Origins Of Discipleship, Part 4: Why Were You Chosen?
Discipleship • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsThrough the grace of God, Jesus calls His disciples from all walks of life
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Introduction
Introduction
Good morning, my name is Nathanael, some of you may know me as Bartholomew which was my last name or rather the name of my father.
My name means “given by God”
More specifically, I am a man given by God to serve Jesus Christ as His disciple
And all of you today ought to know that the LORD God has given you life and life more abundantly that you may serve Jesus Christ faithfully as his follower too; that’s the true definition of a disciple of Jesus Christ- you follow Jesus
And never forget that the LORD God used somebody to prepare the way for you to follow Jesus Christ and you are called to do the same for somebody else.
For me that person was John the Baptist, who indirectly prepared a way for me to follow Jesus Christ.
It was John the Baptist who gave testimony of Jesus Christ- telling his disciples that Jesus Christ is the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world
John tells his disciples that Jesus is the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world
Andrew, a friend of mine, followed Jesus Christ based upon John the Baptist’s testimony
After Andrew decided to follow Jesus, he then told his brother Simon Peter about Jesus and brought Simon Peter to Jesus
Then Jesus called Philip who is from the same town as Andrew and Peter. We all lived in the same town together by the way. Discipleship ought to start in your home and local town.
Philip made up his mind to follow Jesus, then Philip found me and shared the good news about Jesus Christ- this man from the town of Nazareth
I responded- “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
And maybe today you are wondering can anything good come out of your family or out of your community or out of your ministry. I’ve stopped by here today to tell you that if Jesus’ shows up then something will happen, something good is going to happen. Something good is going to come out of your situation or even predicament.
After I asked the question: “Can anything good come out Nazareth?”
Philip promptly replied to me- “Come and see for yourself!”
And that’s what you need to do as well as tell your friends and family
Don’t make up your mind about the church and Jesus Christ only based upon what you have heard, but come and see for yourself
I so I decided to check out this Jesus for myself
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”
John 1:47
Can you imagine that?
Jesus told me that I was a member of God’s chosen people- a member of His family. Can you believe that? Jesus identified me with God’s people.
Jesus’s kind and gracious words made me feel special and privileged. In fact, I kind of figured the reason Jesus called me in the first place was because I was fairly holy compared to many others of my day.
All the rest of the disciples were not what you would normally call saints, if you know what I mean. Peter was very presumptuous and had a sailor’s tongue. If you came at Peter sideways, there was no telling what he might say. And that other Simon, the Zealot, he was the kind of brother that would cut you if you got out the pocket with Jesus. And James and John they were just hot heads. Why they have to ask Jesus about calling down fire on folks who did not receive Jesus properly.
Sometimes we want to take things in our own hands and try to help out Jesus. But I soon learned, that was not the way Jesus operated or rolled.
Now James and John they were not only extreme but they had an ambition for power to be with Jesus on His thrown and in His glory to His right and left. They even had the audacity, the gall and boldness, to put their mother, Salome, up to asking on their behalf.
Have you ever asked Jesus for something? And you new you were reaching kind of high and you were not being humble. Has the taste of power ever made you hungry for more. That was James’ and John’s problem.
And with Thomas doubting and Judas being such a penny pincher and back stabber, Jesus obviously needed a holy brother within the fold. You always want some people around you to provide a little balance when everybody else is so unpolished.
Transition To Body
Transition To Body
But as I continued to walk with Jesus Christ, I rather quickly learned that Jesus did not call me because I was special or that I was bringing some specific gift or talent to the table. In fact, Jesus never calls people because of what they can do for him, but rather what Jesus can do in them, in spite of them, and through them.
That’s why Jesus told us, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
In fact as time went on, several of the other disciples did more than I ever did publicly. They have gone down in history to be considered great leaders within the early church. Most of you probably do not even know my contribution to the body of Christ, to the church of the living God. I was just a plain ole’ disciple, follower of Jesus Christ. A faithful, committed, student, learner, and follower of Jesus Christ.
And probably there are some among you today, individuals who serve the LORD faithfully behind the scenes without anyone hardly ever noticing. Or maybe you just do it back at home within our family or at your job or community where no one at the local church building may never know what you been doing or contributing to the cause of Jesus Christ.
Or maybe you are still trying to figure out this “walk by faith and not by sight” thing and how do you properly please such an awesome and gracious God such as Jesus Christ.
And let me tell you just in case you don’t already know:
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
So maybe you too probably, wonder why, in the world, Jesus Christ, who is so awesome and good, would chose and call you to be one of His disciples, his apprentices, his pupils, his followers.
In fact one of my contemporaries by the name of Paul, once said it this way when the Holy Spirit of God spoke through him to write:
2 Corinthians 4:
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Body
Body
Well I eventually learned that Jesus Christ called me and he called you because:
Chosen To Give God Glory
As we, the first disciples, continued to walk with Jesus and be in the presence of the glory of God; as we continued to follow, watch, and learn from Jesus, we were expected to do some of the works and wonders that Jesus did
But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
In fact Jesus told us that we would do even greater things.
The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught.
Mark 6:
My friend and contemporary Paul said it this way
:35-37
And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
John
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
John 15:1-8
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Illustrate: I remember when Jesus Christ once went up on a mountain with Peter, James, and John to pray. He left the rest of us disciples down at the bottom of the mountain to do the work of soul saving while He was gone...
And when Jesus asked us to feed
Chosen To Grow Faithful Followers (Of Jesus Christ)
Hear but really listening so no heart changing response- along the path
Hear with joy and receive immediately,- but don’t go deep and grow, so immediately fall away
Hear but trust (believe and accept) the world more than the WORD. They are conflicted and choose the world of Jesus Christ.
You call these three groups marginal or carnal Christians
Hear and accept and bear fruit
And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”
Matthew 28:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Chosen To Share Same Story (Of Jesus Christ)
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.”
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
Mark 16:15-16
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Transition To Conclusion
Transition To Conclusion
For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew And Jesus calls all types of people
And Jesus calls all types of people
Because disciples answer the call of Jesus by following Him
And Jesus calls all types of people
Jesus calls disciples to be with Him- that’s what it means to truly Give God Glory
Disciples are chosen to bear fruit that is to grow Fellow Followers of Jesus Christ- those are committed followers
Jesus sends out HIS disciples that they might proclaim the good news
And there’s only one story that we proclaim and share-
That God so loved the world
That He gave his only begotten son
That whom so ever believes in Him
Shall not perish but have eternal everlasting life
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
So we Give God Glory
Conclusion
Conclusion
Yes Something indeed good came out of Nazareth!
Because Jesus is God and the LORD God is good all the time
and all the time the LORD God is good
Do I have a witness in this sanctuary today?
But Jesus did not just come from Nazareth
Jesus came from heaven and was born in a manger
That’s even better!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
For many are called, but few are chosen.”
Jesus calls all types of people
Disciples answer the call of Jesus by following Him
Jesus calls disciples to be with Him
Jesus sends out HIS disciples that they might proclaim the good news
Jesus gives disciples authority to cast out demons I.e. Jesus grants his followers the ability to heal sin sick souls in His name
2 Corinthians 4:8-
Because Jesus is God and the LORD God is good all the time
and all the time the LORD God is good
Do I have a witness in this sanctuary today?
2 Corinthians 4:8-
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
That’s good news church!
That’s a story worth sharing!
That on a day we call good Friday
Jesus carried an old rugged cross
Up golgotha’s mountain- the place of skulls
And they hung him high
And they stretched him wide
They put nails in his hands
And they put nails in his feet
Though he could call an army of angels
At the sound of his voice
He would not get off that cross
For the joy that was before him
Jesus endured the shame of the cross
And he died
Was in the grave for 3 days
But my Bible says
That on the third day
He got up with all power and authority
That’s why he is the king of all kings
The LORD of all lords!
That’s why he has a name above all names
A name at which all knees shall bow
And all tongues shall confess
That Jesus is LORD