The first message in our Summer Series of Walking With Jesus: Learning to Be a Disciple was about the DNA of being a Disciple.
That DNA of being a Disciple was described as:
• Divine Truth. Truth comes from God. It is the revelation of God to humankind. This comes from the Son, the Spirit, and the Scriptures. The Son (Jesus) is both God and human and came to reveal to us in his person what God is like and what God requires. The Scriptures were authored by God and reveal God’s unfolding plan for humanity. The Spirit of God is also Divine Truth, since he brings revelation and direction to believers.
• Nurturing Relationships. Humans were never created to be alone. We are social creatures and have an intrinsic need for relationships. Our relational orientation is a reflection of the image of God in us. God Himself is relational and exists in a community—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is love because God is relational. To the Christian, God is love because he has always existed in relationship. Is love possible without someone to love? This should be the defining characteristic of our faith. All men should know that we are Christ’s disciples by the love that we have for one another.
• Apostolic Mission. Apostolic means that someone is sent as a representative with a message. We are here for a purpose. We have been given a prime directive to fulfill—to make disciples of all the nations. This part of us also comes from the nature of God. Jesus is an Apostle. He is the Chief Cornerstone of the apostolic foundation. Before he left this planet, he sent his disciples into the world with a mission.
One of the key tools we talked about in Walking With Jesus was Life Transformation Groups. Find out more on our website.
Below is the full Sunday Morning message by Phil Helfer:
Phil Helfer - February 3, 2019
Let's be Honest - Acts 5
As this new community of believers continues to grow, they commit all that they own to each other, bringing their possessions and money to the apostles to be shared with those in need.
When Ananias and Sapphira withhold some of their contribution, Peter calls them out for lying about it. They both fall down and die instantly. As the apostles continue their journey, many are healed by their presence. Religious leaders step in again, arresting them. An angel of the Lord releases them from prison, and the apostles again preach in front of the people. The leaders conclude it is best to punish them briefly and then let them be, for the apostles are either truly with God, or their message will dwindle away.
Ananias and Sapphira chose to rely on themselves instead of God. The punishment for this, as it always is for any sin, is death. We are all subject to the same fate. Jesus mercifully and graciously spares us from this fate when we commit ourselves to Him. As Peter and the apostles pass through town, the mere touch of their shadows has healing powers. That’s how much power faith in God carries.
Acts 5:41-42 “So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.”
Living your life for God will bring blessings upon you and those around you. Rejoice for suffering in His name, knowing He did the same in suffering for us.
Scripture References: Acts 5:1-42
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