Cordle: Listening to God, Sharing Faith Key to Discipleship

 Leading Bible Study during the 2010 Western PA Annual Conference, the Rev. Steve Cordle, founding pastor of the multi-campus Crossroads United Methodist Church in the  Pittsburgh area, stressed the importance of obedience-based discipleship.

“You are holding explosive material right now,” he added, holding his own Bible aloft. Augustine heard the voice of a little girl singing, immediately read Romans 13:13 and changed the course of his life. His words have been speaking God’s purposes ever since, Cordle said.  St. Francis, Martin Luther and Martin Luther King were others mentioned as examples of individuals listening to God, being transformed and taking action that changed the world.  

“We can read those exact same words,” Cordle said. “We can apply it as well -- if we listen to the word.” 

“When you read, it’s not for information; it’s for transformation,” he explained.

It’s important, Cordle said, for “veteran scripture readers” not to overlook the familiar; to consider what the words speak to you at the moment.  Internalize and absorb it, then go an do it.

“Use SOAP daily!” he said. The congregation at Crossroads, he said, is encouraged to spend time each day with SOAP -- Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. After reading scripture, Cordle advised, “Write down the one verse that stands out”, then do what it says.

Cordle talked about a church planter in China who started with four people, with the first lesson that they should each go and tell five people they had made a connection to Christ. At the second gathering, all were told to tell five people they had made a connection – or not come back. Within three months, they had reached 1400 people. 

In Matthew 28, Cordle said, we’re told to teach to obey.

“If we do not do what we are taught, a callous will develop on our heart,” he said.  “When we teach too much, we are really telling our people, “ I don’t expect you to do too much.” 

Cordle recommends keeping an actions page. When I hear God, I write it down and then I do it,” he explained.

“We are to be lit up with the love of God to do what God saying to do. We can log a lot of hours volunteering – that’s not being transformed. It’s being able to what Jesus is  saying to you right now. That’s the rhythm of discipleship,” he said.

If we are willing, Cordle said in discussing Luke 5:10, Jesus will make his disciples “rescue can” people. A rescue can is a lifesaving flotation device used by lifeguards. Cordle held up a red rescue can from his church autographed by many who have been saved.

Referring to three parables Jesus told about saving the lost, in Luke 15, the pastor noted that: “He is passionate about finding people who are far from God.” 

If we are going to share our faith, he said, we have to approach it the same way as a runner training for a marathon. It will impact everything we do. It changes the way we pray and the way we relate to others. It doesn’t matter whether we have the right spiritual gift, Cordle said. “As disciples of Jesus we get the privilege and honor of being rescue can people

 Look for opportunities in your daily life, he said. “Don’t wait for an invitation, he added. Risk spiritual conversation. Simply living a moral life and doing good works, doesn’t do the job.

“Good News must be proclaimed,” he said, even by shy people like himself.

“It’s necessary to use words. We don’t do charades evangelism!”