him.”

“Poor little ugly duckling!” his mother would say. “Why are you so different from the others?" And the ugly duckling felt worse than ever. He secretly wept at night. He felt nobody wanted him.  “Nobody loves me, they all tease me! Why am I different from my brothers?”

“One day, at sunrise, he ran away from the farmyard.  He stopped at a pond and began to question all the other birds. “Do you know of any ducklings with gray feathers like mine?” But everyone shook their heads in scorn.  “We don't know anyone as ugly as you.”

“One day, his travels took him near an old countrywoman's cottage.  Thinking he was a stray goose, she caught him.  The hen kept frightening him.  “Just wait!  If you don't lay eggs, the old woman will wring your neck and pop you into the pot!” And the cat chipped in: “Hee! Hee! I hope the woman cooks you, then I can gnaw at your bones!”  “Oh, dear me!” moaned the now terrified duckling. “I'll die of fright first! And I did so hope someone would love me!”

The Ugly Duckling was looking for someone who would love him.

 Someone who would not reject him because of his appearance and ability.

  Someone who would see past the fact that he did not fit in.

   Someone who would see more than the grey feathers and strange neck.

    He went to the barnyard looking for acceptance.

     He went to strangers seeking for the same thing.

      And he was rejected.

       Hans Christian Andersen not only caught the essence of his life.

        He also caught the essence of our human condition.

         We are all flawed.

          We are looking for acceptance.

           We soon discover the world around us is stingy with grace.

           Will those searching for acceptance find it in the Church?

             Will the way we treat them attract them to Jesus?

              Or will they need to look elsewhere?

Jesus received the sinner, the leper, the adulterer, the outcast.

 The person who was ugly in life style or habits was embraced by Jesus’ love.

  They squeezed in around Him.

   Tragically Jesus’ disciples often tried to protect Jesus from them.

    They weren’t very subtle.

     There is no room in our barnyard for the likes of you.

     Sometimes we aren’t very subtle either.

      There is no room for sin and ugliness here.

       We don’t want to be identified with sinners and tax collectors.

        Brace yourself because Jesus has hard words for that attitude.

         You look good on the outside but you are a rotting corpse on the inside.

          We dare not reserve our love the lovely.

           We dare not exclude any “ugly ducklings.”

           Does God see ugly ducklings?

            Yes I’m afraid He does.

             The ugly ducklings He sees are those who profess to know His Son Jesus

             and are intolerant of those struggling and bound in sin.

Paul begged the Christians to recognize God’s call on their lives (Eph. 4:1).

 Every believer was called.

  They were to live a life worthy of that call.

   Ephesians 1:4 tells us what God’s call on every believer is.

    “He chose us in Him [Jesus] before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him.”

     The holy and blameless life makes us worthy of being called Christians.

      William Barclay says, “When a man enters into any society, he takes upon himself the obligation to live a certain kind of life; and if he fails in that obligation, he hinders the aims of his society and brings discredit on its name.” (The Daily Bible Study Series)

       By taking on the name of Christ you must reflect His values.

        As a disciple you must treat others as Jesus treats them.

         That is the commission of the church.

          There is no option here.

           We are called to be a place where ugliness discovers beauty.

            The church is not a barnyard that pecks at those who are different.

             The church is not the countrywoman who embraces the ugly duckling just

            to get something from it.

              She hoped to get eggs or at least a meal or two out of it.

               In verse 3 Paul said we should be striving for unity.

               “Be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

                Unity vanishes when one side is carrying the butcher knife.

In verse 2 Paul gives a list of responsibilities to the church.

 It is a list of qualities that creates attraction.

  These are must see qualities for a disciple that attracts.

 

I   LOWLINESS is the first quality Paul pleads with us to experience.

     A life worthy of our call requires lowliness.

      “The Christ of Scripture is the humble, suffering servant who, in spite of great opposition, false accusations, and public ridicule, remained faithful to the heavenly calling.” (David W. Hegg)

       Lowliness was a new word in the Greek vocabulary because of Jesus.

        Greeks never talked about lowliness because there was no such thing.

         A person that portrayed this quality was a misfit.

          They were worthless and had no virtue.

           They were despised - ugly.

           Before Christ a lowly person was repulsive.

            But Jesus changed all that.

             Lowliness was seen in Jesus in a way it had never been seen before.

               In Jesus it became evidence of intense, unwavering strength.

               Not counting yourself better than others.

                I was also an ugly duckling until Jesus found me.

                 When I remember that I will not be quick to judge.

                  I will be slow to condemn.

                   People find acceptance in an atmosphere of lowliness.

 

II  MEEKNESS is the second quality that Paul begs us to experience.

     “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Mt. 5:5)

      Meekness will draw the earth.

       Meekness makes others take note.

If the Ugly Duckling had found meekness his search would have ended.

 What is a meek person?

  Meekness is not the absence of anger nor is it the abuse of anger.

   Meekness is anger perfected.

    The meek person is angered at the wrongs and the sufferings of others.

     But a meek person is never angered by the wrongs and insults against him.

      That is because the Greek word also speaks of complete control.

       For the Christian this is not self-control

        The meek disciple is completely under God’s control.

         Meekness shows the true disciple of Jesus.

          That is the attraction of the disciple.

 

III PATIENCE is the third quality that Paul urges us to experience.

    “In the Christian, the Spirit of God begins to carry out the will of God to make the child of God like the Son of God (Romans 8:29).  And He who began this good work in the life of the believer ‘will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ’.” (Philippians 1:6). (Donald Whitney)

     God will complete His work provided we don’t try to do it for Him.

      He will transform a life if we don’t try to do it our way.

       Our attempts to make a person look beautiful will drive them away.

         They will never measure up.

          We do not have to make anyone acceptable for God.

           Patience enables us to wait for God to do His transforming work.

           Paul says, “present yourselves to God holy and acceptable.” (Rom. 12:1)

            We are never told to present someone else to God.

             Patience is bearing insult and injury without bitterness.

              Patience is an attribute of God.

               It is His patience that makes salvation available.

                It is His patience that endures the cross.

                 It is His patience that offers forgiveness for sin.

                  Peter says, “be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (2 Peter 3:14b-15a)

                   God was patient with our ugliness.

                    How many of us would say we are now perfectly beautiful?

                     Even now God waits and yearns for our beauty.

                      The Attraction of the Disciple is patience toward others.

                      It is the same patience that God has shown.

Are you attracting others to Jesus?

 Lowliness, Meekness, Patience; they are not exactly earth shattering qualities.

  But God uses them to transform people into His image.

   Every disciple is called to live the life worthy of God’s call.

    Are you lowly enough to look at yourself through the life of Christ?

     Are you meek enough to look at yourself through the life of Christ?

      Are you patient enough to look at yourself through the life of Christ?

       If you are afraid to do that because of what you might see, don’t be.

        Paul’s words are true for you.

         “Grace is given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”

          Let that grace flood your life.

Jesus’ words are for you “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

           Why not settle the struggle in your life today?

           Discover for yourself THE ATTRACTION OF THE DISCIPLE.