THE JOURNEY - PARE ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Journey

Know God

Find Freedom

Discover Purpose

Make a Difference

The Journey is the discipleship process at Living Hope Church.

But why do we need to be discipled? Can’t we just believe the Gospel, that is, take our “Gos-Pill”, and be all better, and get back to our lives?

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

First, because Jesus commanded it. He didn’t suggest it; infer it; casually mention it; He commanded it.

If He’s the Lord of your life, discipleship is not optional. He’s not savoir, if He’s no Lord.

In an age of quick hook-ups and friends with benefits, He’s alternatively looking for a long term, eternal, intimate, covenant relationship. True Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship. A relationship with Christ and His church.

Second: Simply embracing the Gospel, and being born again, does not produce the fulness of Holy Spirit in your life. At times you will meet born-again believers are who are incredibly selfish and broken.

It is only when we master the kingdom keys of discipleship that the renewing of our minds in the word and knowledge of God produces the fruit and Character of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 3100. μαθητεύω

3100. μαθητεύω mathētĕuō, math-ayt-yoo´-o; from 3101; intrans. to become a pupil; trans. to disciple, i.e. enrol as scholar:—be disciple, instruct, teach.

It’s a process into which we enroll. It’s described as running in a race. No one wins races without disciplined training.

Disciple

Discipl-ine

STEP ONE - KNOW GOD

The Opportunity of a Lifetime

John 1:1–12 TPT

1 In the very beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God. 2 They were together—face-to-face, in the very beginning. 3 And through his creative inspiration this Living Expression made all things, for nothing has existence apart from him! 4 Life came into being because of him, for his life is light for all humanity. 5 And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom— the Light that darkness could not diminish! 6 Then suddenly a man appeared who was sent from God, a messenger named John. 7 For he came to be a witness, to point the way to the Light of Life, and to help everyone believe. 8 John was not that Light but he came to show who is. For he was merely a messenger to speak the truth about the Light. 9 For the Light of Truth was about to come into the world and shine upon everyone. 10 He entered into the very world he created, yet the world was unaware. 11 He came to the very people he created— to those who should have recognized him, but they did not receive him. 12 But those who embraced him and took hold of his name were given authority to become the children of God!

It’s not enough to just know about God, you need to intimately know Him. To seek his face, not just His hand. To deeply understand His heart and His love. And then allow that love to change your heart.

Romans 5:5 KJV 1900

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Again, it’s not knowing about God, it’s knowing God.

John 8:32 NLT

32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1182 γινώσκω (ginōskō): vb.; ≡ Str 1097; 1. know, recognize, be aware fem.; 2. learn, acquire information, implying personal means;

Mark 6:38 NLT

38 “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”

3. be familiar with, learn to know, through personal experience

John 17:3 NLT

3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.

1 John 2:3 NLT

3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments.

4. understand, come to know, perceive;

5. acknowledge, to indicate that one does know;

1 Corinthians 8:3 NLT

3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.

6. have sexual intercourse;

When the angel appeared to Mary, she said how can I conceive? I have not known a man this intimately.

It speaks of an intimacy unto living fruitfulness that remains.

So how can I know that I know God?

First let me qualify this question. As we saw earlier, discipleship, that is, the process of coming to an intimate knowledge of God, is exactly that; it’s a process. No two people experience that process in exactly the same way. Having said that, there are certain indicators of growth. The Bible calls them Fruits of the Spirit.

Luke 6:43–45 NLT

43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.

The more that the Love of God has healed and changed a heart, the more good fruit becomes evident in a person’s life.

Do you have a desire to know God?

Do you spend time in His word?

Do you talk to God? If so, how?

How does your demeanor compare with 1 Corinthians 13?

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 TPT

4 Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. 5 Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. 6 Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. 7 Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up.

Would you like to begin The Journey with us today?

Or, maybe you begin the Journey, but you can see that you haven’t travelled very far. Would you like to commit to going all the way with Jesus?