May 16, 2015
Our VISION TRANSFORMING LIVES
EXPANDING HIS KINGDOM
Theme for 2013 TRANSFORMATION thru’ DISCIPLING
Verse for 2013 1 Cor 11:1
“Imitate me just as I also
imitate Christ”
Definition: A Disciple
“A DISCIPLE is a CHRISTIAN who is
a FOLLOWER of Jesus,
LEARNING to be more like Him
and
TEACHING others to do likewise.”
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP is
a RELATIONAL process
of INTENTIONALLY bringing people
into a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD and
developing them to FULL MATURITY IN CHRIST,
that they in turn might MULTIPLY OTHERS.
Transformation Thru Discipling “Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ” 1 Cor 11:1
: To Be A Christian Is
To Be A Disciple
: Christian
Discipleship is not optional but must be
Intentional
: Christian Discipleship
is about Imitating Christ
Transformation Thru Discipling
“Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ” 1 Cor 11:1
Natural reaction...
Can I say : “Imitate me...”
Dare I say : “Imitate me...”
Who am I to say ....
Transformation Thru Discipling “Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ” 1 Cor 11:1
Question :
Why are we afraid / fearful to ask people to “Imitate me” ?
Fear Factor
Pride Factor
‘Modesty’ Factor
The Power of Example 1 Cor 11:1
“Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ”
Paul’s call to “imitate” him
Continues with ...
“... Just as I also imitate Christ”
asking to be imitated
only to the extent that Paul is imitating Christ.
The Power of Example Will it not be better for all of us just to ...
IMITATE CHRIST ?
Agreed that it will be better
Because :
Jesus - God’s Son is PERFECT
If we follow Him, we cannot go wrong ...
The Power of Example But How ??
Jesus is now in heaven and
we are on earth !!
How can we imitate Him, His will & purpose, His Life ?
1. Thru’ our inward conscience
Ref 2 Cor 1:12
The Power of Example
2. Thru His Revealed Word
The Marks of a Disciple!
Abiding in His Word Jn 8:31
Bearing Fruits Jn 15:8
Counting the Cost Lk 14:26-27
Defining Character – Love Jn 13:35
The ABC & D’s of Christian Life
The Power of Example and God’s Promise in John 14:18
“I will not leave you as orphans;...”
3. Thru the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:26
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS and
WILL REMIND YOU OF EVERYTHING I have said to you.”
The Power of Example and also thru God’s People In Matt 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Where did Jesus teach this ? Jesus was referring to ..... We are to be His Light ... We are to be His Salt ...
The Power of Example So all followers of Jesus Christ ... all who call Him Savior and Lord Our lives, our faith, our believes ... Must be seen Will be seen Should be seen By people out-there, by the “world”... So that they can Praise God in heaven BUT ONLY if what they see is ‘good’ !
The Power of Example
Paul then was just continuing what Jesus
had taught ...
Our Faith must be seen ...
Our Faith must be VISIBLE ...
‘IMITATE’ is not about physical looks
It is all about our Faith, Behaviour, Lifestyle, Purpose, Values, Priorities ....
The Power of Example
Message Bible Matt 5:14-16 14 "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be
light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. GOD IS NOT A SECRET TO BE KEPT. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
15 If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand.
16 Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand — shine! KEEP OPEN HOUSE; BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR LIVES. BY OPENING UP TO OTHERS, YOU'LL PROMPT PEOPLE TO OPEN UP WITH GOD, THIS GENEROUS FATHER IN HEAVEN.
The Power of Example 3 ‘V’s’ to “IMITATE ME”:
1. VISIBLE Our Faith MUST BE SEEN 1 Peter 2:12 Live such good lives among the
pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 3:1-2 – Marriage relationship 1 Tim 5:25 – “obvious...cannot be hidden”
The Power of Example
1. VISIBLE • KNOWINGLY • our Faith must be seen • never an option - it is a necessity
• UNKNOWINGLY Your spouse sees Your children sees Your neighbor sees Your colleagues sees The ‘world’ sees
The Power of Example 1. VISIBLE
Quote : “OUR TRUE CHARACTER is what we do when no one is looking” Question :
How many of us struggled to accept Christ because of the behavior of Christians we knew ?
The Power of Example
2. VULNERABLE If we are willing to ask people to ‘imitate us’ – we are making ourselves VULNERABLE This can be our greatest fear That we will not live up to our own
standards That we will somehow / sometime
compromise our faith Because of this we hold back ...
The Power of Example VULNERABLE
Whether we like it or not ...
We are all sinners saved by grace ...
We are all still ‘work in progress’...
We all have our weakness ...
Vulnerability is a two-edged sword
The Power of Example VULNERABLE :Yes it can do a lot of harm BUT... If we are willing to be vulnerable We no longer need to ‘pretend’ We no longer need to wear ‘masks’ We can truly be ourselves Only when we acknowledge who we truly are Then we can really grow Then others can help us to grow Then we can all grow together
The Power of Example If we truly want to grow In our FAITH as DISCIPLES of Christ We need to STOP PLAYING CHURCH... Being a Christian in todays world is not easy The temptations are many The temptations are real We all need help We all need to help one another
TODAY ... Do we Know ? Do we Care ?
The Power of Example
3. VICTORIOUS Our Faith is not only Living & Active Our Faith is a VICTORIOUS FAITH John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so
that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The Power of Example 3. VICTORIOUS Rom 8:37 “No, in all these things we are
more than conquerors THROUGH HIM who loved us. ...”
1 Cor 15:57 “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”
1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because THE ONE WHO IS IN YOU is greater than the one who is in the world.”
The Power of Example VICTORIOUS : 1 John 5:4-5 “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” The Victory is already ours The enemy is already defeated This is what we must declare This is how we should live
"If we have no idea where we are going,
any road will lead us there."
Merv Thompson
The Power of Example
Application : How then do we apply Paul’s Call to “Imitate” ? Practically what does it mean to be : Visibility ? Vulnerability ? and Victorious ?
Definition: A Disciple
“A DISCIPLE is a CHRISTIAN who is
a FOLLOWER of Jesus,
LEARNING to be more like Him
and
TEACHING others to do likewise.”
CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP is
a RELATIONAL process
of INTENTIONALLY bringing people
into a RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD and
developing them to FULL MATURITY IN CHRIST,
that they in turn might MULTIPLY OTHERS.
Growing in Discipleship
4 Important Keys :
1.RELATIONSHIP
2.INTENTIONAL
3.COMMITMENT
4.STRUCTURE
The Power of Example in the Family
Position as Father
Ref 1 Cor 4:14-16
“I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”
It was the cry from a father’s heart
The Power of Example in the Family
In a Family, parents – fathers and mothers are ‘suppose to be’ the best example for the children
Our lives need to be VISIBLE to our children...
Our character
Our values in life
Our beliefs
The Power of Example in the Family
We also need to be VULNERABLE before our children...
If we made a mistake – do we own up ?
If we jump to the wrong conclusion – do we apologize ?
If we are having difficulties in our relationships – what do we tell our children ?
Quotes: “There are only three ways to teach a child.
The 1st is by example,
the 2nd is by example,
& the 3rd is by example.”
“Example is not the main thing in life—
it is the only thing.” albert schweitzer
The Power of Example in the Family
The Power of Example in the Family
Our VICTORIOUS Faith our children must be able to see & know that it’s real
no pretending
no excuses
Just being transparent, honest & vulnerable...
Just to share a Secret :
children most times can see through us ...
they know if it is real or not ...
The Power of Example in the Family
That our Faith need to be VISIBLE, VULNERABLE and VICTORIOUS.
this applies in any family relationship ...
dealing between Siblings, Uncles & Aunties, Nieces & Nephews, Grand-children etc
Our family members must be able to sense the authenticity of our faith
Esp so if you are the only “LIGHT” in their midst
The Power of Example in the FAMILY
4-Generations Blessing Ref 2 Timothy 2:2: “…and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” FOUR “generations” of Christians in this verse: Paul, Timothy, “faithful men,” & “others also.”
The Power of Example THE CHURCH Heb 13:7 referring to church Leaders “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” In the Pastoral Epistles Timothy & Titus Choosing of Elders & Deacons Character / Reputation is very important Not only themselves, also their wife &
children Inside & Outside the church
The Power of Example in the CHURCH
THE CHURCH In 1 Cor 5
Addressing the sin of sexual immorality within the Corinthian Church Paul was angry : –not so much with the brother who sinned –BUT with the Church for tolerating the sin
Even within the Church we need to be Visible, Vulnerable & Victorious
The Power of Example in the CHURCH
We are the SSMC Church Family On Sundays we gather for Celebration The actual life of our church is in our small groups called Discipleship Groups We have 37 DGs Numbers varies from about 8+ to 20+ Meet weekly in different homes & also the
church If there is any ‘discipling’ to be done – it
must be done at the DG level
The Power of Example in the CHURCH
Discipling at DG level At DG meetings with 10 to 15 people We can share and most do share We may know about one another But very hard to truly know one
another in such a big group Introducing “Disciplet” groupings within DGs ...
DG
DG
DG DG
DG
DG
DG
DG DG
Growing in Discipleship DG
DG
The Power of Example in the Church
Why “Disciplet” groupings within DGs Smaller numbers : min 2- max 4 only Other Guidelines given Share only what you are comfortable with Peer-Discipling We are to be our Brothers / Sisters keeper Praying that over time – Visibility,
Vulnerability and being Victorious in sharing our faith will take root & grow
The Power of Example in the Church
4 CRITICAL Rules for “Disciplet” groupings
CONFIDENTIALITY is most impt
no COMPETITION
no COMPARISON
no CONDEMNATION
Growing in Discipleship
The Power of Example
The WORLD :
In Jn 17, Jesus prayed that we be “IN THE
WORLD and yet not OF THE WORLD”
We are called to be Light & Salt
We are called to make a difference
The Power of Example in the WORLD
Paul had much to share on this topic : Phil 4:9 “Whatever you have learned or
received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice.”
1 Tim 4:12 “ Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
The Power of Example in the WORLD
Paul also wrote : Titus 2:7-8 “In everything set them an example
by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”
Transformation Thru’ Discipling Our Faith as Christians or as Disciples ...
Must always be VISIBLE
At times be VULNERABLE but
At all times live a VICTORIOUS Christian life.
IDENTICAL - To be a Christian is to be a Disciple
Discipleship must be INTENTIONAL
Discipleship is about IMITATING Christ
Transformation Thru’ Discipling
A journey of becoming less like
ourselves & more like Christ
DISCIPLESHIP
Is A Journey ...