Active Discipleship: Living in Relationship with Christ
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved into the profound truth that the essence of Christianity is not merely about acknowledging Jesus Christ and His work on the cross but about entering into a life-transforming relationship with Him. This relationship is characterized by abiding in Christ and following Him as His apprentice. The Christian life is not a passive acceptance of beliefs but an active, daily commitment to living in the footsteps of Jesus.
We began by addressing a common misconception: that to be saved, one simply needs to accept their sinfulness, say a prayer of repentance, and they are in. However, this is only a partial truth. Jesus gave His life for more than just a nod of faith; He calls for our complete surrender. The Gospel message since World War II has been partly true, but it has led many to believe they can be Christians without being apprentices of Jesus. This is not the full Gospel.
The abiding life and salvation are inseparable. Jesus Himself, in Luke 9:23, outlined the cost of discipleship: denying oneself, taking up the cross daily, and following Him. This is not a selective call; it is open to "whoever" desires to follow Him, regardless of their background or status. It requires complete surrender.
We also explored the importance of the cloud of witnesses—those who have walked with God before us. Their lives and stories serve as divine mentors, teaching us how to walk with God. We learned from Abel the importance of offering God our first and best, not our least and leftovers.
To live the abiding life, we must abandon the distractions and sins that entangle us, concentrating on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. We must live with the awareness that Jesus could return at any moment and strive to be holy as He is holy. This means setting ourselves apart from sin and focusing on things above, not on earthly things.
Finally, we must endure opposition with joy, remembering Jesus' sacrifice and the joy set before Him. When life gets tough, we must not grow weary or lose heart but remember what Jesus endured for us.
In conclusion, to follow Jesus is to be with Him, to become like Him, and to live as He lived. It is a call to a life of obedience and surrender, a journey of transformation that goes beyond mere belief to a daily walk of faith and discipleship.
Key Takeaways:
- The Christian life is a call to active discipleship, not passive belief. It is about surrendering to Jesus and following Him daily, taking up our cross and living in obedience to His teachings. This is the essence of true Christianity, which goes beyond mere acknowledgment of Jesus' sacrifice to a life transformed by His presence and power. [34:38]
- The cloud of witnesses, those who have walked with God before us, serve as divine mentors. Their lives and stories, like Abel's, teach us to offer God our best and to live by the principles and precepts they exemplified. We are to learn from their faith and apply their lessons to our own walk with God. [25:58]
- To abide in Christ means to live a life of constant connection and dependence on Him. It involves removing anything that hinders our relationship with God, whether it's sin, distractions, or worldly desires. By doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to work through us, producing the fruit of a righteous life. [27:18]
- Concentrating on Jesus is essential for the abiding life. We must focus on His person, His passion, and His position. By keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we align our lives with His purpose and power, ensuring that we live not by our own strength but by His grace and guidance. [32:44]
- Enduring opposition with joy is a mark of a mature faith. When faced with trials and challenges, we must consider Jesus' example and persevere with the knowledge that our present struggles are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us. This perspective helps us to not grow weary or lose heart. [33:18]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 9:23 - "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"
2. John 15:5 - "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
3. Hebrews 12:1-3 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 9:23, what are the three actions Jesus says are necessary for someone who wants to be His disciple?
2. In John 15:5, what is the result of abiding in Jesus, and what happens if we do not abide in Him?
3. Hebrews 12:1-3 mentions a "great cloud of witnesses." Who are these witnesses, and what role do they play in our faith journey? [23:09]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the common misconception about what it means to be a Christian? [05:20]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "denying oneself" in Luke 9:23 challenge the modern understanding of self-fulfillment and personal ambition?
2. What does it mean to "bear much fruit" as described in John 15:5, and how does this relate to the idea of living a life transformed by Jesus' presence and power? [00:40]
3. Hebrews 12:1-3 encourages believers to "throw off everything that hinders." What are some examples of these hindrances, and how can they affect our spiritual walk? [26:35]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the "cloud of witnesses." How can the stories of biblical figures and other faithful individuals inspire and guide our own walk with God? [24:31]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Luke 9:23, what are some specific ways you can practice self-denial in your daily life to follow Jesus more closely?
2. John 15:5 speaks about abiding in Christ. Identify one distraction or sin in your life that hinders your relationship with God. What steps can you take this week to remove it? [27:18]
3. Hebrews 12:1-3 talks about fixing our eyes on Jesus. What practical steps can you take to keep your focus on Jesus amidst daily distractions and challenges? [30:26]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of enduring opposition with joy. Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you apply Jesus' example of endurance to your situation? [33:18]
5. The sermon highlighted the need for complete surrender to Jesus. What areas of your life have you not fully surrendered to Him, and what changes can you make to surrender those areas? [36:01]
6. Considering the "cloud of witnesses," who is one person from the Bible or your life whose faith inspires you? How can you emulate their faith in your own walk with God? [25:58]
7. The sermon discussed the difference between living a religious life and a righteous life. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are merely going through religious motions rather than living out a genuine relationship with God? How can you change that? [20:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Active Discipleship: A Daily Surrender
True Christianity is not a mere acknowledgment of faith but an active, daily surrender to Jesus Christ. It is a commitment to take up one's cross and follow Him, embodying His teachings and living a life of obedience. This active discipleship is a journey of transformation, where one's life is continually being shaped and molded by the presence and power of Christ. It is about becoming an apprentice of Jesus, learning from Him, and allowing His life to flow through ours.
To live this out, one must be willing to let go of personal ambitions and desires, instead prioritizing the will of God. It is a call to a radical lifestyle that may not align with the world's values but is rooted in the eternal kingdom of God. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice, where each day presents a new opportunity to choose discipleship over self-interest.
"Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" (Matthew 16:24-25 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits? [34:38]
Day 2: Divine Mentorship: Learning from Faithful Examples
The cloud of witnesses, those who have walked with God before us, serve as divine mentors, guiding us through their examples of faith and obedience. Their stories are not just historical accounts but living testimonies that inspire and instruct us on how to navigate our own spiritual journeys. By examining the lives of biblical figures like Abel, we learn the importance of offering God our best and not settling for mediocrity in our spiritual offerings.
These witnesses encourage us to persevere in faith, even when faced with challenges. They remind us that a life pleasing to God is marked by sacrifice, commitment, and a heart that seeks to honor Him above all else. As we reflect on their lives, we are motivated to emulate their faithfulness and to apply the principles they lived by to our own walk with God.
"By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks." (Hebrews 11:4 ESV)
Reflection: Who is a biblical figure whose faith challenges you, and what specific aspect of their life can you emulate in your own spiritual walk this week? [25:58]
Day 3: Abiding in Christ: The Fruitful Connection
To abide in Christ is to maintain a constant, life-giving connection with Him. It is an intentional choice to depend on Jesus for spiritual nourishment and strength, allowing His life to flow through us. This abiding relationship requires the removal of any hindrances, such as sin or distractions, that can sever our connection with God. It is a call to holiness, where the believer's life increasingly reflects the character and priorities of Christ.
As we abide in Him, we become vessels through which the Holy Spirit can work, producing the fruit of righteousness in our lives. This process of sanctification is not passive; it involves active participation in spiritual disciplines and a conscious effort to align our will with God's will.
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5 ESV)
Reflection: What distractions or sins are currently hindering your relationship with God, and how can you take steps to remove them from your life today? [27:18]
Day 4: Focused on Jesus: Aligning with His Purpose
Concentrating on Jesus is essential for living a life that is in harmony with His purpose and power. By focusing on His person, His passion, and His position, we align our lives with His. This focus allows us to live not by our own strength but by His grace and guidance. It is a call to set our minds on things above, to seek the things of God, and to live in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship.
Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus helps us navigate the distractions and temptations of life. It empowers us to live with integrity and purpose, ensuring that our actions and decisions are guided by His example and teachings.
"Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you more intentionally focus on Jesus throughout your day, and how might this change your perspective on the challenges you face? [32:44]
Day 5: Joyful Endurance: Embracing Trials with Perspective
Enduring opposition with joy is a hallmark of mature faith. It is the ability to face trials and challenges with a perspective that transcends our current circumstances. By considering Jesus' example of sacrifice and the joy that was set before Him, we can persevere through our own struggles with hope and confidence. This perspective reminds us that our present difficulties are temporary and pale in comparison to the eternal glory that awaits us.
Embracing trials with joy does not mean denying the pain or difficulty of the situation but rather viewing it through the lens of God's greater plan. It is a testament to the strength and peace that come from a deep trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3 ESV)
Reflection: How can you cultivate a mindset of joyful endurance in the face of your current trials, and what practical steps can you take to keep this perspective at the forefront of your mind? [33:18]
Quotes
1) "The Christian life is not about having fire insurance; it's about having a life with God. Anything less is not the whole story." [08:42](Download | Download)
2) "To live the Christian Life without abiding in Christ through the Holy Spirit is impossible." [14:32](Download | Download)
3) "Jesus did not step out of Heaven into flesh to convert people to religion; he laid down his life to raise people up to become not just people who believe but people who obey." [11:51](Download | Download)
4) "To set our hearts and minds on things above is to hold tightly to what is eternal and loosely to what is temporal and earthly." [31:39](Download | Download)
5) "To concentrate on Jesus means to make him the priority focal point of our lives." [32:44](Download | Download)
6) "When the going gets tough, the faithful will remember Jesus." [33:18](Download | Download)
7) "Following Jesus is a call to more than acknowledging his work on the cross; it's a call to be an apprentice to walk in his footsteps, to know him, to be like him, and to do as he did." [07:20](Download | Download)
8) "The abiding life and salvation are inseparable. It requires your complete surrender." [34:38](Download | Download)
9) "To be an apprentice of Jesus means to be with him, to become like him, and to live as he lived. To believe anything less is to believe a flawed gospel." [37:10](Download | Download)
10) "The only way to live the Christian Life is in the abiding life where the Holy Spirit in you lives through you." [23:09](Download | Download)
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