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:
Bob Mabry - July 14, 2019
When 2 Years Had Passed - Acts 24
Acts 24 Paul has been brought to Caesarea to be put on trial before the governor, Felix. Paul is accused of being a troublemaker, stirring up riots, and attempting to desecrate the temple. When Paul defends himself, he declares that he has a clear conscience in saying he has done none of those things, and there are no witnesses or examples for his accusers to use against him. Felix does not make a judgment, and instead keeps Paul in prison. Felix would occasionally call Paul to him, hoping to receive a bribe but instead hearing Paul talk about righteousness, self control, and the judgment to come. Two years pass before Felix is succeeded, leaving Paul in prison the entire time. Pastor Bob reminded us of the opening of Psalm 13: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’ and my foes will rejoice when I fall.” Paul must have felt similarly deserted, sitting in prison for two years. How often do you feel forgotten? Left alone? Hidden from people, the world, or God? It’s easy to feel stuck in our thoughts, overcome with sorrow, feeling like the enemy is going to win. But the Psalm ends in hope: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.” God is always good. His love never fails. And His salvation should cause us to rejoice constantly. If Paul can overcome his circumstances to stay faithful, continuing to praise and give glory to God, so can we.
Scripture References: Acts 24:1-27
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