The Cycle of Discipleship

INTRODUCTION

Life is a cycle. The planets travel around the sun; there are 24 hrs in a day, 7 days in a week; 52 weeks in a year. Warriors win NBA championship in 2015, Warriors will win the championship in 2017

Likewise our spiritual life is a cycle. Understanding this cycle will help you understand where you are and how God wants to use you. From the life and ministry of Jesus’ disciples we uncover “the cycle of discipleship.”

Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2009 Edition February 1, 2009: The Cycle of Discipleship

Life is a cycle. The planets travel around the sun; there are twenty-four hours in a day; seven days in a week; fifty-two weeks in a year. Our spiritual life is a cycle as well. Understanding this cycle will help you understand where you are and how God wants to use you. From the life and ministry of Jesus’ disciples we uncover “the cycle of discipleship.

1. Spending Time with Jesus

Mark 3:13–15 AV

And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2009 Edition February 1, 2009: The Cycle of Discipleship

The Bible says, “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” (Mark 3:14). The first thing Jesus wanted from His disciples was their time

The bible says “And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach” ().

Mark 3:13

The first thing Jesus wanted from His disciples was their time

Mark 3:13–15 AV

And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

POINT - THE FIRST THING JESUS WANTS FROM YOU WHEN HE CALLS YOU IS YOUR TIME!

Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2009 Edition February 1, 2009: The Cycle of Discipleship

He is more concerned about your walk with Him than He is your work for Him. He would rather you hang out with Him than burn out doing ministry for Him. He is more interested in doing something great in you, than you doing something great for Him.

He is more concerned about your walk with Him than He is your work for Him.

He would rather you hang out with Him than burn out doing ministry for Him.

He is more interested in doing something great in you, than you doing something great for Him.

OUTCOME #1 - HE’LL TEACH YOU - WHEN YOU SPEND TIME WITH JESUS HE WILL BEGIN TO TEACH YOU ALL ABOUT THE KINGDOM

2. Learning Through Experience ()

Even though Jesus chose His apostles in chapter 3, He doesn’t send them out until chapter 6.

A lot happens between chapters 3 and 6 and the apostles are with Jesus every step of the way.

In these three chapters, Jesus encounters Beelzebub,

teaches in parables,

calms the storm,

heals a demon possessed man,

raises a young girl from the dead,

heals many sick people,

and is rejected by His home town.

These experiences were invaluable to the disciples when they were sent out by Jesus to do ministry on their own.

SUB-POINT - Right now, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, Jesus is teaching you something. Are you learning the lessons He is trying to teach you? The experience you are going through may be tough, but God will use it to teach you incredible truths.

OUTCOME #2 - HE’LL TEST YOU -

WHETHER ITS BELIEVING FOR A STORM TO GO AWAY

OR BELIEVING THAT CANCER CAN BE MIRACULOUSLY HEALED

OR HAVING ENOUGH FAITH TO STAND STRONG WITH GOD WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD SEEMS TO TURN AGAINST YOU

3. Doing Ministry for Jesus

Mark 6:8–11 AV

And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

After sufficient time with Jesus had gone by, and after enough lessons had been learned through experience, Jesus sent His disciples out to put into practice what they had learned.

He gave them authority to do everything He had been doing: “He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them” (vv. 8–11).

QUESTION - What are you doing for Jesus?

What does He want you to do?

It is no accident that you are where you are, doing what you are doing, experiencing what you are experiencing. God wants you to use all of your experiences, and all of your gifts and talents to serve others, letting everyone know of His grace and mercy.

OUTCOME #3 - HE’LL GRADUATE YOU

Mark 6:7 AV

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

Another version says He gave them authority over unclean spirits

Assuming that the personalized teaching of Jesus is effective

and the disciples pass the experience test, they are ready for graduation.

Jesus confers upon them His power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.

Can you imagine a commencement ceremony on a hillside? Jesus gathers His twelve disciples around Him and solemnly says: “According to the authority vested in Me by God the Father, I hereby confer upon you the power to heal sickness and to cast out demons

4. Spending Time with Jesus

Mark 6:30 AV

And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

The cycle starts all over again. “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught” (). The importance of returning to this step cannot be overstated.

POINT - You cannot continue ministering for Jesus if you do not take time out to spend with Jesus.

CONCLUSION

IF YOU SPEND TIME W/ JESUS HE WILL TEACH YOU

EVERY EXPERIENCE YOU GO THROUGH IS JUST A TEST TO MOLD YOU AND MAKE YOU BETTER

WHEN YOU GRADUATE WITH POWER, WITH AUTHORITY -

YOU CAN TELL devils your not running the show anymore

you might have had me yesterday but today I’ve graduated

you might have been able to keep me down but no longer

you might have been able to keep me down but I’m taking back my joy

taking back my peace

I might not have a high school diploma but I’ve got a God on High degree

I might not have a BA of science but I’ve got a Bachelor’s of the Bible

I might not have a Master’s in engineering but I know how to sit at the Master’s feet and let Him engineer my life

I might not have a Ph.d but that’s alright cause I’ve got my GOD and He’s better than any other degree I know!!