Effective Discipleship (2)

2000044

Subject: discipleship; love; priorities

Introduction:

A. Todays lesson a continuation of last week. Discipleship 101.

1. Being a disciple means more than being a bible student. Definition of a disciple found in Lk. 6:40.

2. Thus, the goal of discipleship is to become like the master.

3. To be like Jesus. To have our mind on following Him.

B. Others will know that we are Christ’s disciples when we have love for one another.

1. Jhn. 13:34-35 – How will others know that you follow Jesus? Answer given here.

2. Brethren – we must learn to apply this principle. It will show when:

a) People speak well; have time for each other; make desires of good will known, etc.

b) How are our relationships w/each other?

C. Jhn. 15:8 – discipleship is proven – and real – and effective when we bear fruit.

1. Note 15:8 – prove to be my disciples. NASV

2. This = end result of discipleship.

a) We must make it a goal to bear much fruit for the Lord.

b) Need to have our mind on discipleship.

3. We need to become like Jesus – not just put on his name!

I. All Discipleship is not Effective Discipleship!

A. What is effective discipleship? Simple review of last wk’s lesson.

1. Going through life – we exposed to gospel. Run into Jesus.

a) Someone explains seriousness of sin – Rom. 3:23; 6:23 – we all get the same start – in the world.

b) Eph. 2:1-2; 12-13 – w/o hope. Only chance for redemption through Christ.

2. Learn the necessity of putting on Christ through obedience to the gospel. H, B, R, C, B.

B. Experience; excitement; joy for a time. Then sadly w/some the Christian life flattens out. Reaches a plateau.

1. We’ve gotten into Christ – we’ve obeyed the gospel – but now what do I do?

2. Once I obey the gospel – what then? What can I do to keep moving heavenward?

C. Must realize that discipleship = continual obedience/growth/continual changing for the better. Involves constant emphasis in b/c what God wants us to be.

1. Phil. 3:13-14 – press upward – heavenward – NIV

2. God call us to be a disciple (through gospel). Calling us heavenward – not to sit on a plateau.

3. Must look to bring good things/wholesome things into life to help change for the better.

II. Five Steps to Effective Discipleship (S.T.A.R.T.)

A. Sever Entanglements.

1. Heb. 12:1 – sin can tangle our spiritual feet.

a) Thick woods/vines/brush/bushes. Impede our upward movement – to be entangled in sin!

b) Must seek to disentangle from sin – we’ll never get close to God until we do!

2. Rom. 6:6, 11 – old life must be put to death.

a) v. 11 – dead to sin – should have no appeal to us

b) Must also learn to recognize entanglement when it’s wrapped around us.

c) Could be something hindering our upward/heavenward mvmt in Lord. Such as:

3. Recreation.

a) Time, money, behavior

b) But it’s fun! FUN not the only thing! Exchange FUN now for eternity of hell?

4. Language

a) Eph. 4:29 – how do we talk? Our speech?

b) 4 ltr wds; euphemisms; laughing at impure things.

c) Could trample influence; damage relationships.

5. Desires

a) What do I want in this life?

b) When/who/why do we want to be?

c) Bad habits? Could a habit I’m engaged in dim my light for Christ?

6. Mindset

a) May not doing anything wrong. But could my mindset be driven by anger? Jealousy? Grudges?

b) Could I be a negative thinker?

1) Look at listen to self.

2) Is this way you wish to come across? How do I talk to others? Tone? Could be mindset – a negative view.

7. Eph. 4:22-24 – NKJV – put off/on principle.

a) Why do some fall away? Put off but fail to put on.

1) New self/righteousness/holiness.

2) Replace the evil with good!

3) Put off evil friend – put on good friend.

b) Christian life more than just collection of don’ts must look at what we’re doing!

B. Train daily – 1 Cor. 9:25-27

1. wd self control or temperate as used in NASV & NKJV translated strict training in NIV.

a) Strict training. Daily training. Christianity not to be left at church building during the wk.

b) Why? After eternal prize not temporary.

2. 1 Pet. 2:2 – long for the word! LONG FOR – what does that mean? Earnest desire? A tremendous hungering for?

3. Must use strict training to put on good/proper things in life. Try to become like Jesus.

a) Biblical/spiritual training most important thing in life!

b) Can’t grow by just attending church. Weekly training means weakly training!

C. Always Online.

1. Computers/internet today always online. Always ready for communication.

2. Christians must always be in communication w/God. 1 Thess. 5:17

a) Keep praying always. Prayer must b/an important part of life.

b) Jesus: Lk 6:12 – prayed as choosing apostles; Lk. 8:18 – prayed after the 5,000 fed; Lk. 11:1 – prayer in a certain place; Lk. 22:39-46 – praying in garden. Prayed all the time!

c) Acts 10:2 – Cornelius – fervently prayed. Continually prayed.

d) Consider also: Paul.

3. Walk about in an attitude of prayer! Talk to God about what going on. Be devoted to it!

D. Rally Together. Heb. 10:24-25 NOT Gal. 5:15

1. Christians need to meet together! Need to be concerned about stimulating each other spiritually.

a) Commandment here to be w/Christians.

b) Idea of I don’t have to go to church to be saved is plain wrong!

c) Why won’t we have as many here tonight as we do this AM?

2. Rally together to edify – not to devour each other. Gal. 5:15.

a) Come together to build up – not to tear down.

b) Encourage/build up/edify for good.

3. Church is a kingdom, city, army, body, and family.

a) What a common characteristic of the things mentioned above?

b) All units w/in each one must WORK TOGETHER. If work separately, then problems mount.

c) Must pull together! Church is all of this!

4. Quote by AB Bruce: Some churches are like restaurants where all kinds of people sit together and then leave without knowing or caring about each other. God forbid this happen at Southside!

5. Work on developing relationships by rallying together!

E. Turn Outward – 2 Cor. 5:15; Rom. 10:14

1. #5 is the fruit bearing. We do the first 4 to get to # 5. TURN OUTWARD. Move focus on others. See Scriptures.

2. Jhn. 15:8 – this is how we begin to bear fruit.

a) This not the Christian on a plateau/flat lined – but one that working to accomplish something in his spiritual life.

3. Rom. 10:14 – got to turn outward! Got to take it to others! Let them see Christ in our lives!

4. Share good works; good news; share self.

Conclusion:

A. START heading in the right direction! (Phil. 3:13-14)

B. Which direction are you moving in?

1. You have a way here in this congregation to go heavenward.

2. Teacher; jobs; help youth; etc.

C. Obeyed gospel? If not? Why Not?

D. Get life restored. START again in the right direction.

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Effective Discipleship (2) 2000044 Subject: discipleship; love; priorities Introduction: A. Todays lesson a continuation of last week. Discipleship 101. 1. Being a disciple means more than being a bible student. Definition of a disciple found in Lk. 6:40. 2. Thus, the goal of discipleship is to become like the master. 3. To be like Jesus. To have our mind on following Him. B. Others will know that we are Christ’s disciples when we have love for one another. 1. Jhn. 13:34-35 – How will others know that you follow Jesus? Answer given here. 2. Brethren – we must learn to apply this principle. It will show when: a) People speak well; have time for each other; make desires of good will known, etc. b) How are our relationships w/each other? C. Jhn. 15:8 – discipleship is proven – and real – and effective when we bear fruit. 1. Note 15:8 – prove to be my disciples. NASV 2. This = end result of discipleship. a) We must make it a goal to bear much fruit for the Lord. b) Need to have our mind on discipleship. 3. We need to become like Jesus – not just put on his name! I. All Discipleship is not Effective Discipleship! A. What is effective discipleship? Simple review of last wk’s lesson. 1. Going through life – we exposed to gospel. Run into Jesus. a) Someone explains seriousness of sin – Rom. 3:23; 6:23 – we all get the same start – in the world. b) Eph. 2:1-2; 12-13 – w/o hope. Only chance for redemption through Christ. 2. Learn the necessity of putting on Christ through obedience to the gospel. H, B, R, C, B. B. Experience; excitement; joy for a time. Then sadly w/some the Christian life flattens out. Reaches a plateau. 1. We’ve gotten into Christ – we’ve obeyed the gospel – but now what do I do? 2. Once I obey the gospel – what then? What can I do to keep moving heavenward? C. Must realize that discipleship = continual obedience/growth/continual changing for the better. Involves constant emphasis in b/c what God wants us to be. 1. Phil. 3:13-14 – press upward – heavenward – NIV 2. God call us to be a disciple (through gospel). Calling us heavenward – not to sit on a plateau. 3. Must look to bring good things/wholesome things into life to help change for the better. II. Five Steps to Effective Discipleship (S.T.A.R.T.) A. Sever Entanglements. 1. Heb. 12:1 – sin can tangle our spiritual feet. a) Thick woods/vines/brush/bushes. Impede our upward movement – to be entangled in sin! b) Must seek to disentangle from sin – we’ll never get close to God until we do! 2. Rom. 6:6, 11 – old life must be put to death. a) v. 11 – dead to sin – should have no appeal to us b) Must also learn to recognize entanglement when it’s wrapped around us. c) Could be something hindering our upward/heavenward mvmt in Lord. Such as: 3. Recreation. a) Time, money, behavior b) But it’s fun! FUN not the only thing! Exchange FUN now for eternity of hell? 4. Language a) Eph. 4:29 – how do we talk? Our speech? b) 4 ltr wds; euphemisms; laughing at impure things. c) Could trample influence; damage relationships. 5. Desires a) What do I want in this life? b) When/who/why do we want to be? c) Bad habits? Could a habit I’m engaged in dim my light for Christ? 6. Mindset a) May not doing anything wrong. But could my mindset be driven by anger? Jealousy? Grudges? b) Could I be a negative thinker? 1) Look at listen to self. 2) Is this way you wish to come across? How do I talk to others? Tone? Could be mindset – a negative view. 7. Eph. 4:22-24 – NKJV – put off/on principle. a) Why do some fall away? Put off but fail to put on. 1) New self/righteousness/holiness. 2) Replace the evil with good! 3) Put off evil friend – put on good friend. b) Christian life more than just collection of don’ts must look at what we’re doing! B. Train daily – 1 Cor. 9:25-27 1. wd self control or temperate as used in NASV & NKJV translated strict training in NIV. a) Strict training. Daily training. Christianity not to be left at church building during the wk. b) Why? After eternal prize not temporary. 2. 1 Pet. 2:2 – long for the word! LONG FOR – what does that mean? Earnest desire? A tremendous hungering for? 3. Must use strict training to put on good/proper things in life. Try to become like Jesus. a) Biblical/spiritual training most important thing in life! b) Can’t grow by just attending church. Weekly training means weakly training! C. Always Online. 1. Computers/internet today always online. Always ready for communication. 2. Christians must always be in communication w/God. 1 Thess. 5:17 a) Keep praying always. Prayer must b/an important part of life. b) Jesus: Lk 6:12 – prayed as choosing apostles; Lk. 8:18 – prayed after the 5,000 fed; Lk. 11:1 – prayer in a certain place; Lk. 22:39-46 – praying in garden. Prayed all the time! c) Acts 10:2 – Cornelius – fervently prayed. Continually prayed. d) Consider also: Paul. 3. Walk about in an attitude of prayer! Talk to God about what going on. Be devoted to it! D. Rally Together. Heb. 10:24-25 NOT Gal. 5:15 1. Christians need to meet together! Need to be concerned about stimulating each other spiritually. a) Commandment here to be w/Christians. b) Idea of I don’t have to go to church to be saved is plain wrong! c) Why won’t we have as many here tonight as we do this AM? 2. Rally together to edify – not to devour each other. Gal. 5:15. a) Come together to build up – not to tear down. b) Encourage/build up/edify for good. 3. Church is a kingdom, city, army, body, and family. a) What a common characteristic of the things mentioned above? b) All units w/in each one must WORK TOGETHER. If work separately, then problems mount. c) Must pull together! Church is all of this! 4. Quote by AB Bruce: Some churches are like restaurants where all kinds of people sit together and then leave without knowing or caring about each other. God forbid this happen at Southside! 5. Work on developing relationships by rallying together! E. Turn Outward – 2 Cor. 5:15; Rom. 10:14 1. #5 is the fruit bearing. We do the first 4 to get to # 5. TURN OUTWARD. Move focus on others. See Scriptures. 2. Jhn. 15:8 – this is how we begin to bear fruit. a) This not the Christian on a plateau/flat lined – but one that working to accomplish something in his spiritual life. 3. Rom. 10:14 – got to turn outward! Got to take it to others! Let them see Christ in our lives! 4. Share good works; good news; share self. Conclusion: A. START heading in the right direction! (Phil. 3:13-14) B. Which direction are you moving in? 1. You have a way here in this congregation to go heavenward. 2. Teacher; jobs; help youth; etc. C. Obeyed gospel? If not? Why Not? D. Get life restored. START again in the right direction. E. I N V I T A T I O N