Title: Discipleship
1Discipleship
2Discipleship
Only be strong and very courageous be careful to
do according to all the law which Moses My
servant commanded you do not turn from it to the
right or to the left, so that you may have
success wherever you go. This book of the law
shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall
meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in
it for then you will make your way prosperous,
and then you will have success.
3Discipleship
- Success The achievement of something desired,
planned or attempted. - Without goals, there can be no success.
- What kind of goals do you have individually or
collectively
4Discipleship
- How to succeed in growing spiritually
- These principles apply to much of life as well as
in spiritual matters. - 2 Corinthians 135 Test yourselves to see if you
are in the faith examine yourselves! Or do you
not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus
Christ is in you, unless you fail the test.
5Discipleship
- we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who
is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole
body, being fitted and held together by that
which every joint supplies, according to the
proper working of each individual part, causes
the growth of the body for the building up of
itself in love. Ephesians 415,16
6Discipleship
- Part One
- Desire Spiritual Things
7Desire Spiritual Things
- Our spiritual life must take precedence over our
physical life - 1. Our goals, ambitions and affections ought to
be spiritual - not carnal
8Desire Spiritual Things
- Colossians 31,2 If then you were raised with
Christ, seek those things which are above, where
Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set
your mind on things above, not on things on the
earth.
9Desire Spiritual Things
- Mark 1230 "And you shall love the Lord your God
with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul, and
with ALL your mind, and with ALL your strength. - (CAN WE CHANGE THE WORD ALL WITH SOME,
PART,MOST?????) - HONESTLY, MOST OF US DO.
10Desire Spiritual Things
- Romans 86 For to be carnally minded is death
but to be spiritually minded is life and
peace.
11Desire Spiritual Things
- A. Our spiritual life must take precedence over
our physical life - 1. Our goals, ambitions and affections ought to
be spiritual - not carnal - 2. We must have our priorities right
12Desire Spiritual Things
- Matthew 633 "But seek first the kingdom of God
and His righteousness, and all these things shall
be added to you.
13Desire Spiritual Things
- Luke 1215 And He said to them, "Take heed and
beware of covetousness, for one's life does not
consist in the abundance of the things he
possesses."
14Desire Spiritual Things
- a. It begins in our heart or mind!!!!
- Matthew 619-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy
and where thieves break in and steal "but lay up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not
break in and steal. For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
15Desire Spiritual Things
- A. Our spiritual life must take precedence over
our physical life - B. We should desire to partake in spiritual
activities -
16Desire Spiritual Things
- We should desire to assemble.
-
- Heb. 1024,25 And let us consider one another in
order to stir up love and good works, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as is the manner of some, but exhorting one
another, and so much the more as you see the day
approaching.
17Desire Spiritual Things
- We should desire to worship God
- Psalm 1221 I was glad when they said to me,
"Let us go into the house of the Lord."
18Desire Spiritual Things
- a. We should desire to worship God -
- Psalm 631,2 O God, you are my God Early will I
seek You My soul thirsts for You My flesh longs
for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is
no water. So I have looked for You in the
sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.
19Desire Spiritual Things
- We should desire the company of our brethren -
- Romans 1210 Be kindly affectionate to one
another with brotherly love, in honor giving
preference to one another - Are you here ONLY because you are commanded to be
here?
20Desire Spiritual Things
- 2. We should desire to study God's word?
-
- Psalm 11936,37 Incline my heart unto thy
testimonies, . . . . Turn away my eyes from
looking at worthless things, And revive me in
Your way.
21Desire Spiritual Things
- 2. We should desire to study God's word?
- Psalm 11997 Oh, how I love Your law! It is my
meditation all the day
22Desire Spiritual Things
- 2. We should desire to study God's word?
-
- Psalm 119103 How sweet are Your words to my
taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! .
23Desire Spiritual Things
- 2. We should desire to study God's word?
- 2Timothy 215 Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God, a worker who does not need to be
ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
24Desire Spiritual Things
- a. Assembling to study God's word, ought to be
attractive to us. - b. Do we hunger and thirst after God's word as
much as - 1) Our news-paper?
- 2) Our Monthly Magazine - (Sports Ill., Readers
Digest, Playboy?...) - 3) Our Favorite TV show - (Morning news, Sitcoms,
Talk Shows . . . . . )
25Desire Spiritual Things
- c. Many have not received a LOVE for the truth .
. - 2 Thessalonians 210-12 and with all unrighteous
deception among those who perish, because they
did not receive the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. And for this reason God will send
them strong delusion, that they should believe
the lie, that they all may be condemned who did
not believe the truth but had pleasure in
unrighteousness.
26Desire Spiritual Things
- 3. We should desire to keep the Lord's
commandments - - Psalm 119129-131 Your testimonies are
wonderful Therefore my soul keeps them. The
entrance of Your words gives light It gives
understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth
and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.
27Desire Spiritual Things
- WE decide that which is valuable to us - We have
placed our priorities in the order that they are
in based upon our desires! That which we desire
most is that which . . . . We long for - . . . .
We work for - . . . . and excites us the most -
Do we desire spiritual things as we should? If we
have developed this spiritual desire within our
hearts, then we will seek to take the next step .
. . .
28Discipleship
- Part Two
- Desire Spiritual Things
- Discipline Of Self
29Discipline of Self
- A. This discipline involves the whole person -
- 1 Corinthians 924-27 Do you not know that those
who run in a race all run, but one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
And everyone who competes for the prize is
temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain
a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable
crown. Therefore I run thus not with
uncertainty. Thus I fight not as one who beats
the air. But I discipline my body and bring it
into subjection, lest, when I have preached to
others, I myself should become disqualified.
30Discipline Of Self
- 1. Every thought
- Be careful of your thoughts - they may break into
words at any time. - 2 Corinthians 105 casting down arguments and
every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ, - a. Who you are and who you will become begins
with your thoughts -
31Discipline Of Self
- Proverbs 237 For as he thinks in his heart, so
is he. - "Beware of what you set your mind on for that you
will surely become". - -Ralph Waldo Emerson
32Discipline Of Self
- b. This however is not just a duty to be viewed
negatively - - No man who thinks in terms of catching mice will
ever catch lions. - 1) If you do not think in terms of Spiritual
growth and Spiritual service - you will NOT achieve eternal life . .
- i.e. We will succeed spiritually only if
spiritual things preoccupy our thinking!
33Discipline of Self
- 2. Every motive
- Hebrews 610 For God is not unjust to forget
your work and labor of love which you have shown
toward His name, in that you have ministered to
the saints, and do minister.
34Discipline Of Self
- a. Do you LOVE the Lord your God with ALL your
heart? (Mark 1229-31) - Jesus answered him, The first of all the
commandments is Hear, O Israel, the LORD our
God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD
your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and with all your strength.'
This is the first commandment. And the second,
like it, is this You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.' There is no other commandment greater
than these."
35Discipline Of Self
- John 1423 Jesus answered and said to him, If
anyone loves Me, he will keep My word and My
Father will love him, and We will come to him and
make Our home with him. - b. Do you love your neighbor as yourself?
- The Good Samaritan - (Luke 1030-37)
36Discipline Of Self
- 3. Every act
- Colossians 323 And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men
37Discipline Of Self
- 3. Every act
- 2 Timothy 25 And if a man also strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he
strive lawfully.
38Discipline Of Self
- 3. Every act
- 1 John 318 My little children, let us not love
in word, neither in tongue but in deed and in
truth.
39Discipline Of Self
- 4. We must control our attitudes!!
- Ephesians 42,3 . . . walk . . . . with all
lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering,
bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to
keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace.
40Discipline of Self
- 4. We must control our attitudes!!
- Philippians 22-5 fulfill my joy by being
like-minded, having the same love, being of one
accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through
selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of
mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Let each of you look out not only for his own
interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ
Jesus,
41Discipline Of Self
- It has been said that repentance is the hardest
command - why is that? Because it takes a great
deal of self discipline! Before we can take the
next step toward success - the step of self
discipline MUST BE made! Once we gain control of
ourselves, then we can move on to the next step.
. . .
42Discipleship
- Part Three
- Desire Spiritual Things
- Discipline of Self
- Dedication To The Lord
43Dedication To The Lord
- A. The act of being set apart for a purpose
- 1. A synonym for sanctification and/or
consecration.
44Dedication To The Lord
- Expresses the idea of being made NEW
-
- 2 Corinthians 517 Therefore, if anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation old things have
passed away behold, all things have become new.
45Dedication To The Lord
- b. Christians are separated from the world and
ought to stay that way - - 2 Corinthians 614-71 Do not be unequally yoked
together with unbelievers. For what fellowship
has righteousness with lawlessness? And what
communion has light with darkness? And what
accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a
believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement
has the temple of God with idols? For you are the
temple of the living God. As God has said "I
will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be
their God, And they shall be My people."
Therefore "Come out from among them And be
separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is
unclean, And I will receive you." "I will be a
Father to you, And you shall be My sons and
daughters, Says the Lord Almighty." Therefore,
having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and
spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
46Dedication To The Lord
- 2. Christians HAVE BEEN SANCTIFIED or set apart
by the Lord to serve Him! - 1 Corinthians 12 To the church of God which is
at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ
Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every
place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,
both theirs and ours
47Dedication To The Lord
- a. This is done and recognized by God when we
willingly yield to Him - - Romans 617-18 But God be thanked that though
you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the
heart that form of doctrine to which you were
delivered. 18And having been set free from sin,
you became slaves of righteousness.
48Dedication To The Lord
- If we make less than 100-percent surrender to
God, - we can be sure that the devil will take
advantage of any inroad to reach that uncommitted
area of our lives.
49discipleship
- Part Four
- Desire Spiritual Things
- Discipline of Self
- Dedication To The Lord
- Devotion To God
50Devotion To God
- A. Indicating continued action -
- 1. Difference between dedication and devotion -
- Joshua 2415 "And if it seems evil to you to
serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day,
(dedicate), whom you will serve, (be devoted to),
whether the gods which your fathers served that
were on the other side of the River, or the gods
of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as
for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
51Devotion To God
- 2. Devotion is made of
- a. A deep steady affection
- Matthew 2236-40 "Teacher, which is the great
commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, "
'You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind.' "This is the first and great commandment.
"And the second is like it 'You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.' "On these two commandments
hang all the Law and the Prophets."
52Devotion To God
- 2. Devotion is made of
- a. A deep steady affection
- John 1423,24 Jesus answered and said to him,
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word and My
Father will love him, and We will come to him and
make Our home with him. "He who does not love Me
does not keep My words and the word which you
hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
53Devotion To God
- 2. Devotion is made of
- b. Loyalty,
- Colossians 113 He has delivered us from the
power of darkness and conveyed us into the
kingdom of the Son of His love,
54Devotion To God
- Devotion is made of
- b. Loyalty,
- Romans 121,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that you present your
bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to
God, which is your reasonable service. And do not
be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that you may prove
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
of God.
55Devotion To God
- 2. Devotion is made of
- c. Faithfulness,
- Rev. 1210 (the church in Smyrna) "Do not fear
any of those things which you are about to
suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some
of you into prison, that you may be tested, and
you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful
until death, and I will give you the crown of
life. - A husband with just one ongoing affair cannot be
considered faithful - devoted!
56Devotion To God
- 2. Devotion is made of
- d. Earnestness in religion
- Titus 214 who gave Himself for us, that He
might redeem us from every lawless deed and
purify for Himself His own special people,
zealous for good works.
57Devotion to God
- 3. By these things - we express our "Devotion"
unto God - - Colossians 123 if indeed you continue in the
faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved
away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,
which was preached to every creature under
heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
58Devotion To God
- 3. By these things - we express our "Devotion"
unto God - - 1 Corinthians 1558 Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that
your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
59Devotion To God
- 4. We should live for Jesus who died for us
- 2 Corinthians 514,15 For the love of Christ
compels us, because we judge thus that if One
died for all, then all died and He died for all,
that those who live should live no longer for
themselves, but for Him who died for them and
rose again.
60Devotion To God
- Devotion to Christ then is more than the giving
of ourselves once or every now and then to the
cause of Christ, it is the continual sacrificing
of ourselves that displays our faithful service
to Christ.
61discipleship
- Part Five
- Desire Spiritual Things
- Discipline of Self
- Dedication To The Lord
- Devotion To God
- Determination To Do Right
62Determination to do right
- (Firmness of purpose resolve)
- A. The ability to make up one's mind and carry
out one's intentions. - Joshua 2415 ", choose for yourselves this day
whom you will serve But as for me and my house,
we will serve the Lord."
63Determination to do right
- Acts 1122-23 Then news of these things came to
the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they
sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When
he came and had seen the grace of God, he was
glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose
of heart they should continue with the Lord. - Psalms 119112 I have inclined mine heart to
perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. - Psalms 119106 I have sworn, and I will perform
it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
64Determination to do right
- B. Determination doesn't look for excuses, but
for opportunities!! - 1. We ought to be determined to
- a. Attend every service we can -
- b. To study our Bibles as much as we can -
- c. Be instant in prayer -
- d. To be doers of the word -
- e. To develop the mind of Christ -
- f. To talk to others about Christ -
- g. Submit to the authority of Christ -
- h. To encourage, and influence the weak -
65Determination to do right
- When we really commit ourselves to doing that
which is right in the sight of God, we then must
search out that which is right so we can do it.
Jesus said - "The truth shall make you free,"
(John 832), therefore is of utmost importance
that we find the truth . .
66discipleship
- Part Six
- Desire Spiritual Things
- Discipline of Self
- Dedication To The Lord
- Devotion To God
- Determination To Do Right
- Discernment of good and evil
67Discernment of good and evil
- A. Discernment must be guided by knowledge!!
- Are you a daily Bible reader?
- Do you attend every bible class you can?
- Do you examine what you are taught?
- Can you give an answer ........ ? (1 Peter 315)
- B. Perhaps a better word for our usage would be
"FOCUS"
68Discernment of good and evil
- Acts 1711 These were more fair-minded than those
in Thessalonica, in that they received the word
with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures
daily to find out whether these things were so. - Hebrews 514 But solid food belongs to those who
are of full age, that is, those who by reason of
use have their senses exercised to discern both
good and evil.
69Discernment of good and evil
- B. we must have the correct attitude about
discernment - 1. It should not be "Where does the Bible say
that I can't?" - Prov. 1412 There is a way that seems right to a
man, But its end is the way of death. - a. God has revealed to us that which is right -
- 2 Timothy 316-17 All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every
good work.
70Discernment of good and evil
- 2. Those who really want to please God ask -
"Where does the Bible teach that God approves?" - 1 Thessalonians 521,22. Test all things hold
fast what is good. Abstain from every form of
evil. - Ephesians 510 finding out what is acceptable to
the Lord. - 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
(NASV) - 10proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord
(1901 ASV) - Romans 129 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor
that which is evil cleave to that which is good.
71Discernment of good and evil
- Many times, we determine for ourselves what the
standard of right or wrong actually is. Out of
selfishness, we sometimes determine that some
things are right. And there lies the danger. We
must seek to do things in God's ways, or we will
not be found acceptable to Him and our efforts
would be in vain.
72discipleship
- Part Seven
- Desire Spiritual Things
- Discipline of Self
- Dedication To The Lord
- Devotion To God
- Determination To Do Right
- Discernment of good and evil
- Diligence in living the Christian life
73Diligence in living the Christian life
- Diligence in living the Christian life
- A. diligently seek after God -
- Hebrews 116 But without faith it is impossible
to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of
those who diligently seek Him. - b. give all dilligence To grow and bear fruit -
- Proverbs 423 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
74Diligence in living the Christian life
- 2 Peter 15-10 But also for this very reason,
giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue,
to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control,
to self-control perseverance, to perseverance
godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and
to brotherly kindness love. For if these things
are yours and abound, you will be neither barren
nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ. For he who lacks these things is
shortsighted, even to blindness, and has
forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to
make your call and election sure, for if you do
these things you will never stumble
75Diligence in living the Christian life
- c. to persevere
- Hebrews 611-12 And we desire that each one of
you show the same diligence to the full assurance
of hope until the end, that you do not become
sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises. - Hebrews 1214-15 Pursue peace with all people,
and holiness, without which no one will see the
Lord 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 - Hebrews 1038,39 Now the just shall live by
faith But if anyone draws back, My soul has no
pleasure in him." But we are not of those who
draw back to perdition, but of those who believe
to the saving of the soul.
76Diligence in living the Christian life
- d. To be found without spot -
- 2 Peter 314 Therefore, beloved, looking forward
to these things, be diligent to be found by Him
in peace, without spot and blameless - e. Who can say "I have done enough I can sit
down and rest, I can stop - Studying,
- Encouraging,
- Teaching,
- Helping,
- Working,
- Growing?"
77Diligence in living the Christian life
- f. Would not the same be true in collective
efforts? - f. We ought to be unsatisfied with staying where
we are - 1) We must be content with what God has done for
us, - 2) But we must never be satisfied with what we
are doing for God. - h. Everything that we do in serving Christ must
be done with diligence - - Ecclesiastes 910 Whatever your hand finds to do,
do it with your might for there is no work or
device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where
you are going.
78- Part Eight
- Desire Spiritual Things
- Discipline of Self
- Dedication To The Lord
- Devotion To God
- Determination To Do Right
- Discernment of good and evil
- Diligence in living the Christian life
- Doing the will of God
79Doing the will of God
- A. Putting into actual application those things
that are right and necessary in each of our
lives. - 1) Proving yourselves DOERS
- James 121-22 "Therefore putting aside all
filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in
humility receive the word implanted, which is
able to save your souls. But prove yourselves
doers of the word, and not merely hearers who
delude themselves."
80Doing the will of God
- 2)Lip service not good enough
- Matthew 721 "Not everyone who says to me Lord,
Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven but he
who does the will of My Father who is in heaven."
- 3) Proving our allegiance
- Matthew 1250 "For whoever does the will of My
Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and
sister and mother." - 4) Finding out what MUST be done
- Acts 1630 "and after he brought them out, he
said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?""
81Doing the will of God
- 5)Understanding why it MUST be done
- 1 Corinthians 923 "And I do all things for the
sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow
partaker of it". - We must recognize the opportunities before us on
a yearly, monthly, weekly, daily, and hourly
basis. - Galatians 610 "So then, while we have
opportunity, let us do good to all men, and
especially to those who are of the household of
faith." - B. Making this a lifelong effort and taking good
advise. - 2 Timothy 45 "But you, be sober in all things,
endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill your ministry." - John 25 "His mother said to the servants,
"Whatever He says to you, do it"
82Doing the will of God
- 1) Joining Deity in fulfilling the greatest
purpose of all - 1 Peter 41-2 "Therefore, since Christ has
suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with
the same purpose, because he who has suffered in
the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the
rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the
lusts of men, but for the will of God." - 2) Consequences of failing to do what must be
done - James 417 "Therefore, to one who knows the right
thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is
sin." - The greatest purpose of all time is found in the
words of Jesus.
83Doing the will of God
- The greatest purpose of all time is found in the
words of Jesus. - "Not my will, but Thy will
- Do you have the same purpose in life?
84Doing the will of God
- Now is the time to put what we have learned into
action. It is one thing to know what to do, it is
another to actually do it. We must step up to the
next level of service. It is up to us
individually. - And in some ways it is up to us as a
congregation.
85Conclusion of Discipleship
- 1. Our ultimate goal
- a. To be ready for the Lord...
- 1) To be found by Him in peace - 2 Pe 314a
- 2) To be without spot and blameless - 2 Pe 314b
-- - Whenever the Lord returns, we certainly want to
be ready for His coming!
86Conclusion of discipleship
- b. To remain steadfast...
- 1) Lest we fall - 2 Pe 317a cf. He 312-14
- 2) Lest we be led astray - 2 Pe 317b cf. 2 Pe
21-3 -- - To be ready for His coming, we must make sure we
do not fall away through negligence, - 2. True success, strength and growth depends upon
it's members, just as the failure, weakness, and
luke-warmness, depends upon it's members.
87Conclusion of discipleship
- a. Let us develop the same attitude as the
apostle Paul - - Philippians 313-14 Brethren, I do not count
myself to have apprehended but one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
I press toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - 3.Are you pressing forward to your goal of
reaching heaven?
88Discipleship