Specific Disciples Do Specific Things
Notes
Transcript
Discipleship 101
Specific Disciples Do Specific Things
Mark 10:29-31
As I finished (for now) the books of Joshua and Galatians you heard me refer to the subject of discipleship over and over again. I did this intentionally as I believe it to be the key to our revival in times like these.
I have decided to do a mini series on the subject prior to our going to our next book. I pray that in this church we have a very real commitment to the systematic study and living out of the scriptures.
Ill: Are we on the level? “iHandy Level” on iPhone. This thing is handy for checking things like hanging pictures or bulletin boards. Melissa and I attempting to hang a bulletin board. She was holding it and asked me does this look straight? No!!!!
According to F.F. Bruce “the Cannon of Scripture”
The word “canon” comes from the rule of law that was used to determine if a book measured up to a standard. Questions were asked…
Was the author an apostle or have a close connection with an apostle? Is the book being accepted by the body of Christ at large? Did the book contain consistency of doctrine and orthodox teaching? Did the book bear evidence of high moral and spiritual values that would reflect a work of the Holy Spirit?
It is important to note that the writings of Scripture were canonical at the moment they were written. Scripture was Scripture when the pen touched the parchment. This is very important because our Christianity does not define God, or Jesus Christ, or salvation. The basis of Christianity is found in the objective authority of Scripture.
The acquisition of knowledge regarding such things as the true nature of God, the origin of the universe and life, the purpose and meaning of life, the wonders of salvation, and future events (including the destiny of mankind) are beyond the natural observational and scientific capacity of mankind. The already-delivered and closed cannon of the Word of God, was valued and personally applied by all Christians for all times.
The Bible is sufficient to explain to us everything we need to know of Christ (John 5:18; Acts 18:28; Galatians 3:22; 2 Timothy 3:15) and to teach us, correct us, and instruct us into all righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Again, it is crucial to remember that the church did not determine the canon. No early church council decided which books were canonical. It was God, and God alone, who determined which books belonged in the Bible. It was simply a matter of God’s imparting to His followers what He had already decided. I noted in our last study in Joshua that he was giving the people what he had received from the Lord and that is the very definition of inspiration (Josh 24:2 “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel”= God breathed)
Real disciples are interested in “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel”. We stay out of so much trouble by sticking to and standing on God’s Word. In fact I believe that all of our church programs must in so way contribute to the process of disciple making.
New Series: Discipleship 101
Note: The noun disciple is used in the gospel and Acts over 250 times. But the term is not used in the epistles or the revelation other than in an implied way. The term “discipleship” does not appear but has come to represent the practices of a disciple.
In the Greek and rabbinic traditions it was a goal to have your own following. This is not true in christianity. Christians are always followers together of Christ alone (cp. 1 Cor 3:4-9).
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
26 Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes? 27 He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples? 28 Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are Moses’ disciples.
What is a disciple?
The word is related to the words discipline, pupil, and student. Defined it is a person that submits himself to a leader, his lifestyle, and his way of life.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Trans: A Simple two point outline tonight
Jesus Had Specific Disciples
Jesus Had Specific Disciples
Jesus knows his disciples Mark 14:13-16
Jesus knows his disciples Mark 14:13-16
The disciples know they are His disciples and have questions Luke 11:1
The disciples know they are His disciples and have questions Luke 11:1
They saw Him pray and then asked how to prayJohn 21:18 -24
They saw Him pray and then asked how to prayJohn 21:18 -24
They come to know He has differing plans for them. The enemies of the Lord know His disciples and challenge them Matt 12:1-2
They come to know He has differing plans for them. The enemies of the Lord know His disciples and challenge them Matt 12:1-2
The general public come to know who the disciples of Jesus truly are. Matt 17:14-21
The general public come to know who the disciples of Jesus truly are. Matt 17:14-21
The angels know that Jesus has disciples Matt 28:5-7
The angels know that Jesus has disciples Matt 28:5-7
Trans: All of these people know that Jesus has a specific group of disciples doing specific things that identify them as such.
Note; this is just a matter of looking at some of the many references to disciples in the scripture
Jesus disciples did specific things
Jesus disciples did specific things
They follow Him Mark 1:14-18
They follow Him Mark 1:14-18
- these men leave off what they were doing for themselves and begin to do things Jesus prescribes for them
They believe in Him John 2:11
They believe in Him John 2:11
- those that follow him for what He does for them do not really believe and end up turning back (John 6:66-70)
Ill: In 2019 Popular Christian author Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye) and former pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Md., Joshua Harris, a short time after announcing the end of his marriage, is now saying goodbye to his faith as well. In an Instagram post, Harris revealed he is stepping back from his faith and no longer considers himself a Christian. In the post he recounted several things he has apologized for in the past, specifically apologizing for his previously held views on the LGBTQ community.
They die to their old life Luke 14:25-27
They die to their old life Luke 14:25-27
To love is to choose a path to hate is to not choose a path leading in another direction. “Jacob have I loved Esau have I hated” (cf. Rom 9:13)
Ill: Some people think they are sharing something special when they say their spouse or children are everything to them. If that be the case that persons or persons is not your family member they are your God.
They that walk in newness of life are His disciples Matt 12:46-50
They that walk in newness of life are His disciples Matt 12:46-50
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Ill: People will say I love the Lord I just don’t like church. In the back of my mind I’m thinking somethings haywire here.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
The question tonight as we begin our new series on discipleship is this. If we were being investigated for being a disciple of Christ would there be enough evidence for a conviction.
There is no such thing as being saved but not a disciple.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
You may be wondering what happened to the word disciple after the gospel and the book of Acts.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Do you think about yourself as a disciple of Christ or does that term have some baggage attached to it that makes you uncomfortable?
Do you follow Jesus ?
Please be an intentional follower of Christ!
This is Christlikeness
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
This is progressive sanctification
Quotes of Charles Ryrie...
Balancing the Christian Life Chapter 6: How are We Sanctified?
Every exhortation in the Word to godly living relates to this aspect of sanctification (1 Peter 1:16)
Balancing the Christian Life Other Means of Sanctification
During my years of teaching I know that I have developed idiosyncrasies. I am certain that I am unaware of some of them, but one that I do know about is my invariable reaction to the chapel speaker who begins his message something like this: “Now today, young people, I’m going to be very practical in my message. I’ll leave the doctrine to your teachers and the classroom—I just want to be practical.” By this time I have already tuned the speaker out, for he has made a fundamental mistake in disjoining doctrine and practice