Empowered to Share: Our Personal Call to Discipleship

 

Summary

Today, I began by welcoming everyone to our service, expressing gratitude for the diverse communities represented both in-person and online. I highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration among local churches, emphasizing that we are not alone in our mission to spread the gospel.

I then transitioned into a reflection on the power of communion, reminding us that the elements we partake in are not just symbolic but are a profound act of remembrance and unity under Christ's sacrifice. This led us into a time of worship and communion, where we collectively remembered the sacrifice of Jesus and its significance in our lives.

Following this, I addressed the growing trend where many believers feel that making disciples is the responsibility of the church as an organization rather than an individual calling. I challenged this notion by pointing out the clear scriptural mandate that each of us has a personal responsibility to share our faith. This is not just for the "gifted evangelists" but for every follower of Jesus.

I shared insights into the simplicity of sharing our faith, debunking the myth that it requires perfect knowledge or eloquence. Instead, I emphasized the power of personal testimony and living out one's faith through actions and words that align with the gospel. I encouraged the congregation to engage in everyday conversations that reflect our faith, highlighting that our lifestyle and the joy we exhibit can pique interest in the gospel among non-believers.

The sermon culminated in a call to action, urging everyone to reflect on how they can personally contribute to spreading Jesus's message of love and redemption. I led the congregation in a prayer for boldness and divine appointments in the coming week, asking God to use us as instruments of His will.

In closing, I invited those new to faith or curious about Christianity to take a step of faith and consider the claims of the gospel, offering resources and personal support to anyone seeking to explore a relationship with Jesus Christ.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Communal Worship and Remembrance
Communion is not just a ritual; it is a powerful act of unity and remembrance that connects us directly to the sacrifice of Jesus. As we partake in communion, we are reminded of the cost of our freedom and the depth of God's love for us. This should inspire us to live in a manner worthy of the sacrifice made on our behalf. [22:26]

2. Personal Responsibility in Discipleship
Every believer has the responsibility to share their faith, not just the clergy or church leaders. This truth challenges the passive approach that many adopt, waiting for others to make disciples. We must actively participate in the Great Commission, integrating our faith into every aspect of our lives and interactions. [40:53]

3. Simplicity in Sharing Faith
Sharing the gospel doesn't require perfect theology or memorized scripture but should flow naturally from our experiences and relationship with Christ. Our personal stories of faith and transformation are powerful tools in evangelism, relatable and impactful to those around us. [01:06:34]

4. Integrating Faith into Everyday Conversations
We should look for natural opportunities to share our faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations. Whether it's discussing weekend plans or responding to life's challenges, our words and actions should consistently reflect the hope and joy found in Christ. [58:55]

5. Prayer for Boldness and Opportunities
Actively praying for boldness and opportunities to share our faith is crucial. As we ask God to open doors and prepare hearts, including our own, we will find that the Holy Spirit equips us with the words and courage needed to make a difference in someone's life. [01:16:43]

### Youtube Chapters

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [12:40] - Opening Prayer and Community Acknowledgment
- [20:40] - Communion Introduction
- [39:53] - Discussing Personal Responsibility in Discipleship
- [42:34] - Simplicity of Sharing Faith
- [58:55] - Everyday Evangelism
- [01:16:43] - Closing Prayer and Call to Action

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
> "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

2. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV)
> "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

3. Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
> "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

### Observation Questions

1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "You are the light of the world" in Matthew 5:14-16?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, what is the significance of the bread and the cup during communion?
3. In Ephesians 4:29, what kind of speech does Paul encourage believers to use?
4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how we can integrate our faith into everyday conversations? ([58:55])

### Interpretation Questions

1. How does the metaphor of being a "light of the world" challenge believers in their daily lives? What practical steps can be taken to ensure that one's light is not hidden? ([44:23])
2. Why is it important to remember Jesus' sacrifice through communion, and how does this act of remembrance impact our unity as a church? ([21:53])
3. How can believers balance speaking the truth with kindness and love, especially in a society that often views truth as relative? ([50:19])
4. What are the potential consequences of neglecting our personal responsibility in discipleship, as highlighted in the sermon? ([40:53])

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on your daily interactions. How can you be more intentional about letting your light shine before others this week? ([44:23])
2. Communion is a profound act of remembrance and unity. How can you prepare your heart and mind to partake in communion more meaningfully? ([21:53])
3. Think of a recent conversation where you had the opportunity to share your faith but didn't. What held you back, and how can you overcome that barrier next time? ([58:55])
4. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week? ([57:47])
5. How can you incorporate prayer for boldness and opportunities to share your faith into your daily routine? ([01:16:43])
6. Consider the way you speak to others, especially in moments of frustration or anger. What steps can you take to ensure your words are always good and helpful? ([53:25])
7. Reflect on your personal testimony. How can you share your story of faith and transformation in a way that is relatable and impactful to those around you? ([01:03:36])

Devotional

Day 1: Communion Connects Us to Christ's Sacrifice
Communion is a profound act that goes beyond mere ritual; it is a spiritual connection that brings believers together under the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As participants in communion, individuals are not only reminded of the immense love and sacrifice of Christ but are also united in their faith and commitment to live lives that honor this sacrifice. This act of remembrance reinforces the community's shared values and the personal commitment of each member to uphold the teachings of Christ in their daily lives. This unity and shared remembrance are essential for fostering a supportive and nurturing spiritual environment that encourages growth and discipleship. [22:26]

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."

Reflection: How does participating in communion shape your understanding of community and personal sacrifice in your spiritual life?

Day 2: Every Believer's Role in Discipleship
The responsibility of sharing faith and making disciples does not rest solely on church leaders but on every individual believer. This personal mandate challenges the passive approach where many wait for others to act. Instead, it calls for active participation in spreading the gospel and integrating faith into every aspect of life. By embracing this responsibility, believers can contribute to a vibrant, evangelistic community that actively engages with the world in meaningful ways. This approach not only enriches the individual's spiritual journey but also significantly impacts the broader community by fostering a culture of discipleship. [40:53]

Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV): "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

Reflection: What are practical ways you can take up the mantle of discipleship in your daily interactions?

Day 3: The Power of Personal Testimony in Evangelism
Sharing the gospel does not require perfect knowledge or eloquence but should naturally flow from one's personal experiences and relationship with Christ. Personal stories of faith and transformation are powerful evangelistic tools that are relatable and impactful. By sharing these personal experiences, believers can effectively communicate the transformative power of the gospel in a way that is accessible and compelling to non-believers. This simplicity in sharing faith encourages more believers to step into evangelistic roles, knowing that their unique stories and genuine testimonies are enough to make a difference. [01:06:34]

Acts 4:13 (ESV): "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

Reflection: Can you identify a personal experience where your faith significantly impacted your life choices? How can you share this experience with someone this week?

Day 4: Integrating Faith into Everyday Conversations
Believers are encouraged to look for natural opportunities to share their faith, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their conversations. Whether discussing weekend plans or responding to life's challenges, words and actions should consistently reflect the hope and joy found in Christ. This integration of faith into everyday conversations not only serves as a witness to others but also strengthens the believer's own faith and commitment to live according to gospel values. This practice can transform ordinary interactions into moments of spiritual significance and evangelistic opportunity. [58:55]

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

Reflection: What is a recent conversation where you could have incorporated your faith, and how might you approach similar situations differently in the future?

Day 5: Seeking Boldness and Opportunities in Evangelism
Actively praying for boldness and opportunities to share faith is crucial for believers. This prayerful approach not only prepares the heart of the evangelist but also opens doors for divine appointments. As believers ask God to guide their steps and provide opportunities for witness, they will find that the Holy Spirit equips them with the courage and words needed to make a real impact. This proactive stance in seeking God's intervention in evangelistic efforts ensures that believers are ready and willing to take every opportunity to share the transformative power of the gospel. [01:16:43]

Ephesians 6:19-20 (ESV): "And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

Reflection: What specific situation or person has God placed in your life where you need to be more bold in sharing your faith? How can you pray for this opportunity today?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We can create openings in so many ways. Sometimes God creates the opening as we walk and step with his Holy Spirit and we listen to his voice. Sometimes he might just plant something in us and we're like, are you sure, God? I don't really want to go over to that person and talk about their toe. And Pastor Ewan has had experiences like this. He's like, okay, so I don't know why, but I feel like Jesus has just laid on my heart that there's something going on with your toe right now and I'm wondering if I can pray for you. And listen, you might be wrong. That's a weird conversation. Like, I'm just going to be up front, right? You might be wrong, but you might be right. And wow, when you're right, the things that can happen if someone's like, how did, how did you know that?" [01:01:03]( | | )

2. "So create openings, be creative. Take advantage of the fact that we live in a seven day week. So I come to you, I come to you, I come to you, I come to you, I come up to a teller on Friday, Saturday and I go, so what are your plans for Sunday morning? Oh, I'm working or oh, I'm doing this. And you know what's great? In Canada, we're so polite that when you ask someone a question, they usually will then respond, what about you? Oh, I'm so excited to go to church. It's going to be so good. I'm going to see all my friends there. I'm going to be worshiping Jesus. Yeah, I got to tell you, he's done so much for me in my life." [01:02:14]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Go make disciples. You've all heard that before. At least if you've been in church at any length of time in this church. Go make disciples. This is Jesus's great commission to all of his followers. It's one of the final things that he told his followers. Go make disciples. But Barna Research has been telling us recently that there is a growing number of us, growing number of followers of Jesus who actually don't see going and making disciples as their responsibility." [39:53]( | | )

2. "This here is not only an act where we remember but it is an act where together are one body in Christ who is the head. It's an act of remembrance where together through the work of the Holy Spirit of God these emblems become more they become intrinsically significant not only in our day-to-day lives not only in this moment but in our very souls after all partaking together of the bread and the cup is in fact a command of our Lord Jesus Christ." [21:16]( | | )

3. "And so today let me pray for these elements and then we will receive in an attitude of recognition not only of Jesus' sacrifice for us but also of his presence with us today. So Heavenly Father I ask that you would bless this bread that you would bless this cup Lord Jesus that you would help us to internalize the significance of what you did for us on that cross the new agreement the new covenant purchased in your blood that these things remind us of." [22:26]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?