Living as Chosen Disciples in a Challenging World
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of holiness and being set apart from sin, drawing examples from biblical history and modern-day events. The pastor then shifts focus to the disciples, explaining that Jesus was preparing them for their mission after his departure. The pastor acknowledges the weight of this responsibility, comparing it to situations in our own lives when we are left in charge and face challenges. The pastor emphasizes the three important aspects of this passage: divine selection, God's redemptive plan, and the ongoing debate between theories of whether humans choose God or God chooses them.
The pastor then emphasizes that being chosen by God as a disciple is not based on our worthiness or moral actions, but rather on God's grace. The pastor highlights the vast number of Christians around the world, with many coming to Christ daily, even in countries where Christianity is not welcomed or accepted. The pastor acknowledges the persecution and suffering faced by believers in places like the Middle East, Muslim countries, and North Korea, where professing faith in Christ can lead to imprisonment or death. Despite these challenges, the word of God continues to spread.
The pastor then poses the question of the purpose of life, emphasizing that simply pursuing personal goals and comforts is missing out on the true knowledge and service of Christ. He warns against building our lives on a foundation of sand and highlights the importance of placing God at the center of our lives. The pastor reminds the congregation that while family is important, God must be given the rightful place in our hearts. As disciples, the pastor urges the listeners to follow and embody the teachings of Jesus, focusing on others rather than themselves.
The pastor emphasizes the significance of understanding the essence of Jesus' name. He refers to Isaiah 52:6, which speaks of God's people knowing His name. The pastor explains that when we say "in the name of Jesus," it is not merely a phrase we use because others before us have said it. Rather, it is an acknowledgment of Jesus' authority in our lives and a humble submission to Him. The pastor also addresses the topic of prayer, highlighting that many prayers go unanswered because they are being prayed incorrectly.
The pastor concludes by emphasizing the importance of having faith in God rather than relying on worldly systems and knowledge. The pastor acknowledges that it can be comforting to have knowledge of things like interest rates and future plans, but God calls us to have faith in Him. The pastor encourages the congregation to exercise their faith by listening, reading, and meditating on God's word. The pastor also highlights the negative impact of being discipled by cable news, suggesting that spending excessive time consuming news can hinder one's ability to connect with God's word.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of holiness and being set apart from sin is a central theme in Christianity. The pastor emphasizes that believers are in the world but not of the world, meaning they must interact with non-believers while maintaining their faith ([12:45]).
- Being chosen by God as a disciple is not based on our worthiness or moral actions, but rather on God's grace. This is a reminder that God's love and grace are not earned but freely given ([24:30]).
- The pastor warns that a life built on a purpose without God will eventually collapse. He emphasizes the importance of placing God at the center of our lives and warns against building our lives on a foundation of sand ([36:20]).
- Understanding the essence of Jesus' name is crucial in the Christian faith. When believers say "in the name of Jesus," it is an acknowledgment of Jesus' authority in our lives and a humble submission to Him ([48:15]).
- The pastor emphasizes the importance of having faith in God rather than relying on worldly systems and knowledge. He encourages the congregation to exercise their faith by listening, reading, and meditating on God's word ([59:30]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. John 17:6-19: "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."
2. Isaiah 52:6: "Therefore my people will know my name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I."
3. Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Observation Questions:
1. What does John 17:6-19 reveal about Jesus' relationship with His disciples and His prayer for them?
2. In Isaiah 52:6, what does it mean for God's people to know His name?
3. How does Hebrews 11:1 define faith?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' prayer in John 17:6-19 reflect the concept of being in the world but not of the world?
2. What implications does knowing God's name, as mentioned in Isaiah 52:6, have on our relationship with Him?
3. How does the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 challenge our understanding of faith and reliance on worldly systems and knowledge?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were in the world but not of it. How did you navigate this situation and what can you learn from it for future challenges?
2. How does understanding the essence of God's name, as mentioned in Isaiah 52:6, impact your prayer life? Can you think of a specific prayer you can pray this week acknowledging God's authority in your life?
3. In what area of your life are you relying more on worldly systems and knowledge than on faith in God, as defined in Hebrews 11:1? What is one step you can take this week to shift your reliance towards faith in God?
4. Can you identify a specific situation in your life where you can embody the teachings of Jesus, focusing on others rather than yourself? What is one action you can take in this situation?
5. How can you ensure that God is at the center of your life and not just a part of it? Can you think of a specific change you can make in your daily routine to prioritize God?
Devotional
Day 1: Living in the World, Reflecting Christ's Love
Christians are called to be set apart and holy, yet they are meant to live in the world and interact with those who may not share their beliefs. This is not a call to isolation, but a call to engage with the world in a way that reflects Christ's love and teachings. [12:45]
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:12 - "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
Reflection: How can you reflect Christ's love in your interactions with non-believers today? Can you think of a specific situation where you can show kindness and understanding?
Day 2: Chosen by Grace, Not by Worthiness
Being chosen by God as a disciple is not based on our worthiness or moral actions, but rather on God's grace. This underscores the concept of grace, which is the unmerited favor of God, and the fact that salvation is not earned but given freely by God. [22:30]
Bible Passage: Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: How does understanding that you are chosen by grace, not by worthiness, change your perspective on your relationship with God?
Day 3: Building Lives on God's Foundation
While family is important, God must be at the center of our lives and we must prioritize following His teachings. Building our lives on a foundation of sand, such as valuing family above God, can lead to instability. [32:15]
Bible Passage: Matthew 7:24-25 - "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
Reflection: How can you ensure that God is at the center of your life and your family's life? Can you think of a specific way to prioritize His teachings in your daily routine?
Day 4: Acknowledging Jesus' Authority
When we say "in the name of Jesus," it is not merely a phrase we use because others before us have said it. Rather, it is an acknowledgment of Jesus' authority in our lives and a humble submission to Him. [42:00]
Bible Passage: Philippians 2:10-11 - "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Reflection: How can you more fully acknowledge Jesus' authority in your life today? Can you think of a specific area of your life where you need to submit to His authority?
Day 5: Engaging with God's Word
Engaging with God's word and allowing it to shape our lives and faith is crucial. Spending excessive time consuming news can hinder one's ability to connect with God's word. [52:30]
Bible Passage: Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
Reflection: How can you make more time to engage with God's word today? Can you think of a specific habit you could adjust to allow more time for reading and meditating on the Bible?
Quotes
1. "God called us to have faith in him, so how do we exercise this Faith? How is it that you and I can say, 'you know what, I want to obey you in faith'? We do that by listening, reading, meditating in his word."
2. "Sadly, many people in our churches are being discipled by cable news. You watch 10, 30, 40 hours of that during the week, don't you think that affects you? And then you come to the church and listen to the word of God, and it's 20, 30 minutes tops, and it's like, 'I didn't feel anything.' What's wrong with that guy? He doesn't know how to preach. I'm sorry, but I can't compete with 40 hours of cable news."
3. "God chose you even though you were not worthy... God chose you to be his disciple."
4. "What's the purpose of life?... If that's your only goal, you're missing out on what it is to truly know and serve Christ."
5. "We must Place God where God belongs and as a disciple we must follow his teachings... it's not about me but it is about others."
6. "Jesus is saying my way is upside down but my way is the correct way and when we can distance ourselves from the systems of the world, not the people because they need to know Christ..."
7. "We will continue to pray for our neighbors who do not know Christ, our family members. We will continue to do that and witness to them and spend time with them... Christmas is around the corner, you'll get another opportunity to share the love of God."
8. "You don't have to preach to them for an hour, you don't have to beat them over the head with a Bible, but they have to know that you love them whatever political stand they take, whatever medical decision they believe to be best."
9. "We still ought to live here, we still have to rub shoulders with people that don't believe what we believe."
10. "The disciples were a gift from the father to the son chosen not based on their inherit worth worthiness but on God's gracious love."
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