Disciple Ideology
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
St. Patrick
Connection: As Jesus sets his face for the cross, Luke emphasizes four character traits for disciples to display.
Take Home: The values of tolerance, pragmatism, commitment, and forward-thinking are essential domains for self-reflection in the development of a disciple.
Such introspection enables individuals to align their personal growth with the foundational principles of discipleship
Message Focus: Tough aspects of being a disciple of Jesus
Scripture Introduction
Tolerant vv. 51-56
Tolerant vv. 51-56
Being a lightning rod for God
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Not as in a straight line, but on His way with Jerusalem as the goal, so his teaching will focus on training his followers for the mission. There are less miracles (2) recorded by Luke from here on out.
And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.
Quarrel between Jews and Samaritans. Josephus mentions Samaritans injuring and sometimes killing Jews. A large group in Samaria come to faith under Phillip’s teaching (Acts 8:4-8).
And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
Not quite what Jesus taught them, “And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” (Luke 9:5)
But he turned and rebuked them.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
The only fire we want, is the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Warning of judgment may be called for, but not the act of destruction on our part.
Reflection
How do we feel about or relate to
The abortionist convincing young women to end the life of their child in the womb?
The transgender individual influencing youth that their emotions and thoughts drive their identity and that might mean taking radical steps to become their true self?
We should be disgusted at the evil, but desire to set the captive free.
We are incapable of deciphering who deserves judgment, therefore, God has not giving us that responsibility, we are called to continue to proclaim to them the gospel in hopes of repentance.
We have to tolerate the sinner in order to save them.
Enablement
Getting a duck out of a cage (moves towards the back)
Consider
The truth is something unknown and scary to them
Change is hard, especially a worldview.
They made in God’s image, and that gives them worth.
Pragmatic vv. 57-58
Pragmatic vv. 57-58
Dealing with things sensibly and realistically
Preparing for a long hike
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Sounds good, but Jesus has a statement for this individual to consider.
And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
At times, following Jesus may result in homelessness and rejection.
The world is not our home and that will have some consequences.
Reflection
Are we realistic with ourselves that the Christian walk includes, discomfort, self-denial, and endurance along with the blessings. If your faith has not brought discomfort into your life, something may be wrong.
Loving difficult people
Sacrificing for the mission
Separation from the world
Enablement
These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
Committed vv. 59-60
Committed vv. 59-60
David’s mighty man, who stood by himself to defend the lentil field and Yahweh worked a great victory.
To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
Invitation give by Jesus first.
If his father had indeed died, the man would not have been on the road with Jesus.
After his father dies, then he will be freed of any obligation so he could follow Jesus. Right now he has things to attend to.
And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”
i.e., Spiritually dead bury the physically dead.
Proclamation of the gospel should take priority over any aspiration you might have.
Reflection
Are you letting something good keep you from doing the right thing?
Enablement
The good thing might be what you are doing now and the right thing is something you are putting off until a later time (the good thing is finished)?
“Once the kids are out of the house I will . . .”
“After we get through . . . I’ll join the growth group”
“Once I feel confidently trained, then I will share the gospel with . . .”
Forward-Thinking vv. 61-62
Forward-Thinking vv. 61-62
Chiseling field (looking backwards & looking at the front tire)
Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”
A focus on the present
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
One could not look back while plowing and driving a straight furrow.
Nor can a disciple move forward on mission for Jesus if they are constantly reminiscing on what they have already done.
Reflection
Is your testimony focused on what you came from, who you are now, or where God is taking you?
Enablement
The path of sanctification has not ended, we just need to find where it goes from here.
We tend to go through a list of attributes and see how well we are doing in an area compared to how we were. We confuse this with having achieved this attribute, when in reality, there is more work that needs to be done.
What areas in my life do I still struggle in this area? Pay attention to your justifications.
What are the qualities of someone I look up to?
Reflection
The values of tolerance, pragmatism, commitment, and forward-thinking are essential domains for self-reflection in the development of a disciple.
