The Hinge of Discipleship

Message in Print
Scripture: Acts 2:42

 The ‘Hinge’ of Discipleship – Acts 2:42

 
I’ve got a bit of a different Msg for you today
 
This is what we call – A VISION STATEMENT Msg – OK ??
 
Did you get a letter from me this week ?
            If not, fill out the tear off
 
In the letter - I talked about the Matt Redman story
            behind the song – “Heart of Worship”
 
& how – the Pastor of his church felt
            they had drifted away from the true purpose of worship
 
& so that Pastor shut down all music in the church service
 
& he had people sit in silence in circles – asking them
            what did you bring as an offering to the Lord today?
 
& after some uncomfortable weeks
            people began sharing vs’s or poems . . .
            & then they started singing A-Capella
 
& when worship finally returned
            it was with the right heart – with the right purpose
 
& out of THAT – came the song – Heart of Worship
            & Honestly guys – that is what we’re trying to do here
 
Six months ago we stopped all non-essential ministry activities
            in order to ask one critical question
 
Are we Making Disciples?
 
Are we doing the ONE THING
            Jesus commanded us to do in the Great Commission ?
 
Matt Redman’s Pastor shut down music in his church
 
to cause his church to REFOCUS
            on the heart of worship - - the true purpose of worship
 
& Six months ago we shut down a bunch of activity
            to cause a very similar REFOCUS
 
Because - for over 20 years
            I’ve seen people attend church regularly
 
without even really knowing
            what it MEANS - to BE a Disciple
 
Yet – Jesus never commanded us to Make Church Attenders
            He commanded us - to Make Disciples
 
& so we’ve shaken things up around here
            to remind ourselves – of that very thing

& so today – I’d like to talk about that a little bit
            & then – I’d like to talk about THE HINGE of Discipleship
 
We have basically received TWO RESPONSES
            To this Re-Focus on Making Disciples
 
Some of you have really, truly EMBRACED
            our desire to grow fulltime followers of Christ
 
& you have been very strengthening & encouraging to me
            Thank you VERY MUCH
 
& Honestly - That was the response I kind of expected
            What I did not expect – is the SECOND RESPONSE
 
Which is the Criticism and the Discord
            That has been brought into our church
 
By our decision to actually “Follow the Great Commission”
            instead of just continuing to “have church” as usual
 
Of course – No Bible reading Christian
            could criticize - Christ’s Command to Go & Make Disciples
 
but still – they have definitely found
            something to CRITICIZE  
 
I had a good brother share with me
            that maybe it’s just a matter of PERSPECTIVE
 
that maybe our “perspective” of making disciples
            is different – than our Critics “perspective” of making disciples
 
& maybe so - & that definitely helps me
 
& that’s why I’m so glad
            there are so many good churches around
so that we can all find a church that matches
            our “perspective” on following the Great Commission
 
Which, honestly – I think is GREAT & a GOOD thing to do
 
But here’s the real concern
 
We know that VOCAL Criticism and Disagreement
            can easily lead to Discord, Dissention, & Division
 
which are all serious sins - clearly addressed in the Bible
 
So let me give you a super easy test
            to determine if someone’s Criticism & Disagreement
 
is being used by God (which makes it good) - OR
is being used by the Enemy (which makes it bad)
 
Wouldn’t it be nice to just have a simple test
            to determine if a person’s Criticism is from God or not ?
 
OK – here’s the simple test
            Pls listen carefully – cause I’m only going to say it once
 
If a person’s Criticism is being used by God,
            for the Good of the church
 
they will come to ME & to the LEADERSHIP
            with their concerns
 
If a person’s Criticism is being used by the Enemy
            to Damage the church
 
then they will come to YOU – instead of to ME
            I hope that helps protect you - & protect the church
 
OK – Let’s move on
 
You know – some time ago we took a simple Survey
            of everyone here in the congregation
 
& we asked – what do you need MOST, right now,
            in your relationship with the Lord
 
44% of this church said – Personal Spiritual Growth
26% said – Fellowship with other Believers
 
So – combining the two - 70% of the church
            said Spiritual Growth & Fellowship is what they NEED MOST
 
& guess what – The only Re-Focus
            that can meet BOTH those goals
 
is a Re-Focus on Discipleship
 
Because only in Discipleship do we find the Blessing
            of both Spiritual Growth – & True Fellowship
 
& so really – This Re-FOCUS – is a POWERFUL RESPONSE
            to what 70% of the church said they needed most
 
& THAT – is a great reason – for us to push ahead
 
Another leader gave me this counsel – he said:
            #1) The church might not know WHAT Discipleship is
            #2) AND - They might not WANT to be part of it
 
Let me start with #2 there
 
I understand that there are many who just want to
            come to church – worship – & hear God’s Word
 
I understand that – I really do –
            & we don’t want to FORCE anybody to do anything
 
Jesus didn’t FORCE anything on anybody
            & we don’t want to either
 
So – if you want to just COME on Sundays
            & worship with us
 
Man, that is GREAT - please keep coming
            & please don’t feel ANY pressure – OR obligation
 
HOWEVER - what we desire to do
 
is to create an environment that is Conducive
            to growing full-time followers of Christ
 
& that environment
            Kind of looks like THIS
 
ATTENDER àà PARTICIPANT àà DISCIPLE
 
So – if you want to JUST be an ATTENDER
            We’re glad you’re here
 
& we sincerely pray - you’ll continue coming
& if you begin to be a PARTICIPANT
            Where you’re taking part – in what’s going on
 
Like the Discipleship TABLES, Wed Night, Small Groups . . .
 
That is great news
            & there’s a good chance you’re on your way
 
& IF you decide to become
            a full-time follower of Jesus – A DISCIPLE
 
The we want to create an environment
            where you can easily learn – to DO just that
 
Does that make sense ??
 
Alright – now back to #1
 
That the church might not know WHAT Discipleship is
 
let’s remind ourselves – Just WHAT a Disciple IS
 
I’ve come across a number of good DEFINITIONS;
 
A disciple is a lifelong learner, an intentional imitator, a spiritual apprentice, a forever student in the school of Jesus Christ.
 
A disciple is a student who walks so closely with his master that he becomes like him in his thinking and behavior.
 
I like both those definitions -
            but here’s the one I’d like to use today
 
A Disciple is a fully devoted, reproducing follower of Christ
 
& guys – we know that NOT every person is ready – for THAT !
 
& if this ISN’T what you want to do
            PLEASE – keep coming to church
 
Don’t let our Desire to Make Disciples scare you away
           
But please also understand – we CAN’T say
            Well, not everyone wants to do that . . . so we better not
 
Guys – we have been COMMISSIONED by our LORD
            To GO & MAKE DISCIPLES
 
& so – our driving question MUST be;
 
HOW can we create an environment
            where people can GROW (if they choose to)
 
into “Fully Devoted, Reproducing Followers of Christ”
 
Again - - does that make some sense ??
 
Alright – Let’s look at our definition a little bit
 
A Disciple is a fully devoted, reproducing follower of Christ
 
A Disciple is a fully devoted, reproducing follower of Christ
 
In regard to being “Fully Devoted”
 
We know there are MANY warnings in scripture
            about being “half-hearted” followers of Christ – or Lukewarm
 
In fact – in Rev 3:16 Jesus says to the lukewarm church
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
 
All thru-out the gospels - Jesus laid down similar warnings
 
& in the books of 2Peter & Hebrews especially
            We see plenty of these TYPES of warnings
 
So – we believe strongly – we are called – to help people become
            Fully Devoted Followers of Christ
 
Because (honestly) it may not go so well
            for the “Half-Hearted” followers
 
Next – A Disciple is – a “Reproducing” follower of Christ
 
The Great Commission in Mat 28:19
            Where Jesus commands us to
                        “GO & Make Disciples of all nations”
 
This is NOT written - to church leadership
 
it’s written to EVERY single Believer
 
Because there was no Stadium big enough
            & no Satellite Television Network with enough money
 
for those 11 men to personally disciple ALL the nations
 
& thank God there wasn’t those things -
            because you & I couldn’t have been there
 
The only way you & I are becoming
            fully devoted followers of Christ
 
is that those 11 men began to
            REPRODUCE themselves - 2000 years ago
 
& 2000 yrs later – fully devoted followers of Christ
            are STILL reproducing themselves
 
Which is what we MUST continue TO DO
            until the Lord’s Return
 
THAT is – Disciples MAKING Disciples
 
SO . . .
 
We know God’s Word Commands us to Make Disciples
 
& We know God’s Word has ALL the Resources
            that we need to make Disciples
 
& now today - I want to show you, what we see in the Bible
            as the HINGE to “Making Disciples”
 
The Hinge is what makes something work
            It’s what makes the door swing
 
It may not be a very big part of the door
            But without it – you have a hard time getting that door to work
 
& we clearly see in Scripture a HINGE that God has provided
            To grow fully devoted, reproducing Disciples
 
Before we look at the HINGE
            Maybe it would help - for us to ask ourselves;
 
Why is it that I KNOW the command
            to BE a disciple - & to MAKE disciples
 
Why is it that I KNOW - the Bible has ALL the resources I need
            to BE a disciple - & to MAKE disciples
 
& yet . . . Why is it - that I don’t really see myself living it out
            In Day-to-Day life
 
Yet there is a model, an example – used thru-out the Bible
            & especially by Jesus Himself
 
That shows us – how to make Discipleship actually WORK
            IN Day-to-Day life
 
But before we get to it -
            Let’s talk - about what the HINGE is NOT
 
The HINGE is NOT a “Program” - or a “Curriculum”
 
We can’t just “Put a Program in Place”
            & suddenly we’re all making disciples
 
We know that the Programs DO NOT Work
 
The church in our American Culture has been trying
            to transform lives with Programs - for 60 yrs or so
 
& we’ve proven 60 times– during that 60 years
 
that Programs are NOT the HINGE
            that makes Discipleship WORK in a person’s life
 
& that’s why –
            AS we’ve been re-focusing this ministry on Discipleship
 
we haven’t implemented
            any Pre-Packaged Program – or Slick Curriculum
 
We haven’t done – Purpose Driven Discipleship
            Or 40 days to Discipleship
 
You know why . . .
 
Because PROGRAMS - DO NOT GROW
            fully devoted, reproducing followers of Christ
 
The church culture has tried them ALL
            We’ve BEEN there – DONE that – BOUGHT the packaging
 
& for the most part – we are still trying to figure out
 
How to grow fully devoted, reproducing followers of Christ
 
What’s MISSING in all those programs
(some of which have great information in them)
 
But what’s missing - is the HINGE
            The Hinge that we see consistently in Scripture
 
Let me give you some HINTS
            As to WHAT the Hinge is
 
God had it with Adam & Eve before the fall
            & to a lesser extent – with Abraham & with Moses
Moses had it with Joshua
Naomi & Ruth
Elijah & Elisha
Elizabeth & Mary (mother of Jesus)
Jesus & the 12 (& especially the 3)
Barnabus & Paul
Paul & Timothy & Titus - & others
 
WHAT is IT – that we see CONSISTENTLY
            in all these Relationships
 
that Reproduces fully devoted followers of Christ
 
The HINGE is – Close, Committed, Relationships
 
What the Programs Don’t Have - & Can’t Have
            What the Slick Marketing Campaigns Can’t Sell
 
Is the very thing we see actually WORKING
            over & over again in Scripture
That is – fully devoted, reproducing followers of Christ
            Are CREATED IN - Close, Committed Relationships
 
I could easily go thru that list of names in the Bible
 
& show you how CRUCIAL a close, committed, Relationship was
            in the Transformation of EACH of these lives
 
But for today - Let’s just focus on Jesus Christ
 
& let’s see if the HINGE that made His Discipleship work
            Was the Close, Committed Relationships he had with the 12
 
Mark 3:14 – ESV
14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him . . .
 
What does that mean - that they might be with him ?
 
It means Jesus made a Covenant Relationship with these 12 men
            to BE together
 
Wuest (GK Word study) says
            This verb “WITH” implies a “Duration of action”
            it is - they were CONSTANTLY WITH Jesus
 
Here . . . When Jesus begins the training of the 12
 
So that they can “Reproduce” disciples
            for the next 2,000 plus years
 
When He begins their training
            in order to get the gospel to You & Me
 
the FIRST thing He does
            is to establish a Covenant Relationship with them
 
that they might be WITH HIM
 
Their Discipleship Training OCCURRED in the CONTEXT
            of being WITH Jesus
 
in the context of a Close Committed Relationship
 
Now – just in case our critics would say
            Yeah but we can be “WITH” Jesus, just like them
 
we don’t need a close committed Relationship
            in order to become Disciples
 
WELL - All we have to do then – is go beyond Jesus
            & see how disciples were made in the book of ACTS
 
If you will look for the HINGE thru-out Acts
 
You will see that Disciples were ALWAYS made
            in the Context of close committed Relationships
 
Let’s look at the very beginning of the church
 
In the very 1st vs’s AFTER
            the great Acts 2 sermon by Peter . . .
 
At the very BEGINNING of the NT church
 
from the NLT - Acts 2:42
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
 
ALL the believers Devoted (committed) themselves
            to the Apostles teaching
 
& THAT is what we must do
 
But – in WHAT CONTEXT - did they do that ??
            That comes in the remainder of the Vs
 
They were ALSO devoted to FELLOWSHIP
 
This is Koinonia – it means - intimate sharing of life
 
They we ALSO devoted to SHARING IN MEALS
            (LIT - breaking bread – including the Lord’s Supper)
 
This refers to ANOTHER intimate sharing of life
            Sharing Meals - & Communion – together
 
They we ALSO devoted to PRAYER
 
Which is ANOTHER intimate Communion
            Both with God - & with One Another
 
The Believers were devoted to the Apostles teaching
            IN THE CONTEXT OF
                        Fellowship, Breaking Bread, & Prayer
 
All forms – of close committed Relationships
 
& How did that work out for them ??
 
Still from the NLT - Acts 2:43-47
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.
44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—
47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
 
It seems like this approach worked out pretty good
            For the first N.T. Church
 
The FOUNDATION is
            being devoted to the Apostle’s Teaching (V.42)
 
The CONTEXT is
            In Fellowship, Sharing in Meals, & Prayer
 
The First Disciples were made
            In The CONTEXT of - Close Committed Relationships
 
& if you’re still not convinced
 
We could go right thru the NT - looking at EVERY person
            who followed the Lord’s command to Make Disciples
 
& every single one of them – Made Disciples in the context
            of Close Committed Relationships
 
& THAT is why we call it the HINGE
            that Makes Discipleship – WORK
 
On Wed Night – we looked at the fact that Paul (the Greatest Apostle)
            LAID LOW for over 3 years
 
Until Barnabus took Paul under his wing
            & Barnabus Discipled & Mentored - PAUL
 
& then Paul took Timothy & Titus (& others)
            Under HIS wing - & Discipled them - & Mentored them
 
& then – in 2Tim 2:2 – Paul instructs Timothy (his own disciple)
 
2Tim 2:2 – ESV
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.
 
Do you see it ??
 
Paul says – What you’ve learned from me (in our Relationship)
                        Pass On - ENTRUST to faithful men
 
& this word – ENTRUST
            means to DEPOSIT – like in a VAULT
 
Paul says –    What I’ve POURED into you
                                                            You POUR into other faithful men
                                                            Who will be able to POUR it into others
 
& THAT – is how You & I have become disciples
 
Fully devoted, reproducing followers of Christ
 
have been pouring themselves into other faithful people
            who eventually poured themselves into - - - US !!!
 
Guys – We KNOW;
            We have the COMMAND to Make Disciples – from Jesus
            We have the RESOURCES - in His Word, and by His Spirit
           & The HINGE (the context) in which True Disciples are Made
                        is in Close Committed Relationships
 
& guys – I want you to know – this IS happening
            In our church TODAY
 
There are groups of Women, Men, & Married Couples
            Who are in Close, Committed, Discipling Relationships
 
& it IS working - & it has been working
            ever since Jesus instituted it with HIS Disciples
 
& IT IS - what God’s Word calls us TO DO
 
Glenn McDonald in “The Disciple Making Church” says;
What is the work of the church? It's all about multiplying intentional imitators of Jesus Christ (Disciples). That is the work that Jesus Himself assigned to us. There is no Plan B.
 
& SO - If you came today – to find out HOW we plan
            to implement this commitment to Make Disciples in the church
 
We plan to do it the SAME WAY it’s done all thru-out the Bible
 
The plan is – “to grow fully devoted reproducing followers of Jesus Christ – through close committed relationships.”
 
& THAT plan – can be put into action in every area of the church
            in every age group
            in every stage (season) of life
            in every challenge or circumstance
 
WE CAN grow fully devoted reproducing followers of Christ –
            through close committed relationships
 
& I PROMISE YOU – THAT
            is a Vision,
            is a Goal,
            & is a Plan . . .
 
& THAT is AS CLOSE a plan - to the heart of God’s Word,
            as any I have ever seen
 
My prayer is that you would be willing to join us
            in this Great Commission – to GO, & Make Disciples
 
Let’s Pray