Embracing God's Mission: Discipleship Through Grace and Love
Summary
In the discourse delivered by Dave Bus, Mission Exec for the Southern District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, the central theme revolves around the concept of mission, specifically God's mission for humanity both individually and corporately as the Church. The mission, as defined by the dictionary, is the act of being sent on special work, which aligns perfectly with the Christian understanding derived from the Great Commission in Matthew 28. This biblical passage is pivotal as it encapsulates Jesus' directive to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all His commands, with the assurance of His continual presence.
The mission is not a solitary endeavor but a collective one, where individuals are part of the means through which God works. This is further explained through the concept of the means of grace, which includes the spoken and written word of the Gospel, as well as the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion. These means are the channels through which God imparts grace, forgiveness, and the benefits of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. The power of God's word is emphasized, as it is believed to effect change and bring about faith in individuals.
A disciple, as described, is a Christian, a believer, and one who bears fruit by sharing their faith and living out the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Discipleship involves a willingness to suffer for Christ, as suffering can lead to spiritual growth and opportunities to serve others. The importance of abiding in Jesus' word is highlighted, as it is through the word that disciples are edified and transformed.
The discourse also touches on the practical aspects of living out one's faith, such as the importance of being active in the community of believers, participating in church activities, and engaging in personal prayer and Bible study. The significance of love as a hallmark of discipleship is underscored, with the assertion that Christians should be recognized by their love for one another.
The narrative includes personal anecdotes that illustrate how God works through various means, including other people, to accomplish His purposes. One such story recounts how a Christian's act of kindness led a Muslim taxi driver in Iran to inquire about Christianity, revealing the power of living out one's faith in everyday actions.
In conclusion, the message calls for a commitment to the mission of making disciples, a task that is both challenging and rewarding. It is a mission that requires a willing heart, trust in God's promises, and a readiness to share the Gospel with others. The assurance of God's presence and the promise of eternal rewards provide the motivation to persevere in this divine calling.
Key Takeaways:
- The Great Commission is not just a call to action but a promise of Jesus' continual presence, ensuring that the mission is a co-mission with God. This understanding transforms the daunting task of making disciples into a collaborative effort with divine support. [16:56]
- The means of grace—God's word, baptism, and Holy Communion—are not mere religious rituals but powerful channels through which God imparts His grace and forgiveness. These means are essential for nurturing faith and sustaining the life of a disciple. [22:19]
- True discipleship is characterized by bearing fruit, both in leading others to faith and in exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit. This outward expression of an inward transformation is a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. [28:29]
- Suffering and challenges are an integral part of the Christian journey, yet they serve a purpose. They can strengthen faith, provide opportunities for service, and remind believers of the ultimate hope in Christ's promise of eternal life. [32:10]
- Sharing one's faith is not limited to overt evangelism but is often reflected in the way Christians live their daily lives. Acts of kindness, integrity, and love can open doors for conversations about faith and demonstrate the reality of the Gospel. [38:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:18-20 (The Great Commission)
> "Then Jesus came to them and said, '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 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.'"
2. Ephesians 2:8-10
> "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
3. Galatians 5:22-23
> "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
### Observation Questions
1. What is the definition of "mission" as described in the sermon, and how does it relate to the Great Commission in Matthew 28? ([15:29])
2. According to the sermon, what are the "means of grace" and how do they function in the life of a disciple? ([17:46])
3. What are the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, and how are they relevant to discipleship? ([28:29])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of suffering in the life of a disciple? ([30:36])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the assurance of Jesus' continual presence in the Great Commission transform the task of making disciples into a collaborative effort with divine support? ([16:56])
2. In what ways do the means of grace (God's word, baptism, and Holy Communion) nurture and sustain the faith of a disciple? ([22:19])
3. How can the fruits of the Spirit serve as evidence of an inward transformation in a believer's life? ([28:29])
4. What are some practical ways that suffering can lead to spiritual growth and opportunities to serve others, as mentioned in the sermon? ([32:10])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the Great Commission. How can you personally participate in making disciples in your daily life? ([16:56])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the means of grace. How can you make the sacraments and God's word a more integral part of your spiritual routine? ([22:19])
3. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with your family or community? ([28:29])
4. Think of a recent challenge or suffering you have faced. How did it impact your faith, and how can you use that experience to serve others? ([32:10])
5. The sermon highlights the importance of love as a hallmark of discipleship. Identify one person in your life who needs to experience Christ's love. What specific act of kindness can you show them this week? ([37:18])
6. Reflect on the story of the Muslim taxi driver in Iran. How can your everyday actions and kindness open doors for conversations about faith? ([36:25])
7. How can you stay committed to personal prayer and Bible study, and what steps can you take to ensure you remain active in your community of believers? ([33:38])
Devotional
Day 1: Collaborative Mission with Christ
God's mission is a shared journey with Christ at our side, guiding and empowering us to spread His word. The Great Commission is not a solitary task but a partnership with the divine, where Jesus' presence assures us that we are never alone in our endeavors to make disciples. This co-mission with God transforms the daunting task into a joyous collaboration. [16:56]
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."
Reflection: How does understanding your role in God's mission as a partnership with Christ change your perspective on sharing your faith?
Day 2: Grace Through Word and Sacrament
The means of grace are God's vessels for imparting His love and forgiveness. Through the word, baptism, and Holy Communion, believers are nurtured and sustained in their faith. These are not mere rituals but powerful encounters with the divine, essential for the life of a disciple. [22:19]
1 Peter 3:21 - "And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's grace through His word or the sacraments recently?
Day 3: The Fruits of True Discipleship
Discipleship is evidenced by a life that bears spiritual fruit, reflecting the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. A true disciple not only leads others to faith but also lives out the fruits of the Spirit, serving as a testament to God's active presence in their life. [28:29]
Galatians 5:22-23 - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel God is calling you to cultivate more actively in your life?
Day 4: Embracing Suffering in Faith
Suffering is an integral part of the Christian journey, serving to deepen faith and provide opportunities for service. Challenges remind believers of the hope in Christ and the eternal life promised, encouraging them to persevere and grow spiritually. [32:10]
Romans 5:3-4 - "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Reflection: Can you identify a recent hardship that has strengthened your faith or allowed you to serve others in a new way?
Day 5: Living Faith Through Action
The authenticity of one's faith is often demonstrated in daily actions. Acts of kindness and love can lead to opportunities for sharing the Gospel and show the reality of Christ's teachings in practical ways. [38:00]
1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Reflection: What is one act of kindness you can perform today that might open a conversation about your faith or demonstrate the love of Christ?
Quotes
"A disciple will have love for others; by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. [...] It's magical, I mean it does stuff, it's powerful." [35:05] (Download)
"When you extend that love beyond these doors, it's magical. Maybe magical wasn't the right word, but it does stuff, it's powerful." [35:05] (Download)
"He said because you do things that Islam does not do, like he said I saw you the other day open the door for a woman and let her have the cab. They don't do that in Islam or in Iran." [36:25] (Download)
"Do the people in your circles know you're a Christian? Do they know you go to church, that you care about your faith, that you think your faith is important?" [39:26] (Download)
"When they're suffering and they know they can't solve it themselves, who are they going to reach out to? Somebody that potentially has a solution, a Christian, somebody that has joy in their hearts and believes." [40:10] (Download)
"God's Works God works through means God works through means specifically he works through three things we call those the means of Grace so he works through his spoken word and I think that's a typo the written and spoken word of the Gospel he also works through two sacraments baptism and Holy Communion means means this is this is how he's going to do it this is this is his his plan and he's going to do something and this is how." [17:46] (Download)
"God says my word does not come back to me void it does stuff God's word does things it makes changes in our lives it changes human beings then in the sacraments in like holy baptism which is the first one which the first one we'll see is God comes into us through the Holy Spirit and his word." [18:34] (Download)
"Jesus says I am the Mana from heaven and he will provide for us until he is with us in heaven and he gives us this commission that he works with us to make disciples of all Nations and it's glorious work, it's wonderful work and it's something we're in together." [50:37] (Download)
"God uses us to plant seeds if our hearts are willing, but when the Holy Spirit is prompting us, sometimes we ignore it because it's easy to say no, right, especially if we don't want to put in the work or we're busy, we're tired, maybe we're not feeling confident." [52:15] (Download)
"The church has a responsibility to lead and nurture its members in their life of discipleship by teaching the whole counsel of God." [48:17] (Download)
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