Embodying Discipleship: The Adventure of Faith

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound call to discipleship, emphasizing the "go and tell" mandate that Jesus exemplified. This call is not just about sharing words but embodying the living Word, Jesus, in our daily lives. As we worshiped, I felt a strong prophetic picture of the church as a power source, with Jesus as the ultimate source of life and energy. We are called to be fully alive and engaged, stepping into our divine design and calling. This involves being conductors of God's power, bridging gaps where there are breaks, and being dispatched as spiritual special ops, equipped with spiritual weapons to save and deliver, not destroy.

Reflecting on the story of Daniel, we are reminded that God is sovereign over times and seasons, and our mission remains unchanged regardless of worldly events. We are part of an unshakable kingdom, and our task is to partner with God in releasing His will on earth. In Matthew 9, we see Jesus as a man who operated outside religious norms, calling His disciples to a life of adventure and purpose. The Christian walk is far from boring; it is a journey of discovery and activation, where we are called to exhaust the possibilities of our faith.

Discipleship is not merely about receiving instruction but engaging in on-the-job training, as Jesus demonstrated. We are to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, embodying the written Word in our lives. This embodiment is powerful, as it leads to transformation and demonstration of God's love and power. We are called to see people as Jesus did, recognizing their needs and responding with compassion. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, and we are urged to pray for more workers to be sent into the fields.

In this season, we are challenged to step into our roles as activators, supporters, or those seeking a fresh word from God. It's about being fully alive and engaged in the adventure of faith, partnering with others, and moving beyond programs to become a people who say yes to Jesus. We are called to reflect God's heart, to be His hands and feet, and to awaken the dormant callings within us. Let us embrace this adventure, allowing the Spirit to fan the flames of our passion and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

- The Power Source of the Church: We are called to be fully alive and engaged, drawing our power from Jesus, the ultimate source. As conductors of God's power, we bridge gaps and stand in the breach, bringing life and energy to the world. [01:39]

- Sovereignty and Mission: Regardless of worldly events, God's sovereignty remains, and our mission as part of His unshakable kingdom is unchanged. We are to partner with God in releasing His will on earth, focusing on His eternal purposes. [05:32]

- Discipleship as Adventure: The Christian walk is an adventure, not a mundane routine. We are called to explore the possibilities of our faith, engaging in on-the-job training and embodying the living Word in our lives. [09:52]

- Seeing with Compassion: Like Jesus, we are called to see people with compassion, recognizing their needs and responding with love. The harvest is plentiful, and we must pray for more laborers to join in the work of the kingdom. [23:09]

- Activation and Partnership: We are challenged to step into our roles as activators, supporters, or seekers of a fresh word from God. It's about being fully alive, partnering with others, and moving beyond programs to become a people who say yes to Jesus. [28:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:39] - Prophetic Picture of the Church
- [03:07] - Spiritual Special Ops
- [05:32] - Sovereignty and Mission
- [07:23] - Jesus Outside the Lines
- [08:59] - Adventure of Faith
- [09:52] - Discipleship as On-the-Job Training
- [11:18] - Go and Tell
- [13:26] - Proclaiming the Gospel
- [14:28] - Power of the Living Word
- [17:22] - Embodying the Word
- [18:45] - Spirit's Transformative Word
- [20:22] - Seeing with Compassion
- [23:09] - Harassed and Helpless
- [28:24] - Activation and Partnership
- [30:54] - Beyond Programs to People
- [33:37] - Reflection and Reproduction of God's Heart

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Daniel 2:19-22 - "During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: 'Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.'"
2. Matthew 9:35-38 - "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
3. Matthew 28:19-20 - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Daniel 2:19-22 reveal about God's sovereignty over earthly events and leaders? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on God's unchanging mission? [05:32]
2. In Matthew 9:35-38, what actions did Jesus take as he traveled through towns and villages? How did he respond to the crowds he encountered? [23:09]
3. According to Matthew 28:19-20, what are the specific instructions Jesus gives to his disciples regarding their mission? How does this align with the sermon’s call to "go and tell"? [11:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the church's role as a "power source" and what does it mean to be conductors of God's power? [01:39]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of God's sovereignty in Daniel 2:19-22 provide comfort or challenge to believers in times of political or social uncertainty? [05:32]
2. What does it mean to see people with compassion as Jesus did in Matthew 9:35-38? How can this perspective change the way believers engage with their communities? [23:09]
3. The sermon describes discipleship as an adventure rather than a routine. How does this perspective influence the way one might approach their faith journey? [09:52]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest believers can embody the living Word in their daily lives, and how does this differ from merely sharing the written Word? [17:22]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to step into a role as an "activator" or "supporter" in your faith community. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [28:24]
2. The sermon challenges believers to move beyond programs and become a people who say yes to Jesus. What is one specific way you can say yes to Jesus this week in your personal life or community? [30:54]
3. How can you actively seek to see people with compassion in your daily interactions, especially those who might be "harassed and helpless"? What practical steps can you take to respond with love? [23:09]
4. Consider the idea of being a "conductor" of God's power. What are some areas in your life where you can bridge gaps and bring life and energy to those around you? [01:39]
5. The sermon mentions the importance of praying for more laborers in the harvest. How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine, and who might you encourage to join you in this prayer? [23:09]
6. Reflect on the adventure of faith described in the sermon. What is one new way you can explore the possibilities of your faith this month? [09:52]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the need for a fresh word from God. How can you create space to listen and receive guidance in this area? [28:24]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Conduit of Divine Power
The church is envisioned as a dynamic power source, drawing its life and energy from Jesus, the ultimate source. This power is not meant to be hoarded but conducted through us to the world, bridging gaps and standing in the breach where there is brokenness. As believers, we are called to be fully alive and engaged, embodying the life-giving presence of Jesus in our daily interactions. This involves being spiritual special ops, equipped with spiritual weapons to save and deliver, not destroy. Our mission is to bring life and energy to the world, reflecting the heart of God in all we do. [01:39]

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life can you act as a conduit of God's power, bringing life and energy to those around you today?

Day 2: Unchanging Mission Amidst Changing Times
Despite the ever-changing events of the world, God's sovereignty remains steadfast, and our mission as part of His unshakable kingdom is unchanged. We are called to partner with God in releasing His will on earth, focusing on His eternal purposes rather than being swayed by temporary circumstances. This involves trusting in God's sovereignty over times and seasons, as exemplified in the story of Daniel. Our task is to remain faithful to our calling, knowing that we are part of a kingdom that cannot be shaken. [05:32]

"He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." (Daniel 2:21, ESV)

Reflection: How can you align your daily actions with God's eternal purposes, even when the world around you seems uncertain?

Day 3: Discipleship as a Journey of Adventure
The Christian walk is not a mundane routine but an adventure filled with discovery and activation. We are called to explore the possibilities of our faith, engaging in on-the-job training as Jesus demonstrated. Discipleship involves embodying the living Word in our lives, leading to transformation and demonstration of God's love and power. This journey requires us to step out of our comfort zones, embracing the adventure of faith and exhausting the possibilities of what God can do through us. [09:52]

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)

Reflection: What new step of faith can you take today to embrace the adventure of discipleship and explore the possibilities of your faith?

Day 4: Seeing People with the Compassion of Jesus
We are called to see people as Jesus did, recognizing their needs and responding with compassion. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few, and we are urged to pray for more workers to join in the work of the kingdom. This involves looking beyond the surface and seeing the harassed and helpless with the eyes of Jesus, responding with love and compassion. Our mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, meeting the needs of those around us and reflecting His heart to the world. [23:09]

"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: Who in your life is in need of compassion today, and how can you respond to them with the love of Jesus?

Day 5: Activation and Partnership in Faith
In this season, we are challenged to step into our roles as activators, supporters, or seekers of a fresh word from God. It's about being fully alive, partnering with others, and moving beyond programs to become a people who say yes to Jesus. This involves awakening the dormant callings within us and allowing the Spirit to fan the flames of our passion and purpose. We are called to reflect God's heart, to be His hands and feet, and to embrace the adventure of faith with others. [28:24]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: How can you partner with others in your faith community to activate your calling and encourage one another in love and good works today?

Quotes

2. "And I was thinking about that in the context of the church, and I think sometimes, you know, it's like we carry a power source. His name is Jesus. And, you know, are we as a house, are we all the way across the globe stepping toward the presence and the spirit of God who is our source to be fully alive, fully engaged, fully active with regard to our design and call?" [00:01:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "And so my heart in the house this morning is that we would find ourselves partnering with the God, the King of heaven in releasing what it is that he wants to deliver into the earth, to not become distracted or sidetracked, but to say as Justin and many others in the house say, which is, here am I, send me." [00:05:49] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There is no such thing as a boring Christian life. It's an oxymoron, right? Maybe for some of us, it's a matter of catching up our understanding because, and here's the thing, which there's a little bit of irony to this, the fact that I'm standing before you, the foolishness of teaching and preaching." [00:09:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And Jesus' model, when we look on the pages of the gospel, it did not work that way. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. It's all about on-the-job training. I mean, certainly we can say on the pages of Scripture, after the calling of the disciples in Matthew chapter 4, as we kind of flip through some of the pages, there's this activation that's happening and Jesus is healing, freeing, delivering." [00:10:31] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Jesus became the very embodiment of what was written through the ages from the prophet Isaiah. I was saying, I was saying, I was saying, I was saying, I was saying, I was saying, I was saying, I was saying, I was thinking about this a little bit. So in my insurance days, just a little reflection so you can feel my degree of pain." [00:15:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The living Word as it comes through your person is a lot more powerful. The living Word that comes through your life is a lot more powerful. The embodiment of who you are and what He is doing in your life, in your walk, is powerful because people pick up the nuances of your life." [00:17:11] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "And so he's giving us spirit eyes in this hour to see what he sees, to partner with him and do what he does. It's not about the program. If, if you come to the Northgate house looking for a program, we're going to fall short. But if you're coming to the Northgate house because you're going to be a part of the program, you're looking to become a part of a people who say yes to Jesus and are all in." [00:30:37] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

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