Effective Discipleship (1)

Effective Discipleship (1)

2000043

Subject: discipleship/service

Introduction:

A. Today’s lesson could be also be properly entitled – Discipleship 101.

1. Would you call yourself a disciple of Christ?

2. Good definition of disciple is found Lk. 6:40

a) Disciple according to Jesus will be like His teacher!

b) Just because person Bible student – doesn’t necessarily mean that he a disciple of Christ.

c) Be like teacher. Isn’t that what Christians are? We’re trying to be like Jesus!

B. See also Rom. 8:29. We to be conformed into the image of Christ!

1. Conform something you “press it into shape; form it; or mold it into a pattern.”

2. Christians according to Paul – need to conform themselves into the image of the Son of God.

a) He’s our standard! His life is the example!

b) This is not a difficult thing to understand!

C. But it’s often difficult to practice!

1. How do we get there? How do we accomplish Rom. 8:29? How do we get ourselves to be like Christ?

a) 1 Cor. 11:1 – ever considered this statement?

b) Could we make such a statement to someone else concerning our life?

2. How can the Christian become like Paul?

a) By developing our talents/works in the Lord! Doing them to the best of our ability! How hard are we working in the Lord?

b) By giving of our means? What if everyone imitated me in this area? Where would the church be?

c) What if everyone else lived as I do – imitating Christ here?

D. In this series we will discuss how to be an effective disciple. We must learn to deal with life as Christ dealt with life!

I. We all begin from the same point! The world!

A. There was a time when we not accountable for actions – b/c we not realize the difference b/t right/wrong.

1. however – there b/c time when we accountable for actions – a time when we can choose evil & refuse good!

2. when this happens – we take our place w/rest of the world.

a) Rom. 3:23 – ALL have fallen short! All men get the same start!

B. Eph. 2:1-3 – all of us once could – some may still can – identify with this passage!

1. but we’ve been bought – bought by Christ’s blood. We’re His possession now – He redeemed us!

2. problem is – often we don’t feel that excited about that.

a) battling ups/downs of life. Look at non-Christian. Many happy – seemingly no problems. Can look at ourselves – not happy.

b) Graph of people going to life. Only difference? We’ve got Christ.

C. Eph. 2:12-13 – by death we get into Christ!

1. It’s through His blood that we been brought near.

2. but we must put to death the old part of our life – Rom. 6:3, 6. Old man of sin has to be put off.

D. As we go through life – we come into contact with Christ (the gospel) & are exposed to the steps of how to get into Christ.

1. Hear – Rom. 10:17

2. Believe – Jhn. 8:24

3. Repent – Acts 17:30-31 – do what necessary to change.

4. Confess – Rom 10:9-10 – God expects us to be willing to confess our faith in Jesus – Yes, I’m a Christian, etc.

5. be baptized – Mk. 16:16

E. What’s the point of all this? Many of us have obeyed the gospel – what do these 5 steps lead us to? Now what do we do? Is that all?

1. Am I conformed to Christ?

2. Am I running into problems? Have I reached a plateau in my service?

II. Not All Believers Are Disciples!

A. Christians to walk in a different path! A New Life! A Higher plane!

1. but a disturbing trend – Christians not getting anything out of going to services. Not coming back on PM and Wed. Not interested in spiritual things!

a) doesn’t move/stir people. Is this God’s fault? Is His plan/pattern of worship outdated? Or could the problem be with us?

b) Could it be that our Christian lives have begun to flatten out?

3. is this the way Jesus would be? Would His spiritual life flatten out?

B. Rev. 2:4-5 – here an example of Christians going through the motions.

1. 2:2-3 – not doing things wrong. But left first love. Their heart wasn’t in it! Going away bored.

C. Rev. 3:1b-2 – all show and no go.

1. name that they alive – but really dead!

2. this group on verge of spiritual death.

3. 3:17 – Laodiceans lukewarm – See 3:15.

a) these brethren apathetic & self deceived.

b) We must guard against this – b/c they didn’t know they caught up in it.

c) Spiritual life had stagnated. It leveled off.

D. We can get discouraged! We can fall down.

1. often it b/c of a lack of discipleship that we get in a rut.

2. Are you in spiritual rut? Can either turn that rut into grave or we can slip/fall/work to get out of it.

a) deepening rut leads to boredom/fall.

3. Bad News/Good News

a) bad news – Christians shouldn’t have to struggle! Should have to level out with Christianity.

b) Good news – You are a child of God – if you have responded to gospel – You are His! A servant of the Lord! An heir of the promise!

c) Bad news – some wish to hold onto the world! Maybe started out good – but slowed down along away.

1) instead of working on bad habits – seek to justify them!

2) Instead of b/c more like Jesus – applaud that which is evil.

d) good news – no matter how hard it is – I must be willing to change! Remember when first obeyed gospel!

E. Why can Christian lives flatten out?

1. B/c we quit being a disciple – Rom. 8:29

2. quit living for Him – 2 Cor. 5:15

3. We supposed to be moving upward! Heavenward!

a) Phil. 3:14 – I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which god has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus!

b) Don’t want to flatten out? Get eyes on the upward track!

III. The Scriptures Demand More than 5 Step Salvation!

A. We must move to get away from the foundation of our belief!

1. 2 Pet. 3:18 – we’ve been commanded to grow!

a) not optional. Can’t pick/choose! Must seek to b/c stronger!

2. Heb. 6:1-2 – must press on to maturity! Would you consider yourself to be mature in Christ?

B. Heb. 12:14 – holiness/sanctification (ASV) Actions must be transformed! Seek to be like Jesus!

C. Phil. 3:15 – ASV – perfected – NKJV – mature. We need to change our attitude!

1. 2 Cor. 3:18 – actions/attitude changing will help us to be transformed. Our eyes will be looking upward.

2. Lk. 6:40 – we will then be a disciple of Jesus – like Him!

a) experience the joy/satisfaction that comes through discipleship.

IV. God is Calling You to Discipleship.

A. He wants you to be like Him! To look upward! We’ve got privileges in the Lord! Blessings.

1. 2 Thess. 2:14 – calling you to be a disciple through the gospel.

2. Not in a dream; feeling; signs & wonders – but through the teaching of the gospel!

3. Done through Bible study; teaching; listening to sermon; meditation on good things!

B. Phil. 3:13-14- calling you heavenward! Look forward – toward heaven.

C. Col. 3:1-3 – have you set your mind?

1. keep seeking above – don’t flatten out!

2. Don’t be bored/get in a rut.

3. Don’t drag that dead body of sin around w/you.

4. Remember the direction you’re going!

Conclusion.

A. have you taken the first 5 steps upward?

1. if not, why not today?

2. Do you want to be a disciple of Christ? Do you want to be more like Him?

3. Rev. 3:20-21 – Christ is ready! Open your heart!

B. I N V I T A T I O N



Effective Discipleship (1) 2000043 Subject: discipleship/service Introduction: A. Today’s lesson could be also be properly entitled – Discipleship 101. 1. Would you call yourself a disciple of Christ? 2. Good definition of disciple is found Lk. 6:40 a) Disciple according to Jesus will be like His teacher! b) Just because person Bible student – doesn’t necessarily mean that he a disciple of Christ. c) Be like teacher. Isn’t that what Christians are? We’re trying to be like Jesus! B. See also Rom. 8:29. We to be conformed into the image of Christ! 1. Conform something you “press it into shape; form it; or mold it into a pattern.” 2. Christians according to Paul – need to conform themselves into the image of the Son of God. a) He’s our standard! His life is the example! b) This is not a difficult thing to understand! C. But it’s often difficult to practice! 1. How do we get there? How do we accomplish Rom. 8:29? How do we get ourselves to be like Christ? a) 1 Cor. 11:1 – ever considered this statement? b) Could we make such a statement to someone else concerning our life? 2. How can the Christian become like Paul? a) By developing our talents/works in the Lord! Doing them to the best of our ability! How hard are we working in the Lord? b) By giving of our means? What if everyone imitated me in this area? Where would the church be? c) What if everyone else lived as I do – imitating Christ here? D. In this series we will discuss how to be an effective disciple. We must learn to deal with life as Christ dealt with life! I. We all begin from the same point! The world! A. There was a time when we not accountable for actions – b/c we not realize the difference b/t right/wrong. 1. however – there b/c time when we accountable for actions – a time when we can choose evil & refuse good! 2. when this happens – we take our place w/rest of the world. a) Rom. 3:23 – ALL have fallen short! All men get the same start! B. Eph. 2:1-3 – all of us once could – some may still can – identify with this passage! 1. but we’ve been bought – bought by Christ’s blood. We’re His possession now – He redeemed us! 2. problem is – often we don’t feel that excited about that. a) battling ups/downs of life. Look at non-Christian. Many happy – seemingly no problems. Can look at ourselves – not happy. b) Graph of people going to life. Only difference? We’ve got Christ. C. Eph. 2:12-13 – by death we get into Christ! 1. It’s through His blood that we been brought near. 2. but we must put to death the old part of our life – Rom. 6:3, 6. Old man of sin has to be put off. D. As we go through life – we come into contact with Christ (the gospel) & are exposed to the steps of how to get into Christ. 1. Hear – Rom. 10:17 2. Believe – Jhn. 8:24 3. Repent – Acts 17:30-31 – do what necessary to change. 4. Confess – Rom 10:9-10 – God expects us to be willing to confess our faith in Jesus – Yes, I’m a Christian, etc. 5. be baptized – Mk. 16:16 E. What’s the point of all this? Many of us have obeyed the gospel – what do these 5 steps lead us to? Now what do we do? Is that all? 1. Am I conformed to Christ? 2. Am I running into problems? Have I reached a plateau in my service? II. Not All Believers Are Disciples! A. Christians to walk in a different path! A New Life! A Higher plane! 1. but a disturbing trend – Christians not getting anything out of going to services. Not coming back on PM and Wed. Not interested in spiritual things! a) doesn’t move/stir people. Is this God’s fault? Is His plan/pattern of worship outdated? Or could the problem be with us? b) Could it be that our Christian lives have begun to flatten out? 3. is this the way Jesus would be? Would His spiritual life flatten out? B. Rev. 2:4-5 – here an example of Christians going through the motions. 1. 2:2-3 – not doing things wrong. But left first love. Their heart wasn’t in it! Going away bored. C. Rev. 3:1b-2 – all show and no go. 1. name that they alive – but really dead! 2. this group on verge of spiritual death. 3. 3:17 – Laodiceans lukewarm – See 3:15. a) these brethren apathetic & self deceived. b) We must guard against this – b/c they didn’t know they caught up in it. c) Spiritual life had stagnated. It leveled off. D. We can get discouraged! We can fall down. 1. often it b/c of a lack of discipleship that we get in a rut. 2. Are you in spiritual rut? Can either turn that rut into grave or we can slip/fall/work to get out of it. a) deepening rut leads to boredom/fall. 3. Bad News/Good News a) bad news – Christians shouldn’t have to struggle! Should have to level out with Christianity. b) Good news – You are a child of God – if you have responded to gospel – You are His! A servant of the Lord! An heir of the promise! c) Bad news – some wish to hold onto the world! Maybe started out good – but slowed down along away. 1) instead of working on bad habits – seek to justify them! 2) Instead of b/c more like Jesus – applaud that which is evil. d) good news – no matter how hard it is – I must be willing to change! Remember when first obeyed gospel! E. Why can Christian lives flatten out? 1. B/c we quit being a disciple – Rom. 8:29 2. quit living for Him – 2 Cor. 5:15 3. We supposed to be moving upward! Heavenward! a) Phil. 3:14 – I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which god has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus! b) Don’t want to flatten out? Get eyes on the upward track! III. The Scriptures Demand More than 5 Step Salvation! A. We must move to get away from the foundation of our belief! 1. 2 Pet. 3:18 – we’ve been commanded to grow! a) not optional. Can’t pick/choose! Must seek to b/c stronger! 2. Heb. 6:1-2 – must press on to maturity! Would you consider yourself to be mature in Christ? B. Heb. 12:14 – holiness/sanctification (ASV) Actions must be transformed! Seek to be like Jesus! C. Phil. 3:15 – ASV – perfected – NKJV – mature. We need to change our attitude! 1. 2 Cor. 3:18 – actions/attitude changing will help us to be transformed. Our eyes will be looking upward. 2. Lk. 6:40 – we will then be a disciple of Jesus – like Him! a) experience the joy/satisfaction that comes through discipleship. IV. God is Calling You to Discipleship. A. He wants you to be like Him! To look upward! We’ve got privileges in the Lord! Blessings. 1. 2 Thess. 2:14 – calling you to be a disciple through the gospel. 2. Not in a dream; feeling; signs & wonders – but through the teaching of the gospel! 3. Done through Bible study; teaching; listening to sermon; meditation on good things! B. Phil. 3:13-14- calling you heavenward! Look forward – toward heaven. C. Col. 3:1-3 – have you set your mind? 1. keep seeking above – don’t flatten out! 2. Don’t be bored/get in a rut. 3. Don’t drag that dead body of sin around w/you. 4. Remember the direction you’re going! Conclusion. A. have you taken the first 5 steps upward? 1. if not, why not today? 2. Do you want to be a disciple of Christ? Do you want to be more like Him? 3. Rev. 3:20-21 – Christ is ready! Open your heart! B. I N V I T A T I O N