The Heart of a Disciple

First Sentence- Is it important that we know ourselves? Or is that secularism that sneaked into the church?

Dr. Tasha Eurich- 95% of us say we are self-aware but only 10-15% of us actually are.

Move 1 We all have beliefs that aren’t true that we live with because we don’t examine our hearts.

Move 2 Being with our Rabbi means we need to pay attention to where we invest our energy

Move 3 It’s easy to disengage and move on because vulnerability is hard.

Move 4 Christianity is always one generation away from extinction. D.A. Carson- If we assume the gospel we will lose the gospel.

First Sentence- Kids I need your help.

What does it risk if they fail to hear from me?

Because we are all interpreters of what’s happening to and around us we must take what the Bible says about self-awareness seriously.

One of the biggest hindrances to our growth is the fact that we don’t know ourselves.

Proverbs 4:20–27 NIV

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

Matthew 11:28–30 NIV

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 14:28–32 NIV

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

James 1:22–24 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

What am I asking them to do?

Heart- Pay attention to what we pay attention to

Experience, feeling, belief, coping

We are all interpreters. We are all constantly interpreting what’s happening around us.

Body= Energy

10 mentions of our bodies in these 7 short verse

21- sight eye

24- speech and talk- mouth

25 gaze- eyelids

1. God’s design is that we live an embodied existence

2. Our bodies are how we express our wills in the world.

What we say matters

Words we say determines what we give our energy to. (24)- How we speak, is a way we keep watch over our heart

Gossip, put-downs, critical words,

Encouragement, affirmation, invitations to let people speak into our lives

Eyes- what we literally watch or pay attention to- sets our way.

Attention is the beginning of devotion.

Transition- I’m not 100% sure why but the people who work really hard to observe their hearts are the best at helping others

Way - Walk with others like our Rabbi did.

26- start with heart end with walking

All this pondering leads to setting off on a journey.

Mentoring-older disciples, show younger disciples it’s safe to try

Matthew 12:46–50 NIV

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Psalm 78:5–8 LEB

5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach to their children, 6 so that the next generation might know— children yet to be born— that they might rise up and tell their children, 7 that they might set their confidence in God, and not forget the deeds of God, but keep his commandments, 8 and not be like their ancestors, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that did not make ready its heart, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Why Won’t They do it?

I want things to go the way they always have

No one cares about old people around here

I don’t trust the leadership

They are isolated and telling themselves stories

What are the next steps?

Troy and I will be in the great room every Monday in February

Midweek Ministry Night

Dead Dog Story- Rachel is an influencer. She has influenced many people in this room.

Last Sentence- Henri Nouwin