True Discipleship: Living in Communion with Christ
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the often challenging and sometimes offensive aspects of the Christian life, particularly focusing on the concept of being true disciples of Jesus. We began by discussing the importance of unity and collaboration among church leaders, business leaders, and non-profit ministry leaders in Delaware, emphasizing the need to serve the community and see the Kingdom of God manifest in our area. This unity was exemplified in our recent gathering where we prayed for our schools, students, and educators, highlighting the openness and spiritual hunger present in today's youth.
We then delved into the heart of discipleship, questioning whether we are truly following Jesus or merely going through the motions. This self-examination is crucial as it challenges us to align our thoughts, actions, and hearts with God's will, even when it feels uncomfortable or offensive. The essence of being a disciple is living a life of communion with Jesus, which we explored through John 6. Here, Jesus feeds the multitude, walks on water, and teaches about the true bread of life, emphasizing that belief in Him is the starting point of our work for God.
Jesus' teachings in John 6 also challenge us to move beyond seeking miracles for physical sustenance and instead seek the eternal life He offers. This involves a daily commitment to unite our hearts with Him, believe in His words, and live out our faith even in the face of life's struggles and disappointments. The sermon concluded with a call to live a life of communion, not just as a ritual but as a daily practice of aligning our hearts, thoughts, and actions with Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Unity in the Body of Christ: The unity among church leaders, business leaders, and non-profit ministry leaders in Delaware serves as a powerful example of how collaboration can bring about the Kingdom of God in our communities. This unity is essential for addressing the needs and challenges of our society, such as education, and for fostering an environment where spiritual openness and hunger can thrive. [00:57]
2. True Discipleship: Being a true disciple of Jesus requires self-examination and a willingness to be challenged and even offended by God's truth. This process involves aligning our thoughts, actions, and hearts with God's will, even when it feels uncomfortable. True discipleship is not about going through the motions but about a deep, personal commitment to follow Jesus. [05:12]
3. The Bread of Life: Jesus' teaching in John 6 emphasizes that He is the true bread of life, offering eternal sustenance that goes beyond physical needs. Belief in Jesus is the starting point of our work for God, and this belief must be a daily commitment. We are called to seek the eternal life He offers and to live out our faith even in the face of life's struggles and disappointments. [15:00]
4. Living a Life of Communion: Communion is not just a ritual but a daily practice of aligning our hearts, thoughts, and actions with Jesus. This involves remembering His sacrifice, proclaiming His death, anticipating His return, recognizing His body, sharing in His life, participating in His death and resurrection, and consecrating ourselves to Him. This daily communion resets our hearts and realigns us with God's will. [42:19]
5. Navigating Offense and Truth: God often uses offense to challenge our thinking and reveal what is truly in our hearts. This process is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. As disciples, we must learn to navigate offense and truth, discerning God's will and responding in alignment with His heart. This involves separating our frustrations from the people involved and focusing on the spiritual battle rather than the human one. [31:36]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:57] - Unity in Delaware
[02:17] - Openness in Youth
[03:24] - Adjusting Our Hearts
[04:17] - Personal Challenge
[05:12] - True Discipleship
[06:08] - Life of Communion
[07:11] - John 6: Feeding the Multitude
[08:35] - Miracles and Belief
[10:15] - Jesus Walks on Water
[11:41] - Seeking Jesus
[13:04] - Belief and Work
[15:00] - Bread of Life
[16:47] - Eternal Sustenance
[19:28] - Offense and Truth
[21:06] - Daily Belief
[22:50] - Struggles and Faith
[24:30] - Eating His Flesh
[26:04] - True Bread from Heaven
[28:03] - Offense in Teaching
[29:50] - Peter's Revelation
[31:36] - Navigating Offense
[33:33] - Spiritual Maturity
[35:39] - Wrestling with Principalities
[37:16] - Aligning with God's Heart
[38:47] - Offense and Communion
[40:19] - Holy Spirit's Work
[42:19] - Life of Communion
[43:56] - Mystery of Communion
[45:23] - Power of Communion
[47:00] - Resetting Our Hearts
[48:23] - Proclamation and Anticipation
[49:52] - Recognition and Sharing
[51:24] - Discerning the Body
[53:06] - Participation and Consecration
[54:51] - Communion as One Body
[56:25] - Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice
[57:58] - Invitation to Follow Jesus
[59:24] - Belief and Relationship
[01:01:00] - Personal Decision
[01:02:18] - Importance of Discipleship
[01:03:51] - Resetting Our Hearts
[01:05:27] - Taking Communion Together
[01:07:18] - New Covenant in His Blood
[01:08:23] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 6:25-35 (NIV)
> When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
2. Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
> As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NIV)
> For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus identify as the true work of God in John 6:29? How did the crowd respond to this teaching? [13:04]
2. According to Ephesians 4:1-3, what qualities should we exhibit to maintain unity in the body of Christ?
3. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, what are the two main elements of communion, and what do they symbolize?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized belief in Him as the starting point of our work for God? How does this challenge our natural inclinations to perform tasks or rituals? [13:04]
2. How does the concept of unity among church leaders, business leaders, and non-profit ministry leaders in Delaware reflect the unity described in Ephesians 4:1-3? [00:57]
3. What does it mean to live a life of communion with Jesus, and how does this daily practice impact our spiritual growth and alignment with God's will? [06:08]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually hungry or thirsty. How did you seek to satisfy that hunger or thirst, and how can you turn to Jesus, the true bread of life, in similar situations? [16:47]
2. Unity in the body of Christ is essential. What steps can you take to foster unity within your church or community, especially among different groups like church leaders, business leaders, and non-profit ministry leaders? [00:57]
3. True discipleship involves self-examination and a willingness to be challenged. What areas of your life do you find most difficult to align with God's will, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to help you in these areas? [05:12]
4. Jesus' teachings can sometimes be offensive or challenging. How do you typically respond when confronted with a difficult truth from God, and how can you cultivate a heart that is open to His correction? [31:36]
5. Communion is more than a ritual; it is a daily practice of aligning our hearts with Jesus. How can you incorporate the principles of communion into your daily life to ensure you are living in constant alignment with God's will? [42:19]
6. Navigating offense and truth is crucial for spiritual growth. Can you identify a recent situation where you felt offended? How did you handle it, and what can you learn from that experience to better navigate future offenses? [31:36]
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of living out our faith even in the face of life's struggles and disappointments. How can you maintain your faith and commitment to Jesus during challenging times? [22:50]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in the Body of Christ
Description: Unity among church leaders, business leaders, and non-profit ministry leaders is essential for manifesting the Kingdom of God in our communities. This unity is not just about working together but about aligning our hearts and missions to serve the community effectively. In Delaware, this unity was demonstrated through a recent gathering where leaders prayed for schools, students, and educators, highlighting the spiritual openness and hunger in today's youth. Such collaboration can address societal needs and foster an environment where spiritual growth can thrive. [00:57]
Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can contribute to unity within your community or church. How can you collaborate with others to address a pressing need in your area?
Day 2: True Discipleship
Description: Being a true disciple of Jesus requires self-examination and a willingness to be challenged and even offended by God's truth. This process involves aligning our thoughts, actions, and hearts with God's will, even when it feels uncomfortable. True discipleship is not about going through the motions but about a deep, personal commitment to follow Jesus. It calls for a life of communion with Jesus, where we constantly seek to align ourselves with His teachings and example. [05:12]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel challenged or offended by God's truth. How can you begin to align this area with God's will today?
Day 3: The Bread of Life
Description: Jesus' teaching in John 6 emphasizes that He is the true bread of life, offering eternal sustenance that goes beyond physical needs. Belief in Jesus is the starting point of our work for God, and this belief must be a daily commitment. We are called to seek the eternal life He offers and to live out our faith even in the face of life's struggles and disappointments. This involves a daily commitment to unite our hearts with Him, believe in His words, and live out our faith. [15:00]
John 6:35 (ESV): "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routines. How can you incorporate a practice that reminds you to seek Jesus as your eternal sustenance each day?
Day 4: Living a Life of Communion
Description: Communion is not just a ritual but a daily practice of aligning our hearts, thoughts, and actions with Jesus. This involves remembering His sacrifice, proclaiming His death, anticipating His return, recognizing His body, sharing in His life, participating in His death and resurrection, and consecrating ourselves to Him. This daily communion resets our hearts and realigns us with God's will, helping us to live a life that reflects our faith in Jesus. [42:19]
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (ESV): "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread."
Reflection: How can you make the practice of communion a daily habit in your life, beyond the ritual? What specific actions can you take to align your heart, thoughts, and actions with Jesus today?
Day 5: Navigating Offense and Truth
Description: God often uses offense to challenge our thinking and reveal what is truly in our hearts. This process is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. As disciples, we must learn to navigate offense and truth, discerning God's will and responding in alignment with His heart. This involves separating our frustrations from the people involved and focusing on the spiritual battle rather than the human one. By doing so, we can grow in our faith and become more mature in our spiritual walk. [31:36]
Proverbs 27:6 (ESV): "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt offended. How can you discern God's truth in this situation and respond in a way that aligns with His heart?
Quotes
1. "I think it's easy to look at the exterior of somebody and make judgments and even pronounce judgment over them, not knowing what's going on in their heart, not knowing where God has them. And one of the things that Matt was saying was that, that there's such an openness to have conversation and dialogue, that they're asking questions and they want to know. One of the main things he said they want to know is how to do life." [02:17] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God is moving. It may not look like it. You definitely aren't seeing it on the news. So open up your spiritual eyes to see what the Spirit is doing. And I think we're in a season right now of, adjusting our own heart. That's why I really feel like, you know what, we're just gonna jump in. We'll do announcements at the end. I promise." [03:24] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I feel like the charge and the challenge right now is, are we disciples of Jesus? Am I a disciple, follower of Jesus? And that may not seem exciting, it's not, you know? But I think it's just, it's the right time and the right place. Because I think he's calling us and leading us back to the place. It's not a new thing. It's just getting us back to the place where we are making disciples." [05:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The work you must do is believe in the one. That's where your work starts, just in believing. That's incredible. Verse 30, they replied, Show us a miracle so we can see it, and then we'll believe in you. So I believe. Don't believe. If you do this, then I'll believe, right? Silly people. Oh, we have come so far." [13:04] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "All I know is that God is always working, always moving, always using everything for his glory. And part of that glory is what he's working into us. And so it's this uniting our heart to him and believing and continuing to unite our heart and continuing to believe and continuing to unite our heart and continuing to believe." [22:50] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Honestly, there are aspects of the Christian life that are very offensive. And I think God is okay with offending our mind, offending our understanding. And I think sometimes he has to. I don't know if there's any other way. That sometimes he needs to offend our thinking. And I feel like right now, this is another moment for the church where he's okay. He's offending our mind." [31:36] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "If we're supposed to bring heaven here, we need to learn that when those things happen, I take a moment. I align myself with the heart of God. God, what are you doing in this moment? How do you see them? God, what is my, what is the response? What is it that you want to release that's counter to that, right? And after I've aligned myself, and after I've listened, and then I'm obedient." [35:39] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I think that we're speaking curses on elected officials. Rather than with, with a, with his heart, pray and go, God, would you have mercy on them? Save them. Like, can we separate what they are doing and what they are releasing, and how it's impacting us from them as a person that I think God would love to reach? It, it's tricky navigating this until we begin to train ourself." [37:16] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I think one of the biggest disservices ever happened is through history, is the trying to explain some of this. And, you know, we look at different denominations and different religions and how they view communion. And some believe that the elements become the actual body and blood of Christ. Some believe that it's just a symbol. Some believe that it has no power at all." [45:23] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I think the first thing is it helps us to remember. In 1 Corinthians 11, 23, 25, it says, this is Paul talking, for I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you. The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, this is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." [48:23] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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