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 - September 29, 2019
The Parable Of The Workers-Matt 20
This week in our series titled “It’s Like This”, Pastor Bob shared with us about the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 20 about a landowner who hires workers throughout the day to work in his field. The workers are hired at different times; some early in the morning, some in the afternoon, and some later in the evening. Regardless of what time they started working and how many hours they worked, at the end of the day all of the workers were paid the exact same wage. Understandably, the workers who were hired at the start of the day were displeased that they received the same wages as those who were hired at the end of the day. The landowner points out that the payment is fair because it was agreed upon with no other stipulations. He also states, “Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” Jesus uses this parable to describe something very specific about the kingdom of heaven. Comparison creates trouble. As believers, it is very easy to see other Christians and think, “At least I don’t represent my faith like that!” Or for somebody to spend their entire life in the church, knowing Jesus for as long as they can remember, and think less of somebody who has only just recently accepted Christ into their hearts. This leads down a slippery slope of jealousy, resentment, and anger, the last emotion directed at God for His assumed “lack” of fairness or judgment. We should never harbor negative thoughts when new believers emerge, or if their faith spurs them on to greater things than we have sought. These are cause for celebration! The Lord is at work! His light is being spread further and wider! Who do you have the opportunity to celebrate this week? Who is in your life that is an example of God’s beautiful workmanship? Encourage them! Support them! God will be glorified!
Scripture References: Matthew 20:1-34
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