The Duty of a Disciple

Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. 3 Take heed to yourselves.

A Disciple Fosters those around them.

Offenses: (Scandalon)- Trap;Snare; Stumbling block

Scandal or Scandalize

The Stick that trips a snare or a trap

Elmer Fudd & Bugs Bunny - Setting the Trap W/ Carrot

A Disciple fosters (Cares) for those around them

We have a responsibility and a calling

Acts 20:28-30 Referring to the elders of the elders of the church in Ephesus (1 Peter 5:2)

Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.

V:1- It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!

“offenses”: people trying to trick or trip up believers in their understanding of spiritual things

Jesus is having this conversation to His disciples....In the home of a pharisee

The pharisees are nitoriously known for taking spiritual truths and misconstruing them to fit their own narrative.

The Enemy will continuously set snares to trick us and trap us and to confuse us and to complicate the simplicity of the Gospel

V:2- 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take head to yourselves

There is a heavy weight (consequence) attached to stumbling “Little Ones”

“Little Ones”: Those that are impressionable; that don’t know better

Little Children: Matt 18: 1-7

New in the Faith: Luke 15 Tax Collectors & Publicans

“Millstone”: Used to grind wheat and other grain- Top~25 lbs; Bottom ~90 lbs

“Cement Shoes”

throwing someone off track spiritually has a great consequence for you and them eternally

It would be better to not be alive than to take someone else off track

2 Timothy 2:16-18 (NLT)

Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith

V:3- Take Head to yourselves

Who has the Lord put around you to foster and care for?

Spouse, child, Someone you are discipling, someone in a seat around you?

It’s likely not just one person

My Primary ministry is to my family- Secondarily to the church.

V:3-4

3Take Head to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

A Disciple Forgives wrongs done to them

The Lord desires righteousness

Take head to yourselves: the message of repentance and forgiveness is first to you, then to others

Ephesians 5:15-17

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Brother: Another Believer

To bring that person to the understanding of their sin in LOVE, for it will be better to hear it from you and turn from their way

Galatians 6:1

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

1 Corinthians 4:14

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

The Lord desires repentance and reconciliation

If there is repentance, quickly and continuously forgive them!

And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

It can be hard to forgive those that are closest to us

We hold them to a higher standard

Sinning 7x’s sounds outlandish

How much more have we sinned against the Lord and He is quick to forgive us.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What moral high ground do we have to hold and harbor roots of bitterness and grudges?

We might say we forgive…”but I’m not gong to forget”

Eph 4:32

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Who are you holding and harboring a root of bitterness towards

Who is Jesus calling you to love unconditionally

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

A Disciple’s Faith-filled life can do the inconceivable.

Increase our faith

An admission of we don’t know how we can do this…this is so inconceivable

Increase my-

Belief

Faithfulness to this

Help me walk it out

It’s Ok to say I don’t get it or understand

God loves when we vulnerably transparent and real with with because this is when we find ourselves at our end

When we allow Him to show up and do only what He can do THROUGH FAITH ALONE

“Faith As a mustard seed”

Size of Faith

Not in reference to just a “Mustard Seed Size” Faith

Very Small seed

Must mean we just need little faith

Substance of Faith

Matthew 17

Jesus heals a demon Possessed boy

Disciples come to him in similar humility....

Matthew 17: 19 “Why could we not cast it out”

Matthew 17:20

“Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

The Faith of the seed

The Seed can not do anything on its own

The Seed does not plant itself in the ground

It is dependent on the SUN for its growth, so that it can move the mountains of dirt above it to grow into a bush.

WE Can not do ANYTHING on our own

The SON has planted us in the communities that we are in

We can do nothing on our own but need to be dependent on the SON to grow and do what is inconceivable

“Mulberry tree”

It is the tree in that region known for its extensive root system

Because of extensive root system it hard to completely remove the tree

almost 11.5 Mill Google results on the topic

Likewise when we are in relationship with people our roots run deep and wide

They often times get intertwined and connected like that of a mulberry tree

But when there is hurt and wrong done by it hurts all the more because the the connections.

Hebrews 12:14-15

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

We need to root out the bitterness in our hearts and cast it into the sea

Micah 7:18-19 (the God we serve)

Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. 19 Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!

They are GONE Forever

This is the example he has for us.

Cori Tamboom Story

7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

A Disciple Fulfills their calling in humility.

The Title of servant lends to certain duties, likewise the title of Disciple/Christ Follower lends to certain duties

Faith in God and Forgiveness towards others is what we are called to do as disciples.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Tust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Ephesians 4:32

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

We are His ambassadors

Are Duty is to Foster (Care) for those around us

Are Duty is to Forgive the wrongs done to us

Are Duty is to live faith-filled lives to do the inconceivable

Are duty is to fulfill our calling in Humility

It’s our Job- We don’t get participation trophies

End

In that while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

He didn’t just forgive us

He didn’t just put one hand out to shake our hand

Outstretched both arms willingly as they nailed him to the cross so you could see and receive his forgiveness

How do you extend your forgiveness to those in your life?

Have you reached out to receive his outstretched hand of forgiveness?