From Believers to Disciples: Living Our Purpose
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound journey from being a believer to becoming a disciple of Christ. The essence of our mission at Live Oak is to create disciples who are not only believers but also active followers of Jesus, making a tangible difference in the world. This transformation is akin to the journey of marriage, where saying "yes" is just the beginning, and the real learning and growth happen over time. Similarly, as disciples, we will have our ups and downs, but the ultimate goal is to let Christ live through us, impacting those around us.
We delved into the concept of success, which is often misunderstood. True success is not about material wealth or a trouble-free life but about discovering and living out our God-given purpose. This purpose often involves sacrifice and suffering, as Jesus taught in Mark 8:34-36. To find our purpose, we must be willing to lose our self-centered desires and follow Christ wholeheartedly. This involves asking ourselves critical questions: What were we made for? What breaks our hearts? What do we want to be remembered for?
The story of Moses serves as a powerful example of this principle. Moses chose to leave the comforts of Egyptian royalty to align himself with God's people, enduring hardship for a greater reward. His life teaches us that true success and eternal reward come from living out our purpose in alignment with God's will.
As we reflect on our lives, we are reminded that our ultimate evaluation will be before God, where we will account for how we used our time, talents, and opportunities. For believers, this is not about salvation but about the rewards we will receive for our faithfulness. For non-believers, the choice to accept Christ is crucial, as it determines their eternal destiny.
In closing, we are encouraged to identify what breaks our hearts and to act on it, making a difference in the world for God's glory. Just as God sent His Son to save a lost world, we are called to be His hands and feet, bringing hope and healing to those around us.
Key Takeaways:
1. From Believer to Disciple: The journey from being a believer to a disciple involves actively following Jesus and making a difference in the world. It is a continuous process of learning and growth, much like marriage, where initial commitment is just the beginning. [23:49]
2. True Success and Purpose: Success is not measured by material wealth but by discovering and living out our God-given purpose. This often involves sacrifice and suffering, as Jesus taught, and requires us to lose our self-centered desires to follow Him. [32:24]
3. The Example of Moses: Moses' life exemplifies the choice to leave comfort for a greater purpose. By aligning himself with God's people, he found true success and eternal reward, teaching us that living out our purpose in alignment with God's will is the path to lasting fulfillment. [56:50]
4. Evaluating Our Lives: Believers will be evaluated by God for how they used their time, talents, and opportunities. This evaluation is not about salvation but about the rewards we will receive for our faithfulness. Non-believers face the crucial choice of accepting Christ, which determines their eternal destiny. [59:58]
5. Acting on What Breaks Our Hearts: Identifying what breaks our hearts and acting on it is key to making a difference in the world. Just as God sent His Son to save a lost world, we are called to be His hands and feet, bringing hope and healing to those around us. [01:05:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[08:59] - Opening Prayer
[23:49] - Believer vs. Disciple
[25:08] - Marriage and Discipleship
[32:24] - True Success and Purpose
[36:18] - Moses' Example
[39:13] - Regrets and Purpose
[41:48] - Discovering Your Purpose
[43:41] - Questions to Find Purpose
[47:19] - Jesus' Formula for Success
[49:42] - Stories of Heartbreak and Action
[55:04] - Moses' Sacrifice and Reward
[57:52] - Evaluation and Eternal Reward
[59:58] - The Great White Throne Judgment
[01:01:01] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[01:05:31] - Final Reflections and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 8:34-36
- 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
- Hebrews 11:24-27
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Observation Questions:
1. In Mark 8:34-36, what does Jesus say is required to follow Him, and how does this relate to the concept of losing one's life to save it?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:9-10, what is the future event that believers will face, and what will be evaluated during this event?
3. How does the story of Moses in Hebrews 11:24-27 illustrate the idea of choosing a greater purpose over personal comfort and privilege?
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the journey from being a believer to becoming a disciple? [23:49]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of denying oneself and taking up one's cross in Mark 8:34-36 challenge common perceptions of success and purpose? [32:24]
2. What does the evaluation mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 imply about the importance of how believers use their time and talents?
3. In what ways does Moses' decision to leave Egyptian royalty for a life aligned with God's people serve as a model for modern believers seeking to live out their purpose? [36:18]
4. How does the sermon suggest that identifying what breaks our hearts can lead us to discover our God-given purpose? [43:41]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own journey from being a believer to becoming a disciple. What steps can you take to actively follow Jesus and make a difference in the world? [23:49]
2. Consider the idea of true success as living out your God-given purpose. What self-centered desires might you need to let go of to pursue this purpose wholeheartedly? [32:24]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel called to make a difference. What practical steps can you take this week to act on what breaks your heart? [43:41]
4. How can the story of Moses inspire you to choose a path that aligns with God's will, even if it involves sacrifice or discomfort? [36:18]
5. Reflect on the future evaluation mentioned in 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. How can you use your time, talents, and opportunities more effectively for God's glory?
6. What is one specific action you can take this week to be the hands and feet of Jesus in your community, bringing hope and healing to those around you? [01:05:31]
7. Think about a person or situation that breaks your heart. How can you begin to address this issue in a way that aligns with your purpose and brings glory to God? [49:42]
Devotional
Day 1: The Journey from Believer to Disciple
The transition from being a believer to becoming a disciple of Christ is a profound journey that involves actively following Jesus and making a tangible difference in the world. This journey is not a one-time event but a continuous process of learning and growth, much like the journey of marriage, where the initial commitment is just the beginning. As disciples, we will experience ups and downs, but the ultimate goal is to let Christ live through us, impacting those around us. This transformation requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to be molded by Christ's teachings. [23:49]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to move from being a believer to a disciple, actively following Jesus in your daily life?
Day 2: Redefining Success and Purpose
True success is not measured by material wealth or a trouble-free life but by discovering and living out our God-given purpose. This purpose often involves sacrifice and suffering, as Jesus taught in Mark 8:34-36. To find our purpose, we must be willing to lose our self-centered desires and follow Christ wholeheartedly. This involves asking ourselves critical questions: What were we made for? What breaks our hearts? What do we want to be remembered for? By aligning our lives with God's purpose, we find true fulfillment and success. [32:24]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: What self-centered desires do you need to let go of to fully embrace your God-given purpose today?
Day 3: Learning from Moses' Example
The story of Moses serves as a powerful example of choosing to leave comfort for a greater purpose. Moses chose to leave the comforts of Egyptian royalty to align himself with God's people, enduring hardship for a greater reward. His life teaches us that true success and eternal reward come from living out our purpose in alignment with God's will. By following Moses' example, we learn that the path to lasting fulfillment often involves sacrifice and aligning our lives with God's greater plan. [56:50]
Hebrews 11:24-26 (ESV): "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward."
Reflection: What comforts or securities might God be calling you to leave behind in order to pursue a greater purpose?
Day 4: Evaluating Our Lives Before God
As believers, we are reminded that our ultimate evaluation will be before God, where we will account for how we used our time, talents, and opportunities. This evaluation is not about salvation but about the rewards we will receive for our faithfulness. For non-believers, the choice to accept Christ is crucial, as it determines their eternal destiny. Reflecting on our lives in this way encourages us to live with intentionality and purpose, making the most of the opportunities God has given us. [59:58]
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
Reflection: How are you using your time, talents, and opportunities to serve God and others today?
Day 5: Acting on What Breaks Our Hearts
Identifying what breaks our hearts and acting on it is key to making a difference in the world. Just as God sent His Son to save a lost world, we are called to be His hands and feet, bringing hope and healing to those around us. By focusing on what truly moves us, we can align our actions with God's purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world. This involves stepping out in faith and allowing God to work through us to bring about change. [01:05:31]
Isaiah 58:10 (ESV): "If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday."
Reflection: What specific action can you take today to address something that breaks your heart and aligns with God's purpose for your life?
Quotes
"Jesus said, go into all the world and make disciples. Now, whenever a person hears that, sometimes you get a little confused because there's a lot of passages in the Bible that talk about being a disciple, and of course, there's some passages that talk about being a believer. And to kind of break that down for you, a believer is someone who recognizes, number one, I am a sinner." [00:23:49] (18 seconds)
"We said last Sunday that, again, success is when a person finds their purpose in life. If you were to ask most people, what is success, you have all kind of answers. Hey, I want a big checking account, I want a fine car, a big home, I want my kids to have a wrinkle-free life. And for a lot of people, that's success. But the reality is success is really found when you find your purpose in life." [00:32:24] (21 seconds)
"So when you know your purpose in life, you know that you have what it takes to have the success in life. Again, there's two things that we want in life for most of us, especially in a new year. We want to be happy and we want to be successful. But the reality is... The reality is when you find your purpose in life, you get to have both." [00:33:44] (16 seconds)
"Here's how Jesus put it. Here is his formula for success. He says this, Mark chapter 8, verse 34. And he summoned the multitude with his disciples and said to them, If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wishes... To save his life shall lose it." [00:34:24] (30 seconds)
"But whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's sake shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his own soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" [00:34:57] (15 seconds)
"Over in 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 9 and 10, the apostle Paul gives your future as a believer. And part of your... Your future as a believer is that one day you will stand before your Savior and Lord. And you'll stand before him to give an account of what did you do as a believer. Now, this does not have to do with your salvation. Your salvation was secure the moment you believed in Messiah Jesus for it." [00:35:12] (23 seconds)
"But this is about what did you do with the opportunities, the time, the talent that God gave you. What difference did you make in the world with the time that God gave you in this world? He says this, verse 9. Verse 9. For also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, be pleasing to him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed or rewarded for his deeds in the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad." [00:36:18] (39 seconds)
"And by faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is unseen. By faith, he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he would be able to see the glory of God. who would destroy the firstborn might not touch them. By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as though they were passing through dry land, and the Egyptians, when they attempted it, were drowned." [00:36:51] (28 seconds)
"May the God who inspired these words now speak to us. As we look at the topic, blessed for success, the formula of Jesus and how suffering and sacrifice bring you success. Let's pray." [00:37:30] (20 seconds)
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