Holland CRC Feb 29, ’04 a.m.
DISCIPLESHIP
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Text: Joshua 24:15b
(Both to be read later)
Intro. This past week I was privileged to watch The Passion.
I don’t think that I have ever viewed a film that so riveted the audience; there was total silence throughout the film—including the credits. The charge by some critics that it has historical and biblical inaccuracies is in my opinion totally without merit. True, there were artistic liberties taken, but none that were in conflict with either biblical or historical records. There is not one word of English spoken throughout the entire film; it is all in Hebrew, Aramaic or Latin with English subtitles, which only adds to its authenticity.
Its “R” rating comes from the graphic detail portrayed on film. I would think twice about taking a child below the age of 14 or 15—but I would recommend that all mature Christians see this movie (its more graphic portrayals can be anticipated [especially by those who know the story] in enough time to avert your eyes if you should so choose). Also Crucifixion was NOT “G” rated,
I know that I have never watched anything that moved me as greatly as did that film; I saw myself at virtually every other scene; from Judas’ betrayal, to Peter’s denial; from the soldiers hands holding the nail (which was Mel Gibson’s cameo appearance—he wanted to let the world know that it was his hands that nailed Christ to the cross) to Simon of Cyrene’s reluctance to carry the cross. Many of us are not only reluctant to carry Christ’s cross, we ask for help to carry our own. Jesus said, …anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27
What does it mean to be a disciple? Is it church attendance? Membership? Tithing? To try and answer that question I thought I’d ask the old tried and true journalistic questions; Who? What? When? And Where? Using Christ’s own words as much as possible.
1. WHO IS A DISCIPLE?
-Not all who profess His name
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
-Those who obey Him
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15
-Those who love others
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John13:34-35
-Those who take up their cross and follow Him
“If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 TLB
Trans. Church attendance, doing good works, or even prophesying (preaching) does not make a person a disciple. Only following the commands of Jesus will make us true disciples. Which brings us to the second question…
2. WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF DISCIPLESHIP?
-Service Matthew 25:37-40
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
-is service to others a chore….
or a delight as unto the Lord?
-do we respond, “Yes Lord!”
or like Moses, “Lord you’ve got the
wrong person, send someone else.”
-remember that great benediction in
Heb 13:20-21
And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he who became the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting agreement between God and you, signed with his blood, produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
-you don’t even have to depend on yourself
The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thess 5:23 NIV
-After service is submission
-assume the duties of a servant John 13:12 NIV
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
-Don’t lord it over one another
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Eph 5:21
-After Service and Submission comes Suffering: Sickness, starvation, slander, etc.
Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave isn’t greater than his master!’ So since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. John 15:20 TLB
-none of us has suffered unto death
-and should that happen we will receive a
martyrs crown
-if we aren’t suffering, does that mean the
adversary doesn’t consider us a disciple?
-or much of a threat?
Trans. Now that we have looked at the Who and What…
3. WHEN IS THE TIME OF DISCIPLESHIP?
-Now
Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. Rom 13:11 TLB
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor 6:2 NIV
-Now, while it is yet day
As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4 NIV
-Now, while the harvest is ready
I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. John 4:35 NIV
Trans. Who is a disciple? Those who take up their cross and follow Jesus. What are the duties of a disciple? Service, submission and suffering. When is the time of discipleship? Now! Which brings us to the fourth question…
4. WHERE IS THE FIELD OF DISCIPLESHIP?
-Holland, Grundy County, all the world
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV
-in short, wherever you are
-the only reason I can think of for not being
a disciple is that a person has not received
the power of the Holy Spirit
Concl. Jesus said in Rev. 3:8, “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”
He knows how much, or how little strength we have, but he’s given us an open door—however, he won’t push us through it. Let’s go back to another open door, turn to Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (page 184) when the Israelites where preparing to enter the Promised Land.
Read Deut. 30:15-20
And my text is found in Joshua 24:15:
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
In order to be a disciple you have to be sure you are a child of God, with every head bowed, if you’re not sure of your relationship with God—raise your hand (if hand is raised, pray the sinners prayer).
Joshua and Moses called the people to make a stand; will you take the first step and stand with me and make the same pledge? “As for me and my house we sill serve the Lord!” Please don’t stand just because others stand. If you stand you are telling God you are willing to do anything to become sold out to Him. You will be promising to do anything He asks, it doesn’t matter how old or young you are. He may be calling you to intense prayer, He may call you to share your faith with others, He may call you to teach, bur He will call you to do something. If you are willing to become involved in the work of God, stand and say with me; “As for me and my house we sill serve the Lord!”
