Active Discipleship: Embracing Community and Christ's Call

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are called to a life of discipleship, a life of following Jesus Christ, our Lord and King. This is not a passive existence but an active pursuit of aligning our lives with His teachings and example. The good news of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical fact or a theological concept; it is a transformative reality that calls us to action. Jesus, the Messiah, the anointed one, came to fulfill the role that Israel longed for, to be the King who would reign with justice and mercy. He did not come to establish an earthly kingdom through force but to inaugurate a kingdom of love, sacrifice, and service.

As we have explored in this series, the message of the gospel is foundational to our faith. It is the central, unchanging truth upon which all other teachings rest. Jesus, fully human and fully divine, lived among us, teaching, healing, and ultimately sacrificing Himself for our redemption. His resurrection is the cornerstone of our hope, and His lordship is the anchor of our lives.

Discipleship, or followership, is about closing the gap between our profession of faith and our daily walk. It is about pressing into a deeper relationship with Jesus, regardless of where we are on our spiritual journey. Whether we are new believers or have been walking with the Lord for decades, there is always room for growth, learning, and transformation. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and so forth—should increasingly characterize our lives as we become more like Christ.

In times of difficulty, when we may feel distant or even angry with God, it is crucial to remain steadfast in our commitment to follow Him. Like Peter, who, when asked if he would leave Jesus, responded, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," we too must resolve to stick with Christ because He is the Messiah, the King sent by God into this world.

Honesty in our relationship with Jesus is vital. We must bring our struggles, doubts, and pains to Him, trusting that He can handle our raw emotions and deepest questions. In my own life, I have experienced moments of profound challenge, where I felt like turning away. Yet, in those moments, Jesus met me with compassion and patience, not with condemnation or impatience.

Finally, we are not meant to walk this path alone. The Christian life is a communal journey, and we are designed for relationships. In a society that often promotes individualism, we must intentionally seek out and invest in meaningful community. Whether through small groups, church gatherings, or other forms of fellowship, we need each other to grow, to be challenged, and to experience the fullness of life in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Discipleship is an active, lifelong journey that requires us to press into our relationship with Jesus, regardless of our stage in the faith journey. It is about growth, excitement, and the adventure of becoming more like Christ in character and purpose. [28:35]

- Honesty with the Lord is essential in discipleship. We must be willing to bring our toughest questions and deepest emotions to Jesus, trusting in His compassion and patience to guide us through our struggles and doubts. [30:54]

- Community is crucial in the Christian life. We are not designed to follow Jesus in isolation. By pressing into relationships and committing to steady, meaningful community, we find support, accountability, and the means to grow in our walk with Christ. [33:27]

- Jesus' call to discipleship is compelling and personal. He invites us to drop everything and follow Him, prioritizing His mission over our own ambitions. This call is not just for a select few but for all who would hear His voice and respond. [26:52]

- Salvation and discipleship are inseparable. As we follow Jesus, we experience the fullness of salvation, not just as a future hope but as a present reality that shapes how we live, love, and serve in this world. [37:41]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:68 - "Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'"
2. Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
3. Matthew 16:24 - "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being both fully human and fully divine? [06:03]
2. How did Jesus' approach to establishing His kingdom differ from the political expectations of His time? [18:03]
3. What are the three practical steps mentioned in the sermon for following Jesus in discipleship? [28:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of community in the Christian life? [33:22]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "press into" a relationship with Jesus, and how can this look different depending on where someone is in their faith journey? [28:08]
2. How does the concept of discipleship as described in the sermon challenge the idea of a passive Christian life? [23:30]
3. In what ways does being honest with God about our struggles and doubts strengthen our discipleship journey? [32:28]
4. How does the sermon suggest that community helps us grow in our walk with Christ, and what are some practical ways to engage in meaningful community? [34:20]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant or angry with God. How did you handle those emotions, and what might you do differently now to remain steadfast in your commitment to follow Him? [30:14]
2. Identify one area in your life where you feel you need to "press in" more deeply in your relationship with Jesus. What specific steps can you take this week to grow in that area? [28:08]
3. Think of a recent struggle or doubt you have faced. How can you bring this honestly before God, and what support might you seek from your community to help you through it? [32:28]
4. How can you intentionally invest in your community this week? Consider joining a small group, attending a church gathering, or reaching out to someone for fellowship. [34:20]
5. Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. What is one ambition or priority in your life that you need to reevaluate in light of this call? [26:52]
6. The fruit of the Spirit should increasingly characterize our lives. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [28:49]
7. Reflect on the importance of community in your spiritual journey. How can you contribute to building a supportive and accountable community within your church or small group? [34:20]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Active Discipleship
Discipleship is not a static state but a dynamic journey of growth and transformation. It is the process of becoming more like Christ in character and purpose, which requires an active engagement with one's faith. This journey is filled with excitement and the adventure of aligning one's life more closely with Jesus' teachings and example. It is a lifelong pursuit that does not depend on one's stage in the faith journey but rather on the continuous effort to press into a deeper relationship with Jesus. This pursuit is marked by a willingness to learn, to be transformed, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit in increasing measure. [28:35]

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." - 2 Peter 3:18

Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively pursue growth in your discipleship journey today?

Day 2: Cultivating Honesty with Jesus
Honesty with the Lord is a cornerstone of a healthy spiritual life. It involves bringing one's toughest questions, deepest emotions, and genuine struggles to Jesus, trusting in His compassion and patience. This level of honesty allows for a more authentic relationship with Christ, where one does not have to hide or suppress doubts and pains. Instead, it opens the door for Jesus to guide and provide comfort through the challenges of life. It is through this honest dialogue with the Savior that one can experience His understanding and grace in the midst of trials. [30:54]

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:8-9

Reflection: What struggle or doubt have you been hesitant to bring before Jesus, and how can you approach Him with honesty today?

Day 3: Fostering Christian Community
The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. Community is essential for growth, support, and accountability. It is within the context of relationships that believers can challenge one another, grow in their faith, and experience the fullness of life in Christ. Intentionally seeking out and investing in meaningful community, whether through small groups, church gatherings, or other forms of fellowship, is crucial for spiritual development. In a society that often values individualism, the commitment to community stands as a testament to the interconnectedness of the body of Christ. [33:27]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25

Reflection: How can you take a step towards deeper involvement in your Christian community this week?

Day 4: Responding to Jesus' Personal Call
Jesus' call to discipleship is a personal invitation to each individual to follow Him wholeheartedly. It is a compelling summons to prioritize His mission over personal ambitions and to embrace the life He offers. This call is inclusive, extended to all who would hear His voice and respond. It requires a willingness to drop everything and follow Him, trusting that His path leads to true fulfillment and purpose. This call is not just for a select few but for everyone who seeks to find their place in God's redemptive story. [26:52]

"And Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.' And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him." - Luke 5:10b-11

Reflection: What might 'dropping everything to follow Jesus' look like in your life, and what is one step you can take today to prioritize His mission?

Day 5: Experiencing Salvation as a Present Reality
Salvation and discipleship are inseparable. Following Jesus means experiencing the fullness of salvation not only as a future hope but as a present reality that influences every aspect of life. It shapes how one lives, loves, and serves in the world. As believers walk with Christ, they are called to embody the salvation they have received, demonstrating the transformative power of the gospel in their daily interactions and choices. This lived experience of salvation is a powerful witness to the grace and truth of Jesus Christ. [37:41]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection: In what ways can you live out the reality of your salvation in your everyday actions and relationships?

Quotes

- "Discipleship is about pressing into a deeper relationship with Jesus, regardless of where we are on our spiritual journey. It's about growth, excitement, and the adventure of becoming more like Christ." [28:35](Download | Download)

- "Resolve to follow Jesus and press in no matter how difficult or painful circumstances may be, no matter even how angry you might feel at Him." [30:54](Download | Download)

- "Be honest with the Lord. Jesus can take whatever it is that you have to throw at Him. He meets us with compassion and patience, not with condemnation." [33:27](Download | Download)

- "It's really hard to do Christian life on your own. We are designed for relationships and community, which is crucial for growth and following Jesus together." [35:55](Download | Download)

- "Jesus didn't establish an earthly kingdom through force but inaugurated a kingdom of love, sacrifice, and service, calling us to follow His example." [19:37](Download | Download)

- "Salvation and discipleship are inseparable. As we follow Jesus, we experience the fullness of salvation, shaping how we live, love, and serve in this world." [23:43](Download | Download)

- "Jesus' call to discipleship is compelling and personal. He invites us to drop everything and follow Him, prioritizing His mission over our own ambitions." [26:52](Download | Download)

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?