Discipleship

Introduction

Gen Z = 12-27 y/o

“Gen Z Cashiers Can't Recognize Real Cash, Think They're 'Counterfeit'”

“An assistant manager was left frustrated when his Gen Z coworkers wrongly declared a customer's money as fake.”

Turns out the currency was just old - not fake.

They actually wrote on the currency with a Sharpie, “FAKE”

https://www.newsweek.com/gen-z-cashiers-cant-recognize-bills-counterfeit-2004052

The best way to identify the counterfeit is to know the real.

*What does it mean to be a hypocrite?

*What does it mean to be an “authentic Christian?”

*What makes the difference?

Integrity?

A disciple who only follows his master some of the time — a disciple who only acts like his master some of the time is not an authentic disciple, they are a pathetic disciple.

*Which do you prefer to be? A pathetic or authentic disciple?

I am tired of mediocre Christian faith — lukewarm — in my own life and in the church.

It’s not just me, the world around us is tired of the church trying to sell them a faith if her members don’t even use it.

Top worship songs:

(I didn’t check with Zach)

“10,000 Reasons”

Whatever may pass

And whatever lies before me

Let me be singing 

When the evening comes

(You sing it on a Sunday - do you sing it on a Monday?)

Think about how if we have this playing at our desk at work all while complaining about how terrible the day is going to be — any wonder why many view professing Christians as hypocrites?

“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”

My chains are gone, I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

(do you live as though you’re free or only sing about it?)

“Cornerstone”

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

(is it?)

When darkness seems to hide His face

I rest on His unchanging grace

(do you?)

Background to Deuteronomy:

Israel is about to enter a new land.

Similarly, we are about to enter a New Year.

Moses will tell Israel: Don’t forget God in the new land; commit all that you are and have to Him, living as an authentic follower of Yahweh in every space he has placed you — starting at home — in such a way that it makes a difference in the lives of those around you for God’s glory.

Similarly, we will be challenged in this passage: Don’t forget Jesus in the New Year; commit all that you are and have to Him, living as an authentic Christian in every space he has placed you — starting at home — in such a way that it makes a difference in the lives of those around you for God’s glory.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

When you enter the new land, beware of two things:

Comfort

Culture

10 “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Beware of comfort

Where typically do you seek God more:

Hot sandy beach or hospital bed?

Middle of a party or the edge of a problem?

All is well or all is wrong?

Deuteronomy 8:11–19 ESV

11 “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, 12 lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, 13 and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15 who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, 16 who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ 18 You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.

Moses repeats over and over what we have all experienced:

*Comfort lulls the soul.*

I didn’t say “quiets” the soul — faith does that.

Be careful when you’re comfy-cozy that your faith doesn’t become “doze-y”

People have this weird tendency to congratulate themselves when they have plenty and blame God when they have pain.

Church members wrestle over God’s sovereignty when they experience suffering but rarely when they experience blessing.

Moses: When you enter the land, don’t forget, I AM

When you see all you have, don’t forget, I did.

authentic disciples. . .

Don’t Forget Jesus. . . In Your Comfort

Whatever your year looks like. . . Don’t forget Jesus!

Whether its rough seas or smooth sailing. . . Don’t forget Jesus!

Whether you find yourself on the beach or in bed. . . Don’t forget Jesus!

You needed him last year. You need him this year.

ILLUST - Nativity scene - Where’s Jesus? He’s actually holding him close. PERFECT!

Don’t forget the lessons of the wilderness when you are standing in the fields of plenty!

Why? Because when the weeds come, you may find you’re standing alone!

God does not give us comfort that we might sit in it glad to be his disciple; we are given comfort to refresh and resource us to make disciples!

Granger MC, we have not been given blessing so we may remain comfortable. We have been blessed so we might be a blessing.

bless our neighbors and the nations, but that does not happen if we are not fully devoted to Christ!

The way I see it we have two options to increase our faith in 2025: ask for problems that will rob us of our comfort so we might cry out to God, or Don’t forget Jesus and intentionally pursue authentic Christianity as we lead, teach, and serve others to become authentic Christians — in a word, discipleship!

Don’t Forget Jesus. . . In the Culture

13 It is the Lord your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. 14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are around you— 15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

I imagine for many believers (us) today there is less of a chance of faith being destroyed that there is of our faith being divided or diluted.

Divided = hypocrisy

diluted = syncretism — pouring so much of another substance that the original is hard to find

= casual Christianity

Tim Keller in “Counterfeit Gods:”

“an idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, and anything that you seek to give you what only God can give.”

I would say where do you look for power, provision, pleasure?

Money,

Forget the idols but don’t forget Jesus, why? Two reasons:

Other ‘gods’ don’t deserve it.

The one true God demands it.

Other ‘gods’ don’t deserve it.

They are not real. They are lowercase ‘gods.’

ILLUST - Caleigh’s Buddy

Buddy provided security and peace.

When things would get difficult, we would bring out Buddy and all would be good again

One day we lost Buddy - didn’t make that mistake again - we bought several to make sure she always had her item of security.

Did Buddy actually do anything to bring security? NO.

BUDDY WAS A STUFFED ANIMAL. How silly to think an inanimate object could bring security and happiness when the one who can truly do those things stands right nearby.

But don’t we sometimes do the same thing? Don’t we sometimes grab onto inanimate objects like money, jobs, and relationships in an attempt to bring us security or happiness?

Don’t we sometimes allow immoral thoughts and disobedient behaviors into our lives again and again because it is easy and familiar? Because we think it will actually work this time, or it seems to be a habit - our natural response. All the while, the One who can truly satisfy stands right nearby.

In comfort, the idols look attractive. I’d like one on my shelf all shiny whilst I eat my bon-bons

In the desert, the idols are pointless. Useful perhaps as a shovel!

No amount of money can save you from a heartache.

The arms of another woman or another man will never truly satisfy.

*Money is tangible, but Jesus is infallible.*

Ex. I can give you $1 USD or 1 Bitcoin ($98,185.53)

Money fails, people disappoint, jobs disappear,

The One True God deserves it.

15 for the Lord your God in your midst is a jealous God—lest the anger of the Lord your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.

“Jealous” - is not born from pride within God or immoral.

This kind of jealousy is a passion for the right ordering of relationships

ILLUST - If another man starts hitting on my wife we are going to have a problem. I am jealous for my wife. I have a passion that our relationship stay right and pure.

God has every right to demand devoted worship as if he were God. . . he IS God.

It is OK to remind ourselves that God alone deserves all worship and he will not share his glory with another - that is both a true and good statement.

God does not compromise with evil. He is holy.

16 “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested him at Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you. 18 And you shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may go well with you, and that you may go in and take possession of the good land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers 19 by thrusting out all your enemies from before you, as the Lord has promised.

The authentic Christian life is the good life.

Did not say “easy” life, but it is the good life.

Why? Because it is how and why we were made.

It is practical for life.

Matthew 4:3–4 ESV

3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Deut 8:3)

Devil took Jesus to the top of the Temple: and told him to jump to see the angels catch him.

Matthew 4:7 ESV

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” (Deut 6:16)

Devil told Jesus to worship him.

Matthew 4:10 ESV

10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ” (Deut 6:13)

Jesus saw the discipleship in Deuteronomy

If the God of all creation says, “Do this and it will go well with you” wouldn’t you do it?

Conclusion

We are about to move deeper into the New Year. Where will it take you?

Let me challenge you not to SIT through this year counting on or all cozy-ed in comfort.

Instead, commit to pursue authentic Christianity.

You won’t forget Jesus in comfort.

*Are you willing to ask Jesus to stretch you this year — to even take your comfort if such comfort should cause you to become complacent?

*Are you willing to surrender your comfort as you cross into this year?

You won’t forget Jesus in the culture.

*What idols did you drag in here today?

*How much are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit reveal the idols of your heart?

*How jealous are you for your relationship with God?

ILLUST - bump in the night means an elbow in the ribs

If you are an intruder, you will not make it to those closest to my heart without a fight.

How many Christians today know there is a ‘bump’ in their soul, feel the elbow of the Holy Spirit. . . and continue to sleep. Do you?

You know the sin God has brought to your mind, but you are unsure if you are able to conquer it, or if you really want to.

It is time to stand between the intruder and your heart and fight.

If you are here today, and you know God is speaking to YOU, do not lull your soul to sleep, do not return to what is comfortable. Do not hide in the pew, do not put it off, do not compromise.

There are confessions and intercessions that need to happen today!

If you are not willing to step forward into it, then you don’t really want it.