Transformative Discipleship: Following Jesus' Authentic Authority
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound and transformative teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on the Sermon on the Mount and the unique authority with which Jesus spoke. Unlike the rabbis of His time, who often quoted other teachers, Jesus spoke from His own experience and understanding, which amazed the crowds. This authority was not about volume or force but about authenticity and originality. Jesus' approach was revolutionary; He called ordinary people, not the elite, to follow Him and become His disciples. This invitation was extended to everyone, regardless of their social status or educational background.
Jesus' method of teaching was relational and experiential. He invited His followers to take on His yoke, a metaphor for discipleship, which involved learning directly from Him in real-life situations. This was not about theoretical knowledge but about living out the teachings in everyday life. Jesus demonstrated how to treat people with love and respect, breaking societal norms by welcoming sinners and outcasts. He showed us how to relate to God as a loving Father, a concept that was groundbreaking at the time.
The call to discipleship is a call to transformation. Jesus promised to show, teach, invest in, and commission His followers. This process involves becoming like Jesus, learning to love, serve, and lead as He did. The ultimate goal is to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, which is God's plan for each of us. This journey of discipleship is not just about personal growth but about impacting the world around us by living out the teachings of Jesus.
As we embark on this journey together, let us commit to being apprentices of Jesus, learning from Him and becoming more like Him. This course is an opportunity to deepen our relationship with Jesus and to be transformed into His likeness. Let us embrace this challenge and strive to be more like the most loving, powerful, and influential person who ever lived.
Key Takeaways:
1. Authentic Authority of Jesus: Jesus spoke with a unique authority that came from His own experience and understanding, not from quoting others. This authenticity is what amazed the crowds and set Him apart from other teachers. His teachings invite us to live with the same authenticity and integrity in our own lives. [03:52]
2. Invitation to Ordinary People: Jesus called ordinary people, not the elite, to follow Him. This demonstrates that discipleship is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or status. It challenges us to see the potential in ourselves and others to be used by God in extraordinary ways. [04:58]
3. Relational and Experiential Learning: Jesus taught His disciples through real-life experiences, emphasizing the importance of learning by doing. This approach encourages us to live out our faith in practical ways, learning from Jesus as we navigate the complexities of life. [07:12]
4. Transformative Discipleship: The process of discipleship involves being shown, taught, invested in, and commissioned by Jesus. This journey transforms us into His likeness, equipping us to impact the world around us with His love and truth. [16:25]
5. Conformed to the Likeness of Jesus: God's ultimate plan for us is to be conformed to the image of His Son. This is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality and commitment, but it is the most fulfilling and rewarding path we can take. [25:40]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:52] - Jesus' Unique Authority
[04:58] - Calling the Ordinary
[06:01] - Following Jesus
[07:12] - The Yoke of Discipleship
[09:34] - Jesus' Approach to People
[11:26] - Relating to God as Father
[12:18] - Jesus' Teachings
[14:22] - Learning on the Road
[16:25] - Investing in Disciples
[17:30] - Commissioning the Disciples
[20:25] - Copying Jesus
[23:11] - Peter's Example
[24:17] - God's Plan for Us
[27:01] - Becoming Like Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5-7 (Sermon on the Mount)
2. Romans 8:29
3. John 5:8
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Observation Questions:
1. What was unique about the way Jesus taught during the Sermon on the Mount compared to other rabbis of His time? [03:52]
2. How did Jesus' choice of disciples differ from the typical rabbinical practice of selecting followers? [04:58]
3. What does the metaphor of taking on Jesus' yoke signify in terms of discipleship? [07:12]
4. How did Peter demonstrate his discipleship by copying Jesus' actions in Acts chapter 9? [20:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for Jesus to speak with authority from His own experience, and how does this contrast with the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees? [03:52]
2. How does Jesus' invitation to ordinary people to follow Him challenge societal norms and expectations of leadership? [04:58]
3. In what ways does Jesus' relational and experiential method of teaching encourage His followers to live out their faith practically? [07:12]
4. How does the concept of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus, as mentioned in Romans 8:29, relate to the process of discipleship described in the sermon? [25:40]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to follow Jesus in a way that challenged societal norms. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [04:58]
2. Consider the metaphor of taking on Jesus' yoke. What practical steps can you take this week to align your life more closely with Jesus' teachings? [07:12]
3. Jesus demonstrated how to treat people with love and respect, even those considered outcasts. Identify one person in your life who might feel excluded. How can you show them love and acceptance this week? [09:34]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of learning by doing. What is one area of your faith that you feel called to practice more actively in your daily life? [14:22]
5. Reflect on the idea of being conformed to the likeness of Jesus. What specific aspect of Jesus' character do you feel called to develop in your own life, and how can you work towards that goal this month? [25:40]
6. Jesus' teachings were often delivered in real-life situations. How can you create opportunities in your daily routine to learn and grow in your faith through practical experiences? [15:13]
7. Peter copied Jesus' actions in his ministry. Identify a specific teaching or action of Jesus that you can emulate in your interactions with others this week. [20:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Authentic Voice of Jesus
Jesus spoke with a unique authority that was rooted in His own experience and understanding, setting Him apart from other teachers of His time. Unlike the rabbis who often relied on quoting others, Jesus' words were original and authentic, which amazed the crowds. This authenticity invites us to live with the same integrity in our own lives, speaking and acting from a place of genuine understanding and experience. Jesus' authority was not about force or volume but about the truth and love that resonated deeply with those who heard Him. [03:52]
Matthew 7:28-29 (ESV): "And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes."
Reflection: In what areas of your life can you speak and act with more authenticity and integrity, following the example of Jesus' unique authority?
Day 2: The Call to the Ordinary
Jesus extended His invitation to follow Him to ordinary people, not just the elite or those with high social status. This demonstrates that discipleship is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or education. Jesus saw potential in every individual, challenging us to recognize the extraordinary ways God can use us and others. This call to discipleship is a reminder that God values each person and desires to work through us to accomplish His purposes. [04:58]
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (ESV): "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong."
Reflection: How can you embrace your own potential and the potential of those around you to be used by God in extraordinary ways today?
Day 3: Learning Through Experience
Jesus' method of teaching was relational and experiential, inviting His followers to learn by doing. He emphasized the importance of living out His teachings in real-life situations, demonstrating love and respect for all people, including sinners and outcasts. This approach encourages us to engage with our faith in practical ways, learning from Jesus as we navigate the complexities of life. By taking on His yoke, we are invited to experience discipleship as a journey of growth and transformation. [07:12]
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 is one practical way you can live out your faith today, learning from Jesus' example of love and respect for others?
Day 4: The Transformative Journey of Discipleship
The process of discipleship involves being shown, taught, invested in, and commissioned by Jesus. This journey transforms us into His likeness, equipping us to impact the world around us with His love and truth. As we follow Jesus, we are invited to become more like Him, learning to love, serve, and lead as He did. This transformation is not just about personal growth but about making a difference in the lives of others. [16:25]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your own transformation into the likeness of Jesus, and how can this transformation impact those around you?
Day 5: Conformed to the Likeness of Jesus
God's ultimate plan for us is to be conformed to the image of His Son. This lifelong journey requires intentionality and commitment, but it is the most fulfilling and rewarding path we can take. As we strive to become more like Jesus, we are invited to deepen our relationship with Him and embrace the challenge of living out His teachings. This journey is not just about personal fulfillment but about reflecting Jesus' love and power in the world. [25:40]
Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV): "Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to align your life more closely with the image of Jesus, and how can this alignment influence your daily interactions and decisions?
Quotes
"When Jesus speaks with authority, and the thing that amazed the crowds was that he was speaking from his own experience he was speaking his own ideas he was speaking what he had found out he was speaking what he knew and and not like their scribes and pharisee not like the other teachers of the law because what would normally happen when a rabbi would speak and jesus was like a rabbi uh when a rabbi would speak they would they would quote other rabbis they'd say rabbi hillel says this rabbi fred says that rabbi so -and -so says that and they would try and pull ideas from different rabbis and make them appropriate to their followers jesus didn't do that in fact jesus did just the opposite he said you have heard it was said to the people long ago but i say that's in uh in the sermon on the in matthew chapter 5 verse 21 verse 27 it says you've heard it was said but i say in 31 verse 31 it says it has been said but i say verse 33 you've heard that it was said to the people long ago but i say verse 38 exactly the same you've heard that it was said but i say verse 43 you've heard it was said but you get the idea that jesus wasn't just quoting a whole load of ideas from other people he was speaking from what he knew and as a rabbi that was" [00:01:27] (92 seconds)
"Jesus showed a different way, a way of unconditional love. Honoring people. Even the unclean woman who pushed through the crowd and touched his rabbi robe. Most rabbis would feel they were unclean at that point because of the situation this woman was in. But Jesus honors her, blesses her, receives her, and blesses her. He restores her, gives her dignity, puts her back into society. Tells her her sins are forgiven. Tells her that she's heard in heaven. She's known by God. Jesus taught us how to treat people differently. Different to all the other rabbis. And Jesus teaches us, shows us. I'll show you. I'll show you how to treat people." [00:11:26] (52 seconds)
"Jesus always, sorry, when Jesus prayed, he always calls God Abba, he always calls God father, every time in the New Testament, when Jesus prays his father, Abba, daddy. All except once. Oh, you want to know? Okay. It's my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? It's the only time Jesus doesn't call God. Jesus shows us how to relate to people. Jesus shows us how to relate to God. And I know some of us have real problems with that idea of relating to God as dad, as father. Father, can we pray that God would show us what his father love is like for us?" [00:13:24] (53 seconds)
"I'll teach you how to cast out demons. I'll teach you how to bring healing to people. I'll teach you how to diffuse a situation. I'll teach you. How to bring peace. I'll, I'll teach you. I'll teach you how to heal the sick and raise the dead. I'll teach you how to live in favor with God and with humans. I'll teach you those things. And of course, all that teaching happens as Jesus is walking along the road. It happens in real life situations. So Jesus sees a farmer scattering some seed and Jesus teaches them about how sometimes his word falls on rocky ground and sometimes it falls on the pathway and sometimes it falls into good soil." [00:14:58] (48 seconds)
"I'll commission you. I'll show, I'll teach, I'll invest. I'll commission you. Sorry, we've done the learning bit. There's the investing bit. And here we go. There's the commissioning bit. Sorry. I'll commission you. As soon as I think you're ready, I'll send you out into the villages and where I'm about to go. And you can tell them the good news. You can tell them about forgiveness. You can tell them that they can be healed. You can tell them that they can pray. You can tell them that God is near, that the kingdom of God is at hand. You can tell them all that stuff. I'm sending you. I'm commissioning you. And at the end of my life, when all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me, then I will commission you to make disciples. Disciples of all nations. I'm commissioning you." [00:17:30] (45 seconds)
"Some of you will know that those words are quite familiar. They were familiar to Peter as well, because Peter was simply copying what Jesus was doing. He was copying what Jesus was doing. He was copying what Jesus was doing. When Jesus had met a lame man who needed to take up his mat and walk. In John chapter 5, verse 8, Jesus had said to this guy, get up, pick up your mat, and walk. Peter was simply copying what Jesus had done." [00:20:25] (28 seconds)
"Peter does it the way that Jesus did it. Come across this situation. What do you do? You say, rise up. Take up your mat and walk. You come across this situation. What do you do? You say Jesus heals her. Take her by the hand. Lift her up. Actually, Peter didn't quite do that. Peter waited till she'd opened her eyes and was alive before he lifted her up by the hand, which I think is just really interesting because Peter, as a Jew, wouldn't want to touch a dead body. So he waited for her to before he lifted her. I just think whereas Jesus didn't have such qualms, he would touch her because he knows he makes people clean, not then make them dirty." [00:23:11] (37 seconds)
"Those he foreknew, he predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son. Everyone God knows, his plan for all of them has always been and always will be to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. That's God's plan for your life. Don't know what God's plan for my life? That's God's plan for your life, to make you like... Jesus. For you to become like Jesus. His destiny is for you to become like Jesus. His plan, his desire, his heart is for you to become like Jesus." [00:25:02] (48 seconds)
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