Stages of Commitment: The Journey of Following Jesus
Summary
In the discourse by Torrey Fingal, the focus is on the journey of following Jesus, which is not merely about attending church services or participating in religious rituals. It is about a transformative process that impacts every aspect of one's life. The journey is categorized into five distinct stages: the crowd, the congregation, the committed, the core, and the commission. Each stage represents a deeper level of commitment and understanding of what it means to live for Jesus.
The first stage, the crowd, is characterized by curiosity and initial interest. It is an invitation to "come and see," to explore and experience the Christian faith without any pressure or commitment. This stage is crucial as it serves as the entry point for many into the journey of faith.
The second stage, the congregation, is for those who have moved beyond mere curiosity and are ready to "come and join." This stage involves a decision to become part of a community of believers, to connect and engage with the life of the church.
The third stage, the committed, is marked by a desire to grow and deepen one's faith. It is an invitation to "come and grow," to pursue spiritual maturity through practices such as prayer, Bible study, and fasting. This stage is about personal growth and the beginning of transformation.
The fourth stage, the core, is where individuals begin to look beyond themselves and serve others. It is a call to "come and serve," recognizing that true fulfillment comes from using one's gifts to impact the lives of others. This stage is about active participation and contribution to the work of the church and the broader community.
The final stage, the commission, is the most challenging and involves a call to "come and die." This stage is about full surrender to Jesus, living a life that is not focused on personal gain but on serving God and others. It represents the ultimate commitment to the Christian faith, where one's entire life is dedicated to following Jesus.
Throughout the message, the emphasis is on the personal and public aspects of faith. Baptism is highlighted as a significant step in the journey, symbolizing both an internal change and a public declaration of commitment to Jesus. It is likened to a wedding band, a visible sign of a personal relationship that is not meant to be hidden.
The narrative also touches on the challenges of defining what it means to be a follower of Jesus in a world where following is often based on convenience rather than conviction. It confronts the tendency to treat faith as something that can be followed or unfollowed on a whim, like social media, and instead calls for a serious, lifelong commitment.
The story of a family in India that converted to Christianity and faced execution for their faith is used to illustrate the depth of commitment required to truly follow Jesus. The family's unwavering declaration, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back," serves as a powerful testament to the cost of discipleship.
Key Takeaways:
- The journey of following Jesus is a transformative process that goes beyond religious observance and deeply impacts one's entire life. It is a path that leads from initial curiosity to a complete surrender and commitment to living for God and serving others. [49:18]
- Baptism is not just a ritual; it is a profound symbol of inner transformation and a public declaration of faith. It is an act of obedience that follows Jesus' example and signifies a believer's cleansing from sin and commitment to a new life in Christ. [54:46]
- True discipleship involves a willingness to serve and give of oneself. It is in the act of serving others that individuals discover the fullness of life and experience the blessings that come from selflessness, as emphasized in Acts 20:35. [46:41]
- The concept of following Jesus challenges the modern notion of following based on convenience. It requires a steadfast commitment that does not waver when faced with challenges or personal sacrifice, as illustrated by the story of the Indian family who remained faithful unto death. [26:57]
- Faith is personal but never meant to be private. Just as a wedding band is worn publicly to signify a marital relationship, baptism and the Christian life are meant to be visible and known to others, demonstrating a life changed by Jesus and dedicated to Him. [55:30]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Mark 8:27-37 (NIV)
> Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah." Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"
2. Acts 20:35 (NIV)
> In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
3. Matthew 10:32-33 (NIV)
> "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the five stages of the journey of following Jesus as described in the sermon? ([49:18])
2. How does Jesus describe the cost of following Him in Mark 8:34-35?
3. What does Acts 20:35 say about the blessings of giving and serving others?
4. According to Matthew 10:32-33, what is the significance of publicly acknowledging Jesus?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus rebuked Peter so strongly in Mark 8:33? What does this tell us about the importance of aligning our understanding with God's will? ([33:40])
2. How does the story of the Indian family who faced execution for their faith illustrate the depth of commitment required to follow Jesus? ([26:57])
3. What does it mean to "deny oneself and take up their cross" in the context of modern-day discipleship? ([34:16])
4. How can the act of baptism serve as both a personal and public declaration of faith, similar to a wedding band? ([55:30])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current stage in the journey of following Jesus (crowd, congregation, committed, core, commission). What steps can you take to move to the next stage? ([49:18])
2. How can you incorporate the principle of "it is more blessed to give than to receive" into your daily life? Identify one specific way you can serve others this week. ([46:41])
3. Have you ever faced a situation where following Jesus required a significant personal sacrifice? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([26:57])
4. In what ways can you make your faith more visible to others, similar to how baptism serves as a public declaration? ([55:30])
5. Think of a time when you prioritized your own desires over God's will. How can you realign your priorities to better follow Jesus' example of self-denial? ([33:40])
6. How can you support and encourage others in your small group or church community to grow in their faith and commitment to Jesus? ([37:36])
7. Identify one person in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation or invite them to "come and see" what following Jesus is about? ([40:59])
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation Beyond Ritual
The journey of faith is not confined to religious observance but is a transformative experience that reshapes one's entire existence. It begins with curiosity and leads to a life wholly dedicated to God's service, reflecting a profound change from within. This transformation is a continuous process, inviting believers to move from spectators to active participants in the divine narrative. [49:18]
Romans 12:2 - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Reflection: How has your faith journey transformed your daily life and decisions?
Day 2: Baptism as a Public Declaration
Baptism is a significant milestone in the believer's life, symbolizing an inward change and a public commitment to follow Jesus. It is an act of obedience that mirrors Jesus' own baptism and represents a cleansing from sin and a fresh start. This sacred act is both a personal decision and a declaration meant to be shared with the world. [54:46]
Galatians 3:27 - "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
Reflection: In what ways do you publicly live out your faith, and how can you more boldly share your transformation with others?
Day 3: The Blessing of Selfless Service
True discipleship is characterized by a willingness to serve and a life of generosity. It is through serving others that believers find the deepest joy and fulfillment. This selfless act is not just a duty but a path to experiencing the richness of God's blessings, as it aligns with the example set by Jesus Himself. [46:41]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What gifts have you been given, and how can you use them to serve others in your community this week?
Day 4: Steadfast Commitment in Discipleship
Following Jesus is not a matter of convenience but a steadfast commitment that endures through trials and sacrifices. It is a call to remain faithful even when faced with adversity, reflecting the unwavering dedication of those who have gone before us. This level of commitment is a testament to the depth of one's faith and the strength of their conviction. [26:57]
Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: What challenges to your faith have you encountered, and how can you strengthen your commitment to remain steadfast?
Day 5: Faith as a Visible Journey
The Christian life is personal but never meant to be hidden. Like a wedding band that publicly signifies a marital commitment, a believer's life should visibly demonstrate their relationship with Jesus. This visibility is a powerful form of witness, showing the world a life transformed and dedicated to Christ. [55:30]
Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Reflection: How can you more visibly live out your faith in a way that draws others to Christ?
Quotes
1) "Following Jesus isn't about preference or convenience; it's a serious decision. It's about realizing that this life is not just about what we want, but what God wants for us." [34:54]
2) "The journey of following Jesus is a transformative process that goes beyond religious observance and deeply impacts one's entire life." [49:18]
3) "Baptism is our way of letting the world know something is different in us now. You can go ahead and say goodbye to the person you used to know; that person is gone, I've been made clean." [57:52]
4) "Faith is always personal but it was never meant to be private. It's like a wedding band, a visible sign of a personal relationship that is not meant to be hidden." [55:30]
5) "You have not discovered what life is like until you use the gifts God has given you to impact someone else." [46:41]
6) "If you want to find your life, you've got to live your life for Jesus, and in turn, you'll not only live a great life here on Earth, you'll also find eternal life in heaven with Jesus." [38:09]
7) "The commissioned are the ones who have received and understood the ultimate message that my life is not about my life; my life is about Jesus and I'm going to give all of my life to Him." [48:05]
8) "Jesus didn't get baptized because he needed to; he got baptized to show us how much it means to Him. Baptism is the symbol that we are His followers." [52:55]
9) "We're all on a journey of following Jesus, and as your pastor, I want to explain the different steps on this journey because all of us are somewhere on this journey." [38:46]
10) "Jesus says, 'Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.' It's about surrendering to a life dedicated to following Him." [35:33]
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