Active Discipleship: Assurance and Perseverance in Faith
Summary
In the message delivered, the focus is on the call to active discipleship and the assurance of eternal security for believers. The message begins with a reflection on the common hesitations Christians face when called to serve in seemingly mundane capacities, such as working in the mission room. The reminder is clear: the need for Jesus is not confined to distant mission fields but is present in our local communities. The call to make disciples, as outlined in Acts 8:1, is not exclusive to church leaders but extends to all of God's children.
The message then transitions to the Jews' struggle to accept Jesus as the Christ. Despite their doubts and demands for Jesus to declare His identity plainly, Jesus had already provided ample evidence through His works. The miracles He performed, such as turning water into wine, healing the sick, feeding thousands with minimal food, walking on water, and the forthcoming resurrection of Lazarus, all testify to His divine authority and mission.
The narrative of the sheep and the shepherd is used to illustrate the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers. Just as sheep recognize their shepherd's voice, believers are known by Christ and follow Him, receiving eternal life and security that no one can snatch away. This assurance is further emphasized with references to Ephesians 1:13-14 and 1 Peter 1, which speak of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance and the imperishable nature of our heavenly reward.
The message concludes with a call to perseverance in sharing the Gospel, even when it seems to fall on deaf ears. The example of the Jews who eventually believed in Jesus after initially rejecting Him serves as an encouragement to continue witnessing, trusting in God's timing for others' salvation.
Key Takeaways:
- The call to serve within one's community is as significant as serving in remote mission fields. The local mission room or a trip to Walmart can be just as much a mission field as Honduras or Mexico. The need for Jesus is pervasive, and every believer is called to engage in the Great Commission, making disciples and leading others to Christ. This is a reminder that the mission field is not always far away; it is often right in front of us. [31:08]
- Jesus' miracles were not just displays of power but tangible evidence of His divine nature and mission. From turning water into wine to feeding thousands, each miracle served a purpose beyond the immediate context, revealing Jesus as the one sent by God. These acts were not just for the benefit of those present but for all generations to witness the power and compassion of Christ. [37:07]
- The eternal security of the believer is a profound truth that offers peace and assurance. Scripture teaches that once we are Christ's, we are His forever. This security is not based on our own ability to hold onto salvation but on God's promise and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who seals and guarantees our inheritance. [40:06]
- The relationship between the shepherd and his sheep is a powerful metaphor for the relationship between Jesus and His followers. Just as sheep know their shepherd's voice and follow him, believers are called to recognize and respond to Christ's voice amidst the noise of the world. This requires spending time with Him and living a life that reflects our identity as His sheep. [38:19]
- Persistence in sharing the Gospel is crucial, even when immediate results are not evident. The transformation in the hearts of those who initially rejected Jesus but later believed serves as an encouragement to continue witnessing. Our role is to faithfully plant and water the seeds of faith, trusting God to bring the growth in His perfect timing. [49:12]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 10:22-42 - This passage covers Jesus' declaration of being the Good Shepherd, the Jews' confrontation with Him, and His assurance of eternal security for His followers.
2. Ephesians 1:13-14 - This passage speaks about the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance.
3. 1 Peter 1:3-5 - This passage discusses the imperishable nature of our heavenly reward.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were some of the miracles Jesus performed that testified to His divine authority? ([35:51])
2. How does Jesus describe the relationship between Him and His followers in John 10:27-28?
3. What was the reaction of the Jews when Jesus claimed unity with the Father? ([15:54])
4. According to Ephesians 1:13-14, what role does the Holy Spirit play in the life of a believer?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the Jews struggled to accept Jesus as the Christ despite the miracles He performed? ([32:58])
2. How does the metaphor of the shepherd and the sheep help us understand our relationship with Jesus? ([38:19])
3. What does it mean for believers to have eternal security, and how should this impact their daily lives? ([40:06])
4. How can the example of the Jews who eventually believed in Jesus after initially rejecting Him encourage us in our efforts to share the Gospel? ([49:12])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your local community. How can you actively engage in discipleship and share the Gospel in seemingly mundane places like the mission room or Walmart? ([31:08])
2. Jesus' miracles were tangible evidence of His divine nature. How can you recognize and appreciate the "miracles" or blessings in your own life that testify to God's presence? ([37:07])
3. The assurance of eternal security is a profound truth. How can you remind yourself of this assurance during times of doubt or struggle? ([40:06])
4. The relationship between the shepherd and the sheep requires believers to recognize and respond to Christ's voice. What practical steps can you take to spend more time with Jesus and better recognize His voice? ([38:19])
5. Persistence in sharing the Gospel is crucial. Think of someone in your life who has been resistant to the message of Christ. How can you continue to witness to them with patience and trust in God's timing? ([49:12])
6. How can you live a testimony that reveals you are a sheep of the Great Shepherd in your daily interactions and decisions? ([14:05])
7. Reflect on a time when you hesitated to follow God's call due to fear or doubt. How can you overcome these hesitations in the future and trust in God's plan for you? ([29:59])
Devotional
Day 1: Serving in the Everyday
The Great Commission is not limited to far-off lands; it is a call to action within our own neighborhoods and daily interactions. Every believer is tasked with the mission to make disciples, and this can happen in the most ordinary places, such as the local grocery store or community center. The need for Jesus is universal, and the opportunities to share His love and message are all around us. It's important to recognize that service to God isn't measured by the grandeur of the task but by the love and obedience with which it is carried out. The local mission field is ripe for the harvest, and every act of kindness, every word of truth, and every gesture of love can lead someone closer to Christ. [31:08]
"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" (Matthew 9:37-38 ESV)
Reflection: What are some everyday situations where you can be more intentional about living out the Great Commission?
Day 2: Miracles as Divine Evidence
Jesus' miracles were not mere spectacles; they were signs pointing to His divine nature and the fulfillment of His mission on earth. Each act of power, from transforming water into wine to feeding the multitudes, was a testament to His identity as the Son of God. These miracles were performed not only for those who witnessed them but also to serve as enduring evidence for future generations. As believers, reflecting on these miracles strengthens faith and understanding of Jesus' purpose, encouraging trust in His promises and provision. [37:07]
"And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:30-31 ESV)
Reflection: How do the miracles of Jesus strengthen your personal faith, and how can you share this with someone who may be skeptical?
Day 3: Sealed by the Spirit
The assurance of salvation is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit, who acts as a guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it. This divine seal provides peace and security, affirming that salvation is not dependent on human effort but on God's promise and faithfulness. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a profound truth that offers comfort in the face of life's uncertainties and challenges. [40:06]
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways does understanding your eternal security in Christ change how you live out your faith daily?
Day 4: Recognizing the Shepherd's Voice
The relationship between Jesus and His followers is beautifully depicted through the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep. Just as sheep are attuned to their shepherd's voice, believers are called to discern and follow Christ's guidance. This intimate connection is cultivated through time spent in His presence, prayer, and the study of Scripture. Recognizing Jesus' voice amidst the distractions of the world is essential for living a life that reflects our identity as His followers. [38:19]
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28 ESV)
Reflection: What practical steps can you take to become more attuned to Jesus' voice in your daily life?
Day 5: The Persistence of Witness
Sharing the Gospel can sometimes feel like an uphill battle, especially when faced with indifference or outright rejection. However, the call to witness is a call to persistence and trust in God's timing. The transformation of those who initially rejected Jesus but later believed is a testament to the power of persistent witness. Believers are encouraged to continue planting and watering seeds of faith, leaving the growth to God, who works in the hearts of individuals according to His perfect plan. [49:12]
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 ESV)
Reflection: Can you think of someone who has been resistant to the Gospel, and how might you continue to lovingly witness to them without growing discouraged?
Quotes
1) "Jesus doesn't just make things new, he makes them good and new." [36:31] (Download)
2) "The reality is we can only send so many to those remote places, but the whole church, man, we've got a community here... people need Jesus." [30:34] (Download)
3) "The Great Commission wasn't given to 12 men, it was given to God's children." [31:47] (Download)
4) "My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me; I give them eternal life and they will never perish." [15:12] (Download)
5) "Once I'm Jesus's, I'm His forever. This security is not based on our own ability to hold onto salvation but on God's promise." [15:54] (Download)
6) "The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." [40:44] (Download)
7) "The relationship with Jesus is like the shepherd and his sheep; we should know his voice and follow him, not the tempter's." [39:32] (Download)
8) "Jesus stood his ground because of what we read in verse 42: many believed in him. Don't give up on sharing the Gospel." [44:33] (Download)
9) "Jesus responded with scripture, the same way he responded to Satan in the wilderness. It's our best defense." [45:09] (Download)
10) "Jesus was God in flesh, the Son of God. The Jews didn't like these words, but Jesus escaped from their hands again." [47:13] (Download)
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