Disciplines of Discipleship

The Lifelong Journey of Discipleship

The Discipline of Discipleship

John 15:1-11

   I hope you are enjoying this study as much as I am.  There are so many things to think about and remember as we grow as mature, disciple-making disciples that we can get bogged down in too many intricate details.  So today let’s just look at the bottom-line basics to be a well-disciplined disciple.  Now, as we start we have to remember these are not one time concepts.  We don’t just do it and walk away.  Nike’s slogan is “Just Do It.”  A disciple’s slogan is to be, “Just Keep Doing It.”  Doing what?  I am so glad you asked.  To be a disciplined disciple one must always…

 

Participate in Eventual Pruning

   We will eventually be pruned or we will escape pruning.

   Trouble is if we don’t get pruned we are dead.

You can make something dead look alive.

You can never make something alive from something dead.

God decides what gets cut and how!

 

Produce External Production

 You are personally responsible for the produce produced.

  What is fruit?

      That which perpetuates the nature and being of the original.

      That which pleases the owner/vinedresser.

      That which comes as a result of be picked-on, picked-up, and

      picked-over.

 

Provide Evidential Proof

  We can chat all day about what we think we are doing for God but   

   the proof is in the proof!

   True disciples know prayer is answered.

   True disciples glorify the one they are mimicking.  Obedience!

   True disciples bear much fruit.

     

Praise with Eternal Pleasure

  True joy is only available to a disciple.

   True joy is a by-product of following Jesus.

   True joy is a process of continual work.

Development of Discipleship

The Lifelong Journey of Discipleship

The Development of Discipleship

John 14:16-31

   Having made the choice and understanding the destination of discipleship presents us with a new challenge.  We must now comprehend what steps are necessary for mature development as a disciple.  If it is a growth process then we must grow.  If we don’t grow we die as followers and become useless to the Kingdom.  Praise God He has given us a wonderful plan to fully develop into disciple-making disciples.  Today we focus on the basic development principles that are geared toward proper growth.  Too often we want to side-step these practices and we miss this vital teaching.  We jump from John 14 to 15 without realizing why Jesus introduces the Holy Spirit at this juncture.  Well let me share with you why.  Our development is dependent upon…

 

Enjoying the Encourager.

   God is present supernaturally within the personhood of every believer.

1.    He is there to Encourage.

2.    He is there to Support.

3.    He is there to Partner.

4.    He is there to Impart.

 

Embracing the Exclusiveness.

  The maturing disciple must quickly come to terms with their special nature.

1.    Jesus asks God on your behalf.

2.    There are requirements to be privy to the Holy Spirit.

3.    No other created thing has the promise of Jesus’ partnership.

 

Expecting the Un-Expected

  What happens when believers, by nature and habit start abiding in the Word of God?

   Read John 14:12-14.

   Read John 15:7

   What has to be the deciding factor in us praying effectively?

     

Enduring the Embattlement

  The purpose of peace

   The failure in fear.

   The encroaching enemy

Destination of Discipleship

The Lifelong Journey of Discipleship

The Destination of Discipleship

John 14:1-15  (15:7-8)

   Hopefully we have made the choice to become disciples.  The subject of study is Jesus and we can do nothing better than simply following Him wherever and however He leads us.  Since following implies movement we have to understand where movement may be taking us.  Most of the time it is enough to keep focused on Jesus but to know where He is leading is crucial to proper development along the way.  So where is Jesus leading us?  What is so special about the destination we are striving to reach?  If simply following is not enough, what else should we be doing in order to: A. keep following Him.  B, realize the solidarity in moving in our own direction as well.  Well anyway let’s let John help us unpack the deep theological truth to this destination.  To reach it we have to understand and follow…

 

The Declaration of a Disciple’s Destination.

   Are we of the “way” or “in” the way?

1.    Jesus “IS” the WAY!

2.    Jesus “IS” the TRUTH!

3.    Jesus “IS” the LIFE!

 

The Direction of the Disciple’s Departure

  In order to embark we must meet three criteria.

1.    We have to have Profound Revelation.

2.    We have to have Proper Resources.

3.    We have to take Personal Responsibility.

 

The Drive of the Disciple’s Development

  As disciples mature they produce more and more evidence

   of their development.

   But no disciple will move 1 inch without exercising faith.

   It’s all about God and never about us!

     

The Danger of the Disciple’s Delinquency

  Do you love Jesus?

  Are ya doing what He tells ya to do?

  What exactly would that be then?  Can you describe it?

 

Desire for Discipleship

The Lifelong Journey of Discipleship

The Desire of a Disciple

Luke 9:23-27

   As we begin the New Year we will do so with discipleship as our theme.  Therefore, we should all embrace the true, Biblical concept of being and doing what disciples are to be and do.  As silly as it may sound very few church members are actually disciples as well.  To be a disciple means we are following Jesus to the point where we influence others to follow as well who then influence others to follow too.  So, today we have to choose; to be... or not to be?  That is the question Jesus is asking each of us today.  How will you respond?  Jesus mentions three obstacles that will interfere with your ability to properly choose.  These obstacles can be overcome when properly observed through the eyes of a disciple.

 

 

I.  Carefully Ponder your Personhood

   Have you ever thought about discipleship?

1.    Do you have the Personality?

2.    Are you Present enough to be a disciple?

3.    What are you trying to Protect?

 

 

 

II. Creatively Prioritize your Possessions

   So what does Bill Gates have that I don’t have?

   Denying self means making everything at least second-place in your life.    

1.    Does Jesus get the first of our finances?

2.    Does Jesus get the first of our time and talents?

3.    Does Jesus get the best of our relationship?

 

 

 

III. Completely Prepared for His Presence

   Jesus is coming again… how ready are we?

A.   We should be proud to call Him Savior and Lord.

B.   We should be eager to obey His Word.

C.   We must to be ready to give an accounting to Him personally.

New AM sermon series

Hey I have finally got around to posting the new sermon series on discipleship.  Feel free to learn and grow in your personal walk with Jesus!

Worshipping

The Journey of a Lifetime!

How to Rediscover the Presence of God!

2 Samuel 6:12-23

Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it a million times.  “I can worship just as easily at home as I can at church!”  No you can’t!  God created us to worship Him.  To worship means we place value upon the object or person of our worship.  In the believer’s case we place God above everything else.  Our ideas, our preferences, our pride, and even some of our rituals must be laid aside when we desire to be engulfed in the presence of God.  The nation of Israel had gone over twenty years within the presence of God in their midst.  Of course it had led to idolatry, corruption, turmoil, and defeat by the enemy.  The enemy was even allowed to steal the Ark of God and they placed it in the temple of their own God.  My friend, I say it is time to revive true worship.  We have to learn what it means and how it feels to praise God reverently, but rejoicing and celebrating at the same time.  King David did and so can we.  But… we must accept and apply the basic principles of true worship!

 

Awe of His Power and Presence

   David understood what God’s presence does to a home.

   God is an awesome and worthy or all our praise.

   Are there blessings associated with the presence of God? 

 

Abandon Pride and Prejudice

   David could not contain his enthusiasm.

   He basically worried about nothing

   There will always be some… even close ones who will scoff.

   Study worship in Scripture and compare it with ours!

 

Activity designed to Proclaim

   True worship compels sacrifice.

   True worship compels giving.

   True worship compels sharing.

  

Awareness of Worship’s Purpose

   Even in the midst of scorn David knew his purpose

   We are humble before God and let God esteem us as He desires.

   We must be careful how we view those who act as David acted… or else!

Praying

The Journey of a Lifetime!

How to Pray for Absolute Direction!

Judges 6:11-8:35

Seven years is a long time to get absolutely nothing accomplished.  God’s people should never settle for less than the very best God has to offer but we do more often than not.  Many years ago the nation of Israel was in a dilemma.  They had made the choice to turn from God and turn to worldly desires.  They disregarded the statutes and the desire God had for their lives so God sent a nation to rise up against them in order to remind them of who was still in charge.  We have our own “nations” that God has placed before us, keeping us from His glory and being part of great things.  Finances, self-centeredness, stubbornness, and rebelliousness are running rampant through the midst of God’s people.  No wonder we get little accomplished for Him.  But God wants us to turn back to Him.  God wants us to know His will and follow it for His glory.  We have to learn to pray in a way that allows us to know for sure God’s direction.

 

Purge sin from our lives! (25)

   The worship of gods and idols is everywhere.

   Since God is jealous, we must remove every barrier

   Be prepared, there will be opposition from within our own ranks! 

 

Revive true and meaningful worship! (26-32)

   This time and place is designated for God and God alone.

   We are not supposed to feel good when we worship, we are

   supposed to worship!

   Let’s stop defending our way of doing things and start dedicating

   time and effort to Holiness!

 

Act in faith!  (33-40)

   A fleece is not a sign of testing it is a sign of affirmation!

   The difference is in the doing.

   We must take the first step in the general direction; God, then   

   and only then reveals the subsequent steps to take.

 

Yield to the Spirit’s direction!

   Once we hear God we must continually and persistently follow as

   He commands.

   Even when He tells us to do the extreme.