Effective Discipleship (3)

By: Mac.  Outline rearranged/reworked by: M. Allen

 

FILING INFORMATION:

2000046

Subject: discipleship; attitudes

Preached Originally: 08/13/00 – Rapid City, SD

 

Introduction:

A.     Been talking about discipleship of late.  Hope that you are enjoying the series. 

1.         We’ve talked in length about the need to be like Jesus.  Definition in Lk. 6:40

2.         Talked last week on how to get started in becoming an effective disciple.  This done by:

a)    Severing entanglements (Sinful behavior)

b)    Training daily – in the work of the Lord

c)    Always online – communicating w/the Lord

d)    Rallying together – by getting involved in the Lord’s work.

e)    Turning outward – giving of ourselves to others.

3.         I hope we are all heading in the right direction spiritually speaking.

B.     Everyone seeking discipleship receives the potential for a new and different life.

1.         Potential can be a motivating factor.  Defined as: capable of being but not yet realized.  A capacity for further growth, development, or progress; promise.

2.         Couple purchases a new home.  Fixer upper.  Buy it often because potential is seen in how to turn it into a “jewel”

3.         In religion/the Lord’s church – preachers often talk about potential of individual members & the congregation itself.

C.    The Christian in coming to Christ has the potential for a new/different/better life!  It is through our application of the Word of God that we obtain better life!

1.         Acts 2:38 – been given a gift by God – the gift of the HS.

a)    Lot of confusion/controversy around this verse.

b)    Some claim: this means we have miraculous gifts/etc. today.  Not so – 1 Cor. 13:8

c)    But the promise was made that it would be given.  See also Acts 5:32.  Here in this context – promised to those who already obeyed the gospel.

2.         The spirit intercedes; guides, seals, and bears witness w/our own spirit – through the word.  This is our gift from God. 

3.         We have the words of the spirit to guide us.

D.    What shall Christians do with this gift?  Can it be abused?  Can it be thrown away?  Treated with disdain?  How can it be used effectively?

 

I.  We can do one of three things:

A.    Eph. 4:30 – we can grieve the spirit.

1.         How can we grieve the spirit?

2.         Consider context – 4:24-30

a)    We grieve the Spirit through our own willful sinful behavior!

b)    When we refuse to apply the word of God to our lives.  When we refuse to receive with meekness the implanted word that is able to save (our) souls. (Js. 1:21)

3.         Notice just a few things whereby we can grieve the spirit:

a)    4:25 – lying/falsehood

b)    4:26 – uncontrolled/sinful anger

c)    4:28 – stealing

d)    4:29 – foul speech

e)    Certainly this list here abbreviated.

4.         Point:  we can grieve the spirit by letting sinful things back into our life after obedience to the gospel.

B.    1 Thess 5:19 – Quench the Spirit.

1.    How can Christian’s quench/smother the Spirit?

2.    Make excuses about lack of service/attendance/getting involved.

3.    Before long – rationalize it away – let older/more mature Christians take part or that’s just the preacher’s job – we’re paying him to do it.

4.    Part time Christians – leaving Christianity at the back door of the CB every week.

5.    Procrastinating on things we need to do.

6.    Don’t smother out your Christian life.  Don’t quench the Spirit!

C.   Eph. 5:18 – Be Filled With the Spirit.

1.    Focus on phrase – be filled with the Spirit. 

a)    Contrast made here – between being filled w/controlled by alcohol and being filled w/the spirit.

b)    Must be under the influence of the Spirit.

1)    Controlled by

2)    Sustained by

3)    Be under His influence – let the mind of the Spirit guide us – through the word.

2.    Notice – this a command – NOT an emotion!

a)    Not talking about jumping pews, etc.

b)    Rather – we have been commanded to let the Spirit fill our lives – this done through the application of God’s word.

c)    When Being like Jesus becomes our primary concern.  WWJD not such a bad thing.

 

II.  What is the Result of a Spirit Filled Life?

A.    Overseas missions? Citywide campaigns?  Wholesale Conversions?

1.    Not in this context.

2.    God is practical!  God is real!

3.    What can we learn about a spirit filled life from Eph. 5-6?

B.    Eph. 5:18-19 – A heart song will start.

1.    Singing/making melody in your heart to the Lord.

2.    When we filled w/the Spirit – there is something that goes on in the heart.

a)    A feeling that everything all right.

b)    Feel for person who lives w/feeling – I may be lost!

c)    Danger!  Longer a person pushes God away – easier it gets.  Harden heart.

3.    Real happiness is found in being a Christian – a song can/will be on our hearts!

C.   Eph. 5:20 – Thanks becomes a way of life.

1.    Notice – always giving thanks for all things.

a)    A way of looking at things.  Involves outlook on life.  Something all need to look at – especially a few!

b)    Some always grumble, complain, find fault – just opposite of 5:20

c)    Again – way of looking at things.  Could let wind out of someone’s sails.

2.    Boils down to having the proper attitude.

D.   Eph. 5:21 – Concern for others grows.

1.    Note here – submit/to be subject to others.  Means putting someone else’s needs above our own.  Servants of one another & of Christ.

2.    Phil. 2:3-5 – comes to mind.

3.    Importance of self lessened.  It no longer all about ourselves – but all about others – and most importantly – Christ!

E.    Eph. 5:22-24 – Wives will become submissive.

1.    To realize that husband = head of household – that husband has final say.  Problem w/this?  Talk to God – not me.

2.    Realize that this not necessarily natural, or easy, for men to demand.

3.    Not talking about cowering to/etc as feminists portray – but loving submission – in recognizing God’s order of things.

F.    Eph. 5:25 – Husbands will love their wives.

1.    Wd “love” in 5:25 – agape love.

a)    Vines:  not only to have an affection for – as a matter of sentiment or feeling – but also a wider sense of embracing the judgment and deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty, and propriety.

b)    A love that is sacrificial in nature!  Sacrificial in care; willingness to go out of way for, etc.

2.    Leadership – not ruling w/an iron fist – but out of love/happiness.

3.    Love that will stand through imperfections/problems etc.

G.   Eph. 6:1-3 – Children will obey their parents.

1.    Especially talking to young persons still living at home who have obeyed gospel.

a)    Back talking/foul mouth/disrespectful behavior won’t cut it w/the Lord.

b)    Sinful behavior.

c)    Must seek to heed instruction of parents – give them honor is due them.  Be thankful for them!

2.    A god-given responsibility.

H.   Eph. 6:4 – fathers will instruct their children!

1.    Will seek to be spiritual models for children!

2.    Patient!

3.    Do children see in father a love for God’s kingdom in the way I live my life?

I.      Eph. 6:5-8 – All work will be done as to the Lord.

1.    sluff off.  Wait by time clock.  Give employer 2nd best.

2.    Employer may not recognize our good job – but the Lord will.  Remember –we’ve been commanded to do so!

J.     Eph. 6:9 – Employers must be sincere/caring.

1.    Give up threatening.  But seek to be examples for good.

2.    Our business is the Lord’s business – and we’re all accountable!

K.    Eph. 6:10 – We will stand up to be strong w/His Strength.

1.    Realize:  we can get nowhere w/o the Lord’s help!

2.    We must armor up – resist and stay alert to the schemes of the devil.

3.    It needs to be a goal in every one of our lives to STAND FIRM!

 

Conclusion:

A.    Day by day in every way we can become more like Jesus!

1.    We can become effective in His service.

2.    Excited about the potential we all have to become more like Him!

3.    Remember the “potential” we talked about in the beginning of lesson.

4.    Won’t come overnight – but day-by-day we can move just a little closer to where we need to be.

B.    Are you living a spirit filled life?

C.   Where are you?

D.   I N V I T A T I O N