The Ideal Disciple
Spiritual Discipleship • Sermon • Submitted
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· 12 viewsThis study initiates an intensive discipship jourey whereby participants delve into the true cost of being a disciple and what it means to anticipate being obedient to what we learn about Jesus rather than store away "Christian" data about Jesus.
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Introduction
Introduction
Mark 1:
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
The word disciple means a learner. A fuller definition is, “a learner or pupil who accepts the teaching of Christ, not only in belief but also in lifestyle.”
Q. What does it mean to be a pupil or a learner?
Q. What threat might this pose to us?
There is no such thing as easy and instant discipleship.
Q. How might this differ from our current, 21st Century understanding of discipleship?
Q. What is it about the process of discipleship that scares us?
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.
1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The word blessed can be rendered “O the bliss!” “To be envied or congratulated.”
The beatitudes are divided into eight conditions or life that divide into two groups
1. Spiritual inadequacy (v.3)
1. Spiritual inadequacy (v.3)
The word for poor implies someone who has nothing at all and is bankrupt, and has no resources.
“We are all beggars, living on the bounty of God.” —Martin Luther
Q. Why do you suppose Jesus started with this statement?
2. Spiritual contrition (v. 4)
2. Spiritual contrition (v. 4)
The word mourn conveys the idea of grief of the deepest kind. It is mourning over sin and failure, over the slowness of our growth in likeness to Christ.
Q. Why is it important to mourn?
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
3. Spiritual humility (v. 5)
3. Spiritual humility (v. 5)
The word meek was used of a horse that had been broken and domesticated, giving the idea of energy and power, controlled and directed.
Q. Does meekness imply weakness?
4. Spiritual aspiration (v. 6)
4. Spiritual aspiration (v. 6)
Q. What do you crave? Prestige, power, wealth, happiness?
Happiness is a by-product of holiness
11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
5. Compassionate in spirit (v. 7)
5. Compassionate in spirit (v. 7)
It is always to the underserving that mercy is extended. If it were deserved, it would no longer be mercy but mere justice.
Q. Why is it easier for us to prefer justice for others and mercy for ourselves?
Mercy is the ability to enter into another’s situation and be sympathetic toward his plight or problem.
Just as in physics, where action and reaction are equal and opposite—those who are merciful will be shown mercy.
6. Pure in heart (v. 8)
6. Pure in heart (v. 8)
Cleanness of heart brings clearness of vision
The word pure here means “unadulterated,” free from alloy, sincere and without hypocrisy.
Q. What contaminates us so that our vision of God is obscured?
7. Conciliatory in spirit (v. 9)
7. Conciliatory in spirit (v. 9)
Q. What is the difference between peacekeepers and peacemakers?
Being a peacemaker is someone who seeks to restore broken relationships, to be a reconciler rather than a pacifist.
Mathew 5:1
8. Unswerving in loyalty (vv. 10-11)
8. Unswerving in loyalty (vv. 10-11)
Q. How are we persecuted today?
Q. What shakes our loyalty in something or someone?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
Three conditions for persecution to be a blessing
It must be for righteousness’ sake, not as a result of our fanaticism or tactlessness
The evil-speaking myst have not basis in fact; it must not be something that is the outcome of our sin or failure
It must be for Christ’s sake—suffering that arises from our consistent loyalty to Him