6.1.37 8.6.2023 Shipshape! Discipleship Matthew 16.24

Start:

Series Overview:

Topical preaching scares me. It’s like working without a net. Topical preaching for my taste relies far too much on the cleverness of the preacher than the content of scripture. Nevertheless there are times we need to deal systematically with thematically related items, not covered in a single passage, book, or section of scripture. My goal is to address these related themes highlighting the practical side of Biblical instruction.

There are times we need to get things ship-shape around here. Spit and polish. Point things up. Make sure that things are in tune. That’s what I intend to do over the next several weeks. These ideas are related to one another and each of us, as we become more mature in Christ, must take on a greater role in keeping the “ships” in shape. The specific ships?

• Discipleship

• Stewardship

• Worship

• Leadership.

Recently there was great interest in the loss of the Ocean Gate Titan, which was catastrophically destroyed on an expedition to explore the wreck of the Titanic. In the aftermath information emerged to the effect that there had been lingering questions about the vessel and its safety. These questions included but were not limited to questions about Design, Materials, Intent of the company.

The vessel, was known to not be ship-shape according to the acceptable standards of the deep-dive industry. That community was not surprised by its loss.

There is no problem with the design, materials, or intent of the Church. Jesus design, found in the NT works. The materials, when used according to the design, work. When we follow the intent of Christ, His Church works.

Our concern over the next month is maintenance and execution.

Entice:

Every Christian is called to be a disciple making disciple.

Not all can teach effectively. Most do not preach. The spiritual gifts are distributed to fully equip an entire congregation, and many of the gifts are exercised anonymously.

Our doing may differ.

Our being is the same.

All of us are engaged in cross-carrying. All of us are disciples. All have been buried with Jesus to walk in the newness of life. And that life is to be lost in following Him.

Engage: We need to talk about discipleship a lot because it is easy to make the Christian life something safe and domesticated rather than the adventure Jesus offers. Every once in a while we must be reminded of why we walk the way we walk and who it is we follow.

Expand:

Matthew 16:13–24 ESV

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

When we read this text we rightly focus on the confession of Peter and his confused opposition to Jesus’ announcement of the way of the cross. Yet by making Jesus’ comments about discipleship a mere postscript we lose the cumulative impact of the passage. We are to understand a direct relationship between His cross and ours. Different time, different place and different physical tree. Same path. So today we will focus just on verse 24

Excite: In the contemporary world the term Christ-Follower is a more hip descriptor for Christians. However we describe it, following Jesus is a call to give our lives in Cross bearing obedience.

Explore:

Answering the call of discipleship requires accepting not only the benefits but also the obligations.

Expand: What are the marks of answering the life-changing, sacrificial call to discipleship

Body of Sermon: The first mark is

1 Desire

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me,

I’ve just finished my second week at Oil Belt. This was Deeper Life week. By definition Deeper Life week is about desire. We spent A lot of time reminding fired up young people that when they get home it will not always be easy to follow Christ. Many of the difficulties they will have are shared by all other disciples

1.1 Desire is not the sexiest part of this passage, but one which is often overlooked.

There is theology of cross, church, and Jesus’ divinity in this passage There is commendation and correction. Mostly there is Jesus giving it to us straight and framing our Christian life realistically. And He knows that our will is in constant need of recalibration.

1.2 Desire concerns our image-bearing power to choose.

It requires thought,

commitment,

and choice.

1.3 The entire exchange with Peter is about subordinating our mind and will to Gods.

1.4 Regardless of what we know or the environments in which we live our Christian lives,

You’ve got to want it bad!

The next mark can be summed up by the word

2 Duty.

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

24 let him deny himself and take up his cross

A disciple must deny herself and take up her cross… we might call this the hard part.

2.1 Duty means Self-Denial.

2.2 Duty means Cross-Bearing

2.2.1 Jesus bids us come and die.

2.2.2 We rightly celebrate new birth, new life, new opportunity in Christ. The new life is a rebirth. It is truly new because we have died to self.

Finally discipleship is a matter of

3 Direction.

Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

24 and follow me.

3.1 And

Not merely the single act of selfless obedience. Discipleship is a way of living. To go the direction Jesus is going means he must have our

3.2 Attention.

You have to know where Jesus is leading.

3.3 Action.

You have to go where Jesus is leading.

Shut Down

Follower, Learner, Sever. These other dimensions of discipleship require the prior commitment to following, which begins with a sense of duty, which is formed by our willing desire to be like Jesus.

We need to make a clear distinction between causes and outcomes. I know a lot of people who want the outcomes of discipleship without making the commitments or investing the time that produces the outcomes.

It is for this reason that we need constant reminders of what is required for those who would follow Jesus. Yes He is Christ. God’s chosen redeemer. God’s Son our savior. He is those things and can transform us into

maturing disciples.

Everyone knows that not every vessel is seaworthy. Real discipleship is not just knowing but going.