Phil gave an introduction to our new series looking at Colossians, which starts next week.
Disciples who make Disciples
Introduction
Adventures with God
Have you Got a taste for Adventure - (beer mat from a couple of years ago)
Some have left is to go on their Adventure with God, some have joined us on our Adventure
I believe we are entering a new phase of Adventure
The Adventure so Far
A building
Social Action increase
Influenced increased through use of the Building by various groups
The Gospel being preached 3 Alphas Courses last year
Multi site meetings
I’ve been living with a challenge for what it means to be a true disciple that’s why last year we took time to look at the life of Peter.
We feel God wants to take us deeper into him and for us to be true disciples who go and make disciples.
Bible References
Matthew 28:18 - 20
Mark 15:15-18
The new order of the Kingdom
not the specialist - This is my ministry this was always intended to be the ministry of all believers.
A Disciple
What is a Disciple
One who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another:
You have to know what is it is you believe and then comes the sharing with others
1. Follow
First they Followed Jesus
Captivated by him
Learnt from Him
Learnt to obey him
Imitated him
Trained by him
Transformed by him
All Character - Gods more interested in your Character than your Gift.
Equipped by him
Commissioned by him
2. Go
They went because they were sent, not going with their own ambitions but because He sent them Just as he now sends us.
Went With him - they were not alone - Presence of the Holy Spirit
worked with him - Power of the Holy Spirit
Carried his Authority - Equipped by the Holy Spirit
Led by him - Directed by the Holy Spirit
Continued to Obey him, calling others to the Obedience that comes from Faith.
There are some who have said the Holy Spirit and the Gifts of the Spirit are not for today
I would Argue we need him and all that he is and brings to us more then ever before.
Conclusion
Discipleship starts with Jesus and we first need to look at Jesus so we are going to start the year focusing on him
We are going to look through the Book of Colossians
Key Verses - For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.
Colossians 2:9-10
It starts with chapter 1 & 2 Jesus Christ is our Lord
• Chapter 1 - Lord of Creation, Lord of the Church, Lord of Ministry
• Chapter 2 - Lord of our Walk, Lord of our Salvation, Lord of our growth
It goes on to focus on us
• Chapter 3 - Our Life, Mind, Body, Attitude, Actions
• Chapter 4 - Our Love, Love for the Lost, Love for one another
Not a time to be complacent
not a time for apathy or passivity
Questions
• How do you know if you are a true Disciple of Jesus?
• What are the characteristics of a True Disciple?
• Are you and how are you intentionally seeking to be like Jesus?
• What is it about Jesus that motivates you to follow him?