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 - March 10, 2019
Outsiders Are Welcomed In Acts-10
Acts 10 During this time, Gentiles and Jews remain separate people groups. Their interactions are limited at best, so much so that even Peter, tasked with spreading the Gospel to as many people as possible, avoids Gentiles. Cornelius is a Gentile. Though described as a “devout man and one who feared God with all is household,” he still maintained his identity as a Gentile. In response to his prayers and alms, he receives a vision of an angel of God, telling him to find Peter. Peter himself receives a message of from God, letting him know he is being called upon. Peter arrives at Cornelius’ house to much fanfare, but Peter reminds everybody that he is just a man, and of the relationship between Jews and Gentiles. He explains, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for.” Peter proceeds to preach the Gospel of Jesus to the crowd, during which time the Holy Spirit fell upon those in the crowd. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” This idea did not exist previously. Peter broke the mold, as instructed by God, changing the course of humanity. May our personal prejudices and misgivings never let us stand in the way of spreading the word of Jesus to anyone who has yet to receive that good news.
Scripture References: Acts 10:1-148
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