Embracing the Cross: Discipleship and God's Invitation
Summary
In today's gathering, we focused on the profound significance of the cross and the essence of discipleship. As we gathered on this communion Sunday, we were reminded that the cross is the great equalizer, where all distinctions fade, and we stand united in our need for grace. We are called to lay our burdens at the foot of the cross, recognizing that God's love knows no bounds and is extended to each of us without discrimination. This is a place where healing, peace, and rest are found, and where we are invited to present ourselves as living sacrifices, drawn closer to Jesus.
As we move into March, our focus shifts to discipleship and evangelism. The call to make disciples is not just about increasing church attendance but about nurturing true followers of Christ. We are reminded that being a Christian is not merely a title but a call to action, to be students and apprentices of Jesus. This month, we are launching discipleship classes to deepen our understanding and commitment to this journey. The book "Multiply" by Francis Chan and Mark Buving will guide us as we seek to multiply disciples within our community.
The heart of heaven is not merely a destination but an invitation to dwell in God's presence. We explored the story of Zacchaeus, a man who sought Jesus out of curiosity and found salvation. This narrative illustrates that God desires a relationship with each of us, regardless of our past or status. Jesus' invitation to Zacchaeus to come down from the sycamore tree and host Him in his home is a powerful reminder that God seeks to enter our lives and transform us from within.
We also reflected on the story of Mary and Martha, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of choosing the better part—sitting at His feet and learning from Him. This is a call to prioritize our relationship with God over the busyness of life, recognizing that true rest and fulfillment are found in His presence.
As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus, who was lifted up so that we might be healed and restored. This act of remembrance calls us to reflect on God's immense love and our response to it. Let us open our hearts to His presence, allowing Him to transform us and guide us in our journey of faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The cross is the great equalizer, where all distinctions fade, and we stand united in our need for grace. It is a place where healing, peace, and rest are found, and where we are invited to present ourselves as living sacrifices, drawn closer to Jesus. [00:00]
- Discipleship is not about increasing church attendance but nurturing true followers of Christ. Being a Christian is not merely a title but a call to action, to be students and apprentices of Jesus. [12:46]
- The heart of heaven is not merely a destination but an invitation to dwell in God's presence. God desires a relationship with each of us, regardless of our past or status. [32:18]
- Choosing the better part means prioritizing our relationship with God over the busyness of life. True rest and fulfillment are found in His presence, as illustrated in the story of Mary and Martha. [38:20]
- Communion is a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, calling us to reflect on God's immense love and our response to it. Let us open our hearts to His presence, allowing Him to transform us and guide us in our journey of faith. [48:13]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer and Praise
- [02:00] - Communion Sunday Reflection
- [04:15] - The Cross as the Great Equalizer
- [06:45] - Entering God's Presence
- [09:30] - Discipleship and Evangelism Focus
- [12:46] - Levels of Church Engagement
- [16:00] - The Call to Make Disciples
- [20:30] - God's Plan and Free Will
- [25:00] - The Heart of Heaven
- [32:18] - Zacchaeus' Story
- [38:20] - Mary and Martha's Lesson
- [45:00] - Jesus' Invitation to Rest
- [48:13] - Communion and God's Love
- [56:40] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 19:1-10 (The story of Zacchaeus)
2. Luke 10:38-42 (The story of Mary and Martha)
3. John 3:16-17 (God's love and salvation)
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Observation Questions:
1. In the story of Zacchaeus, what actions did Zacchaeus take to see Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to him? [32:18]
2. How does the story of Mary and Martha illustrate the importance of prioritizing time with Jesus over daily tasks? [38:20]
3. What does John 3:16-17 reveal about God's intentions for humanity and the purpose of Jesus' coming?
4. According to the sermon, what are the three levels of engagement within the church, and what distinguishes a disciple from the other two? [12:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of Zacchaeus demonstrate the concept of grace and transformation in a believer's life? [32:18]
2. What does Jesus' interaction with Mary and Martha teach about the balance between service and devotion in a Christian's life? [38:20]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the heart of heaven is more about God's presence than a physical destination? [48:13]
4. How does the sermon explain the significance of free will in God's plan for humanity, and how does this relate to the concept of justice and judgment? [56:40]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like Zacchaeus, curious about Jesus but unsure of how to approach Him. What steps can you take this week to seek Jesus more intentionally? [32:18]
2. Consider the story of Mary and Martha. Are there areas in your life where you are too busy to spend time with Jesus? What practical changes can you make to prioritize your relationship with Him? [38:20]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being a disciple rather than just a church attendee. What specific actions can you take to deepen your discipleship journey this month? [12:46]
4. How can you create space in your life for God's presence, as described in the sermon? Identify one area where you can invite Jesus into your daily routine. [48:13]
5. Think about someone in your life who might be curious about faith, like Zacchaeus. How can you engage them in a meaningful conversation about Jesus this week? [32:18]
6. Reflect on the concept of free will and God's justice. How does understanding these aspects of God's character influence your view of challenges and choices in your life? [56:40]
7. As you prepare for communion, how can you use this time to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and open your heart to His transformative love? [01:20:06]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cross as the Great Equalizer
The cross stands as a profound symbol where all human distinctions fade, and we are united in our shared need for grace. It is a place where healing, peace, and rest are found, inviting us to lay our burdens down and present ourselves as living sacrifices. At the foot of the cross, we are reminded of God's boundless love, extended to each of us without discrimination. This is a call to draw closer to Jesus, recognizing that His sacrifice is the ultimate act of love and redemption. [00:00]
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14, ESV)
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you need to lay at the foot of the cross? How can you embrace the peace and unity that the cross offers in your daily interactions with others?
Day 2: Discipleship as a Call to Action
Discipleship is not merely about increasing church attendance but about nurturing true followers of Christ. Being a Christian is not just a title; it is a call to action, to be students and apprentices of Jesus. This involves a commitment to learning and growing in faith, as well as actively participating in the mission of making disciples. As we embark on this journey, we are reminded that discipleship is a lifelong process of transformation and service. [12:46]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the mission of making disciples this week? How can you deepen your commitment to being a student and apprentice of Jesus?
Day 3: The Heart of Heaven as an Invitation
The heart of heaven is not merely a destination but an invitation to dwell in God's presence. God desires a relationship with each of us, regardless of our past or status. The story of Zacchaeus illustrates this truth, as Jesus invites him to come down from the sycamore tree and host Him in his home. This narrative reminds us that God seeks to enter our lives and transform us from within, offering us the opportunity to experience His love and grace. [32:18]
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you open the door of your heart to God's presence today? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him, regardless of your past or current circumstances?
Day 4: Choosing the Better Part
In the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus emphasizes the importance of choosing the better part—sitting at His feet and learning from Him. This is a call to prioritize our relationship with God over the busyness of life, recognizing that true rest and fulfillment are found in His presence. By choosing to focus on what truly matters, we can experience the peace and joy that come from being in communion with God. [38:20]
"But one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:42, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions in your life are keeping you from choosing the better part? How can you intentionally prioritize your relationship with God amidst the busyness of your daily routine?
Day 5: Communion as a Reminder of Sacrifice
Communion is a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice, calling us to reflect on God's immense love and our response to it. As we partake in this sacred act, we are invited to open our hearts to His presence, allowing Him to transform us and guide us in our journey of faith. This is an opportunity to remember the depth of God's love and to respond with gratitude and commitment to living a life that honors Him. [48:13]
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.'" (Luke 22:19, ESV)
Reflection: How does the act of communion deepen your understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? In what ways can you respond to God's immense love with gratitude and a renewed commitment to your faith journey?
Quotes
"We're glad that you're here this morning. It's good to always be in the house of God. I welcome and greet every one of you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. And this month, as we move into March, getting all the way up to Christmas, it's right there. How many of you realize that we're in the third month of the year already? Can you believe that? Can you believe that? Yes, yes, yeah, yeah. Start putting up the Christmas trees because Christmas is right around the, I'm sorry, Christmas is right around the corner. And you know, it's really, it always amazes me. And I don't know if it's because I'm getting older, that's why time seems like it's fleeting, but I don't think it is. I think it has something to do with God's presence and God's willingness to bring everything to a close. I believe that when we look at all that's happening in the world today, who knows? Maybe this is, this is the season when Jesus is going to come. You know, you better don't, better make sure that you don't miss that, right? Amen. So we're in the month of March and as we have said, March is our focus on discipleship and evangelism." [00:25:16] (62 seconds)
"So maybe you could use that. We can March to Church in March and you get, and it's good to see some of you that we have not seen for quite a while. It's great to have you all in church this morning. And, you know, the Bible tells us that we ought to go, therefore, and make disciples. That is the command of the church. The church is not to make church attendants or church members, but it's to make disciples of Jesus Christ. And I think there are three levels of people in the church. You have church attendants, you have church members, and then you have disciples. And I think that's the, the goal is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. A disciple is defined as a follower. And we will be doing some discipleship classes starting this Tuesday night in our life group. And this is a book that we're going to be studying. We have copies for you as well. We have some online copies as well that we can send to you in a PDF form that you can have. And it's called Multiply, and it's by Francis Chan and Mark Buving." [00:26:25] (51 seconds)
"And I think this book is a good book that we can use. It's called Multiply because we want to see multiplication within the church. So some of you have signed up for the Zoom classes that we're going to start on Tuesday night in our regular life group. We're going to have another life group. And then some of you have signed up for doing an in-person class here. And on the 16th of March, that Sunday morning, we're going to start around 8.30 to 8.45. We're going to start in the morning. We ask you to come in a little bit early. And nothing is wrong with that. We can get up a little bit earlier and come to church a little bit earlier. We're going to have that. We're going to have coffee out there for you so you don't have to rush to get breakfast and so on. And we're going to have this discipleship class starting on the 16th. So keep those two dates in mind. Can you put a slide up for me please? It's on the 16th. So this Tuesday night, we're going to start the life group in our Zoom. And on Sunday, 16th of March, about 8.30. We still have to just tweak that time frame whether it's 8.30, 8.45, but it's going to be around that time frame. We're going to start here in person, right? Just keep that in mind. So this Tuesday night, it's going to be in Zoom. And then it's going to be the same class, going to be on the 16th of March. And this is the book that we will be studying. And we have a lot of other resources that we can direct you to as well. But we want everyone to say, I want to be a disciple of Jesus." [00:27:15] (75 seconds)
"You know, that is the goal to become a disciple. Not just to say, I'm a Christian. Christian. Because how many of you know there are many, many Christians who will not go to heaven? How many of you know that? Yes, that's right. Don't think the title Christian gives you your passport. No. Right? And so anyway, that's another story. So we have to keep that in mind. We want to all become disciples of Jesus. The word disciple means a student, an apprentice, somebody follows the leader, follows the master. And Jesus, of course, is the master. And the other side of discipleship is that we make disciples. A disciple makes disciples. So you get a chance, you get a chance afterwards to meet with people if you can, be a friend, family member, share your stories, share what God has done for you. You know, the thing is, I can preach here all day long, but you know, when I tell people, and I can talk about healing, but when I tell people that I had prostate cancer and God healed me, that hits home. How many of you don't understand that? Because that's my story. And if God can do that for me, he can do that for you as well. So, so let's tell our stories, amen?" [00:28:29] (68 seconds)
"Now, let's, I want to ask a, you know, a question here as we go into our service this morning. And, you know, when we, when we think about the idea of following Jesus and following Jesus and being a disciple of Jesus and becoming a believer and coming to church, what's the point of all of this? Why do we do all of this? Why do we, why do we come and gather in this place? And why do I have you as a captive audience on a Sunday morning to hear and to sing these songs? Why do we do all of that? And we know, of course, theologically, the Bible tells us that before the foundation of the earth, God had a plan for redemption. And I think, and I asked questions myself, and I said, you know, if God is all powerful and God is all knowing and God is everywhere, why did we have to go through all of these things? Why, why, why do we have, did he put Adam and Eve in the garden, put the tree out there? Why did they fall from God's grace? And then we have everything that we have today, because how many of you know that everything that we face today in the world, every sickness, every disease, every death, every, every, every disaster, every trial that you go through, every struggle that you go through is because of that." [00:28:49] (71 seconds)
"Why did all that go through? God is all powerful and all knowing. And again, keep in mind that I ask this question because it's important for us to know. There are some people who say, well, God said it. I believe it. That settles it. And that's fine. We can have that perspective. But there are some people outside who don't understand who this God is. And they don't understand your perspective. When Moses went to Pharaoh for the first time, and he said, God says that you should let my people go so that they could go into the wilderness and sacrifice to me. And Moses was all gung-ho, he thought, because God said that when you do that, they're going to let it. And he goes and Pharaoh looks at him and says, who is this God that I should listen to him? I don't even know who this God is. And that's a wall outside. When you say, God said it, I believe it. And that settles it. The man on the outside said, well, who is this God that you're talking about? What are you talking about? So it's important for us to ask question and be able to answer those questions. So if God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and he's everywhere at the same time, why didn't he circumvent what happened in the garden? Now, of course, we can say that, you know, this question went to my mind this week. And I said, what if you plant a garden in the backyard and a snake slithers through your garden? What do you do?" [00:30:49] (80 seconds)
"Most of us would say, I would know what I would do. I would kill the snake right away. We'd kill the snake. Why didn't God kill the snake? If he had killed the snake, all of this would not have happened. No more wars, no more tragedies, no more sickness, death, pain, none of that. Why didn't God kill the snake? He left the snake alone so that it could bite them. And then later on in the gospel, the snake bites Jesus as well. Have you noticed that? Well, there's a greater plan to it, and we need to understand. So we'll get to the reason for that in a little while. I'm going to share that with you for a little bit, but I want to go to our text today because I want to talk about the heart of heaven. And we heard a song just a little while ago saying, lead me to your heart. And most of us believe that when we die, we will go to heaven. How many of you want to go to heaven when you die? We all want to go to heaven when we die. But what if heaven is not necessarily a destination, a place that we go to? We want to, we want, the idea of heaven is really an escape, right? It's an escape. We want to get out from this. We want to go to where the streets are paved with gold. There's no more pain, no more suffering. Yes, the Bible does say that. But is that our eventual goal, to go to a place? Is that what it is? And theologically, yes, it is. But I believe more than anything else, what God wants is for you to be in His presence. Somebody say presence." [00:32:08] (82 seconds)
"And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him and said to him, Zacchaeus, make haste and come down for today I must stay at your house. So he made haste and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all complained. That's a people in the crowd now. He has gone to be the guest with a man who's a sinner. Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, look Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore it fourfold." [00:35:08] (31 seconds)
"And Jesus said to him, today salvation has come to this house because he also is the son of Abraham. For the son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Amen. So Jesus has come to seek and to save that which was lost. That which was lost in the garden. The loss of innocence. The loss of home. The loss of family. The loss of that intimate relationship with God. That was lost in the family. So when Jesus speaks, Zacchaeus said the son of man has come to seek and to save or to reclaim that which was lost. So when we think about the whole story of redemption, we realize that you and I, we were lost. And God has come. He has sent his son to come to save us and to retrieve us or to bring us back or to redeem us back unto himself." [00:35:46] (49 seconds)
"So today we're beginning a new series on following Jesus. And what does it mean to follow Jesus? Because you want to follow him. How many of you understand that? Amen. You want to follow Jesus. We have to follow him with everything that we have. Now, God has a plan. And like I said a while ago, I said that God has a plan. And we could think that Jesus, God, knowing everything that he knows, could have circumvented a garden. But I think he didn't because he had a plan. And that is plan, to put it very simply, is to create a people who love him." [00:36:28] (34 seconds)
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