Embracing Discipleship: Transforming Resolutions into Rhythms

What we really need is to build rhythms and not resolutions. You see, resolutions are about behavior modification, whereas rhythms are about our lifestyle. Resolutions are restricting, whereas rhythms free us to live the life we want. Resolutions are pass-fail. You either did it or you didn't. Rhythms are practiced one day at a time. [00:38:41] (34 seconds)


In order to really understand what a disciple is, we need to understand the Jewish educational system of Jesus' time. See, when a child was young, in elementary school age, they went to Bet Sefer, it's called. It means the house of the book. And in that time, they would go to the house of the book. And they would memorize the Torah, which is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, the Old Testament's first five books of our Bible, too, called the Torah. [00:40:33] (34 seconds)


If we are not intentionally being formed by Jesus, we are likely, being unintentionally formed by something else. I'm going to say that again. If we are not intentionally being formed by Jesus, we are likely being unintentionally formed by something else. So, how can we be a disciple of Jesus? [00:42:48] (29 seconds)


The three goals of an apprentice. Number one, be with the rabbi. Number two, be like the rabbi. And number three, do what the rabbi does. As you would follow your rabbi, day in and day out, these things would be different. Number two, be like the rabbi. And number three, be like the rabbi. three things would be your focus. That is being a disciple. [00:43:32] (28 seconds)


In the New Testament, the word Christian is used three times. Three. The word disciple is used 269 times. That's a big difference. Christian, Jesus did not call Christians. He called disciples. Christian was actually started as kind of a way of putting down the followers of Jesus. And then eventually they took that on as an identity. Christian, it means little Christ. That's a good thing. [00:44:00] (40 seconds)


Being a disciple or an apprentice of Jesus is our responsibility. We are responsible to arrange our lives in a way where we are being with Jesus. We are becoming like Jesus so that we can do what Jesus did. Jesus says, come follow me. It is the disciples job to do the following. [00:47:21] (26 seconds)


Becoming an apprentice is a decision to be something rather than just learning to do something this is my trade this is who I am going to be not you're not just teaching they're not just teaching you about it they're teaching you to be it masters are investing in you you're not just an employee. [00:50:02] (25 seconds)


But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. When Jesus said this, it was in the context of saying don't worry what you're going to eat. Don't worry what you're going to eat. Don't worry what you're going to eat. Don't worry what you're going to wear. God knows. But seek his kingdom first and this others will be added. [00:54:02] (27 seconds)


We seek God's kingdom first by being with Jesus, by becoming like him, and by doing what Jesus did. And I don't know about you, but I am pretty far from looking like Jesus in many areas of my life. But I believe he is leading us as a church all into a new level of apprenticeship to him. [00:54:51] (29 seconds)


Transformation is possible if we are willing to arrange our lives around the practices, rhythms, and truths that Jesus himself did, which will open our lives to God's power to change. This is what I want for us in this year and every year. I want transformation. I need transformation. [00:55:23] (28 seconds)


The thing about being apprentice to Jesus is that he doesn't leave you out there on your own. An apprentice is with the master. God sent the Holy Spirit to be with us every step of the way, and empower us to be with the Lord. with Jesus, to be like Jesus, and to do what Jesus did. [01:01:07] (26 seconds)