Christianity Without Discipline

Scriptural Text: Matt. 4:19-20

Christianity Without Discipline

Christianity Without Discipline

Commitment/Consecration

Commitment/Consecration

Commitment/Consecration

Commitment/Consecration

God is not a doormat to be trodden underfoot at will.

During the Civil War someone is reported to have asked Abraham Lincoln, “Mr. President, do you think God is on our side?” He replied something like this, “My concern is whether or not we are on His side.”

The world is still waiting to see what God can do with one person who is totally dedicated to His will.

A faith that is not worth dying for is hardly worth living for.

 Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 58.

Shallow Commitment

A woman had taught a Sunday School class for years. One day she told her pastor she was resigning. When he asked her reason for doing so, she said, “Someone has criticized my teaching.” Although it had never happened before, after one carping criticism the lady was ready to throw in the towel.

 Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 61.

What kind of person does Christ call? (Matt. 4:18-22)

Christ calls people who is to be available and willing to respond(Matt. 4:18-20)

Here are a few traits:

(1) The disciples’ brotherly and cooperative Spirit(, , , , )

(NKJV) 39And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

39And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

(NKJV) 35By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

35By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(NKJV) 12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

12This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

(NKJV) 10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

10Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

(NKJV) 22Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

22Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

(2) One essential for serving Christ must be cooperation: a nature and willingness to serve together(, Ph. 2:19-20)

25Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.

(NKJV) 25Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

26And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

(NKJV) 19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

19But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.

20For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.

(3) Second essential for serving Christ: energy, industry, a willingness to work and work hard(, , , )

(NKJV) 19So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him.

19So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him.

(NKJV) 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

(NKJV) 34It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

34It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

(NKJV) 12Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’

12Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.

13So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’

(4) Called to a personal relationship, to become attached to Him(, Ph.3:8-11)

(NKJV) 10“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.

10“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord, “And My servant whom I have chosen, That you may know and believe Me, And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.

(NKJV) 8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

8Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

11if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

(5) Get alone with often, to study and meditate upon Him and His Word(, )

Note: Peter and Andrew had already been called as disciples(). The thought is immediate and total detachment from everything.

Note: Matthew emphasizes the call to the Lord’s official mission or work.

Note: Mark stresses the call to a changed life: “To become fishers of men” ()

Note: Luke stresses the call to a different profession ()

Note: John stresses the call to a personal relationship ()

(NKJV) 16You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

16You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.