Discipleship is the Path: The Worker

**Adapted from “Four Chair Discipling” Dann Spader**

Recap

John 1:35-43 (calls Andrew, John, Peter, Phillip)

The Seeker- Jesus modeled how we can reach lost people…

A. Left the comforts of home.

B. Made himself available and intentionally built relationships

C. Responded to those who showed interest.

D. Challenged the seekers to repent and believe.

Simple Challenge… Lost? Ask questions, seek answers.

Believer? Seek the lost as Jesus did.

Infant- Jesus issues his next simple challenge, Follow me.

A. Incredible transformation- celebrated through Baptism

B. Portrait- Newborn, dependent on others, need milk.

C. Need for growth- learn to feed, walk, talk, potty train

What Stunts Spiritual Growth? (Infant to Worker)

1. Sin- immature believer will sin- leads to guilt, shame, discipline, spiritual paralyses

2. Good Things- if allowed, can come between you, God, and spiritual growth.

Intro-

Jesus calls some of his first disciples, they follow him for about a year as spiritual infants. He teaches them, lives as a good example, and then calls them to a higher level of discipleship.

Luke 5:1–11 ESV

1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, 10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

1.) The Portrait of a Worker

A. Adolescent-

Energy- excited about their faith

Ready to step out in faith, try new things

Inexperienced

Can act like adults, but revert to childlike behaviors

B. The Disciples were

-available- There when Christ needed them, following him wherever he went.

-teachable- took time to learn from Jesus

-faithful- steadfast in action and obedience to Christ

-enthusiastic- Ready to boldly work the Christ’s kingdom

-responsive to Jesus and his leadership- Jesus directed and they went

Illustration- You guys amaze me- Always growing, always learning, trying new things, need to get there spiritually too

C. People in Chair 3 are

-available- They come to church, ready to serve others, want to feel a role in the ministry

-teachable- they listen to sermons, participate in discussions in Small Group, study God’s word, memorize scripture, want to go deeper, learn and grow!

-faithful- take what they learn and put it into action in their lives.

-enthusiastic about their faith- bring friends to church, build intentional relationships with non-believers, don’t hide their faith at school, live differently

-responsive to the leading of the holy spirit- experience God working through them, living in the spirit, loving, serving, giving, dying to self, and victory over sin through the Holy spirit. YOU MUST EXPERIENCE THIS IN ORDER TO GROW.

2.) Building Workers

Jesus’ Challenge- Follow me AND fish for people

Jesus challenges to grow beyond spiritual discipline, to begin to bear fruit.

The Problem

Matthew 9:37–38 ESV

37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

The Solution

Matthew 10- Jesus sends disciples out in pairs to preach.

They were not fully trained but stepped out in faith, learned while on the job.

Apprenticeship vs job training

Discipleship is apprenticeship, not classroom job training.

Workers Need...

Equipping

Experience

Encouragement

3.) Four things to know about Workers

Being a worker isn’t easy, but its our joy

Matthew 16:24 ESV

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Many believers never progress beyond being a worker

Get’s too tough, content to stay where we’re at.

-know what’s ahead

-Persevere- being in adolescence is tough, transition time.

It takes time to mature to parenthood, relax and enjoy the journey.

-want to see a movement of multiplying disciples, but we have to mature first and that takes time

-Realize that God has a master plan that he is working through you

Your development as a Worker is a critical time, faced with many challenges, but that development is leading to Chair 4 the disciple maker.

Invitation