am030208-The Distincitve Marks of a Disciple - Acts series-chapter6-7

THE DISTINCTIVE MARKS

OF AN AUTHENTIC DISCIPLE

Question: Have you been among the royal family of Christ this past week?

If you are not sure or you haven’t, let me assure you that you are among some this morning. In this auditorium today, there is royalty! They are single focused on making disciples because their King is coming!

What are the distinctive marks of these authentic disciples, the royal members of Christ family known as the church?

The first recorded time the word ‘disciple’ is used after Pentecost is found in the book of Acts chapter 6. In chapters 6 and 7, we will observe two distinctive marks of an authentic disciple of Christ. Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, records the first martyr in the church and his name is Stephen. Nothing is known of Stephen’s background; the only thing recorder is that he is an authentic disciple, a member of Christ’s royal family.

Acts 6:1-7
1 Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. 3 “Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Proch-orus, Ni-ca-nor, Ti-mon, Par-me-nas and Ni-colas, a proselyte from Antioch. 6 And these they brought before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

1. Known in the church for their Christlikeness – 6:1-7

        a. blameless

        b. Spirit controlled

        c. full of wisdom

        d. serving others

Video: Start at 6:8 – 8:1

2. Known in the world for their witness – 6:8-8:1

        a. for they know truth

        b. for they proclaim truth

        c. for they practice truth

Paul on trial before the Jews in Jerusalem…

Acts 22:20
‘And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’

Challenge: As a professing Christian, ask yourself, “Do I have the distinctive marks of a authentic disciple?”

1. Does this assembly recognize me…

        to be blameless

        to be Spirit-controlled? (obedient to the Spirit)?

        to be full of wisdom? (understanding and integration of truth)?

        to be a servant of others? (you desire to minister)

2. Does the world recognize me…

        as one who knows truth?

        as one who proclaims truth?

        as one who practices truth?

You and I may not become a martyr this week but will we purpose to die to self that Christ’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, may accomplish His will in us?