“Discipleship Dimensions” are articles written by Pastor Dick on a variety of topics, all of which are intended to teach God’s word and encourage disciples of Jesus Christ in their spiritual walk.  These articles are published periodically and circulated to members and friends of Randall Baptist Church.  Just click on the appropriate portion of the index for a PDF file of the article you want to read (only available for 2005 and later, if you would like an earlier article please contact Dick Murphy).

2006
April "Doing the Community of the King" The Church “does” Church by “being” the Church, and by engaging in the good works of outreach and prophecy.  Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14-16a; Eph. 2:10b; Acts 1:8.
March "Being the Community of the King" The Church is to be the community of the King by remembering it is an organic entity, by living out a God-centered life, by growing spiritually through the gifts of the Spirit, and by following Jesus Christ and those called out as its leaders.  Eph. 2:10; 19-22; 4:1-6; Mark 10:24; I Peter 4:10; Col. 1:18; Heb. 13:17.
February "The Church in God’s Plan" The Church is God's called out people who are to model and deliver to the world His truth and values, the gospel of reconiliation, and who are to proclaim His rule. II Cor. 5:16-21; Eph. 1:4, 11; 2:10; 3:10
January "What is the Kingdom of God?" The Kingdom of God is the reign of God over everything. His Kingdom was present on earth in the Person of Jesus Christ, and is now present in the Church. Eph. 1:9 & 10; 2:20-23; 3:10; Phil. 2:9 &10

2005
November - December "What Is the Church?" The Church is much more than a place. It is the universal church which includes all believers everywhere, and it is the local church which is the assembly of believers in one place. Matt. 16:18; Eph 2:22b; I Peter 2:5-7; Titus 2:14; Heb. 10:25
October "Worship Is Giving" Giving (offering one's self and one's possessions to God) is worship because it obeys God, honors Him, follows His example, ministers to others, proclaims God to the world and permits God to provide. Prov. 3:9; Luke 6:38; Rom. 12:1; II Cor. 9:6-15; Eph. 5:1-2; I Tim. 6:17-19
September "Worship Is Confession" Worship is confession because confession has to do with God, with our response to God in our unholiness, and with God's mercy in dealing with our sin. Isaiah 6:1-7
July - August "Worship Is Music and Song" Music and song arise out of our deepest humanity, and thus are a natural part of our relating and responding to God as we attribute worth to Him. Eph. 5:19&20
June “Worship is Celebration” Celebration is worship because it demonstrates satisfaction in God and His blessings, extols Him for who He is, and expresses joy in Him.  I Chron. 13:8; Ezra 6:16; Neh. 12:27-43; Acts 2:46; 16:25; Rev. 5:13 & 14; 19:6-8; 22:3-5.

May

“Worship is Hearing God’s Word”

Hearing God’s word speaks to the heart of the child of God, as the Father speaking to His loved one, and leads into worship.  Neh. 8:1-6.

April

“Worship is Thankfulness”

Thanks to God and an attitude of thankfulness to God is actually worship of the Almighty God.  Heb. 12:28.

March

“Worship is Service”

Serving God and His Kingdom in whatever way you do is worship of God.  Rom. 12:1; Gal. 6:9; Eph. 2:10; Col. 4:6.

February

“A Life of Worship”

A life of worship includes the singing of spiritual songs.  Col. 3:16.

January

“The Godly Life”

Praying, worshiping and giving thanks are part of the fabric of living out the life of a disciple.  Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-35; Rom. 12:2, 5; 15:5 & 6; I Cor. 14:26; Eph. 4:23; 5:20; Col. 3:17; I Thess. 5:17; Heb. 10:25; 12:28 & 29; I Peter 4:10

2004

January “Principles of Spiritual Life From the Life of Jephthah” From the life of the Old Testament Judge, Jephthah, is found 7 principles of spiritual life.  This article looks at principle #6 - Don’t make foolish vows. Judges 11:30-40.
February “Principles of Spiritual Life From the Life of Jephthah” From the life of the Old Testament Judge, Jephthah, is found 7 principles of spiritual life.  This article looks at principle #7 - Entrust yourself and your future to the Lord.  Judges 11:10 & 11, 27b.
March “God’s Take on Money” Overview - God is interested in our faith and our dependence.  Matt. 6:33 & 34; 7:9; II Cor. 5:7, 17; Col. 3:3; Heb. 11:1.
April “God’s Take on Money” Principle #1 - God owns it all, from beginning to end.  Ex. 20:3; Psalm 23; 24:1; Matt. 6:24, 25a, 32b; Luke 18:22; Phil. 4:19; I Tim. 6:7.
May “God’s Take on Money” Principle #2 - God calls us to give generously.  Prov. 3:9; Matt. 5:42; 6:2 & 3; Luke 6:38; John 3:16; Acts 20:35; II Cor. 8:6 & 7; 9:8; Phil. 4:18
June “God’s Take on Money” Principle #3 - God wants us to be responsible but not to hoard.  Psalm 62:10b; Prov. 11:4; 27:24; Eccl. 5:10,11, 13; Matt. 6:19; Luke 12:15-21; I Tim. 5:8; 6:18
July/August “God’s Take on Money” Principle #4 - God expects us to be wise and faithful in our use of what is His.  Prov. 10:4; 12:27, 28; 22:7; 28:19 & 20; Eccl. 5:18 & 19; Isaiah 55:2; Rom. 13:7a; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 9:6-15; Col. 3:17;   I Tim. 6:8
September “The Life of Encouragement” The meaning of encouragement.  John 14:16, 17; 15:26; 16:7, 13; Acts 4:36; 11:19-26; 18:27; Col. 4:11; I Thess. 4:18;
October “The Life of Encouragement” The mind-set of encouragement.  Acts 4:34-37; 11:22-26; 15:36-40; Rom. 15:4; Phil. 2:1-4; I Thess. 5:11, 14; Heb. 10:25
November/Dec “The Life of Encouragement” The means of encouragement.  Gal. 6:10; Eph. 4:29; Phil. 1:9-11.

2003

January “7 Principles for Life” A review of principles 5-7 of the principles for life.  Matt. 5:42; 7:7, 24; Phil. 2:12b & 13.
February “Is The Bible Just Another ”       The Bible is authoritative.  In it is found God’s Good Book?” revelation of Himself and His desire and plan to redeem mankind through Jesus Christ.
March “Is The Bible Just Another Good Book ” The Bible is inspired.
April “Is The Bible Just Another Good Book” ”       The Bible is accurate and reliable.
May “Bible translations - an overview” A look at the “how” of translation and several different translations compared.
June “Principles of Spiritual Life From the Life of Jephthah” From the life of the Old Testament Judge, Jephthah, is found 7 principles of spiritual life.  This article looks at principle #1 - our past is no excuse in serving the Lord in the future.  Judges 11:1-3.
July/August “Principles of Spiritual Life From the Life of Jephthah” From the life of the Old Testament Judge, Jephthah, is found 7 principles of spiritual life.  This article looks at principle #2 - God can and will use even you in His service. Judges 11:4-6.
September “Principles of Spiritual Life From the Life of Jephthah” From the life of the Old Testament Judge, Jephthah, is found 7 principles of spiritual life.  This article looks at principle #3 - Learn about and learn from your spiritual roots. Judges 11:15-27.
October “Principles of Spiritual Life From the Life of Jephthah” From the life of the Old Testament Judge, Jephthah, is found 7 principles of spiritual life.  This article looks at principle #4 - Make every effort to live at peace.  Judges 11:12-14.
November/Dec “Principles of Spiritual Life From the Life of Jephthah” From the life of the Old Testament Judge, Jephthah, is found 7 principles of spiritual life.  This article looks at principle #5 - Confront sin when and where necessary.  Judges 12:1-6.

2002

January “Knowing God” To maintain and build our relationship with the Father, we must have a passion for Him which translates into a desire to pray.  Hebrews 1:2; Matthew 1:23
February “Passionate Prayer” Our desire to pray must be pursued with passionate effort.  Ephesians 6:28; Colossians 4:2; Thessalonians 5:17; James 4:8a; Philippians 2:13
March “The Hand of God - I” The phrase the hand of God teaches us who God is.  Exod. 15:6; Deut. 3:24; I Chronicles 4:10; 21:13b; Ezra 7:9, 8:31b; Psalm 31:15; 48:10; 89:13; Isaiah 14:27; 41:20; Daniel 4:35.
April “The Hand of God - II” The phrase the hand of God teaches us what God desires.  I Chronicles 29:14; Ezra 8:22; Nehemiah 1:10; Psalm 60:5; 95:7; 110:1; Isaiah 1:25; II Peter 3:9b.
May “The Hand of God - III” The phrase the hand of God teaches us what God does and will do.  Ezra 7:28b; Job 30:21; Psalm 34:2; 38:2; 63:8; 139:10; Amos 7:7 & 8.
June “Principles of Prayer - I” The definition of prayer, a listing of the 12 principles of prayer, and a  review of principles of prayer 1-3.
July/August “Principles of Prayer - II” A review of principles of prayer 4-6.
September “Principles of Prayer - III” A review of principles of prayer 7-9.
October “Principles of Prayer - IV” A review of principles of prayer 10-12.
November/Dec “7 Principles for Life” Context: how should we approach life? A review of principles 1-4 of the principles for life.  Matt. 5:13, 24; 6:33.

2001

February “Introduction to Light Living” How are believers to live as children of light.  Ephesians 5:8
March “1st Principle of Light Living” We are not to participate in deeds of darkness.  Ephesians 4:18-31; 5:3-7, 11, 12
April “2nd Principle of Light Living” We are to produce goodness, righteousness and truth in our lives.  John 1:14; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:10
May “3rd Principle of Light Living” We are to expose darkness by lives of light.  Ephesians 5:11
June “4th Principle of Light Living” We are to live wisely, exposing right from wrong, using our time for His purposes.  Ephesians 5:15
July/August “5th Principle of Light Living” We are to understand His will, then thoughtfully, intentionally and purposefully, apply it.  Ephesians 1:10; 3:10
September “6th Principle of Light Living” We are to be filled with the Holy spirit, yielded to Him and under His control.  Ephesians 5:18
October “7th Principle of Light Living” We are to live together with joy and thankfulness in worshipful community.  Ephesians 5:18-20
November “The 7 Principles of Light Living  We need to ask God to enable us to apply the principles Summarized of “light living” in our lives.
December “God Uses Everyday People” God uses everyday people like you and me to spread the gospel.  Matthew 28:19; I Peter 3:15

2000
Date Title Topic
March “Be A Communication Expert” As messengers for Jesus, we need to learn how to think like non-believers around us so that we can communicate the truths of the Kingdom. 
April “Be A Lighthouse for God” How can we be lighthouses for God?  By following the “lighthouse strategy” of prayer, care and share.
May “What Is A Disciple?” What is the meaning of the word “disciple”?
June “The 5 ‘marks’ of a true disciple” A true disciple of Jesus Christ follows Him, loves Him, obeys Him, worships Him, and submits to Him.
July/August “The ‘makings’ of a True Disciple” A true disciple of Jesus Christ gives up all for Him, listens to Him, abides in Him, sets aside his or her own life for Him, and spends time with Him.
October “The ‘maturity’ of a true disciple” A true disciple of Jesus Christ bears fruit for Jesus, brings others to Jesus, and becomes like Jesus.
December “Living in Times of Transition” Four principles from Joshua 1:1-9 on how to live in times of transition.