Embracing True Discipleship: Jesus as Savior and Lord
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to reflect on the recent tragic events and to seek God's guidance and comfort through prayer. We prayed for those affected by the attempted assassination of former President Trump, for the victims and their families, and for the medical professionals attending to the injured. We also prayed for the shooter's family and for Pastor Jason and his wife on their vacation.
We then transitioned to discussing the concept of Christian discipleship. The term "Christian" was originally a label given by outsiders, but before that, followers of Jesus were known as disciples. A disciple is a student, a learner, and a follower of Jesus Christ. We explored what it means to be a disciple by examining two key aspects: Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord.
Jesus as Savior means He saves us from sin and death, a concept rooted in the theological term "justification." Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, affecting all of creation. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, chose to die for our sins, offering us salvation and eternal life.
Jesus as Lord involves the concept of "sanctification," where we acknowledge Jesus' authority over our lives. This means not just hearing His words but living them out. True discipleship requires commitment and sacrifice, as illustrated by the three would-be disciples in Luke 9. Each had excuses that revealed their lack of true commitment to following Jesus.
We also discussed the importance of living each day in light of eternity. Our eternal life begins the moment we believe in Jesus, not when we die. Therefore, we should live each day to its fullest, giving our successes to God's glory and our failures to His mercy.
Finally, we emphasized the importance of Christian disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, fellowship, worship, and making disciples. These practices help us grow in our faith and fulfill our duty as Christian disciples, letting our light shine before others.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Role of Jesus as Savior: Jesus' role as Savior is rooted in the concept of justification. He saves us from the consequences of sin, which entered the world through Adam and Eve. By living a sinless life and choosing to die for our sins, Jesus offers us salvation and eternal life. This foundational truth should inspire us to live in gratitude and commitment to Him. [10:40]
2. Jesus as Lord and Sanctification: Acknowledging Jesus as Lord means recognizing His authority over every aspect of our lives. This involves not just hearing His words but actively living them out. True discipleship requires us to follow Jesus' teachings and commands, even when it demands sacrifice and commitment. [13:31]
3. The Cost of Discipleship: The stories of the three would-be disciples in Luke 9 highlight the cost of following Jesus. Each had excuses that revealed their lack of true commitment. True discipleship means prioritizing Jesus above all else, even when it requires significant personal sacrifice. [16:35]
4. Living in Light of Eternity: Our eternal life begins the moment we believe in Jesus, not when we die. Therefore, we should live each day to its fullest, giving our successes to God's glory and our failures to His mercy. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters and live with purpose and joy. [28:53]
5. Christian Disciplines: To grow as disciples, we must engage in essential Christian disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, fellowship, worship, and making disciples. These practices help us deepen our relationship with God and fulfill our mission to let our light shine before others, drawing them to Christ. [31:03]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[04:05] - Opening Prayer
[06:16] - Military Recruitment and Commitment
[07:47] - The Meaning of Being a Christian
[09:13] - Jesus as Savior
[11:58] - Scriptures on Jesus as Savior
[13:31] - Jesus as Lord
[15:00] - Scriptures on Jesus as Lord
[16:35] - The Cost of Discipleship
[18:05] - Would-Be Disciple Number Two
[19:29] - Prioritizing Jesus
[21:02] - Would-Be Disciple Number Three
[24:00] - Plowing Straight and Looking Back
[25:36] - Our Need for Forgiveness
[27:30] - Condemnation vs. Conviction
[28:53] - Living in Light of Eternity
[29:34] - Giving Successes to God's Glory
[30:08] - Denying Ourselves and Following Jesus
[31:03] - Christian Disciplines
[32:45] - The Few, The Proud, The Christians
[33:46] - Closing Scripture and Prayer
[35:58] - Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 9:57-62: "As they were going along the road, someone said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' To another he said, 'Follow me.' But he said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' And Jesus said to him, 'Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Yet another said, 'I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.' Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'"
2. Philippians 2:10-11: "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
3. 1 John 4:14: "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the three excuses given by the would-be disciples in Luke 9:57-62? How did Jesus respond to each of them? [16:35]
2. According to Philippians 2:10-11, what is the significance of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord? [13:31]
3. In 1 John 4:14, what role does Jesus fulfill according to the testimony given? [11:58]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between the terms "Christian" and "disciple"? [07:47]
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Jesus' response to the would-be disciples in Luke 9:57-62 reveal about the cost of discipleship? How does this challenge common perceptions of following Jesus? [16:35]
2. How does acknowledging Jesus as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11) impact a believer's daily life and decisions? What does it mean to live under His lordship? [13:31]
3. Reflecting on 1 John 4:14, how does understanding Jesus as the Savior of the world influence a believer's sense of mission and purpose? [11:58]
4. The sermon mentions that our eternal life begins the moment we believe in Jesus, not when we die. How does this perspective change the way we live our daily lives? [28:53]
### Application Questions
1. Jesus emphasized the need for true commitment and sacrifice in following Him. What are some personal sacrifices you might need to make to follow Jesus more closely? How can you start making those sacrifices this week? [16:35]
2. The sermon discussed the importance of living each day in light of eternity. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of this perspective daily? How might this change your priorities and actions? [28:53]
3. Reflect on the concept of Jesus as Lord. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to acknowledge His authority? What steps can you take to surrender those areas to Him? [13:31]
4. The sermon highlighted the importance of Christian disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, fellowship, worship, and making disciples. Which of these disciplines do you find most challenging, and how can you work on improving in that area? [31:03]
5. The cost of discipleship often involves prioritizing Jesus above all else. Think of a specific situation where you might need to prioritize Jesus over other commitments. How can you prepare yourself to make that choice when the time comes? [19:29]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of giving our successes to God's glory and our failures to His mercy. Can you identify a recent success and a recent failure in your life? How can you give the glory to God for the success and seek His mercy for the failure? [29:34]
7. Jesus' call to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily is a challenging one. What is one specific way you can practice self-denial this week in order to follow Jesus more faithfully? [30:08]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus as Savior: Our Justification
Jesus' role as Savior is foundational to the Christian faith. He saves us from the consequences of sin, which entered the world through Adam and Eve. By living a sinless life and choosing to die for our sins, Jesus offers us salvation and eternal life. This act of justification means that we are declared righteous before God, not because of our own deeds, but because of Jesus' sacrifice. This truth should inspire us to live in gratitude and commitment to Him, recognizing the immense love and grace that has been extended to us. [10:40]
Romans 5:18-19 (ESV): "Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous."
Reflection: Think about a specific area in your life where you struggle with guilt or shame. How can you embrace the truth of Jesus' justification to find freedom and peace in that area today?
Day 2: Jesus as Lord: Our Sanctification
Acknowledging Jesus as Lord means recognizing His authority over every aspect of our lives. This involves not just hearing His words but actively living them out. True discipleship requires us to follow Jesus' teachings and commands, even when it demands sacrifice and commitment. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ, and it requires daily surrender and obedience. As we grow in our faith, we learn to trust Jesus' guidance and allow Him to transform our hearts and minds. [13:31]
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (ESV): "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you need to submit to Jesus' lordship. What practical steps can you take today to align that area with His teachings?
Day 3: The Cost of Discipleship
The stories of the three would-be disciples in Luke 9 highlight the cost of following Jesus. Each had excuses that revealed their lack of true commitment. True discipleship means prioritizing Jesus above all else, even when it requires significant personal sacrifice. This may involve letting go of certain comforts, relationships, or ambitions to fully embrace the path Jesus has set before us. Understanding the cost of discipleship helps us to evaluate our own commitment and to make the necessary adjustments to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. [16:35]
Luke 9:62 (ESV): "Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision or action where you prioritized something over your commitment to Jesus. How can you re-align your priorities to put Jesus first in similar situations in the future?
Day 4: Living in Light of Eternity
Our eternal life begins the moment we believe in Jesus, not when we die. Therefore, we should live each day to its fullest, giving our successes to God's glory and our failures to His mercy. This perspective helps us focus on what truly matters and live with purpose and joy. By keeping eternity in mind, we can navigate the challenges and opportunities of life with a sense of hope and direction, knowing that our ultimate home is with God. [28:53]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Consider how you can live today with an eternal perspective. What is one way you can shift your focus from temporary concerns to eternal values?
Day 5: Christian Disciplines
To grow as disciples, we must engage in essential Christian disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, fellowship, worship, and making disciples. These practices help us deepen our relationship with God and fulfill our mission to let our light shine before others, drawing them to Christ. Consistent engagement in these disciplines strengthens our faith and equips us to navigate life's challenges with spiritual resilience and wisdom. [31:03]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Choose one Christian discipline that you want to focus on this week. What specific steps will you take to incorporate this discipline into your daily routine?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "A Savior is someone who saves someone. And we have been saved. And like in the Lutheran Church, we don't use that word as much as maybe the Baptists use it. But it's true. We've been saved by our Savior. And that's because way back in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve sinned, they brought sin into the world. Everything started to die. Trees died. Animals died. People died. It infected everything." [10:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "True commitment has a price to pay. True commitment says, I'll follow Jesus no matter what. Whatever comes against me, whoever opposes me, I'm committed to live as long as I live. I'm going to follow him, even if it means death. Jesus said, foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." [16:35] (-52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Give your successes to God's glory. You're going to get it right sometimes. And this is what the Bible says, let your lights shine before men, they'll see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. That's what we do. That's what I try to do. Give your good works to God. That means you don't strive for the glory of men. You strive for doing things for Jesus." [29:34] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Live each day to the fullest in light of eternity. Don't let a day go by. Live each day to the fullest. Live your life to the fullest knowing that you're going to live forever. Your eternal life doesn't start when you die; it started when you believe, when you were baptized and believe in Jesus Christ. Your eternal life has begun." [28:53] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The Marine Corps uses this slogan, the few, the proud, and the Marines, to emphasize the nature of what it means to be a Marine. A lot of people become Marines because they know a Marine. My uncle. My dad. Somebody in my life was a Marine. And that inspired me to be a Marine. You are a Christian soldier of God. And when other people see you, you let your light so shine before them." [32:45] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "The Christian disciple is someone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. That's powerful. So what does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, who is the Lord and Savior? Well, the answer is found in Luke number nine, which is our scripture for the day. This is about from Luke 9.57, the first would-be disciple." [15:00] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We arrange our schedules, we arrange our budgets, our money, and our relationships according to the priorities that we put in our life. And putting God first means that we have him top priority and that will bring us to disciple would-be disciple number three here on your note from Luke 9 yet another said I will follow you Lord what did he call him Lord and what is when you call someone Lord that means I will follow you." [22:30] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Have you ever looked back? Have you ever looked back? Have you ever plowed or do you plow perfectly ever sinned and thought word indeed by what you've done and what you left undone in your in your thoughts and your words and your deeds you know I know that I don't plow straight sometimes sometimes I look back or I look away at about you know something that worries you can't sleep at night or you start doubting God are you have lust in your life or pride in your life on a hundred other things." [24:00] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So where do we find strength to be a disciple for Jesus? My mantra in my life has been this I live each day to the fullest in light of eternity don't let a day go by live each day to the fullest live your life to the fullest knowing that you're going to live forever your eternal life doesn't start when you die it started when you believe when you were baptized and believe in Jesus Christ your eternal life has begun." [28:53] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Give your failures to his mercy. We're going to fail, aren't we? Well, don't carry it around like condemnation. Let Jesus forgive you, move on, start over. Which leads us to our memory verse. Jesus said to his disciples, would you read this with me? Jesus said to his disciples, whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me." [29:34] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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