"THE CHURCHES RESPONSIBILITY"

Isn’t it great to see how the Lord is working in the lives of His people?

Proposition - This morning I would like to spend a few minutes and talk about the churches responsibility to those who have been baptized. I want us to look at two points - 1) the call to discipleship, and 2) the commitment to discipleship.

1. The Call to Discipleship -

Discipleship is the process of devoting oneself to a teacher to learn from and become more like them. For the Christian, this refers to the process of learning the teachings of Jesus and following after his example in obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. Discipleship not only involves the process of becoming a disciple but of making other disciples through teaching and evangelism. Byrley, C. (2014). Discipleship. In D. Mangum, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, & R. Hurst (Eds.), Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Press.

Matthew 28:19–20 (NASB95)

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8 (NASB95)

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

2 Timothy 2:2 (NASB95)

2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Titus 2:1–8 (NASB95)

1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. 6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;

7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

2. The Commitment to Discipleship -

· Bible Intake –

2 Timothy 2:15 NASB95

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

· Prayer –

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NASB95)

17 pray without ceasing;

· Worship –

Psalm 95:6 (NASB95)

6 Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

· Evangelism –

Mark 16:15 (NASB95)

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

· Serving –

Philippians 2:3–5 (NASB95)

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

· Silence and Solitude –

Psalm 46:8–10 (NASB95)

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

· Learning –

Psalm 119:97–104 (NASB95)

97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts.

101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. 102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. 103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

John 17:17 (NASB95)

17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

· Perseverance –

1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB95)

7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

Live out the one another’s -

John 13:34 (NASB95)

34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 15:17 (NASB95)

17 “This I command you, that you love one another.

Romans 12:10 (NASB95)

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

Romans 12:16 (NASB95)

16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 14:13 (NASB95)

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Romans 15:7 (NASB95)

7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:14 (NASB95)

14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

Romans 16:16 (NASB95)

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

1 Corinthians 12:25 (NASB95)

25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

Galatians 5:13 (NASB95)

13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 6:2 (NASB95)

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 (NASB95)

2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Ephesians 4:32 (NASB95)

32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Ephesians 5:21 (NASB95)

21 and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Colossians 3:9 (NASB95)

9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,

Colossians 3:13 (NASB95)

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Colossians 3:13 (NASB95)

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

Colossians 3:16 (NASB95)

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NASB95)

12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you;

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB95)

11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Hebrews 10:24 (NASB95)

24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

Hebrews 10:25 (NASB95)

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

James 5:9 (NASB95)

9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.

James 5:16 (NASB95)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

1 Peter 4:8 (NASB95)

8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:9 (NASB95)

9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

1 Peter 4:10 (NASB95)

10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

SO WHAT?

Believers – Church, brothers and sisters – we get the honor and privilege to be used by the Creator of the Universe. Come along side those who were baptized and let us be committed to continue to disciple them!!

If you are not serving in a specific ministry please talk with me – May we not be a church that focuses on the negativity – we never have enough teachers for Sunday School, Adventure club ect. May we adjust our thinking and realize that God allows you and me to serve in His church.