The Rock of KC

Numbers 13:1-33; 14:1-24 Faith: You have a Different Spirit-Let It Be Known I. There will always be a conflict: A. Of the few and the many B. The Confident and Fearful C. The Courageous and the Cowardly D. The Doubting and the Believing II. Characteristics of People with a Spirit of Faith A. They see themselves as giant killers and not grasshoppers B. They are willing to stand out from the majority opinion C. They allow God to capture and seize their attention and affections (worship) D. They See the Bigness of God instead of just the bigness of their problem E. They see the eternal end instead of the temporary circumstance (Caleb persisted in faith for another 40 years) F. They face their very real fears with their very real faith G. They know who they are in Christ and who Christ is inNumbers 13:1-33; 14:1-24 Faith: You have a Different Spirit-Let It Be Known I. There will always be a conflict: A. Of the few and the many B. The Confident and Fearful C. The Courageous and the Cowardly D. The Doubting and the Believing II. Characteristics of People with a Spirit of Faith A. They see themselves as giant killers and not grasshoppers B. They are willing to stand out from the majority opinion C. They allow God to capture and seize their attention and affections (worship) D. They See the Bigness of God instead of just the bigness of their problem E. They see the eternal end instead of the temporary circumstance (Caleb persisted in faith for another 40 years) F. They face their very real fears with their very real faith G. They know who they are in Christ and who Christ is in them.

IV. Faith Speaks to Giants I Samuel 17:1-51 31 What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. 32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." 33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." 34 But David said to Saul, "Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you." 40 Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. 41 Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" 45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." V. Faith speaks to one’s own soul Ps42:11 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

3. Faith speaks to Threats. Daniel 3:1-2

2 Cor.4:1-13 The Apostle Paul is sharing that the transcendent glory of the New Covenant is the basis for enduring all manners of trials. We also believe and therefore speak: This is a great principle – that faith creates the testimony. Paul really believed God had a purpose in his death-like sufferings, and really believed he lived and experienced the resurrection life of Jesus. Therefore, he wasn’t hesitant to speak about it! Knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus: Paul knew this. Therefore, he didn’t despair in his sufferings. Every death-like trial was just the prelude to resurrection power! I. Faith Speaks and I am Saved Romans 10:8-10 “What does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” II. Faith Speaks to Mountains Zech 4:6-7 So he answered and said to me: "This [is] the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts. “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ‘ “ Zech 4:7 (Amplified) For who are you, O great mountain [of human obstacles]? Before Zerubbabel [who with Joshua had led the return of the exiles from Babylon and was undertaking the rebuilding of the temple, before him] you shall become a plain [a mere molehill]! And he shall bring forth the finishing gable stone [of the new temple] with loud shoutings of the people, crying, Grace, grace to it! This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Zerubbabel was the civic leader of Jerusalem, and had the responsibility to finish the work of rebuilding the temple. The work had stalled, and Zerubbabel needed encouragement to carry on the work. Might focuses on collective strength, the resources of a group or army. Power focuses on individual strength. God says, “not by the resources of many or one, Matt. 17:14-2 14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him." 17 "O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" 20 He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you

Honor - is an attitude or expression of value on something or someone. It’s an attitude of appreciation. Honor expresses itself. It’s important that we verbalize and demonstrate to those we value and appreciate. Ephesians 6:2 Honor your Father and Mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. So that it will go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Honor - builds up Dishonor - is to treat something or someone as common. Pulls everything down. Honor elevates our life! It elevates everything! Malachi 1:6 A son honors his Father, and slaves honor their Master. If I am a Father, where is the honor due me? If I am a Master, where is the respect due me, says the Lord Almighty. Today, I want to talk about the importance of honor in our lives. Malachi 4:6 He will turn the hearts of the Parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents. (sign of revival) or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction. *Hopefully, we are believing God for restoration & revival. Order affects outcome. God has given us principles to live by this is one of those areas where we can walk out our Christianity. Honor compliments our life! Pro. 27:18 Those who guard a fig tree will eat its fruit, and those who protect their masters will be honored. *The responsibility is on us to show honor to people in our world. Scripture doesn’t say if our fathers are or were perfect, if they didn’t do anything wrong, if they were always loving or honorable. It says to honor. Protect, Cover, Esteem, Value Leaving a legacy of Honor: Dads, you are the one that your children look to for 5 things: 1. Guidance - Jer. 6:16 This is what the Lord says, Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Children face important life decisions and need the benefits of your experiences & wisdom. Don’t be afraid to share your weaknesses and faults. Dad’s are the ancient paths of wisdom for their children. Many times we live in shame and regret for things that we’ve done. The beauty is there are life lessons that our children need to hear. 2. Encouragement - Eph. 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Dad’s you have tremendous influence to make or break a child’s self image. By affirming & investing time and energy, you show that you love them. (no matter how old they are) It puts them in a good position to face the world with confidence. 3. Comfort - 2 Cor. 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. God wants Fathers to love and touch the hearts of their children. 4. Vision - Pro. 29:18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint, but blessed are those who heed wisdom’s instruction. Children need positive affirmation and encouragement to convey a positive outlook on their future. They need you to help them figure out what they are good at, express hope for future opportunities. Sometimes the gift of your presence can do the trick. 5. Protection - 1 Sam. 22:23 Stay with me; don’t be afraid. The man who wants to take your life is trying to kill me too. You will be safe with me. The world is full of physical, emotional, moral and spiritual dangers - but Dad’s can protect their children, by being a safe, involved and available presence in their lives. “Success isn’t accumulating possessions, wealth or power. Success is obeying God. It means having those closest to you love and respect you the most.” John Maxwell Dad’s, there is greatness in you! You are loved, needed, wanted, vitally important! Pro. 11:11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.

3. (15) The religious leaders led their converts on the wrong path. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves." You travel land and sea to win one proselyte: Their zeal in evangelism did not prove that they were right with God. These religious leaders went to great lengths to win others but they brought people to darkness, not light. Paul had the same idea in Romans 10:2 where he observed that some of the Jewish people of his day had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. "The word proselyte is an English transliteration of a Greek word proselutos, which means one who has approached or drawn near. The proselyte was the full convert who had accepted the ceremonial law and circumcision and who had become in the fullest sense a Jew." (Barclay) "A sizable body of scholarship convincingly argues that the first century A.D. till the Fall of Jerusalem marks the most remarkable period of Jewish missionary zeal and corresponding success." (Carson) When he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves: Through their great energy they could win some, but to no lasting good to those who were won. "Their business was not to turn men from sin unto God, but merely to convert them to an opinion, if they had once got them into their church, so as they could make their markets of them; never regarding their souls more." (Poole) "Jesus did not criticize the fact of the Pharisees' extensive missionary effort but its results … they 'out-Phariseed' the Pharisees." (Carson)

2. (5-10) They do their works to be seen of others, and live for the praise of men "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ." All their works they do to be seen by men: The religious leaders were guilty of advertising their righteous deeds. They acted out the religious spirit Jesus spoke against in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-6). They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments: Both the phylacteries (small leather boxes with tiny scrolls with scriptures on them, tied to the arm and head with leather straps) and the borders of their garments were worn in the attempt to conform to the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 11:18, Numbers 15:38-40). It was natural for these religious leaders to believe that broader phylacteries and larger borders on their garments showed them to be more spiritual. The idea of wearing the phylacteries and the special borders of their garments was obedience to what God commanded Israel under the covenant given at Mount Sinai. The use of those things to promote an image of super-spirituality was the fault of human sinfulness, not of the command itself. They love the best places … greetings in the marketplaces: Not content to display their supposed spirituality, the religious leaders loved it when people admired their supposed spirituality. They coveted the seats of honor at banquets and at the synagogue, and they loved the honoring titles such as Rabbi and father. But you, do not be called "Rabbi"; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren: Jesus warned the people that they should not imitate the scribes and the Pharisees at this point. His followers should always remember that "you are all brethren" and that one should not be exalted above others by titles that are either demanded or received. "An exhortation which today's church could profitably taken more seriously, not only in relation to formal ecclesiastical titles ('Most Reverend', 'my Lord Bishop', etc.), but more significantly in its excessive deference to academic qualifications or to authoritative status in the churches." (France) Do not be called "Rabbi" … Do not call anyone on earth your father … do not be called teachers: Jesus warned His listeners and us against giving anyone inappropriate honor. One may have a father or teachers in a normal human sense, but should not regard them in a sense that gives them excessive spiritual honor or authority. From the rest of Scripture, we can see that Jesus did not intend this as an absolute prohibition, rather as speaking to the heart that loves, collects, and cherishes such titles. We know this because, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, godly men spoke of themselves with some of these titles. - Jesus was called Rabbi: Matthew 26:25 and 26:49; John 1:38 and 3:26. - Paul called himself a father: 1 Corinthians 4:15, Philippians 2:22. - Paul called other Christians his children: Galatians 4:19. - Paul called himself a teacher : 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11. "That which he forbids is, 1. An affectation of such titles, and hunting after them. 2. Rom tituli, the exercise of an absolute mastership, or a paternal, absolute power." (Poole)

The Rock of KC is a church without walls for all generations located in Kansas City, MO. We meet for our coporate worship at 9:00am and 11:00am on Sunday mornings. RockKIDS! and children's classes are available at as well. You should expect friendly people who are excited about getting together to worship, a dynamic message, and a pastoral team who are dedicated to serving the body and bringing God's message to the world! We want you to come as you are and be free to worship with us. We have no dress code, no strict guidelines, or list of accomplishments to be completed before your first visit. Wear your suit, wear your flannel, wear your shorts! All we ask is that you come with a heart ready to worship and a decency for those around you!

The Rock of KC is a church without walls for all generations located in Kansas City, MO. We meet for our coporate worship at 9:00am and 11:00am on Sunday mornings. RockKIDS! and children's classes are available at as well. You should expect friendly people who are excited about getting together to worship, a dynamic message, and a pastoral team who are dedicated to serving the body and bringing God's message to the world! We want you to come as you are and be free to worship with us. We have no dress code, no strict guidelines, or list of accomplishments to be completed before your first visit. Wear your suit, wear your flannel, wear your shorts! All we ask is that you come with a heart ready to worship and a decency for those around you!

The Rock of KC is a church without walls for all generations located in Kansas City, MO. We meet for our coporate worship at 9:00am and 11:00am on Sunday mornings. RockKIDS! and children's classes are available at as well. You should expect friendly people who are excited about getting together to worship, a dynamic message, and a pastoral team who are dedicated to serving the body and bringing God's message to the world! We want you to come as you are and be free to worship with us. We have no dress code, no strict guidelines, or list of accomplishments to be completed before your first visit. Wear your suit, wear your flannel, wear your shorts! All we ask is that you come with a heart ready to worship and a decency for those around you!

The Rock of KC is a church without walls for all generations located in Kansas City, MO. We meet for our coporate worship at 9:00am and 11:00am on Sunday mornings. RockKIDS! and children's classes are available at as well. You should expect friendly people who are excited about getting together to worship, a dynamic message, and a pastoral team who are dedicated to serving the body and bringing God's message to the world! We want you to come as you are and be free to worship with us. We have no dress code, no strict guidelines, or list of accomplishments to be completed before your first visit. Wear your suit, wear your flannel, wear your shorts! All we ask is that you come with a heart ready to worship and a decency for those around you!

The Rock of KC is a church without walls for all generations located in Kansas City, MO. We meet for our coporate worship at 9:00am and 11:00am on Sunday mornings. RockKIDS! and children's classes are available at as well. You should expect friendly people who are excited about getting together to worship, a dynamic message, and a pastoral team who are dedicated to serving the body and bringing God's message to the world! We want you to come as you are and be free to worship with us. We have no dress code, no strict guidelines, or list of accomplishments to be completed before your first visit. Wear your suit, wear your flannel, wear your shorts! All we ask is that you come with a heart ready to worship and a decency for those around you!

Matthew 7:15-23, 12:33-37, 23:1-39 We Are going to look at this scripture exegetically and not just topically and see what kind of disciple Jesus does not want us to be. 1. (v. 1-4) They lay oppressive burdens on others. "The true target of the whole discourse is the crowds and disciples who need to break free from Pharisaic legalism." (France) "Perhaps a year earlier Jesus had begun to denounce the Pharisees (Matthew 15:7). Subsequently he warned his disciples of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16:5-12). Now his warning and denunciations are public." (Carson) According to William Barclay, the Talmud (The Talmud is a central text of Rabbinic Judaism.) describes seven different types of Pharisees; six of the seven are bad. - The Shoulder Pharisee, who wore all his good deeds and righteousness on his shoulder for everyone to see. - The Wait-a-Little Pharisee, who always intended to do good deeds, but could always find a reason for doing them later, not now. - The Bruised or Bleeding Pharisee, who was so holy that he would turn his head away from any woman seen in public - and was therefore constantly bumping into things and tripping, thus injuring himself. - The Hump-Backed Pharisee, who was so humble that he walked bent over and barely lifting his feet - so everyone could see just how humble he was. - The Always-Counting Pharisee, who was always counting up his good deeds and believed that he put God in debt to him for all the good he had done. - The Fearful Pharisee, who did good because he was terrified that God would strike him with judgment if he did not. - The God-Fearing Pharisee, who really loved God and did good deeds to please the God he loved. Whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do: Jesus said that respect was due to the scribes and the Pharisees; not because of their conduct, but because they sit in Moses' seat. They should be respected because they hold an office of authority, ordained by God. "Let not the law of God lose its authority with you because of these wicked men." (Poole) Moses' seat: "Synagogues had a stone seat at the front where the authoritative teacher [sat]." (Carson) "The Jews spoke of the teacher's seat as we speak of a professor's chair." (Bruce) They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders: The scribes and Pharisees were bad examples because they expected more of others than they did of themselves. They set heavy burdens on others, yet they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. Heavy burdens: The burden of the religious leaders contrasts sharply to Jesus' burden. His burden is light, and His yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30). These religious leaders were burden bringers; Jesus was a burden taker. The first accusation against these religious leaders could apply to many religious leaders today. Many teach as if the essence of Christianity were a set of burdensome rules to follow. The early church rejected this legalism when it insisted that obedience to the Mosaic Law is not a foundation for the Christian life. Peter told the legalists in Acts 15:10: "Why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Ways to Love the Mother’s in Your life 1. Love Her Verbally Esp. men have the philosophy—I don’t have to say I love you, you already know it. I have told you before, if I change my mind I’ll let you know! Or, I SHOW love, not just say it…and that may be true, but a woman needs to hear those words, “I Love You!” Children need to hear it…and saying it makes you more of a man, not less! And spouses need to hear it too… DEAR ABBY: I enlisted shortly after Pearl Harbor. Thirty-six days later, I was on my way to the Philippines. En route, the Philippines fell to the Japanese, and we were routed to Australia. Eleven days after we landed, I met the most beautiful girl in the world. On our first date, I told her I was going to marry her. I did, 18 months later, while on a 10-day R-and-R leave from New Guinea. After more than 57 years of marriage and two children, my beloved "Mary" died five days before Christmas. Although we agreed that our ashes were to be scattered over the mountains, I found I could not part with hers. While Mary was alive, she would frequently say, "You don’t know how much I love you." I’d reply, "Likewise." I never said, "I love you." Now her ashes are on my dresser, where I tell her several times a day how much I love her, but it’s too late. Although I wrote poetry to her, I could not bring myself to say the three words I knew she wanted most to hear. As my dearest was dying and we thought she was comatose, I told her, "There aren’t enough words to tell you how much I love you." A few hours later, she whispered, "Not enough words" and died. The reason I’m writing is to urge men to express their feelings while their loved ones are alive. I don’t know why, but many men are reluctant to express the depth of their feelings. -- MISSING MARY IN COLORADO Our spouses need to hear it, our children…our mothers also! Some men would say, I’m just not turned that way…then turn around! “I’m just not comfortable”…then be uncomfortable! 2. Love Her in Her language Talk in their mother tongue: Quality time? Meaningful Touch? Gifts? Acts of Service? Words of Affirmation? Fill in the blank. “I Feel most loved when ______________________” 3. Love her patiently. Mothers have an incredible job w/ no pay. No position in the business world compares to the physical, emotional, and spiritual commitment she has in motherhood. Don’t ever make the mistake of asking a lady, Do you work, or stay at home? The only thing worse you can ask is when she’s due if you’re not 100% sure she’s expecting! And many ladies today have to work on top of the full time job they already have. Here’s the point, in spite of all she does for us, we often become impatient with her…we get so used to her taking care of things we come to expect it and are outraged that “those clothes are still dirty?” / that’s not ironed? / you’re out of my favorite cookies? / you know I like that over rice, where is it? She’s picking you up at school because you don’t like to ride the bus, but she’s scolded for being 5 minutes late! Love her patiently. Because she’s tender to your needs is no reason to take advantage of her, it’s reason to be patient and to love her all the more! Teens & Jr.Highers, Middle Schoolers: it is unfair for you to be more kind, considerate, patient w/ your friends and your friend’s mothers than your own mother! If you treated your friends like you treat your mom you wouldn’t have friends, and if you treated their mom like you do yours their mom wouldn’t let their kid have anything to do with you! Your mom deserves better…she’s not a rug to wipe every negative thought on! Letter from 80 yr. old woman on her birthday: To all my children: I suppose my upcoming birthday started my thoughts along these lines...This is a good time to tell you that what I truly want are things I can never get enough of, yet they are free. I want the intangibles. I would like for you to come and sit with me, and for you to be relaxed. We can talk, or we can be silent. I would just like for us to be together. I need your patience when I don’t hear what you say the first time. I know how tiresome it is to always be repeating, but sometimes I must ask you to repeat. I need your patience when I think too much about the past, with my slowness and my set ways. I want you to be tolerant with what the years have done to me physically. Please be understanding about my personal care habits. I spill things. I lose things. I get unduly excited when I try to figure out my bank statements. I can’t remember what time to take my medication, or if I took it already. I take too many naps. Sometimes sleep helps to pass the day. Well, there you have it: Time, Patience, and Understanding. Those are priceless gifts that I want. Finally, in his letter, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I know I can, too! It’s a wonderful feeling to know His eye is on the sparrow and I know He cares for me. I guess being old isn’t so bad after all! Love, Mom 4. Love her honorably. Exodus 20:12 12 "Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you. This is binding as long as your mother lives. Another command says children, obey…non-binding when you leave home, but “honor” is different! If the husband is the head of the home, then the mother is the heart...don’t break her heart! “Yeah, but my mother wasn’t honorable!” Well, the Bible says nothing about that qualification…it only asks, is she your mother! By the way, it’s the only one of the 10 commandments which includes a built-in promise of blessing! Do you live in such a way that your mom is proud of you? Nothing honors your mother so much as seeing you and your children as godly believers, fully devoted to Jesus Christ. Show her that the seeds of love she has planted in you have resulted in a wonderful harvest for the kingdom of God. 5. Love Her with Forgiveness Eph.4:31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. The truth is, there’s never a legitimate reason to hold a grudge against your mom. If you ever begin to feel angry over some past hurt, remember how many times both she and God have forgiven you. Think about all the sacrifices she has made for you, and show her forgiveness and compassion. There is no perfect mom and there never will be. Forgive as You have been forgiven.

Jesus said this in Matthew 28:19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." THE WORD "DISCIPLE"... 1. The word "disciple" literally means A LEARNER 2. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, it denotes "one who follows another's teaching" 3. But a disciple was not only a learner, he was also AN ADHERENT 4. For this reason disciples were spoken of as IMITATORS of their teachers. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE... 1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like the teacher – Lk 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. 2. To be Christ's disciple, then, is to be like Him! 3. According to the apostle Paul, this coincides with God's goal in the redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus laid down three conditions for discipleship: Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 1. You Must Deny Yourself Deny means: A. to affirm that one has no acquaintance or connection with someone. B. to forget one's self, lose sight of one's self and one's own interests 2. You must Pick Up Your Cross Daily To deny yourself is to die to self and to crucify the flesh 3. You Must Follow Him Following Jesus means: * walking closely after Him *going where He goes * doing what He does * It means making His will your will *It means not creating your own path, but putting your feet into the footprints of Jesus. And His footprints will lead you up Calvary’s hill. 4. You Must Love As Jesus has loved you John 13: 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Those words of Christ had such a profound impact on the apostle John that he made them his life's message. He repeated it in: 1 John 3: 11 "For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." As believers in Christ, we have a new God-given capacity to love. The love of Christ is shed abroad in our hearts Romans 5:5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. This tells us that love eliminates the necessity of a legal system. Because of love, we simply do not need to live by a set of rules and regulations. Genuine love makes all those rules superfluous. What kind of love marks a true disciple? Jesus said, "Love one another, even as I have loved you." That sets the standard high, doesn't it? Jesus' love is selfless, sacrificial, indiscriminate, understanding, and forgiving. Unless your love is like that, you have not fulfilled the new commandment. If the church existed in that kind of love, it would absolutely overwhelm the world. Unfortunately, that isn't the way the professing church operates. There are factions, little groups, splits, and cliques. People gossip, backbite, talk, and criticize. The world looks, and they don't see much love. So there is no way for them to know whether those who call themselves Christians are real or not. One reason pseudo-Christian cults and false doctrines have so much influence today is that not many Christians are definitive disciples. It is often virtually impossible to distinguish a true disciple from a false one, for there isn't a lot of visible manifestation of God's love. Thus the world doesn't know to whom to go to find the truth. When the average person looks at the spectrum of "Christianity" and all that goes with it, he is baffled. Those around him who claim to be Christians seem to have no identifying marks, and if anything, they often seem to be more lacking in love than in any other character quality 5. You Find a Towel and Serve John 13:12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. 6. You Walk the Talk Luke 6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great." 7. You Produce Fruit John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches ; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing . 6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples