Embracing Our Call: Discipleship and Evangelism

Devotional

Day 1: Active Pursuit of Discipleship

Discipleship is a dynamic journey that calls for active engagement with the world. It is not enough to passively absorb teachings within the confines of a church; one must step out into the broader community, carrying the transformative message of the Gospel. This pursuit involves being both a teacher and a learner, recognizing that every interaction is an opportunity to share and to grow. It is about stepping out of comfort zones, initiating spiritual conversations, and being prepared to both impart and receive wisdom. The act of discipleship is a two-way street, where the disciple is called to be a vessel of God's truth and love, while also being open to the lessons that each encounter can teach. [58:26]

"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively engage in discipleship in your daily environment, and what is one step you can take today to share your faith with someone?

Day 2: Universal Commission to Witness

The mandate to make disciples is not reserved for a chosen few but is the responsibility of every believer. Each person who follows Christ is an 'anonymous other,' called to be a bearer of the good news in their unique sphere of influence. This commission empowers individuals to step into their roles as ambassadors of Christ, confidently representing His kingdom and love in diverse settings. The identity in Christ is not just a personal comfort but a call to action, to be His hands and feet in a world that desperately needs hope. [51:09]

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'" - Mark 16:15 (ESV)

Reflection: Who are the 'anonymous others' in your life that you can reach out to with the message of Christ, and what is one practical way you can do so this week?

Day 3: Embracing Rejection in Mission

Rejection is an inherent part of the mission to spread the Gospel. When faced with rejection, it is crucial to remember that it is not a personal failure but a rejection of Christ and the message of the Kingdom. This perspective liberates from the fear of human judgment and empowers to speak the truth with love and conviction. Understanding that rejection is not a reflection of personal inadequacy but rather a part of the mission can embolden to continue the work of evangelism with resilience and faith. [01:05:04]

"Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!" - Luke 6:22 (ESV)

Reflection: Can you recall a time when you faced rejection while sharing your faith? How can this understanding shape your response to future rejections?

Day 4: The Urgency of the Harvest

The imagery of a plentiful harvest with few laborers underscores the urgency of the mission field. The call to pray for more laborers is coupled with the readiness to be an answer to that prayer. The urgency of spreading the Gospel cannot be overstated, and it requires an immediate and passionate response. Believers are encouraged to not only pray for the expansion of God's kingdom but also to actively participate in it, recognizing that every moment is an opportunity to contribute to the harvest. [52:40]

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.'" - Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you be a laborer in God's harvest today, and what is one action you can take to contribute to the mission field in your community?

Day 5: Relational Discipleship

Discipleship is deeply relational, involving more than just the transfer of knowledge—it is about sharing life together. It is in the context of relationships that faith is nurtured, and believers are able to rightly order each other's worship. Through shared meals, conversations, and experiences, discipleship becomes a journey of mutual edification, where growth in the knowledge and love of God is fostered within the community. This relational aspect of discipleship is essential for a vibrant and sustaining faith. [56:42]

"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17 (ESV)

Reflection: Who are you intentionally doing life with for the purpose of discipleship, and what is one way you can deepen that relationship this week?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound call to discipleship and the intentional sharing of the Gospel, as exemplified by Jesus' commissioning of the seventy in Luke 10. We are reminded that as followers of Christ, our primary mission is not confined within the walls of the church but extends to the world outside, where we are to live out the Great Commission.

We delved into the narrative of Jesus sending out the seventy disciples two by two, emphasizing the urgency of the harvest and the scarcity of laborers. Jesus' instructions to the disciples were clear: they were to rely on God's provision, carry no extra supplies, and offer peace to the homes they entered. The acceptance or rejection they faced was not personal but a response to the message of the Kingdom of God.

We also reflected on the importance of discipleship, not just as a concept but as a lifestyle. Discipleship involves teaching others to hope, praise God, proclaim His righteousness, and go forth in His strength. It is about living life together, sharing in each other's joys and struggles, and growing in faith through mutual edification.

As we approach Easter, we are called to reignite our passion for discipleship and evangelism. We must be intentional in seeking opportunities to share the Gospel and be ready to disciple those who respond. We are ambassadors of Christ, representing His kingdom and His love to a world in need.

Now, let us consider the

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific instructions did Jesus give to the seventy disciples when He sent them out? ([41:41])
How did Jesus describe the relationship between the harvest and the laborers? ([52:05])
What were the two possible responses the disciples could expect when they entered a town, and how were they to react to each? ([55:04])
According to the sermon, what does it mean to be an "anonymous other" in the context of discipleship? ([51:09])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized the need for the disciples to rely on God's provision rather than bringing their own supplies? ([54:01])
How does understanding that rejection is not personal but directed towards Christ and the Father change our approach to evangelism? ([55:00])
What does it mean to "rightly order each other's worship" in the context of discipleship, as mentioned in the sermon? ([56:42])
How can the concept of being an ambassador of Christ influence our daily interactions with others? ([52:00])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith. What specific fears held you back, and how can understanding that rejection is directed towards Christ help you overcome these fears? ([55:00])
Jesus sent the seventy disciples out in pairs. How can partnering with another believer enhance your efforts in evangelism and discipleship? ([41:41])
The sermon emphasized the importance of living life together in discipleship. Identify one person in your life with whom you can start or deepen a discipleship relationship. What practical steps can you take to share life with them? ([56:42])
The pastor mentioned the need for intentionality in sharing the Gospel. What are some specific ways you can be more intentional in your daily life about sharing your faith? ([49:33])
As we approach Easter, how can you reignite your passion for discipleship and evangelism? What specific actions can you take to prepare your heart and mind for this season? ([01:17:02])
Think about the concept of being an "anonymous other" sent out to proclaim the good news. How does this perspective empower you to share the Gospel in your unique context? ([51:09])
The sermon highlighted the importance of prayer in the mission field. How can you incorporate more prayer into your daily routine to support your efforts in evangelism and discipleship? ([52:14])

Sermon Clips

1) "We do great at having service, programs, Bible studies, and ministries, but there's one thing we lack - the intentionality of going. The Great Commission says to go and make disciples, to take Jesus to an unbelieving world." [46:33] (Download | )

2) "We need to be a place, a people that represent our Savior the best we can. We need to understand there will be some that will accept Him and some that will reject Him." [01:08:38] (Download | )

3) "We have to be intentional about sharing the Gospel wherever we go. Different people will do it in different ways, but if we're going to see the Kingdom of God grow, we have to be intentional about it." [01:11:40] (Download | )

4) "We're ambassadors of Christ. Our job is to intentionally go into a lost and dying world and represent and talk about Jesus Christ. Period." [01:06:50] (Download | )

5) "When you disciple someone, it means to rightly order their worship. Live with somebody. Not physically. Do life with them. Help them to get through their struggles. Be there for the successes." [56:42] (Download | )

6) "You need to have somebody that is your Timothy to your Paul, somebody that you're teaching, but you also need to be a Timothy to somebody else's Paul. That's how we grow." [57:57] (Download | )

7) "Jesus didn't send the apostles. He appointed seventy anonymous others to go into every city and place that He Himself was about to go. Now remember, He's on the path to Jerusalem." [51:09] (Download | )

8) "We have to give Him all of us. We can quench the Spirit. We're still free will beings. We have to be able to give everything we are to Christ." [49:30] (Download | )

9) "If they hear you, they're not hearing you. They're hearing Him. And if they reject you, they're not rejecting you. They're rejecting Him, and they're rejecting God the Father." [01:05:04] (Download | )

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