Embracing Lifelong Discipleship and the Power of Invitation
Summary
In the message delivered by Pastors Marlee and Dave Page on January 7, 2024, the central theme revolves around the mission of the church and the individual's role in discipleship and evangelism. The message begins with a reflection on the New Year and the concept of resolutions, suggesting that for followers of Jesus Christ, the commitment to spiritual growth and sharing the faith is not confined to a yearly promise but is an ongoing, lifelong endeavor.
The pastors introduce the mission statement of First Baptist Church Kingsville, which emphasizes becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ and inviting others to do the same. This mission is rooted in the Great Commission, where Jesus commands his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey his commands. The pastors stress that this is not a solitary journey but one that is accompanied by the presence and support of Jesus himself.
Discipleship is defined as a process of teaching, training, developing, and releasing individuals to live out their faith. Marks of discipleship, as outlined by Jesus, include loving one another, prioritizing Jesus above all relationships, becoming more like Jesus, and staying connected to him. The pastors emphasize that discipleship is not just about personal growth but also about transformation and reformation of one's life through a relationship with Christ.
The message also highlights the power of invitation, both from God and from believers to others. The pastors recount various biblical examples where invitations played a crucial role in bringing people to faith. They remind the congregation that God invites all, including sinners and the weary, to come to him for rest and salvation. The human element in this divine invitation is crucial, as believers are called to extend these invitations to others, thereby participating in God's mission.
The pastors discuss the importance of personal growth for the expansion of the church community. They encourage the congregation to consider where they might be nudged to recommit to learning, connecting, and becoming more like Jesus. The message also touches on the benefits of discipleship, such as developing a rock-solid faith, a clear and confident assurance in God, and becoming stable and strong individuals in an unstable world.
The message concludes with a prayer, reflecting on the significance of Epiphany Sunday and the work of Christmas that continues beyond the holiday season. The prayer is a call to action to welcome newcomers, heal the planet, feed the hungry, build bridges of trust, and bring Christ's light to the world. The pastors urge the congregation to renew their affection for Jesus and refocus their attention on him, inviting others to come and know the love of God.
Key Takeaways:
- Discipleship is a lifelong journey that involves not only accepting Christ for personal salvation but also engaging in the continuous process of becoming more like Jesus. This transformation is both personal and communal, affecting the individual and the broader church community. [36:13]
- The power of invitation is a significant tool in evangelism. Just as God extends invitations to grace and salvation, believers are called to invite others into a relationship with Christ. These invitations can be simple yet profoundly impactful, opening doors for others to explore faith. [40:51]
- The stability and strength that come from a deep relationship with Jesus are invaluable, especially in a world that often lacks these qualities. Discipleship fosters a solid foundation in God, providing assurance and confidence that can weather life's challenges. [38:58]
- The mission of the church is twofold: to nurture believers into fully devoted followers of Christ and to actively invite others to join this transformative journey. This mission aligns with the Great Commission and is central to the church's purpose. [27:26]
- The practice of discipleship and evangelism is not a passive experience but an active participation in God's work. Believers are called to be co-laborers with Christ, sharing in the responsibility of spreading the gospel and living out the teachings of Jesus in everyday life. [54:04]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
> "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. John 15:4-5 (NIV)
> "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
3. Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV)
> "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the two main components of the mission statement of First Baptist Church Kingsville? ([27:26])
2. According to the sermon, what are the four marks of discipleship as outlined by Jesus? ([32:21])
3. How does the sermon describe the role of invitation in evangelism? ([40:14])
4. What benefits of discipleship are highlighted in the sermon? ([38:15])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 relate to the mission statement of First Baptist Church Kingsville? ([29:14])
2. In what ways does staying connected to Jesus, as described in John 15:4-5, impact a believer's ability to bear fruit? ([34:15])
3. How does the invitation from God in Isaiah 55:1-2 reflect the concept of evangelism discussed in the sermon? ([42:56])
4. What does it mean to be a "fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ" in the context of the sermon? ([29:14])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the Great Commission, how can you personally engage in making disciples in your daily life? ([29:14])
2. What specific steps can you take to stay more connected to Jesus, ensuring you remain in the vine and bear fruit? ([34:15])
3. Think of someone in your life who might be spiritually thirsty. How can you extend an invitation to them, similar to the invitation described in Isaiah 55:1-2? ([42:56])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal growth for the expansion of the church community. What areas of your spiritual life do you feel nudged to recommit to learning and growing in? ([39:37])
5. How can you actively participate in God's mission by inviting others to church or faith-related events? Share a specific example of how you might do this in the coming week. ([40:14])
6. The sermon mentions the stability and strength that come from a deep relationship with Jesus. How can you cultivate this stability in your own life, especially in times of uncertainty? ([38:15])
7. Reflect on the prayer at the end of the sermon. What actions can you take to bring Christ's light to the world, as mentioned in the prayer? ([52:27])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Lifelong Discipleship
Discipleship is not a destination but a journey that continues throughout one's life. It involves a daily commitment to grow in faith and become more like Jesus, impacting both personal life and the community. This journey is marked by love, sacrifice, and a deepening relationship with Christ, leading to transformation and reformation. [36:13]
Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Reflection: How can you actively pursue becoming more like Jesus in your daily routine?
Day 2: The Transformative Power of Invitation
Inviting others into a relationship with Christ is a simple yet profound act that can change lives. As God extends His invitation of grace, believers are empowered to do the same, creating opportunities for others to experience faith and community. This act of invitation is a reflection of God's love and an essential part of the mission to spread the gospel. [40:51]
1 Peter 3:15 - "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from an invitation to explore faith, and how might you extend that invitation this week?
Day 3: Cultivating Spiritual Stability and Strength
A deep relationship with Jesus provides a foundation of stability and strength in an often unstable world. Through discipleship, believers develop a rock-solid faith that brings assurance and confidence to face life's challenges. This spiritual fortitude is a testament to the transformative power of living in Christ. [38:58]
Ephesians 4:14-15 - "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you strengthen your spiritual foundation to become more resilient against life's challenges?
Day 4: Aligning with the Church's Mission
The church's mission is to nurture believers into fully devoted followers of Christ and to actively invite others to join this transformative journey. This mission, inspired by the Great Commission, is at the heart of the church's purpose and calls for a commitment to both personal growth and community expansion. [27:26]
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: What specific action can you take this week to contribute to the church's mission of making disciples?
Day 5: Active Participation in God's Work
Believers are not mere spectators but active participants in God's work. Sharing the gospel and living out Jesus' teachings is a collaborative effort with Christ. This active participation is a calling to be co-laborers, sharing in the responsibility of spreading the gospel and embodying Christ's love in everyday life. [54:04]
1 Corinthians 3:9 - "For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building."
Reflection: What is one way you can actively participate in God's work in your community today?
Quotes
"Never underestimate the power of a simple 'hey, you want to come hang out with me?' That may very well be the thing that unlocks the door of Truth to somebody else." [49:22] (Download)
"Our mission statement... it's a simple statement with the potential to change lives, ours and all of those we encounter along the way." [50:51] (Download)
"The key thing is invitations like this are catalysts to beginning or continuing or growing a relationship with people. It's a way you get to know someone, you get to be a part of their circle of friends." [41:29] (Download)
"When our church stops growing, it's often because we have stopped growing personally. The health of our church community is directly linked to our individual spiritual growth." [42:14] (Download)
"Being a close follower of Jesus Christ makes this rock-solid faith, this clear confident understanding and assurance in God. It makes us very stable people, makes us very strong and confident people." [38:58] (Download)
"Discipleship is a lifelong endeavor to become fully devoted followers of Christ, and it's about helping each other and reaching out to those who haven't experienced Christ yet." [36:13] (Download)
"Jesus calls us into His mission not just for reformation but for transformation, as we are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." [37:31] (Download)
"Discipleship really is the teaching, the training, the developing, and the releasing of these people that we have taught, trained, and developed specifically Christians." [32:21] (Download)
"Stay connected. Jesus said, 'Look, you need to stay connected to me. Remain in me as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself, although we try, don't we?'" [34:15] (Download)
"God has chosen to use us as his servants to deliver to hand-deliver special invitations. Are we going to be there, are we going to listen, are we going to go where he's calling us?" [45:24] (Download)
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