Sermon notes for September 23, 2012 (Part 1)
These are just my notes. This series on discipleship is packed full.
For the complete sermon go to fbc-bc.org, click on sermons.
Bro Mike often describes our Christian life as a journey -- it is not just a bunch of stuff happening each day. It has a definite beginning and a definite destination.
The beginning of our journey is not our physical birth. It is our "re-birth," our "born again experience," our "salvation event."
All words used to describe the starting place of our journey.
Before we begin our journey, we have to deal with Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Everyone is a sinner. We all need a Savior.
Then Romans 10:13: For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Everyone.
It is when we call on the name of the Lord, placing our trust in Him, that we are "converted," "born again," "saved..."
This is when we begin our journey...our walk with Jesus...our work of discipleship.
We start there and follow Him in discipleship until we are called home.
Bro Mike mentioned 2 funerals this week of women who had at some time in their life begun their journey of discipleship.
He could, with confidence, read Paul's words in 2 Timothy 4:7, and use it to describe them:
...the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good
fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.
Discipleship is not automatic. The word means "learner."
Am I on the journey of becoming a disciple?
Paul suffered for being a follower of Jesus, and he linked his suffering for Christ as being for the sake of His body, the church.
(Colossians 1:24)
Our own First Baptist Church in Bay City is a part of that great church. Jesus is the head and the Holy Spirit is at work.
Colossians 1:26: the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
This should jolt our attention -- what was hidden for centuries has been revealed to us!
Do we really know who we are today?
At no time will I ever say, "I got it! No more praying! No more study!"
I will be unwrapping the glorious riches of this mystery throughout my life. We must be ferocious in our quest for understanding the glorious riches available to us.
What will you do with the rest of your life after you are saved?
Colossians 1:28: Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect [mature] in Christ Jesus.
"We" is not just the preacher.
Three Words:
Him
We
Preach
Today the church is an object of contempt and irrelevance in the world's eyes.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us who are saved it is the power
of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Our own families -- same gene pool, same background...but...they just don't get it!
We need to pray intelligently: Lord, my brother could care less. When I talk to Him about You and Your work, he scoffs. Lord, please stir up his spirit to feel drawn to you. Please do whatever it takes for him to feel Your touch on his life. This is a daring prayer.
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1 Corinthians 1:19
The church today is having a hard time with intelligent people.
Sometimes we must wonder, 'Lord, did You take into account the 20th century in Your plan? All these intelligent people and all the scientific discoveries they promote?'
How do we approach them?
He answers, "I love them even more than you do. I want to blot out their pride. I want to get through their intellect and reach their heart." I want this even more than you do...
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