Worship Call 0812 discipleship

Robert, addiction can be a good thing! Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. Does it ever happen to you - that something terribly simplistic just suddenly becomes clear? I realized something about us the other day. We, humans, are such addictive creatures. We always hear stories of addictions such as gambling, drinking, and using illegal drugs -- most of which many of us have either never allowed ourselves to touch or been able to conquer at some point in our lives. But it occurred to me that these are just a few of the many things to which we can become addicted. I mean, think about it. The more we work and the more money and material things we acquire as a result -- the more we want to work in order to purchase more of those things. The more television we watch, the more we don’t want to miss that next episode. The more we win at the leisurely games we enjoy, the more we want to play and win more at those games. The more we sleep, the more we want to sleep! The more we complain, the more we want to complain! The more we eat, the more we want to eat! We have even created nightly support group meetings for our addictions, to which, if we’re not careful, we can also become addicted! And there are countless other earthly examples we can probably add! It seems that mankind is hopelessly given to the substances and circumstances around us. So wouldn’t it be great if we could switch our focus from majoring on our daily grind to majoring on the things of the Lord? And then, I'm sure we would find that the more we pray and see God answer our prayers -- the more we’ll want to pray and see those victories! The more we share our faith and see people come to know the Lord through us -- the more we’ll want to share and see others come! The more we read the Word and gain wisdom for our lives and others' lives -- the more we’ll want to read the Word and gain that kind of wisdom! The more we serve God and those around us-- the more we’ll want to serve them! And there are countless other heavenly examples we can probably add! Friends, how about it? Let’s begin doing more of the things of the Lord and watch how they multiply! I have a feeling that we might experience more joy, peace, and contentment than we ever have! Your family in the Lord with much agape love, George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Going to Christian College in Dallas, Texas) Daytona Beach, Florida

Mark 3:11–12 (ESV) — 11 And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” 12 And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

Matt 9:30; 12:16; 17:9; Mark 1:44; 3:12; 5:43; 7:36; 8:30; 9:9; Luke 4:41; 8:56; 9:21

All of these verses contain in them, that Jesus would tell those whom he healed and showed miraculous things from his divine nature not to spread the news.

as far as the demons they had no credibility. to receive a witness from a wicked spirit brings question upon another.

And the curious question is to why.

Messianic timing

The hour or occasion of the announcement of his messiahship was approaching but the time was not yet. Not until he rode the mule into the temple mount in the fulfillment of scriptures.

2. rise of rebellion

A premature acceptance of his messiahship would have caused a national rally of Jews behind their Messiah, as they would seek to push Rome out and to usher in the long waited for Kingdom.

3. overshaddowing of the signs and wonders

IN the confusion the testimony of Jesus linking him to word to include the miracles and the healing and the meaning behind them would be lost.

4. construed and conflicting message

Jesus would be seen as a leader of the rebellion who died on the cross for crimes against Rome rather than a Sacrificial Lamb who dies for the sins of the world,

After the confrontation with the religious leaders and there Joining forces with the Herodians, Mark has it here that Jesus selects his disciples though already a part of his followers He selects his enter circles

Mark 3:13–19 (ESV) — 13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. 16 He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); 17 James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder); 18 Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

The Leadership of Jesus is now beginning to build upon his ministry that will take place after his departure. That ministry will operate through the Apostles which are now in the discipleship stage.

A disciple is learner. There were those who came from miles around to hear what Jesus would have to say and sat for whatever time were disciples. Whether they accepted the teaching or not.

It was the 12 who became his inter core disciples who with the exception of Judus would become His sent out ones or Apostles. These are the ones who would be close by wherever Jesus was. In life, Jesus would be the class room and there would be but one dismissal bell and that would be the Cross of Christ.

Why is discipleship so over looked?

And why is the learning looked so unfavorably at.

Churches here in our day are so pressed on the doing. And the teaching is that we must be busy going about establishing the kingdom for God where there is no mandate or teaching at all that we the church are building God’s kingdom.

The mandate however is to make Disciples.

The most important words are the first words and the Last words.

First words of Jesus to begin his ministry.

Matthew 4:17 (ESV) — 17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mark 1:14–15 (ESV) — 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Not yet do we hear of Jesus saying, “repent and build my kingdom.”

And then comes the great commission.

Matthew 28:16–20 (ESV) — 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus did not yet restore the Kingdom. But he made disciples.

And it was not for the disciples to go out and do kingdom work which was not yet present upon this earth and would not be established by their own hands or the hands of the Christians

Acts 1:4–8 (ESV) — 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Still the last words before Jesus’ ascension was not build for me a kingdom and I will return. It was to be my witnesses.

Now how can anyone be a witness for Christ?

That is telling and teaching others.

How can you tell and teach if you do not know anything about Christ?

You can’t

Point of Doctrine:

Dissemination and inculcation of information about the Christ and the plan of redemption is the imperative.

All correct ministry grows out of the knowledge of Christ.

Obtaining the mind of Christ through learning is knowledge of the Son which is motivation virtue and knowledge of His plan functional virtue.

The 12 would become under Jesus’ close tutor ledge. He was preparing these men to continue His earthly work while Jesus himself would return to the Father making intercession for them and for us.

Those 12 (exception Judus) would disciple others had witnessed the resurrected Christ and others that would become the early church fathers who had direct knowledge of those who themselves had sat for many hours being taught by Jesus.

It was not in the Churches good intentions or sincerity of heart to go out and do and do and do to establish the kingdom.

It is the church that is to disseminate the word of truth. Our growth comes through the scriptures or the water of the word. Without water that which was planted will die.

When Jesus through the hand of John wrote to the Church of Ephesus

Revelation 2:4–5 (ESV) — 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

What is the first love, that is that which holds the highest priority?

It has to be the word of God. Everything grows out of the word of God. Without the word of God we only have the energy of the flesh. And while our motives might be admirable it becomes nothing but glorifying our own efforts to do.

I’m sure that the devil does not mind our business for our own self made kingdom. I’m sure that he does not mind our ministries as long as we keep Christ out of it. And listen

The busier we are for this kingdom that we say that we are working toward and the less bible doctrine and receive and where discipleship is no longer important or the pulpit is deemphasized, the less Christ will have to do with our ministry as we work for a missiahless Kingdom.

The hall mark of the Church is the word of God. The bricks that are used to construct this church are the saints that are inculcated with God’s word. This is how the church was when it began and because we lost our first love which is God’s word we have become a useless church and in danger if not already but an empty building where our lampstand use to stand.

Am I saying that we do nothing but bible study?

No, I’m saying everything grows out of a strong Christian life which is strong because of the word and it is the word through discipleship that develops the character that produces the good works that reflects the glory of God.

Lastly

Works done by the energy of the flesh with no sound thought of God is your works which are dead works, vanity, and will pass away leaving no spiritual legacy.

The works that grow out of sound bible doctrine the word of God is the continuing work of Christ through us and will have lasting impact even after we are called home.

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