Understanding Key Roles in Christian Vocabulary and Discipleship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we began a new sermon series titled "You Keep Using That Word," inspired by the famous line from the movie "The Princess Bride." The focus of this series is to delve into the vocabulary of Christianity, exploring words that are often used but not always fully understood. We started by discussing the importance of understanding biblical terms and their implications for our faith and daily lives.
We examined the roles of apostles and prophets, who were foundational in the early church. These individuals received direct revelation from God and were responsible for communicating His word to the people. The apostles, chosen by Jesus, were eyewitnesses to His resurrection and were tasked with spreading His teachings. We also discussed the qualifications for apostleship, emphasizing that it required firsthand experience with Jesus' ministry and resurrection.
Next, we explored the roles of evangelists, ministers, preachers, and teachers in the modern church. Unlike apostles and prophets, these roles involve interpreting and teaching the already revealed word of God. We highlighted the importance of these roles in building up the church and equipping believers for service.
We then turned our attention to the roles of elders and deacons. Elders are servant leaders who shepherd the church, while deacons are lead servants who handle practical matters within the church. Both roles require individuals who are full of the Spirit and wisdom, setting an example for others to follow.
Finally, we discussed the concept of discipleship. While not all disciples are apostles, all apostles were disciples. A disciple is anyone who seeks to obey and be like Jesus. We are all called to be disciples, leading others to Christ and living lives that reflect His teachings.
### Key Takeaways
1. Understanding Biblical Vocabulary: It's crucial to understand the meanings of biblical terms like salvation, sanctification, and atonement. These words are not just theological jargon but have profound implications for our faith and daily lives. Knowing their meanings helps us deepen our relationship with God and live out our faith more effectively. [39:24]
2. The Role of Apostles and Prophets: Apostles and prophets were foundational in the early church, receiving direct revelation from God. They were responsible for communicating God's word to the people, laying the groundwork for the church's teachings. Understanding their roles helps us appreciate the authority and authenticity of the Scriptures. [46:12]
3. Modern Church Roles: Evangelists, ministers, preachers, and teachers play vital roles in the church today. They interpret and teach the already revealed word of God, helping to build up the church and equip believers for service. These roles are essential for the spiritual growth and unity of the church. [54:06]
4. Elders and Deacons: Elders are servant leaders who shepherd the church, while deacons are lead servants who handle practical matters. Both roles require individuals who are full of the Spirit and wisdom. Their leadership and service set an example for the congregation, fostering a healthy and vibrant church community. [01:00:20]
5. Discipleship: Every believer is called to be a disciple, seeking to obey and be like Jesus. Discipleship involves leading others to Christ and living lives that reflect His teachings. Whether or not we hold formal leadership roles in the church, we are all responsible for making disciples and advancing God's kingdom. [01:08:02]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[32:33] - Introduction and Offering
[38:01] - Building Trust in Ministry
[39:24] - Understanding Biblical Vocabulary
[42:38] - The Role of Apostles and Prophets
[46:12] - Foundational Roles in the Early Church
[48:01] - The Holy Spirit's Role in Apostolic Teaching
[49:18] - The Early Church's Devotion
[49:56] - Importance of Biblical Words and Titles
[50:51] - Modern Claims of Apostleship
[54:06] - Evangelists, Ministers, Preachers, and Teachers
[55:13] - The Role of Evangelists
[59:13] - Elders and Deacons
[01:00:20] - Shepherding and Pastoring
[01:08:02] - The Call to Discipleship
[01:11:06] - Invitation and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:19-22: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
2. Acts 2:42-43: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles."
3. Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the qualifications for apostleship mentioned in the sermon? [51:39]
2. How did the early church respond to the apostles' teachings according to Acts 2:42-43?
3. What roles in the modern church were highlighted in the sermon, and what are their primary responsibilities? [54:06]
4. According to Ephesians 2:19-22, what is the significance of the apostles and prophets in the foundation of the church?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to understand the specific roles of apostles and prophets in the early church? How does this understanding affect our view of the Scriptures? [46:12]
2. How do the roles of evangelists, ministers, preachers, and teachers contribute to the spiritual growth and unity of the church today? [54:06]
3. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus, and how does this role differ from that of an apostle? [01:07:19]
4. How can the concept of being "built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22) influence our daily lives and interactions within the church community?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your understanding of biblical terms like salvation, sanctification, and atonement. How can a deeper understanding of these terms impact your daily walk with God? [39:24]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of recognizing and respecting church leadership. How can you show support and encouragement to your church leaders this week? [01:09:35]
3. In what ways can you contribute to the unity and spiritual growth of your church community, considering the roles of evangelists, ministers, preachers, and teachers? [54:06]
4. Think about the role of elders and deacons in your church. How can you follow their example of being full of the Spirit and wisdom in your own service to the church? [01:00:20]
5. Discipleship involves leading others to Christ and living lives that reflect His teachings. Identify one person in your life who you can disciple or mentor in their faith journey. What steps will you take to guide them this week? [01:08:02]
6. How can you ensure that your understanding and use of biblical vocabulary is accurate and meaningful in your conversations and teachings? [39:24]
7. Reflect on the call to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). What practical steps can you take to fulfill this Great Commission in your local context?
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Biblical Vocabulary
Understanding the meanings of biblical terms like salvation, sanctification, and atonement is crucial for deepening our relationship with God and living out our faith more effectively. These words are not just theological jargon but have profound implications for our faith and daily lives. Knowing their meanings helps us to grasp the full scope of God's work in our lives and the world. For instance, salvation is not just about being saved from sin but also about being brought into a new life with God. Sanctification involves the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ, and atonement speaks to the reconciliation between God and humanity through Jesus' sacrifice.
By delving into these terms, we can better understand the richness of our faith and how it applies to our everyday lives. This understanding equips us to communicate our faith more clearly and live it out more authentically. It also helps us to appreciate the depth of God's love and the extent of His work in our lives. [39:24]
Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."
Reflection: Think of a biblical term that you often hear but don't fully understand. Take some time today to research its meaning and consider how it impacts your faith and daily life.
Day 2: The Role of Apostles and Prophets
Apostles and prophets were foundational in the early church, receiving direct revelation from God and communicating His word to the people. The apostles, chosen by Jesus, were eyewitnesses to His resurrection and were tasked with spreading His teachings. Understanding their roles helps us appreciate the authority and authenticity of the Scriptures. The qualifications for apostleship included firsthand experience with Jesus' ministry and resurrection, which underscores the unique and unrepeatable nature of their role.
Prophets, on the other hand, were individuals who received and communicated God's messages to the people. Their role was crucial in guiding and correcting the early church. By understanding the roles of apostles and prophets, we can better appreciate the foundation upon which our faith is built and the reliability of the biblical texts. [46:12]
2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV): "Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: Reflect on the authority of the Scriptures in your life. How does understanding the roles of apostles and prophets enhance your trust in the Bible?
Day 3: Modern Church Roles
Evangelists, ministers, preachers, and teachers play vital roles in the church today. Unlike apostles and prophets, these roles involve interpreting and teaching the already revealed word of God. They help to build up the church and equip believers for service. These roles are essential for the spiritual growth and unity of the church. Evangelists spread the gospel, ministers provide pastoral care, preachers proclaim God's word, and teachers instruct believers in the faith.
By understanding these roles, we can better appreciate the diverse ways in which God equips His people for ministry. Each role is crucial for the health and growth of the church, and recognizing their importance helps us to support and value those who serve in these capacities. [54:06]
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
Reflection: Consider how you can support and encourage those who serve as evangelists, ministers, preachers, and teachers in your church. What specific actions can you take this week to show your appreciation?
Day 4: Elders and Deacons
Elders are servant leaders who shepherd the church, while deacons are lead servants who handle practical matters within the church. Both roles require individuals who are full of the Spirit and wisdom, setting an example for others to follow. Elders provide spiritual oversight and guidance, ensuring that the church remains faithful to its mission. Deacons, on the other hand, take care of the logistical and practical needs of the church, allowing the elders to focus on their spiritual responsibilities.
Understanding these roles helps us to appreciate the structure and organization of the church. It also highlights the importance of servant leadership and the need for individuals who are willing to serve selflessly for the benefit of the church community. [01:00:20]
1 Timothy 3:2-3 (ESV): "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money."
Reflection: Reflect on the qualities of elders and deacons. How can you cultivate these qualities in your own life, regardless of your role in the church?
Day 5: Discipleship
Every believer is called to be a disciple, seeking to obey and be like Jesus. Discipleship involves leading others to Christ and living lives that reflect His teachings. While not all disciples are apostles, all apostles were disciples. A disciple is anyone who seeks to obey and be like Jesus. We are all called to be disciples, leading others to Christ and living lives that reflect His teachings.
Discipleship is a lifelong journey of growing in our relationship with Jesus and helping others to do the same. It involves intentional efforts to learn from Jesus, apply His teachings to our lives, and share His love with others. Whether or not we hold formal leadership roles in the church, we are all responsible for making disciples and advancing God's kingdom. [01:08:02]
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life whom you can disciple. What steps can you take this week to invest in their spiritual growth and help them follow Jesus more closely?
Quotes
1. "One of the things that was shared is the importance of building trust, building trust with people that we're trying to reach with the gospel because it's so important to build those relationships so that we can then have an avenue to talk about deeper. So many times, we expect people to come and hear all of the church speak and just understand what everything means and to be able to get it." [38:01] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How many times have you, maybe for those of you that have been a Christian for a long time, you know all the words. We could do the vocabulary test and you would make a hundred. Anybody remember the vocabulary test from school? You had to write down the words and then write down the definitions. And what if we passed out a vocabulary test for church, for Christianity, for the Bible?" [39:24] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Understanding biblical vocabulary. What are some of the things that maybe you hear a lot? Maybe you read them as you're reading the Bible. And you're like, well, I don't really understand what that means. For some of you, this is just going to be all about review over the next few weeks. But maybe for some of us, we'll get a deeper understanding of some of the themes." [41:23] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The apostles and the prophets spoke the word of the Lord directly from the Lord. The apostles and the prophets. Now, if we go back to the Old Testament. We see back in the Old Testament, there were prophets and there were priests as well. We talked about in our Wednesday night Bible study the idea of priests. And priests were the intercessors between God. And the people. They spoke to God on behalf of the people. And to the people on behalf of God." [42:38] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We didn't sit around and make this stuff up. We didn't sit around a fire and think about, hey, wouldn't this be cool if this had happened? Let's tell people this happened. No, we were eyewitnesses and we heard from the Lord. And he goes on then in verses 20 and 21. It says, above all, you must understand no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." [47:15] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "It is so important that we recognize biblical words and, and what they, what they mean. And, and words are, words are important and certainly titles are, are important. And today we see a lot of people who, who refer to themselves as apostles. And there's one controversial preacher, a well-known preacher who just a few months ago, he and his wife were commissioned as apostles. And you know, and I, and I look at that, I think, who, who, who authorized, you know, who authorized, you know, that, you know, how, how is that authorized?" [49:56] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "What about people like me? I, I, I did not receive the, the, the revelation directly from the Lord that this is what I should preach. I study the scriptures and, and, and preach what the word says. And so, those who, who preach and teach today, I, I would, I would reject the idea of calling them apostles or prophets. So, so, what are we? What are we? And, and, and why does that matter?" [54:06] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "A disciple is simply any person who is seeking to obey and to be like Jesus. And that's all of us. Whether this leads to leadership in the future, or simply roles of service and influence within the church. You know, Jesus gave his commission to his apostles and to perhaps the other disciples who were around. And in Matthew 28, 19 through 20, he says, Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I've commanded you." [01:07:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Whether you are a leader in the church, whether you aspire to be, or you have been in the past or whatever, what truly matters is how you are leading your life in a way that follows Jesus. And how you are leading others to know Him as Lord and Savior. And if you don't know Him as Lord and Savior today, while we are singing these next few songs, I invite you to come and have a conversation with me." [01:10:23] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "We are a priesthood of believers now. Which means no longer do we need somebody else to go to God on our behalf. We have direct access to God. But it also means, we have the opportunity to introduce people to the Lord. To lead people. Whether we are a leader in the church or not. As a priest of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity and the obligation to try to lead people to Jesus. To make an eternal difference in the world that we live." [01:10:23] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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