Embracing Discipleship: A Journey of Faith and Commitment
Summary
In his sermon, Pastor Todd Jordan begins by emphasizing the importance of gathering in worship as an essential aspect of discipleship and being a follower of Christ. He encourages the congregation to be present in the moment, allowing God's spirit to open their hearts, minds, and lives to receive what God has to offer. The pastor then expresses gratitude to God for the abundance of blessings He has provided and encourages the congregation to praise God and acknowledge His faithfulness. He emphasizes the importance of worship as an opportunity to receive and respond to the word of God.
The pastor then transitions into the importance of embarking on a lifelong journey of faith. He encourages the congregation to engage in various spiritual practices such as prayer, studying scripture, attending worship, participating in sacraments, and fasting. The pastor also highlights the significance of tithing, Christian fellowship, and acts of mercy and justice as integral parts of their lives in the year 2024. The pastor urges the congregation to reflect on their prayer life, the priority they will give to worship, and the time and talent they are willing to offer to the church.
The sermon then moves into the importance of committing to discipleship and being the church that God has called us to be. The pastor urges the congregation to yearn for and embody the church that the world needs to see and hear from. He leads the congregation in a prayer, thanking God for calling them to be disciples and asking for guidance in finding areas in their lives where they need to be more committed to following God.
In the final part of the sermon, the pastor emphasizes the importance of being a disciple in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the world. He highlights the need for spiritual practice to keep one's faith vibrant and alive, just as Jesus went off to pray alone. The pastor encourages the congregation to take an inventory of their lives, including their calendar and budget, to determine if they are giving God what is right or what is left over. They are urged to let go of distractions and things that may be dragging them away from their discipleship.
The pastor also acknowledges the potential doubts and cultural issues that may not align with traditional church beliefs within the congregation. He emphasizes that uncertainty is not frowned upon in this church community, but rather appreciated. He then shares a story about Bishop Tutu to emphasize the importance of discipleship. Despite a national crisis, Bishop Tutu remains committed to his time of prayer and refuses to be disturbed. The pastor uses this story to highlight the significance of spending time with God and receiving the seeds necessary to fulfill God's purpose in the world.
Key Takeaways:
- Gathering in worship is an essential aspect of discipleship and being a follower of Christ. It is a time to be present in the moment, allowing God's spirit to open our hearts, minds, and lives to receive what God has to offer. ([12:45])
- Worship is an opportunity to receive and respond to the word of God. It is a time to reflect and pray about what God wants from us in the coming year. It is also a time to express gratitude to God for the abundance of blessings He has provided. ([24:30])
- Embarking on a lifelong journey of faith involves engaging in various spiritual practices such as prayer, studying scripture, attending worship, participating in sacraments, and fasting. It also involves reflecting on our prayer life, the priority we give to worship, and the time and talent we are willing to offer to the church. ([36:15])
- Committing to discipleship and being the church that God has called us to be is crucial. We are urged to yearn for and embody the church that the world needs to see and hear from. This involves thanking God for calling us to be disciples and asking for guidance in finding areas in our lives where we need to be more committed to following God. ([48:50])
- Being a disciple in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the world requires spiritual practice to keep our faith vibrant and alive. It involves taking an inventory of our lives, including our calendar and budget, to determine if we are giving God what is right or what is left over. We are urged to let go of distractions and things that may be dragging us away from our discipleship. ([59:30])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Luke 10:38-42: "As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!' 'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'"
2. Matthew 16:15-16: "But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'"
3. The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 10:38-42, what are the differences between Martha and Mary's approach to Jesus' visit?
2. In Matthew 16:15-16, what is the significance of Simon Peter's response to Jesus' question?
3. What are the key elements of the prayer that Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:9-13?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does Jesus' response to Martha suggest about the importance of being present and focused in our spiritual practices?
2. How does Simon Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Messiah reflect on our own understanding and acknowledgment of Christ's identity?
3. How does the Lord's Prayer guide us in our daily interactions and commitments to God and others?
Application Questions:
1. Reflecting on the story of Martha and Mary, can you identify a recent situation where you were more like Martha, distracted by many things, rather than being present and focused on God? What can you do differently next time?
2. Considering Simon Peter's confession of Jesus as the Messiah, how can you affirm and express your belief in Christ in your daily life?
3. Using the Lord's Prayer as a model, can you write a personal prayer that reflects your commitment to God's will, your need for daily sustenance, and your desire for forgiveness and deliverance from temptation?
4. What is one distraction in your life that is pulling you away from your discipleship? How can you address this distraction this week?
5. Can you identify one area in your life where you need to be more committed to following God? What is one specific step you can take towards this commitment?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Worship as a Path to Discipleship
Theme: "The Power of Presence in Worship"
Description: Worship is not just a routine or tradition, but an essential aspect of discipleship and being a follower of Christ. It is a sacred time to be fully present, allowing God's spirit to open our hearts, minds, and lives to receive what He has to offer ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmpiLPb9uo&t=750s)).
Bible Passage: Psalm 95:6 - "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."
Reflection: How can you be more present during worship? What distractions can you eliminate to fully receive what God has to offer?
Day 2: Lifelong Journey of Faith
Theme: "Engaging in Spiritual Practices"
Description: Embarking on a lifelong journey of faith involves engaging in various spiritual practices such as prayer, studying scripture, attending worship, participating in sacraments, and fasting. Reflect on your prayer life, the priority you give to worship, and the time and talent you are willing to offer to the church ([36:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmpiLPb9uo&t=2160s)).
Bible Passage: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 - "Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
Reflection: What spiritual practices can you incorporate into your daily routine? How can you prioritize these practices in your life?
Day 3: Committing to Discipleship
Theme: "Being the Church God Calls Us to Be"
Description: Committing to discipleship and being the church that God has called us to be is crucial. We are urged to yearn for and embody the church that the world needs to see and hear from. Thank God for calling you to be a disciple and ask for guidance in finding areas in your life where you need to be more committed to following God ([48:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmpiLPb9uo&t=2915s)).
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:1 - "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received."
Reflection: How can you embody the church that the world needs to see and hear from? What areas in your life do you need to be more committed to following God?
Day 4: Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Theme: "Keeping Faith Vibrant and Alive"
Description: Being a disciple in order to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the world requires spiritual practice to keep our faith vibrant and alive. Take an inventory of your life, including your calendar and budget, to determine if you are giving God what is right or what is left over. Let go of distractions and things that may be dragging you away from your discipleship ([59:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZmpiLPb9uo&t=3555s)).
Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Reflection: What distractions are dragging you away from your discipleship? How can you adjust your calendar and budget to give God what is right?
Day 5: Embracing Uncertainty in Faith
Theme: "Appreciating Uncertainty in Our Faith Journey"
Description: Doubts and cultural issues that may not align with traditional church beliefs are not frowned upon, but rather appreciated. Reflect on the story of Bishop Tutu who, despite a national crisis, remained committed to his time of prayer and refused to be disturbed. This highlights the significance of spending time with God and receiving the seeds necessary to fulfill God's purpose in the world.
Bible Passage: James 1:5-6 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
Reflection: How can you embrace uncertainty in your faith journey? How can you commit to spending more time with God despite the challenges and distractions in your life?
Quotes
"Fasting doesn't have to be fasting from food, it could be fasting from personal devices, fasting from the remote control, fasting from the things that distract you the most." [43:23]
"Pray about what your giving needs to look like. What is your prayer life going to look like in 2024? How will worship be a priority for you? How will you serve and bear witness?" [44:32]
"Let's make a decision now to commit to the life that we know we need to commit to because if we don't do the work we need to do here, we can't do the work God needs us to do out there." [46:29]
"We have nothing to offer the world, it's that simple. If we want to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the world, we first have to be a disciple." [36:57]
"Taking an inventory of your life, your calendar, your budget, and asking where is God's presence. Are you giving God what's right or what's left over?" [37:47]
"Discipleship is about intimacy and vulnerability with God. It's acknowledging that God already sees the deepest places of your heart and growing in intimacy and vulnerability with Him." [38:39]
"One of the most powerful ways that we can live out peace is by being engaged in worship." [02:45]
"Discipleship is us giving up our ways, our priorities, our agenda in order to take on Jesus. Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what Jesus was saying, but Martha was distracted." [30:36]
"Too many things have dragged me away to where I am right. We know where our heart should be, but we find ourselves dragged away by responsibilities, fears, desires, and worldly concerns. If you want to know Jesus, you got to spend time with Jesus." [32:07]
"Whenever we gather for worship, it is an opportunity to receive the word of God and to respond to the word of God."
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