Building a Life of True Discipleship in Christ
Summary
Today, we explored the profound implications of truly living out the teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on the parable of the wise and foolish builders from Matthew 7. We began by recognizing the privilege of gathering without fear, a blessing not afforded to many believers worldwide. This set the stage for a deeper appreciation of the Word and its demands on our lives.
We delved into the stark warnings Jesus offers about the final judgment, where many will profess their deeds in His name, yet He will declare He never knew them. This led us to confront the chilling possibility of being active in church yet missing its heart—obedience to Christ. The core of our discussion centered on the necessity of not just hearing Jesus' words but actively doing them, which is the mark of true discipleship.
We examined the lives of the disciples, emphasizing that despite their flaws and initial misunderstandings, their lives were transformed by their decision to put Jesus first, above all else. This commitment was highlighted as essential for every believer. We discussed how this looks in practical terms, such as prioritizing our relationship with Christ above even our familial and social obligations.
The sermon also addressed the common pitfalls of serving in the church without true devotion to Christ. We explored how easy it is to slip into a routine of service that lacks a heart connection with God, emphasizing that our service must stem from a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.
We concluded by reflecting on the personal challenge this message presents to each of us. It's not enough to be involved in church activities or to have a superficial connection with Christ. Our faith must be active and our lives wholly devoted to Jesus, which is the foundation that withstands life's storms.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Deceptive Comfort of Religious Activity: Many believers are active in church but may miss the essence of a true relationship with Christ. It's crucial to examine our activities to ensure they are not just religious motions but acts of genuine faith and obedience. This reflection prevents the spiritual catastrophe of hearing "I never knew you" from Christ. [37:10]
2. Total Commitment to Christ: Discipleship demands placing Jesus above all aspects of our lives, including family and career. This doesn't diminish our responsibilities in these areas but reorients them under Christ's lordship. Such alignment ensures our actions are infused with eternal purpose and guided by divine wisdom. [58:50]
3. The Foundation of Obedience: Hearing Christ's words is not sufficient; we must also do what He commands. This active obedience is what distinguishes the wise from the foolish builders. Our lives must be built on the solid rock of Christ's teachings, which involves every decision and action being filtered through His Word. [39:00]
4. Service as an Expression of Love: Serving in the church or community should be an overflow of our love for Christ, not a substitute for our relationship with Him. When we serve, it should stem from a heart transformed by the Gospel, ensuring our service is both joyful and sustainable. [01:03:17]
5. The Urgency of Personal Examination: Regularly assessing our walk with Christ is essential. This introspection ensures we are not merely consumers of religious goods but active participants in the Kingdom work. Such examination fosters a resilient faith that thrives both in times of peace and in trials. [01:16:40]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
13:25 - Opening Announcements and Prayer
30:13 - Reading of Matthew 7:21-23
33:04 - The Scariest Words in the Bible
41:52 - The Call to Active Discipleship
50:30 - Practical Steps to Living Out Faith
58:50 - Total Commitment to Christ
01:06:13 - Serving God, Not the Church
01:16:40 - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 7:21-27 (NIV)
> "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two types of builders described in Matthew 7:24-27, and what distinguishes them from each other?
2. According to the sermon, what are some examples of religious activities that people might do in Jesus' name but still hear "I never knew you" from Him? [36:08]
3. What does Jesus say is necessary to avoid hearing the words "Depart from me, I never knew you"? [38:01]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between fitting Christ into your life and fitting your life around Christ? [52:14]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of both hearing and doing His words in Matthew 7:24-27? How does this relate to the concept of true discipleship?
2. The sermon mentions that many people might be active in church but miss the essence of a true relationship with Christ. What does this imply about the nature of religious activities versus genuine faith? [36:08]
3. How does the parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrate the consequences of obedience and disobedience to Jesus' teachings?
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our service in the church should stem from a personal relationship with Jesus rather than just routine activities? [01:03:17]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current involvement in church activities. Are there any areas where you might be going through the motions without a genuine heart connection to Christ? How can you change this? [36:08]
2. Jesus calls for total commitment, placing Him above all aspects of our lives. What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize your relationship with Christ over other obligations? [58:50]
3. Think about a recent decision or action you took. Did you filter it through Jesus' teachings? How can you ensure that your future decisions are built on the solid rock of Christ's words? [39:00]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of serving as an expression of love for Christ. Identify one way you can serve in your church or community this week that reflects your love for Jesus. [01:03:17]
5. Regular self-examination is crucial for a resilient faith. What specific questions can you ask yourself regularly to assess your walk with Christ and ensure you are an active participant in Kingdom work? [01:16:40]
6. The sermon challenges us to fit our lives around Christ rather than fitting Christ into our lives. What is one specific change you can make in your daily routine to put Christ at the center? [52:14]
7. Consider the urgency of personal examination mentioned in the sermon. How can you create a habit of regular introspection to prevent spiritual complacency and ensure your faith remains active and vibrant? [01:16:40]
Devotional
Day 1: The Deceptive Comfort of Religious Activity
Many believers find themselves deeply involved in church activities, yet they may be missing the essence of a true relationship with Christ. It's easy to fall into the routine of attending services, participating in committees, and even leading church events without examining the heart behind these actions. True discipleship requires more than just activity; it demands a heart fully surrendered to Jesus, seeking to obey His commands out of love rather than obligation. This reflection is crucial to avoid the spiritual catastrophe of hearing "I never knew you" from Christ. [37:10]
James 1:22-24 ESV
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: How does your current involvement in church activities reflect a true relationship with Christ rather than just religious motions?
Day 2: Total Commitment to Christ
Discipleship demands placing Jesus above all aspects of our lives, including family and career. This doesn't mean neglecting our responsibilities but reorienting them under Christ's lordship. Such alignment ensures our actions are infused with eternal purpose and guided by divine wisdom. This level of commitment transforms how we prioritize our time, resources, and relationships, making Christ the central figure in every decision and action. This is the foundation of a life that truly honors God. [58:50]
Luke 14:26-27 ESV
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can prioritize your relationship with Christ above your familial and career obligations?
Day 3: The Foundation of Obedience
Hearing Christ's words is not sufficient; we must also do what He commands. This active obedience is what distinguishes the wise from the foolish builders. Our lives must be built on the solid rock of Christ's teachings, which involves every decision and action being filtered through His Word. This commitment to obedience ensures that our faith is not just theoretical but lived out in practical, everyday actions. [39:00]
Matthew 7:24-25 ESV
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to actively obey Christ's teachings?
Day 4: Service as an Expression of Love
Serving in the church or community should be an overflow of our love for Christ, not a substitute for our relationship with Him. When we serve, it should stem from a heart transformed by the Gospel, ensuring our service is both joyful and sustainable. This perspective prevents us from viewing service as a mere duty and instead as a privilege to express our gratitude and love for what Jesus has done for us. [01:03:17]
1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your service in the church is an expression of your love for Christ and not just a religious duty?
Day 5: The Urgency of Personal Examination
Regularly assessing our walk with Christ is essential to ensure we are not merely consumers of religious goods but active participants in the Kingdom work. This introspection fosters a resilient faith that thrives both in times of peace and in trials. It prompts us to continually align our lives with the Gospel and to make necessary adjustments in our spiritual journey. [01:16:40]
2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to begin a regular practice of examining your faith and alignment with Christ's teachings?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Our Christian life is a life of action, not passivity. We have to get up and go. The Great Commission didn't say sit in your recliner and I'll bring them to you. It said go and make disciples. The disciples are out there, not in here. Our life is a life of action." [51:25]
2. "You've got to make sure that you don't fit Christ into your life. You fit your life into Christ. There is a difference. When I try to fit Christ in my life, He is not the priority. We've got to make sure our life fits into Christ. He is the head of this whole thing." [52:14]
3. "Wake up! It's sunny outside, it'll be alright. I don't want to hear those words. I don't want to hear Jesus look at me and go, I ain't got a clue who you are, big boy. Sorry. And Jesus ends his sermon on the mount this illustration. And it's something I think we need to remember we live our lives every single day." [33:44]
4. "When we give our time, we're giving it to God, not to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. When somebody asks you to do something, they're asking not for you to serve Mt. Pleasant, but for you to serve God in this capacity. We need to remember that that's who we serve." [01:03:17]
5. "If you don't know the Jesus we talked about, the Jesus who died for you, who created you in the womb, who knows every hair on your head, who knows every fiber of your being, and loves you just like you are, we would love to introduce you to Him today." [01:12:51]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Are you teaching those that are bound up in bondage to sin, that there's a way out? That there's one who forgives them, one who came so that they didn't have to be bound up in chains any longer? Are we going and doing what God called us to do?" [41:52]
2. "But our Christian life is a life of action not passivity. We have to get up and go. The Great Commission didn't say sit in your recliner and I'll bring them to you. The Great Commission said go and make disciples. You understand the disciples are not in here. The disciples are out there." [51:25]
3. "Therefore, whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." [38:01]
4. "We've got to make sure that we don't try and fit Christ into our life. We've got to fit our life around Christ. Because He's the one that made you. He's the one that gave you life. And gave me life. He is the one that saved my soul from eternal damnation." [54:12]
5. "God, I just want my life to be one of action. I want to give you my time, my talent, my treasure. God, I have spent too much time trying to fit my life around you. I mean, fit you around my life. God, I am ready to fit my life around you and put you at the center." [01:14:19]
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