Engaging Discipleship: Living Out Christ's Call
Summary
Today, I began by reflecting on the nature of warning labels and their importance in our daily lives, drawing a parallel to how we might consider the warnings that come with following Jesus. He is not safe merely because He saves; He demands our full attention and obedience. This led into a discussion about the necessity of turning off distractions during worship to fully engage with the message and the presence of God.
I transitioned into a deep exploration of the book of Hebrews, emphasizing how Jesus embodies the glory of God, surpassing even the angels and Moses in honor and authority. This set the stage for a broader discussion on the superiority of Christ and His unique role as the mediator of a new covenant, contrasting Him with figures revered in Jewish tradition.
The sermon then delved into practical theology, focusing on the Sermon on the Mount. I highlighted Jesus' radical teachings that challenge us to live out the kingdom ethics He preached, such as loving enemies and practicing genuine piety without hypocrisy. This section was aimed at encouraging the congregation to reflect on whether they truly live out the words of Jesus from day to day.
Following this, I narrated the parable of the rich man and Lazarus from Luke 16, using it as a stark illustration of the eternal consequences of our earthly choices. This story underscored the themes of justice, mercy, and the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife, pressing the congregation to consider their own investments in eternal treasures versus earthly ones.
I concluded by calling the church to active discipleship, stressing the importance of obeying Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations. This part of the sermon was a direct challenge to move beyond mere attendance and consumption of religious services to active participation in the mission of the church.
Throughout the sermon, I wove in personal anecdotes and reflections, including a reminder of the past sermon series "40 Cups" which focused on discipleship and personal investment in others' spiritual growth. This was aimed at making the message relatable and urgent, emphasizing that discipleship is not just a pastoral duty but the responsibility of every believer.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus demands our full attention and obedience, not just passive listening. When we gather to worship, it's crucial to eliminate distractions to fully engage with God's word and presence. This focus can transform our worship experience and deepen our relationship with Christ. [03:42]
2. The supremacy of Christ over angels and Moses is not just theological information but a call to revere Him above all. Understanding Jesus' position and role should lead us to a deeper worship and a more profound obedience, recognizing Him as the ultimate authority over our lives. [12:51]
3. The Sermon on the Mount provides practical commands for living out the ethics of the kingdom of God. These teachings challenge us to evaluate our daily lives: Are we merely hearers of these words, or are we actively applying them in how we treat others, especially our enemies? [20:33]
4. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus teaches us about the eternal implications of our earthly choices. It calls us to invest in what is eternal and to live lives marked by generosity and concern for the less fortunate, knowing our choices have consequences beyond this life. [27:02]
5. Making disciples is not optional but a direct command from Jesus. Each member of the church is called to invest in others spiritually, which can transform our community and fulfill the Great Commission. This requires intentional action and commitment to nurturing others' faith journeys. [35:21]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [00:53] - Introduction to Warning Labels
- [03:42] - The Importance of Full Attention in Worship
- [06:22] - Exploring the Book of Hebrews
- [12:51] - Jesus' Superiority Over Angels and Moses
- [19:02] - Reflections on Obedience and Disobedience
- [20:33] - Lessons from the Sermon on the Mount
- [27:02] - Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus
- [35:21] - The Call to Make Disciples
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Hebrews 1:3 - "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
2. Matthew 5:43-44 - "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
3. Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Hebrews 1:3 say about Jesus' relationship to God's glory and His role in sustaining all things?
2. In Matthew 5:43-44, what radical teaching does Jesus give about how we should treat our enemies?
3. Describe the contrast between the lives and afterlives of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.
4. According to the sermon, why is it important to turn off distractions during worship? [03:42]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being (Hebrews 1:3) impact our view of His authority and our obedience to Him?
2. What might Jesus' command to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44) look like in practical, everyday situations?
3. What lessons can we learn from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus about the eternal consequences of our earthly choices?
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of making disciples. How does this align with Jesus' command in Matthew 28:19-20? [35:21]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current worship habits. Are there specific distractions you need to eliminate to fully engage with God during worship? How can you make these changes this week? [03:42]
2. Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount challenge us to live out kingdom ethics. Identify one teaching from the Sermon on the Mount that you find particularly challenging. How can you start applying it in your daily life? [20:33]
3. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus highlights the importance of investing in eternal treasures. What are some practical ways you can shift your focus from earthly to eternal investments? [27:02]
4. Making disciples is a direct command from Jesus. Identify one person in your life who you can start investing in spiritually. What steps will you take this week to begin this discipleship journey? [35:21]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of personal anecdotes and reflections in making the message relatable. Can you think of a personal story or experience that illustrates a biblical truth? How can you share this with others to encourage their faith? [37:13]
6. Reflect on the past sermon series "40 Cups" which focused on discipleship. How can you apply the principles from that series to your current relationships and community involvement? [33:42]
7. Jesus demands our full attention and obedience. What specific area of your life do you feel God is calling you to be more obedient in? How will you respond to this call? [03:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Engaging Fully in Worship
Jesus calls for our undivided attention and obedience during worship. In a world filled with distractions, it's crucial to consciously set aside our phones, worries, and preoccupations to truly engage with God's presence. This act of focusing wholly on God not only honors Him but transforms our experience, deepening our relationship with Christ and enhancing our spiritual growth. When we eliminate distractions, we open our hearts to hear God's voice more clearly and to receive the fullness of His message. This commitment to attentive worship is a form of worship in itself, demonstrating our reverence and love for God. [03:42]
James 1:22-25 ESV
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
Reflection: What distractions can you commit to removing during your next time of worship to better focus on God's presence?
Day 2: Revering Christ Above All
Understanding the supremacy of Christ over all, including angels and revered biblical figures like Moses, calls us to a deeper level of worship and obedience. Recognizing Jesus as the ultimate authority over our lives compels us to revere Him above all else. This reverence is not just about awe or respect; it's about aligning our lives, our decisions, and our worship according to His divine authority and will. As we grasp the fullness of His superiority, our lives should reflect His lordship in every aspect. [12:51]
Colossians 1:15-18 ESV
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Reflection: In what ways can you enhance your personal worship practices to reflect the supremacy of Christ in your life?
Day 3: Living Out Kingdom Ethics
The Sermon on the Mount challenges us to live according to the ethics of God's kingdom, pushing us beyond mere hearing to doing. This includes loving our enemies, practicing piety without hypocrisy, and embodying the beatitudes in our daily interactions. These teachings are not just lofty ideals but practical commands that should influence how we live every day, impacting our actions, decisions, and interactions with others. By actively applying these principles, we demonstrate our allegiance to Christ and our commitment to His kingdom. [20:33]
Matthew 5:43-45 ESV
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Reflection: How can you show love to someone who opposes or disagrees with you this week?
Day 4: Considering Eternal Consequences
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus serves as a stark reminder of the eternal implications of our earthly choices. This story encourages us to live lives marked by generosity, justice, and a focus on eternal treasures rather than earthly wealth. By investing in what is eternal—through acts of kindness, mercy, and justice—we align ourselves with God's priorities and store up treasures in heaven. Our choices have consequences, and living with an eternal perspective influences how we use our resources, time, and talents today. [27:02]
Luke 16:19-23 ESV
"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried."
Reflection: What is one way you can invest in eternal treasures rather than earthly ones this week?
Day 5: The Call to Make Disciples
Making disciples is a direct command from Jesus, not an optional part of Christian life. Each believer is called to actively participate in this mission by investing spiritually in others. This involves more than just sharing knowledge; it's about walking alongside others in their faith journey, encouraging and challenging them to grow in Christ. This commitment to discipleship can transform our community and fulfill the Great Commission, as we each take part in spreading the gospel and nurturing believers. [35:21]
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
"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. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Who is someone you can begin to invest in spiritually, and what will your first step be this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When Jesus speaks. When Jesus speaks. When you read his word, when you hear his word, when Jesus speaks, he deserves your full attention. And as a result, he deserves your full obedience." [03:42]
2. "Wow. Who is Jesus? If you were to put a warning label on it, what would it say? Jesus is the radiance of God's glory. He is the expression of the very character of God. The very character of God. He is the expression. He is the exact representation." [08:14]
3. "Jesus and him one being. Who is this God you worship? This God, the Son, this radiance of God's glory. This is all one three. the radiance of God's glory, the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." [11:26]
4. "Jesus is now greater than the angels. Jesus is greater than angels. In the Hebrew culture, the angels were revered. The angels were lifted up. The angels were spectacular. were lifted up. And so the writer of Hebrews is acknowledging they're great, but Jesus is absolutely greater still." [14:40]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus radiates God's own glory. He opens the whole entire book with that. Jesus radiates God's glory. There's an old speaker by the name of Joseph. Charles Spurgeon. Charles Spurgeon commented on this passage on the word radiate. He says, you need to shade your eyes, for you cannot look upon the wondrous sight without being dazzled by it." [06:22]
2. "They go in, Moses tells them how to obey, and do they obey? Absolutely not. Absolutely not. In fact, when they come out of Egypt and they come out into the land, do they obey before they get to the land? Absolutely not. Well, you know what they do? They grumble, and they murmur, and they complain, and they whine." [19:02]
3. "Number one, a negative command. Don't murder others by calling them names. Don't murder others by calling them names. Obey that command by simply not calling other people names. People, James says that you call them names even though they're created by God. He values who we are, number one." [20:33]
4. "Invest your treasures in things that'll go to heaven. Don't invest them in things that won't. Invest your treasures. Collect for yourself treasures in heaven where neither moth or rust will destroy. Where the stock market won't affect it. Where thieves won't break in and steal it." [25:14]
5. "Jesus was compassion to the sick, to the hurting, to those who needed healing, to those who needed touch. Jesus showed compassion. Jesus was just, and he was truth, and he continually confronted those who were misleading others. He's truth. He's grace. He's compassion. He's wisdom." [08:59]
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