Roblin Wesleyan Church

Discipleship

Matt. 28:19 Therefore go and make disciplesof all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

We’re Talking about Discipleship

- Calling from above

- Calling from below

- Calling from outside

- Calling from within

“You must find companions or make them, the Bible knows nothing of solitary religion.”

The society - larger group

- fellowship, prayer, instruction.

The entry requirement “a desire to flee the wrath to come”.

The class meeting - ten to twelve people

- weekly offerings for poor - met weekly for personal supervision and spiritual growth.

The band meeting  - smaller - accountability. - met weekly for mutual confession.

The Society aimed for the head,

the Class Meeting for the hands,

and the Band Meeting for the heart.

Contexts Jesus Used to Disciple

Public Space - Jesus with the Crowd

Social Space - Jesus with the 70

Personal Space - Jesus with the 12

Transparent Space - Jesus with the 3

Divine Space - Jesus with the Father

1. Calling from above

John 20:21   Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

2. Calling from below

Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

3. Calling from outside

Matt. 9:36a When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,

John 4:35b I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.

4. Calling from within

John 21:17  The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me? ... Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Knowing Jesus is the heart of Discipleship NOT

Knowing about Jesus

Gen. 3:8   Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

1. Solitary space (divine)

2. Transparent Space - me & a few

3. Personal Space - me & small group

4. Social Space  - me & my church

5. Public Space - Me & large gathering

Transparent Space

Matt. 4:18  As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

Personal Space

Matt. 14:28-29  “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

Social Space

Luke 10:1   After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them …

Transparent Space

Mark 9:2  After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.

Public Space

Luke 9:13   He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

The 5 Spaces of Discipleship

Jesus made disciples. Jesus commands us to make disciples.

How did Jesus do it? Different things in different spaces.

5 Spaces

• Public

• Social

• Personal

• Transparent

• Solitary

> Public “My Network” 100s

> Social “Me & my church” 20-70

> Personal “Me & my people 4-12

> Transparent “Me & a few” 2-4

> Solitary “Me & God”

Possible Activity:

Public: Hear From & Talk to God

Social: Connect

Personal: Grow

Transparent: Encourage

Solitary: Hear from & talk to God

How did you experience God first?

How do you experience him most?

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. - Ephesians 1:7-10

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. - 1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. - 1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV

mataios (Greek for futile) - without purpose, useless

Why Christ Had To Suffer

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38b

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:41

… They came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot.

Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. Acts 8:37b-38

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ Acts 22:16

1. Water Baptism Represents Cleansing

2. Baptism Publicly Expresses My New Identity

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17

3. Baptism is a picture of death and resurrection

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Rom. 6:3

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new Rom. 6:4

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, Col. 2:11

Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Col. 2:12

4. Baptism means we are openly joining the ranks of those who believe in Christ.

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 Matt. 28:19

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal. 3:27

It is appointed to man to die once, then face the judgment (Heb. 9:27).

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:55

Acts 1:3a After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive…

Acts 2:24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Acts 2:32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.

Acts 4:10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Acts 4:33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

Acts 5:29   Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead — whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

Greek Word for Resurrection is Anastasis

John 11:25a"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die…

Acts 17:18b …“What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.

Because He raised from the dead so will you.

Because He raised from the dead so will I.

AND

We can’t ignore what Jesus said.

1Cor. 15:12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1Cor. 15:13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

1Cor. 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

1Cor. 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.

1Cor. 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

1Cor. 15:18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

1Cor. 15:20   But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1Cor. 15:21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.

1Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

1Cor. 15:24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.

1Cor. 15:25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

his incomparably great power for us who believe.  That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead Ephesians 1:18-20

The Hope Of The Gospel Is The cross

1 Corinthians 1:18 “…the message of the cross is… the power of God”

1:23 “We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolish to gentiles,

24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 for the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:18,23-25

Matt. 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15  “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Luke 19:41-42  As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes.

Matt. 23:37   “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.

Matt. 21:6-7  The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.

Matt. 21:8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Matt. 21: 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

John 11:57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.

Matt. 20:17b -19a… as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified."

John 12:13a They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna!”

Rev. 7:9a   After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.

Rev. 7:9b  They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Matt. 21:5b “Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’

Matt. 11:28   “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matt. 11:29 -30 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

John 19:15  But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” “Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered.

John 12:19 … the Pharisees said to one another, “See, this is getting us nowhere. Look how the whole world has gone after him!”

Matt 21:10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”

Matt. 21:11  The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Matt. 16:16  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

I. Moses’ journey – Reveals how to come to grips with the real you.

Moses’ warped view (too high) of himself prevented him from fulfilling God’s purpose for his life. - Ex. 2:12 Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

Moses’ warped view (too low) of himself almost prevented  him from fulfilling God’s purpose for his life.

Excuse #1 – “I’m a nobody” - Ex. 3:11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

Excuse #2 – “I’m not smart enough” - Exodus 3:13 Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

Excuse #3 – “I’m not credible” - Ex. 4:1 Moses answered, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, 'The LORD did not appear to you'?"

Excuse #4 – “I’m not qualified” - Ex. 4:10 Moses said to the LORD, "O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to  your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue."

II. Moses’ reluctant trust in God’s promises and God’s character were his “baby steps“ to a sober self-assessment.

Ex. 3:12 And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain."

Matthew 28:20 "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Ex. 3:14 God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what  you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Ex. 4:2 Then the LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" "A staff," he replied.

2 Timothy 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Ex. 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? 12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

Romans 12:6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

III. Moses’ life reveals that a sober self-assessment (Reality) is a prerequisite to fulfill our divine assignment.

Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

Eph. 2:10 “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

        …His Word – Renew your mind

        … His people – Honest feedback

        ... Personal evaluation – Strengths/Weaknesses

        … Discovering your primary spiritual gift

    3. Celebrate daily that you are unique, loved, accepted, capable and being prepared to fulfill your divine assignment.