Living the life of Discipleship
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Intro: Last week we look at the story of the man Ananias (disciple) that in a vision, the Lord called him to go to the house where Saul (Paul) was. (Elab what happen with him) there he laid hands on Saul, he recieved his sight, the was baptized, by Ananias. Saul Immediately he began to preach the gospel of Jesus. When the Jews heard about what he was doing (Elab on their surprise) they came after him to kill him. So the disciples put in a basket and put him down over the wall of the city.
Immediately he began to preach the gospel of Jesus. When the Jews heard about what he was doing (Elab on their surprise) they came after him to kill him. So the disciples put in a basket and put him down over the wall of the city.
In the book of Gal Paul tells of his time in Arabia (3 years) where the Lord prepared him. Then he went to Jerusalem. ()
Where we are now in Acts, we come to the life of Paul 12 years after his conversion.
In VS 26 we see the term Christian used for the first time. (We will get back to this)
The term Christian is used very loosely today. By that I mean, most people don’t know what it really means to be a Christian.
There a lot of people who call themselves Christians, but they most likely are not. Some may call themselves Christians for whatever reasons.
The name “Christian caught on after the first century church began to grow. Jews and Gentiles were being saved.
They were not called Christian because of their conversion. We are not told exactly why. One reason; they talked about“the Christ” they were called the Christ people, so they became “Christians”. They were Christ like. It had to do with the way they conducted themselves.
So, the question for people today is, what is a Christian? Or what do you do to become a Christian?
You don’t become a Christian be coming to church. Not by being baptized, helping people or doing good thing, or even believing in God.
The only way to become a Christian is by putting your faith and trust in Jesus, repenting .......
That is the easy part. But that’s not where it stops, that’s where is actually begins.
This where your life of discipleship starts. A disciple is a life long leaner, a follower of Jesus. He is always with you, and go where He leads.
Being a Christian is your position is Christ. Discipleship is our life for Christ.
1.A Christian Received the life of Christ.
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2. A disciple commit’s his life to Christ.
A Christian is one that professes faith
A disciple is one that practices faith
1. A Christian is internal in conversion
2. A disciple is external in their conduct
1. A Christian talks about being saved
2. A disciple lives like they are saved
Every disciple is a Christian, but not every Christian is a disciple.
I. The people of discipleship VS 19-20
I. The people of discipleship VS 19-20
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Up to this point they that only been preaching to the Jews.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
Elab how Peter had dealt with this issue, and now it was about to change.
2.. These verses tells they were “scattered abroad” it started with the stoning of Stephen, and it hadn’t stopped.
1. These verses tells they were “scattered abroad” it started with the stoning of Stephen, and it hadn’t stopped.
1. These verses tells they were “scattered abroad” it started with the stoning of Stephen, and it hadn’t stopped.
a. The persecution hadn’t stopped, but the preaching of the word (the gospel) hadn’t stopped either. In the mist of persecution, even if it meant death, they didn’t stop.
b. The power of the Holy Spirit keep them going.
c. They didn’t let the persecution stop them. Them power that was within them (Holy Spirit) was great then anything that was going around them.
d. If you are live the life of discipleship, then its more then just having a relationship with Christ, it living you life that way, not matter what life bring you.
3. It a learning process.
a. When the disciples were with Jesus , what were they doing while were with Jesus? They were learning because He was teaching them.
b. Why was He teaching them? Because He wasn’t always going to be around.
c. Now there many believers, They were the first church, the first followers of Jesus. Some them were there when He was on the cross.
d. They met in the homes of other believers, they were risking their lives. They were facing opposition, persecution, and there was the temptation to stop. But they kept going on, they were people of discipleship.
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
f. Today, in our Churches, if our not facing what they faced, but we need to but what they were. People of discipleship.
c. People that are willing to learn. People that are willing to live their lives for christ through the pressures of life.
d. You don’t become a football player because you go to a game. Elab what you have to do do become a football player.
g. You don’t become a disciple because you go to church.
h. You become a disciple because you are willing to learn to live your live for Christ no matter ho difficult it may become.
II. The Marks of Discipleship VS 21-23
II. The Marks of Discipleship VS 21-23
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
The marks that identified them as disciples “The hand of the Lord was with them”
a. The hand of God is show a power of a controlling influence. It high-lights an existing activity.
b. Things are happening, good things because the hand of God was with them. That the mark of a disciple.
2. Is that true in your life?
a. What about Pine Grove? I pray as we begin to do more things like we did yesterday, that we will see the hand of God with us in a greater way.
b. How will we know?
“And a great number believed and turned unto the Lord”
c. When we see lives changed, we know the hand of the Lord is with us. But we have to do our part.
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.
Acts 11:
The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
Peter had been in Jerusalem, they had approved the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles. Now Barnabas was being sent to Antioch.
a. One more mark of discipleship was the news that was reached Jerusalem.
b. A mark of discipleship a Pine Grove will be when news begins to spread about what we are doing to reach people.
2. Barnabas would be making the trip to Antioch, (about 300 miles north of Jerusalem)
a. Barnabas means “Son of (encouragement)
Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
Barnabas arrives in Antioch, he see the grace of God. (New converts) He rejoices with them. He doesn't try to change what they are doing.
a. READ LAST PART OF VERSE.
b. He encouraged them all to remain steadfast in their devotion to the Lord, to stay faithful to the Lord.
c. We need to encourage each other. I pray that as Pine Grove grows, and reaches the lost, that others (churches) will encourage us. It’s not always that way.
d. Now lets looks at the practice of discipleship
IIII. The practice of Discipleship. VS 24-26
IIII. The practice of Discipleship. VS 24-26
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
Luke takes some time to share a little about Barnabas. Good man. Means he had positive qualities. Especially those suitable for a thing specified.
a. His was to encourage people. Remember, they were under great persecution. But they were still seeing people saved, they needed someone from the outside to encourage them.
b. This is what he did. This was a part of his discipleship. H
c. He was full of the Holy Ghost. Last week message “The man that obeyed God” Being filled with the Holy Spirit through spending time in the Bible, and praying is going to keep you spirit filled.
“Full of faith” He put his faith in God and not in himself.
Philippians
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
3. The practice of discipleship requires a life dedicated to being good, following the Holy Spirit, and being strong and confident in your faith.
a. Being a Disciple also means working good with followers Jesus.
Acts 11:25
25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
1. You can read the rest that chapter later. Peter dealt with this issue.
Barnabas knew the demands of the that were ahead were too great to do alone. He goes to Tarsus to find Saul. Little he know that Saul (Paul) would became the great leader.
a. For a year they would teach the people pf Antioch.
b. This is where we see the name Christian for the first time.
c. They were called Christians because of the way they lived. They were called Christians because they were followers of Christ. They were called called Christians because they lived a live of discipleship.