Discipleship – Growing Together in the Mission of God
1 Peter 2:1-10
Purpose: to grow in Christ together, His Nation proclaiming of His excellencies
- Exhortation to Spiritual Growth
Hindrances to Spiritual Growth (1 Peter 2:1)
Genuine love (1:22) requires believers put off malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy & slander
Crave the Word Like Babes Crave Milk! (1 Peter 2:2-3)
The Paradigm for Spiritual Growth
See 1:23-25 for Peter’s emphasis on the Word
- Your Identity in Christ Supplies Two Reasons for Spiritual Growth
You Are Part of The Holy Building (1 Peter 2:4-8)
Jesus Christ is the foundation and focus
The Materials of the Building = born-again believers in Jesus Christ! (v. 5)
Jesus is the capstone/corner stone (v. 7; Ps. 118:22; Heb 12:1-2)
You Are Part of The New Nation (1 Peter 2:9-10)
Believers in Jesus must spiritually grow because they are a New Nation
Described in 4 terms (v. 9):
- A Chosen Race (see Is. 43:20ff; Deut 10:15)
- A Royal Priesthood (see 1 Pet. 2:5; Is. 61:6, 66:21; Rev. 1:6)
- A Holy Nation (see Ex. 19:6; Deut. 7:6)
- A People for God’s Own Possession (see Ex. 19:5; Deut. 4:20, 14:2; Titus 2:14)
The New Nation’s Purpose (v. 9b)! Proclaiming God’s Excellencies!
What is proclaimed? God called us out of darkness into light!
Because (v. 10)? We have received God’s mercy in Christ!
Conclusion: This is The Priesthood of the Believer
- Each individual believer has the privilege to approach God for himself or herself in Christ
- Each individual believer has a responsibility to serve and love others
The Certainty of Discipleship
Acts 1:1-11 (ESV)
1. Jesus presents himself as the risen Lord.
Acts 1:3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
The authority and power of Jesus is verified by his physical resurrection.
2. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:4-8 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me;5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
He focuses them on and empowers them for the mission.
3. Jesus proclaims his triumph.
Acts 1:8 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Matthew 28:18-20 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b]the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
He makes the success of his mission and the work of his disciples certain.
SO WHAT?
ALL disciples reproduce.
Discipleship – Joining the Mission of God As One
Romans 12 (NASB)
Purpose: Together in the Body of Christ, we are A Holy Sacrifice to God
1. Worshipping God Together As One
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
In v. 1, “you/your” is plural, while “a holy sacrifice” is singular! Do not conform to this world, but be transformed, renewing your mind!
2. God Is the Source!
Romans 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
3. Many Believers, One Body
Romans 12:4-5 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
God’s Gracious Gifts (Paul mentions 7 gifts)
Romans 12:6-8 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Care Commanded (5 charges)
Romans 12:9-10 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Preferential Treatment (9 WAYS to “give preference”!)
Romans 12:10-13 give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Body Building (14 More Charges!)
Romans 12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
THIS IS ALL WORSHIP!!!!
The Cost of Discipleship
Mark 8:31-38 (ESV)
1. Jesus was obedient to die, in order to bring life.
Mark 8:31-33 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
The ways of Christ seem like foolishness to our earthly minds, but disciples are called to think and act in light of eternity.
2. Jesus demands we follow Him through death to life.
Mark 8:34-36 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
No ONE and no THING can come before Jesus.
3. Jesus is coming in glory and will hold us accountable.
Mark 8:37-38 For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
As disciples, obedience will be rewarded and disobedience will be rebuked.
SO WHAT?
ALL disciples die to live.
Joining God’s Mission in Christ’s Body
Ephesians 4:7-13 (NASB)
Christ’s purpose is to build us into one body, mature in faith and service
- Christ Gives Gifts to His Church
Ephesians 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”
Who gave the gifts? Jesus Christ.
To whom? Each one of us.
Ephesians 4:9 Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.
Doctrinal section: Where did this Giver come from and go to? Far above the heavens.
- The Gifts Christ Gives
Ephesians 4:11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,
What are the gifts mentioned here?
Some as apostles
Some as prophets
Some as evangelists
Some as pastor teachers
- The Purpose for Christ’s Gifts
Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Why were the gifts given?
For the equipping of the saints
For the work of service
To the building up of the body of Christ
Until “we all” attain to the unity of the faith
and of the knowledge of the Son of God
To a mature man (note the singular “a man” made up of “we all”)
To the measure of the fullness of Christ
The Course of Discipleship
Matthew 11:25-30 (ESV)
1. We can know God intimately.
Matthew11:25-26 At that time Jesus declared, “I
thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that
you have hidden these things from the wise and
understanding and revealed them to little children;
yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
The Father reveals himself to those who come to
Him in faith. It is not our knowledge or intellect that
is the key, but a humble trusting heart.
2. Jesus wants to reveal God to us.
Matthew 11:27 All things have been handed over to
me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except
the Father, and no one knows the Father except the
Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal
him.
When we see Jesus, we see the Father. To follow Jesus,
is to learn who God is, His nature, character, and will,
and to be known by Him.
3. When we follow Jesus, we find rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my
yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle
and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Being a disciple is about trust, not about our
proficiency or effort. It is resting in the reality that
God will transform us more completely than we
could ever change ourselves.
SO WHAT?
ALL disciples imitate Jesus.
“Disciples, Joining the Mission of God Together”
Acts 2:36-47
“For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” – Peter in Acts 2:39 (NASB)
Purpose: to show how disciples join the mission of God as the church of Jesus Christ
What is the God doing here in Acts 2?
Jesus is both Lord and Christ (2:36)
Using Peter’s Preaching (2:37, 40)
Promising Salvation to gospel believers (2:32, 39)
Providing the Holy Spirit (2:38)
Calling People to Himself (2:39)
Adding more saved people (2:47)
The Lord’s Church in Born When People Respond
Pierced to the heart (2:37)
Repent (2:38)
Each believer baptized (2:38)
“Be saved from this perverse generation” (2:40)
How many did this? 3,000 + (2:41, 47)
The Way of Life in the Church of Jesus Christ:
Continually devoting themselves to (2:42):
- the apostles’ teachings (discipleship)
- fellowship
- breaking of bread
- prayer
Everyone felt awe, apostles’ signs & miracles (2:43)
Together in biblical fellowship how?
All things in common (2:44-45)
With one mind, worshipping, praising (2:46-47)
Gladness, heart sincerity, eating together (2:46)
The Mission of God is About The Gospel
The gospel of Jesus Christ saves sinners
The gospel gathers the saved in church
The gospel church continues the mission
First Baptist Church Exists to Glorify Christ
in Worship, Discipleship, and Mission
The Call of Discipleship
Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV)
1. Jesus meets them where they are.
Matthew 4:18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.
Jesus meets them at their daily work of fishing. They are not in a religious
school, nor is this a monumental moment, but a miracle of the ordinary.
- Jesus gives them a new identity and purpose.
Matthew 4:19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Jesus tells them who they will be, no longer fishermen, but fishers of men.
- Jesus meets them where they are. Matthew 4:20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Following Jesus required an immediate and decisive answer.
SO WHAT?
ALL disciples are called.
It is possible that some of us still haven’t chosen to follow.
Are we still fishing when he is wanting to do so much more through us?