Embracing Authentic Discipleship and God's Peace
Summary
In the midst of life's chaos and distractions, it's crucial to prioritize moments of peace and communion with God. This peace, unlike the world's fleeting calm, is a profound gift that transcends understanding and circumstances. As we conclude our series on the Great Commission, we reflect on Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His commands. This mission is not just about humanitarian aid but about building true disciples who embody the teachings of Christ.
Our church has a rich history of missions, bridging the gap between our community and those in need globally. This mission is not just about providing physical needs but also about spiritual nourishment and discipleship. We are called to be authentic in our faith, moving away from consumer-driven church culture to a genuine pursuit of Jesus. This involves counting the cost of discipleship, which is a challenging yet rewarding journey.
Baptism is a significant step in this journey, symbolizing a change in allegiance and the remission of sins. It is a command that equips us to fulfill God's purpose. As disciples, our lives should reflect our faith, speaking louder than words. Jesus calls us to love God and others, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross. This path of self-denial leads to true joy and fulfillment, as we align our will with God's.
The Great Commission is a call to action, to go out into the world and make disciples, not just converts. It is about living out our faith authentically and demonstrating the love of Christ in our communities. As we embrace this mission, we are reminded that Jesus is with us always, empowering us to fulfill His call.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Gift of Peace: In the midst of life's chaos, God's peace is a profound gift that transcends understanding. It is not the absence of turmoil but a deep sense of calm that is available to us through communion with Him. This peace is a reminder of His presence and power in our lives. [56:07]
2. Authentic Discipleship: The call to discipleship is a call to authenticity, moving away from consumer-driven church culture to a genuine pursuit of Jesus. This involves counting the cost and embracing the challenges of following Christ, which leads to true joy and fulfillment. [01:04:07]
3. The Significance of Baptism: Baptism is more than a symbol; it is a command that signifies a change in allegiance and the remission of sins. It equips us to fulfill God's purpose and is a vital step in our journey as disciples. [01:17:42]
4. Living Out Our Faith: As disciples, our lives should reflect our faith, speaking louder than words. Jesus calls us to love God and others, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross. This path of self-denial leads to true joy and fulfillment. [01:35:27]
5. The Great Commission: The Great Commission is a call to action, to go out into the world and make disciples, not just converts. It is about living out our faith authentically and demonstrating the love of Christ in our communities. Jesus is with us always, empowering us to fulfill His call. [01:39:29]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [56:07] - The Gift of Peace
- [57:17] - Understanding the Great Commission
- [59:24] - Missions and Discipleship
- [01:01:33] - Local and Global Outreach
- [01:02:53] - Authority and Obedience
- [01:04:07] - Authentic Discipleship
- [01:07:42] - God's Order and Judgment
- [01:08:49] - Counting the Cost of Discipleship
- [01:10:43] - The Treasure of the Kingdom
- [01:12:41] - Preaching Through Actions
- [01:14:54] - The Call to Baptism
- [01:17:42] - Baptism's Significance
- [01:19:51] - Freedom Through Baptism
- [01:23:13] - The Narrow Path to Life
- [01:25:05] - Obedience and Grace
- [01:29:57] - The Greatest Commandments
- [01:31:05] - Love as a Mark of Discipleship
- [01:34:43] - Denying Self and Embracing God's Will
- [01:39:29] - The Promise of His Presence
- [01:40:55] - Demonstrating Love in the World
- [01:43:30] - The Challenge of Affluence
- [01:44:18] - Invitation to Discipleship
- [01:45:30] - Prayer and Response
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:18-20
2. Luke 14:28-33
3. Romans 6:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jesus command His followers to do in the Great Commission as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20? How does this relate to the mission of making disciples? [57:17]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate the difference between consumer-driven church culture and authentic discipleship? [01:04:07]
3. How is baptism described in the sermon, and what significance does it hold for a disciple of Christ? [01:17:42]
4. What are some of the challenges mentioned in the sermon that come with following the path of self-denial and taking up one's cross? [01:35:27]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the peace that Jesus offers differ from the peace that the world gives, according to the sermon? Why is this peace considered a profound gift? [56:07]
2. What does it mean to count the cost of discipleship, and why is it important for someone considering following Christ to do so? [01:08:49]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of baptism in the life of a believer, and why is it considered more than just a symbolic act? [01:17:42]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living out our faith should speak louder than words? How can this be demonstrated in daily life? [01:12:41]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's peace in the midst of chaos. How can you prioritize moments of peace and communion with God in your daily routine? [56:07]
2. Consider the consumer-driven aspects of church culture mentioned in the sermon. How can you personally contribute to fostering a culture of authentic discipleship in your church community? [01:04:07]
3. If you have been baptized, how did that experience impact your faith journey? If you haven't, what steps can you take to understand its significance and consider it as part of your discipleship? [01:17:42]
4. Identify one area in your life where you struggle with self-denial. What practical steps can you take to align your will with God's and find true joy and fulfillment? [01:35:27]
5. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, not just converts. Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally invest in spiritually this week? [01:39:29]
6. How can you demonstrate the love of Christ in your community this week? Think of a specific action you can take to show love to someone in need. [01:40:55]
7. Reflect on the idea of being a disciple whose life speaks louder than words. What is one change you can make in your daily actions to better reflect your faith? [01:12:41]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gift of Transcendent Peace
In the midst of life's chaos, God's peace is a profound gift that transcends understanding. This peace is not the absence of turmoil but a deep sense of calm available through communion with Him. It serves as a reminder of His presence and power in our lives, offering solace and strength even when circumstances are challenging. Embracing this peace requires intentional moments of stillness and reflection, allowing God's presence to permeate our hearts and minds. [56:07]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to invite God's peace today, and how can you create a moment of stillness to experience it?
Day 2: Authenticity in Discipleship
The call to discipleship is a call to authenticity, moving away from a consumer-driven church culture to a genuine pursuit of Jesus. This involves counting the cost and embracing the challenges of following Christ, which leads to true joy and fulfillment. Authentic discipleship is about embodying the teachings of Christ in every aspect of life, allowing His love and truth to transform us from the inside out. It requires a commitment to live out our faith with integrity and purpose, reflecting the character of Jesus in our actions and relationships. [01:04:07]
Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel challenged to live more authentically as a disciple of Christ, and what steps can you take to align your actions with your faith?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of Baptism
Baptism is more than a symbol; it is a command that signifies a change in allegiance and the remission of sins. It equips us to fulfill God's purpose and is a vital step in our journey as disciples. Through baptism, we publicly declare our commitment to follow Christ, embracing a new identity in Him. This transformative act marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, where we continually seek to grow in our relationship with God and live out His calling in our lives. [01:17:42]
Romans 6:3-4 (ESV): "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Reflection: Reflect on your own baptism or the concept of baptism. How does this act of faith continue to shape your identity and purpose as a follower of Christ?
Day 4: Living Faith Through Action
As disciples, our lives should reflect our faith, speaking louder than words. Jesus calls us to love God and others, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross. This path of self-denial leads to true joy and fulfillment as we align our will with God's. Living out our faith authentically means demonstrating the love of Christ in our communities, allowing our actions to be a testament to His transformative power in our lives. [01:35:27]
James 2:17-18 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith and I have works.' Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
Reflection: Identify one practical way you can demonstrate the love of Christ in your community this week. How can your actions reflect your faith in a tangible way?
Day 5: Embracing the Great Commission
The Great Commission is a call to action, to go out into the world and make disciples, not just converts. It is about living out our faith authentically and demonstrating the love of Christ in our communities. As we embrace this mission, we are reminded that Jesus is with us always, empowering us to fulfill His call. This commission challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with others, sharing the hope and truth of the Gospel with those around us. [01:39:29]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you feel called to share the love and message of Christ with? What steps can you take to build a relationship and share your faith with them?
Quotes
"This is after Jesus is resurrected, and he's about to ascend into heaven. And he says this, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey. Obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age." [00:57:39] (24 seconds)
"So this bridge was built. So missions have always been a huge part of the heart of this church. And it's not just humanitarian aid, which is really important, right? We make sure that these kids that are in our children's villages are fed. They get the nutrients they need to get the love that they need to get all these things. But it's not just humanitarian aid. We are building disciples. Disciples, right?" [00:59:40] (27 seconds)
"I feel like we kind of went, we were at a crossroads at some point and, and we had a choice. We had a choice. We had a choice. We had a choice. We had a choice. We had a choice. We had a choice to go one way or the other. And I feel like there's one way that can be kind of inauthentic. And then there's one, another way that can be authentic. And I feel like we're doing whatever we can to go the road of authenticity." [01:03:37] (23 seconds)
"Following Christ will probably be the hardest thing that you ever do, and anybody who tells you differently is probably trying to sell you something. Right? Yeah, a book or something, right? Or, like, keep coming to church and pay your tithe, and I'll tell you what you want to hear. You know? That's kind of what it is." [01:09:27] (21 seconds)
"Being a disciple, that's where I was. Okay. When necessary, use words. Our lives as disciples, our lives as followers of Christ, our lives themselves, what we do should speak louder than our words. Because oftentimes, like, I'll tell my wife something, like, yeah, I really care about this thing. But she's like, your actions don't show it. I'm like, ooh, yeah, you're right." [01:14:30] (25 seconds)
"Baptism is a bunch of things. Firstly, it's a change in allegiance. I love that definition. It's a change of allegiance. You're saying that I'm turning my back to the world. I'm turning my back to the devil. I'm turning my back to all that stuff. And I'm pledging my allegiance to Jesus Christ. It's not just something we just do. Like, I'm going to get baptized today. It's like, no." [01:17:14] (28 seconds)
"Jesus said to his disciples, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Jesus commands his followers to embrace self-denial. Who wants to come back to church next week? Yes, awesome. So funny, because they're like talking about growth and stuff. Like, yeah, we're going to grow. And it's like, we're going to grow, yep, but may not be in numbers. It might be people growing, you know what I mean? No, it's cool. It's really good." [01:35:21] (36 seconds)
"Make people who fought. Don't go out and have people say the prayer, the sinner's prayer, and like, oh, you're good now. Okay, I'm going to move on. No, he says make disciples. Man, that's one of the things that was just like sold us. Like, you say the prayer, you're good. It's like, no, he says follow me. I think one of the greatest things that came out of the Protestant Reformation was, yeah, you are saved by faith alone. You could do nothing on your own merit." [01:37:43] (29 seconds)
"Lord, would you just give us a glimpse of the worthiness of the pursuit of your kingdom? Lord, because he said, seek first the kingdom of God, and all the other stuff will be added to you. Don't worry about that stuff, but seek the kingdom because that is what you need. Everything else is peripheral. Everything else is peripheral. Lord, help us to seek you and your kingdom." [01:45:41] (33 seconds)
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