How This All Got Started
John 1:35-42
1. A picture of discipleship
2. People talking about Jesus
Three ways people talk about Jesus:
biblical proclamation- John the Baptist
personal testimony- Andrew
personal invitation- Jesus
3. Jesus is confrontational
“And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
-Mark 9:33-37
I would like to buy about three dollars worth of God please. Not too much—just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I become inconvenient to any of my friends. I don’t want so much God that I learn to really hate covetousness, lust and my addiction. I certainly don’t want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate others before myself. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I prefer a warm womb to actually being born again. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself prefer to be left alone. I want to be appreciated but not accountable, more socialization without transformation, please. I would like enough God to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like as much of this as I can have without my plans changing. I would like about three dollars worth of the God, please.”
-adapted from original by Wilbur Rees
4. The power of grace
Grace is the unconditional acceptance of God which brings us into relationship with and exposure to the capacity of God.
“For the grace of God has appeared (Jesus), bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness (NO) and world passions, and to live (YES) self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of this own possession who are zealous for good works.”
-Titus 2:11-14
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
-Luke 22:31-34
Personal Questions
1. Have I ever spent intentional time with a spiritually mature person for the purpose of becoming a disciple of Jesus?
2. How am I bearing witness to the reality of Christ right now?
3. Who or what am I avoiding that I should be confronting?
4. If God has the grace of acceptance and the power of transformation, what is keeping me from being changed?
John 1:35-42
1. A picture of discipleship
2. People talking about Jesus
Three ways people talk about Jesus:
biblical proclamation- John the Baptist
personal testimony- Andrew
personal invitation- Jesus
3. Jesus is confrontational
“And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all. And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
-Mark 9:33-37
I would like to buy about three dollars worth of God please. Not too much—just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I become inconvenient to any of my friends. I don’t want so much God that I learn to really hate covetousness, lust and my addiction. I certainly don’t want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate others before myself. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I prefer a warm womb to actually being born again. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself prefer to be left alone. I want to be appreciated but not accountable, more socialization without transformation, please. I would like enough God to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like as much of this as I can have without my plans changing. I would like about three dollars worth of the God, please.”
-adapted from original by Wilbur Rees
4. The power of grace
Grace is the unconditional acceptance of God which brings us into relationship with and exposure to the capacity of God.
“For the grace of God has appeared (Jesus), bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness (NO) and world passions, and to live (YES) self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people of this own possession who are zealous for good works.”
-Titus 2:11-14
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
-Luke 22:31-34
Personal Questions
1. Have I ever spent intentional time with a spiritually mature person for the purpose of becoming a disciple of Jesus?
2. How am I bearing witness to the reality of Christ right now?
3. Who or what am I avoiding that I should be confronting?
4. If God has the grace of acceptance and the power of transformation, what is keeping me from being changed?