now this time can we turn together to Matthew's gospel and chapter 28 we are thinking about what
Jesus says about discipleship from verse 16 to the end but we'll read the whole chapter
reminding ourselves that these words take place after the cross and after the empty tomb and the
resurrection of Jesus so after the sabbath at dawn on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and the
other Mary went to look at the tomb there was a violent earthquake for an angel of the Lord came
down from heaven and going to the tomb rolled back the stone and sat on it his appearance was like
lightning and his clothes were white as snow the guards were so afraid of him that they shook and
became like dead men the angel said to the women do not be afraid for I know that you're looking for
Jesus who was crucified he is not here he has risen just as he said come and see the place where he lay
then go quickly and tell his disciples he has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee
there you will see him now I have told you so the women hurried away from the tomb afraid yet filled
with joy and ran to tell his disciples suddenly Jesus met them greetings he said they came to him
clasped his feet and worshiped him then Jesus said to them do not be afraid go and tell my brothers to
go to Galilee there they will see me while the women were on their way some of the guards went into the
city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened when the chief priests had met with
the elders and devised the plan they gave the soldiers a large sum of money telling them you are
to say his disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep if this report gets the
governor we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble so the soldiers took the money and did as they
were instructed and this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day then the eleven
disciples went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go when they saw him they
worshipped him but some doubted then Jesus came to them and said all authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the
father and of the son and of the holy spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you
and surely I am with you always to the very end of the age
I wonder when you hear the word disciple or discipleship what thoughts come to mind
as you're thinking about that let me share just for a moment the most stressful and discouraging job
I ever had without going into the details it was a job where I was given no training
I just told get on with it and do it maybe you've had that experience I knew that I had projects but
I was given no timetable and then all of a sudden I would get a phone call saying I need it by the end
of the day given no tools or support and expected to carry out the work discouraging demotivating stressful
and short-lived many people perhaps view discipleship in that same way or living as a disciple in that
same way we're not sure perhaps what we're speaking of when we speak about the life of a disciple
we're not sure how to go about living for Jesus or for helping others to grow as disciples and we can find
because in churches we talk about it because it's there in the Bible we could become demotivated
perhaps we can feel guilty about it and if we don't get it we find that we are missing
something that Jesus says is crucial to our purpose as his followers
so today I hope that as we spend time in this crucial passage it will bring some clarity to us
so that we have that sense of purpose as a church and as God's people
perhaps when it comes to this text often known as the Great Commission we have another barrier another
hurdle to jump last week we were in Mission Sunday and one of the things that that happens
sometimes is this text can be used for mission purposes and so we can excuse ourselves and think
well we're not the people going to the other side of the world therefore this has nothing to do with me
or we can think this is a truth for some spiritual elite and that's not me therefore I can switch off and
today again our aim is to show that in the wisdom and plan of God being a disciple who makes disciples
it is to be a reality for every single Christian whoever we are however we're gifted
and I want to encourage us as well because as we begin to think about the certain nuts and bolts of
discipleship there's going to be ways I am sure that we are already doing it and perhaps we don't realize
and I hope that as we think practically about thoughts on how to progress that we can be encouraged
rather than demotivated but we do need to see the priority of discipleship Jesus assumes
that from the beginning those who follow him will have that task of helping make other disciples
and helping others to grow as followers of Jesus
this is the call to his church
that whole churches and individual church members would be helping others towards that goal described by Paul in
Colossians 1 of spiritual maturity
being mature in Christ
we also need to before we get into this we need to be aware that as churches we're swimming against the tide of culture
because the message that we hear in in in our culture and we receive it sometimes without even thinking about it is
is to be an individual
and to think about self-fulfillment
to come to any organization to come to any truth and think what's in it for me whereas
Jesus calls us to himself and he connects us to one another
and he says we need commitment to others first
and so in a very real sense this goes against the grain of culture
certainly here in the west
and we need to be aware of that and we'll think about that again
three simple questions to help us in our text
one what is a disciple
two what is discipleship
three what does discipleship look like
the first is very brief
what is
a disciple
a couple of years ago
as elders here we looked at a book called the vine project and there's a helpful
definition of a disciple and it's up there on our screen
a disciple is
a forgiven sinner
who is learning christ or following christ
in repentance
and faith
and when we think about those first disciples
the ones who spent time with jesus
that was the pattern
they were learners
and jesus was their teacher
and this wasn't just a classroom thing
they followed jesus
learning his words
learning his wisdom
learning from his way of life
that was common in jesus day
so it's much more than
than teacher pupil as we have it in our school system now
perhaps we could think
helpfully of a
a mentor
and an apprentice
perhaps
on a building site perhaps
someone with
with skill
and knowledge to impart
helping
someone younger
to know
what are the tools
and how do i use them
in the context of a church
here's the bible
here's how to read it
helpfully
in order to see more of jesus
here's what obedience looks like
in day to day life
the pattern of the first disciples
we read it in the gospels
they heard jesus announce
the kingdom of god is near
repent and believe the good news
and so they understand
that jesus is god's king
they understand
they are called to
to turn from their old way
to turn from sin
to trust in jesus
to believe in him
they also had that individual call
come
follow me
it's a personal call
from the lord jesus
into a new relationship
that's what every
disciple
receives
whether that's first century
or 21st century
and what we see
from the first disciples
that they left
their old way of life
quite literally
some of them
leaving their
fishing boats
in order to follow jesus
three years
with him
watching
learning
asking questions
seeing how he lived
hearing how he taught
watching his powerful works
understanding
this is the christ
the son
of
god
and now they're being taught
you're a disciple
and your purpose
is to make other
disciples
so a disciple is a forgiven sinner
who is learning christ
and repentance and faith
and we want to share that
so that others might become
disciples also
and that takes us
to
where we'll spend
most of our time
what is
discipleship
it's one of those words
perhaps
if you
read christian books
you've read it
perhaps you've
heard it
in sermons
or in talks
so i think about
what that looks like
what that means
and in preparing for this
i came across three
different descriptions
each of which is helpful
i think in different ways
again to go back to that
book the vine project
the image was
of a disciples
helping others
to take steps
closer to jesus
helping others to make steps
closer to jesus
so that could be
us encouraging
someone who's already
a christian
by sharing
what we've been learning
so that someone else
gets to learn that too
so they're taking that
step closer to jesus
growing in love
and knowledge
and faith
it could also be
sharing with someone
who's not yet a christian
and perhaps
we'll be the means
of breaking down
some of those barriers
of resistance
or perhaps
helping someone
to make that giant leap
from the kingdom of darkness
to the kingdom of light
so we're helping others
make a step closer
to jesus
and mark dever
who's a pastor
in washington dc
he talks about
discipleship
in the context
of
eternity
preparing people
for eternity
in the day of judgment
and he speaks
of his
especially his
personal discipleship
where he's
not just when he's preaching
but when he's sharing
with people
he speaks about
leaving time bombs
of grace
because it's god's grace
that grips our hearts
that prioritizes eternity
and so that's
how he thinks
of discipleship
let me think about
how i can share
god's grace
with someone
today
in time
for the sake
of eternity
because that's the
end goal
of discipleship
we want one another
to be ready
to meet jesus
and to hear
well done
good and faithful servant
that's what life
is about
ultimately
and then there's a guy
from the north of england
a guy called
lewis allen
he speaks about
discipleship
as being an
invitation
into the joy
of jesus
and i love that
because that involves
us coming to
experience joy
as we worship
as we spend time
in god's word
and prayer
and then we're inviting
others to that same joy
and again that could be
a christian
could be a non-christian
what's in common
with all those
those different
descriptions
is that jesus
is the center
a disciple
of jesus
is then looking
out to other
people
to think
how can i
point them
to jesus
too
that they can
have
what i have
that's the pattern
for churches
churches built
on jesus
we should be
looking outwards
to serve others
to point them
in
to jesus
as hope
and life
and salvation
it's a pattern
for every christian
as well
now how do we see
some of this
in matthew
28
i want us to think
first of all
about
the idea
of authority
that being a disciple
and discipleship
is about submitting
to jesus
as lord
so if you have
your bibles
you can see this
first of all
in verse 16
where we discover
the eleven disciples
went to galilee
to the mountain
where jesus
had told them
to go
so we've just
heard about chief
priests
who are busy
spinning a lie
that jesus
didn't really rise
that his body
was stolen
but the disciples
are not going
to play that game
they are going
to be obedient
to jesus
so they go
to the mountain
further
thinking about
the authority
of jesus
verse 17
when they saw
him
they worshipped
him
jesus
is not
just
a guru
or a great
teacher
he is their
lord
and their
god
a disciple
is one
who acknowledges
jesus
is my lord
and my god
and then
listen to
jesus
words
verse 18
jesus came
to them
and said
all authority
in heaven
and on earth
has been
given
to me
all authority
in the universe
given by the father
to the son
and the disciples
recognize the authority
of this crucified
and risen lord
who has now been
called
king of kings
and lord of lords
he is god's chosen king
he is the one who reveals
god's glory
remember
these disciples
have witnessed
some remarkable things
they have witnessed
their lord
and their savior
go to the cross
for them
they have seen
the darkness
fall
they have seen
jesus go under
the thunder
storm of the
father's righteous
anger against sin
not for jesus sin
but for your sin
and mine
they have seen
jesus willingly
give his life
as a sacrifice
as a substitute
and now they have seen
jesus rise in power
and victory
now they understand
jesus is
god's universal
king
declared
by god
as such
through the resurrection
and so
disciples
know
that jesus
is lord
and we call others
to that same
recognition
connected to that
verse 19
therefore
go and make
disciples
of all
nations
see jesus is
universal lord
therefore the church
has a universal
mission
to announce
to the world
jesus is lord
and that he
is savior
last week we were
thinking about that
reality in
columbia
and india
and vietnam
and thailand
and
galiseos
and
edinburgh
whatever the church
is
whatever christians
are
we both
believe
and we
teach
jesus is
lord
and as such
he is the only
way to god
perhaps
this is a time
to pause
and to ask
our response
for those of us
who are christians
are we
are we living
and praying
that others
might submit
to jesus as lord
if you're not a christian
here today
ask god
to reveal to you
the reality
of who jesus is
explore the evidence
that you might
see jesus
as lord
moving from
the idea of
authority
to the idea
of command
which is where
jesus goes
in verse
19
this command
that we have
there
reminds us
that disciples
help others
to learn
christ
19
therefore go
and make
disciples
of all
nations
baptizing
them in the
name of the
father and
of the son
and of the
holy spirit
and teaching
them to obey
everything i have
commanded you
here is the
marching orders
of god's
church
this is our
reason for
existing
that we
would make
disciples
that we
would invite
and call
people into
this new
relationship
with jesus
where he
is teacher
and lord
and master
and king
that lives
are lived
to give
glory to
him rather
than seek
glory
ourselves
and to
the church
jesus has
given
two crucial
things as
we seek
to make
disciples
one
is the
sign of
baptism
a gift
to the
church
again
if you
were here
last week
one of the
videos we
watched
was from
a pastor
in india
matthew
last week
they were
baptizing new
believers in
the lord jesus
and he spoke
about them
doing that
to show that
they now had
a new walk
and a new
way of life
that's a really
helpful way for
us to think
about what
baptism
represents
for the
church
baptism
for a
disciple
is a
sign of
entrance
into the
kingdom
it's a
way of
saying
I want
to publicly
identify
to show
my loyalty
to jesus
as lord
and king
it is
also
a sign
of
repentance
of
leaving
an old
way of
life
behind
of
turning
away
from
sin
to
follow
god
through
faith
in jesus
so
baptism
is that
very rich
sign
and symbol
but then
we're also
told
that
disciples
teach
others
to obey
everything
I have
commanded
you
so in
making
disciples
we are
speaking
god's
word
into
the
lives
of
others
so
we speak
the
good news
of the
gospel
to
one
another
and
to
our
world
that
the
god
who
made
us
in
love
and
grace
sent
his
son
to
live
a
perfect
life
of
obedience
for
us
in
our
place
because
we
cannot
and
we
have
not
and
that
same
lord
jesus
then
died
for
us
paying
the
price
and
penalty
for
our
sin
and
then
he
rose
for
us
and
he
is
glorified
for
us
he
reigns
as
king
to
take
his
people
to
be
with
him
forever
jesus
has
come
to
save
us
to
adopt
us
if
we
would
have
faith
in
him
and
so
the
church
brings
that
good
news
along
with
that
call
from
jesus
to
repent
and
to
believe
and
so
as
we
teach
we
must
teach
the
gospel
we
must
teach
the
good
news
but
we
also
in
our
text
here
we
teach
everything
that
jesus
has
commanded
that's
really
interesting
isn't
it
that
jesus
focused
on
his
commands
we
saw
this
three
weeks
ago
now
back
in
matthew
chapter
5
verse
17
the
sermon
on
mount
jesus
said
i
didn't
come
to
abolish
the
law
and
the
prophets
i
came
to
fulfill
so
jesus
can
point
to
obeying
his
commands
because
he's
come
to
fulfill
the
old
testament
and
when we
think
about
the
commands
of
jesus
it's
so
helpful
for us
to
think
of
those
two
great
love
commands
love
the
lord
your
god
with
all
your
heart
soul
mind
and
strength
to
love
your
neighbor
as
yourself
especially
in
matthew's
gospel
there's
lots
of
teaching
about
practical
holiness
what
does
it
look
like
day
by
day
to
live
for
jesus
but
think
about
those
two
headings
love
for
god
love
for
neighbor
teaching
not
just
as
information
transfer
we're
teaching
to
help
people
to
obey
so
as
disciples
we're
not
just
here's
some
information
we're
also
wanting
to
model
what
following
jesus
looks
like
we
want
to
be
training
people
to
understand
here's
what
faith
looks
like
in
a
family
or
in
a
workplace
or
on
social
media
whatever
it
might
be
something
we do
in
families
with
our
children
we
don't
just
pass
on
instruction
we
look
to
model
and
to
train
and
correct
and
instruct
and
so
we
should
do
in
the
church
as
well
and
then
having
given
them
this
command
jesus
also
wonderfully
reminds
his
disciples
of
his
presence
last
words
in
this
gospel
from
jesus
and
surely
i am
with
you
always
to
the
very
end
of
the
age
there
was
a
great
promise
before
jesus
was
born
matthew
chapter
one
verse
23
jesus
would
be
emmanuel
god
who
is
with
us
jesus
just
about
to
leave
and
return
to
heaven
says
i
am
god
with
you
always
comforting
presence
of
jesus
remember
he's
told
them
following
him
is
hard
it's
cross
carrying
but
we
don't
do
it
alone
jesus
is
with
us
by
his
spirit
as
we
continue
his
mission
and
so
we're
reminded
that
part
of
being
a
disciple
who
makes
disciples
is
to
prayerfully
depend
on
the
lord
jesus
now
what
i want
us
to do
for
the
rest
of
our
time
is
to
think
about
what
does
discipleship
look
like
by way
of
summarizing
where
we've
been
so
far
disciples
see
and
acknowledge
the
lordship
of
jesus
and
we
live
and
serve
with
loyalty
to
jesus
and
we
live
enjoying
fellowship
with
jesus
and
we
invite
and
encourage
others
towards
those
same
realities
but
now
we
need
to
think
about
what
happens
when
the
rubber
hits
the
road
how
do
we
do
this
you
know
both
inside
these
four
walls
and
outside
and
perhaps
as we
sort of
reflect
a little
further
maybe
to
answer
some
of
those
questions
and
fears
uncertainty
that we
sometimes
have
perhaps
we
still
feel
unsure
of
how
to
do
it
where
to
begin
perhaps
maybe
we
think
well
I
have
nothing
to
offer
in
this
I'm
just
a
regular
person
so
what
we
have
to
finish
is
five
ideas
all
beginning
with
the
same
letter
S
hopefully
it
can
stick
in
our
head
to
help
us
realize
that
if
we're
a
follower
of
Jesus
we
are
a
disciple
and
we're
called
to
make
and
to
grow
other
disciples
that's
our
responsibility
as a
church
collectively
it's
your
responsibility
and mine
as an
individual
Christian
that's
going to
look
very
different
for
us
all
because
we
all
have
different
personalities
different
opportunities
different
responsibilities
but
they're
priority
and
reality
for
all
of
us
who
are
trusting
Jesus
first S
discipleship
looks like
speaking
God's
truth
if we
are to
be a
disciple
who is
making
other
disciples
a disciple
who is
encouraging
others
to move
closer
to
Jesus
we need
to be
speaking
God's
truth
Jesus
said
teaching
them
to
obey
speak
God's
truth
that's
why
in
our
church
we
seek
always
and
pray
that
we
would
always
be
rooted
in
and
centered
on
God's
word
of
truth
anything
else
just
will
not
serve
us
well
that
as a
church
we
want
to be
proclaiming
the
good
news
of
Jesus
because
that's
what
the
church
has
done
ever
since
you
read
the
book
of
Acts
Jesus
returns
to
heaven
sends
the
spirit
and
they're
telling
here
is
Jesus
fulfillment
of
the
old
testament
crucified
died
buried
risen
repent
and
believe
we
center
our
lives
on
the
Bible
because
that's
where
we
are
instructed
how
do
we
live
godly
lives
how
do
we
live
by
faith
until
the
return
of
Jesus
that's
the
goal
every
day
how
do
we
do
it
we
find
it
in
God's
word
so
as we
speak
God's
truth
thinking
as a
church
this
now
that we
have
these
formal
teaching
opportunities
so
Sunday
morning
Sunday
evening
chance
to
worship
together
come
under
God's
word
together
meet
in the
presence
of
God
together
junior
church
same
thing
our
discipleship
group
that meet
all
during
the
week
for
different
ages
stages
and
different
communities
all
of
that
is
deliberately
word
based
Bible
based
must
always
be
so
but
so far
that's
just
thinking
about
people
like
me
who
stand
up
here
and
talk
to
large
crowds
but
we
need
to
speak
God's
truth
in
everyday
life
together
as
well
so
let's
think
about
what
that
can
look
like
and
again
to
encourage
us
that
probably
we're
doing
discipleship
without
necessarily
thinking
about
it
when we
chat
after
the
surveys
will we
talk
about
what
we've
been
thinking
about
will we
talk
about
what
we've
been
reading
about
this
week
sometimes
we find
it really
awkward
to talk
about
faith
naturally
but I
think
it's
really
helpful
for us
to get
there
because
then
when we've
got
people
who aren't
Christians
who may
be
interested
what
difference
does it
make
they can
hear it
and they
can see
it
when we
read the
Bible
and pray
as a
family
we're
doing
discipleship
if you're
part of
a Christian
book group
if you
find yourself
texting
a Bible
verse
talking about
what it
meant to
you and
wanting to
share it
with someone
else
if you're
out on a
walk with
someone
and you
begin
sharing
about
the big
questions
of God
and faith
if you
take the
time to
write a
card
to someone
where it
contains
Bible
truth
in all
of those
ways
you're
speaking
God's
truth
and you're
serving
as a
disciple
and doing
the work
of
discipleship
and just
imagine
for a
difference
for a
moment
just what
a
difference
it
would
make
if
in our
families
and our
friendships
and our
Sundays
they were
full of
saturated
with
the
word
of
God
if we
read
and discussed
and studied
and prayed
and memorised
what a
difference
it would
make to
our
life
together
so
discipleship
looks like
speaking
God's
truth
as
we
seek
to
live
as
disciples
making
disciples
we need
the
spirit
of
God
so
the
spirit
is
our
second
S
because
that's
who
we
depend
on
must
depend
on
in
discipleship
thinking
about
God's
salvation
the
father
is the
one
who
sent
the
son
in
love
to
the
world
the
son
is
the
one
who
came
and
accomplished
the
work
of
redemption
in
his
death
and
resurrection
but
in
the
spirit
we
need
the
spirit
because
the
spirit
is
the
one
who
applies
that
work
to
hearts
and
lives
it's
the
spirit
who
gives
the
gift
of
new
life
it's
the
spirit
who
unites
people
to
Jesus
it's
the
spirit
who
transforms
believers
it's
the
spirit
who
speaks
to
us
in
the
word
that
he
inspired
and
so
my
point
is
simply
this
it's
the
spirit
that
works
through
his
word
it's
the
spirit
that
breathes
new
life
it's
not
us
therefore
as
much
as
we
work
we
must
also
be
praying
if
we
are
to
be
a
church
that
makes
disciples
we
must
be
praying
talking
individually
and
collectively
to
be
a
disciple
you
and
I
must
be
dependent
on
God
and
the
spirit
of
God
to
make
disciples
we
need
the
spirit
to
work
going
through
habits
and
routines
and
busyness
as a
church
will
not
make
disciples
we
need
the
spirit
to
work
and
breathe
new
life
so
we
need
to
pray
let
me
encourage
you
to
think
about
what
difference
that
might
make
to
your
habits
and
patterns
to
realize
if
I
am
sent
as
an
ambassador
of
Jesus
how
am I
going
to
pray
so
that
I
can
do
that
well
how
am
I
going
to
pray
for
my
church
so
that
we're
helped
by
the
grace
of
God
to
do
that
well
so
we need
the
spirit
of
God
and
also
as
we
go
about
the
business
of
discipleship
we
do
it
as
servants
of
God
so
this
in
some
ways
is
the
flip side
to what
we
just
thought
about
because
it's
through
Christians
that
God
works
largely
in
the
business
of
discipleship
making
disciples
is
absolutely
God's
work
but
his
means
is
through
his
people
through
his
church
and
that
should
create
a
humble
dignity
in
us
I
think
humble
because
we
are
servants
Jesus
is
Lord
and
master
but
there's
dignity
God
chooses
to
work
in
and
through
people
like
us
thinking
about
this
idea
of
disciples
making
disciples
as
servants
the
vital
principle
I
think
is
from
Jesus
himself
remember
Jesus
said
I
didn't
come
to
be
served
but
to
serve
and
to
give
my
life
as
a
ransom
for
many
that's
the
savior
we
follow
a
servant
savior
and
so
we
follow
in
that
pattern
we
live
as
servants
and
here
again
is
where
this
cuts
across
culture
because
a
servant
fundamentally
is not
and cannot
be
me
focused
a
servant
by
definition
must
be
others
focused
now
do we
see how
that
challenges
our
cultural
views
why
do I
go to
church
because
it
meets
my
need
no
we
should
be
saying
I
go
to
church
because
here's
an
opportunity
for
us
together
as
the
family
of
God
here's
the
chance
for
me
to
invest
in
someone
else
by
being
in
and
participating
in
a
local
church
or a
discipleship
group
or
whatever
it
might
be
but
the
challenge
and the
danger
for
us
as
the
church
is
that
we
so
receive
the
values
of
culture
we're
thinking
about
what's
in
it
for
me
and
what
I'm
getting
out
of
it
that
we
can
become
more
like
shoppers
than
servants
that's
not
the
pattern
of
a
disciple
and
again
perhaps
that's
something
that we
need
to
stop
and
reflect
on
so
that we
might
constantly
be
pushing
ourselves
out
of
the
comfort
zone
which
is
rooted
in
self
where
we're
not
thinking
about
the
church
being
about
my
needs
and
preferences
but
how
can
I
help
how
can
I
serve
how
can
I
encourage
someone
else
when
I'm
here
today
in
this
building
when I
meet
someone
through
the
week
so we
make
disciples
as
servants
of
God
again
connected
to
that
and
very
basic
discipleship
takes
commitment
so we
need
to
fundamentally
show
up
Edinburgh
is
many
things
but it
is
most
definitely
a
horrible
place
to
travel
around
isn't
it
and
everybody
with a
car
in
this
place
knows
how
horrible
it
is
so
here's
what I'm
talking about
simple
encouragement
see when
someone
fights
through
the
pain
barrier
to
get
to
church
on a
Sunday
or
to
make
time
to
get
to
a
community
group
in
the
middle
of
the
week
that's
a
wonderful
gift
of
sacrifice
for
the
sake
of
others
we
can
only
serve
people
if we
are
ready
to
invest
time
and
energy
in
them
we
can't
be
disciples
making
disciples
if we're
not
ready
to
sacrifice
and
commit
to
show
up
to
be
present
in
the
lives
of
others
so
again
very
practically
think
about
your
calendar
this
week
is
there
room
is
there
any
margin
in
there
or
is
built
into
the
calendar
room
for
disciple
making
in
your
calendar
is
being
with
Christians
a
priority
that's
going
to be
reflected
in
our
use
of
time
this
week
how
can
we
work
into
our
natural
rhythms
of
work
and
family
the
concept
of
making
disciples
of
encouraging
others
to
keep
following
Jesus
think
about
our
conversations
again
after
church
absolutely
talk
about
sport
but
can
we
talk
about
the
sermon
as
well
when
we're
talking
about
our
families
can
we
be
talking
about
our
faith
as
well
can
we
use
our
conversations
to
get
to
know
someone
new
in
our
church
so
that
we
can
encourage
them
to
be
growing
in
faith
let
me
invite
all
of
us
to
think
about
our
connections
and
again
here's
perhaps
a
point
of
action
who
is
even
one
person
and
pray
that
God
will
bring
someone
into
your
mind
who's
one
person
you
could
commit
to
I'm
going to
give
time
to
meet
with
this
person
to
encourage
this
person
to
share
life
with
this
person
that
could
be
someone
in
our
family
could
be
a
friend
could
be
as
an
older
Christian
you
find
a
younger
Christian
to
invest
in
pray
and
then
determine
to
show
up
and
commit
to
that
other
person
last
thing
to do
with
discipleship
last
stick
with
it
because
discipleship
is a
work of
patience
and
perseverance
and
one
of
the
models
of
discipleship
that we
find
in
the
Bible
is
the
idea
of
a
parent
and
a
child
and
what
you
find
from
a
parent
it
is
a
lifelong
commitment
to
see
a
child
flourish
to
see
a
child
mature
to
see
a
child
grow
in
emotional
health
to
be
established
and
as
parents
we
know
that
we
will
commit
to
that
we
would
give
anything
for
that
for
our
kids
and
that's
a
great
picture
of
discipleship
that
we
would
be
committed
for
the
long
haul
to
helping
one
another
to
grow
as
mature
Christians
helping
one
another
to
take
baby
steps
of
obedience
helping
one
another
to
wrestle
against
sin
to
pursue
wisdom
in
relationships
to
grow
in
God's
grace
and
like
kids
who
often
stumble
and
fall
and
struggle
and
mess
up
Christian
family
sticks
together
and
sticks
with
one
another
for
the
long
haul
so
that
together
we
might
be
presented
fully
mature
in
Christ
imagine
just as
we
Chloe
imagine
the
power
and
beauty
of
this
kind
of
church
this
kind
of
community
where
we
are
all
really
committed
to
the
idea
of
discipleship
not just
what am I
getting
out of
this
but
what are
we
getting
out of
this
how are
we
growing
together
where
we're
opening
our
homes
to
share
the
gospel
where
parents
are
shepherding
children
to
follow
Jesus
where
older
men
and
women
are
investing
in
younger
men
and
women
for the
good
of
society
and
for the
good
of
the
church
where
God's
word
is
so
clearly
evidently
central
to
our
shared
life
where
we're
depending
that
sound
like
the
kind
of
church
that
we
want
to
be
part
of
a
church
where
we have
a real
sense
of
identity
and a
real
sense
of
purpose
and
mission
let's
pray
that
we'd
be
that
church
that
we
would
gladly
live
under
the
lordship
of
Jesus
that
we'd
live
with
loyalty
to
Jesus
and
that
we'd
live
enjoying
relationship
with
Jesus
and
we'd
be
naturally
joyfully
helping
one
another
to
share
that
too
let's
pray
together
lord
our
god
we
thank
you
for
the
privilege
of
being
followers
of
Jesus
we
thank
you
for
the
gift
of
faith
that
brings
us
into
that
new
relationship
gives
us
a
new
identity
gives
us
a
new
purpose
and
calling
for
our
life
father
we
confess
that
sometimes
we
struggle
sometimes
we
don't
know
where
to
begin
sometimes
it's
not
even
something
we
think
about
sometimes
we're
so
caught
up
in
the
here
and
now
caught
up
in
our
own
struggles
and
our
own
stuff
that
we
don't
think
about
eternity
we
don't
think
about
presenting
people
fully
mature
in
Christ
with
an
eye
on
eternity
we
don't
think
about
sacrificing
and
serving
for
others
but Lord
we pray
that you
would draw
us
back
to
yourself
draw us
into
that
vision
of
discipleship
that
Jesus
handed
down
to
his
disciples
and
to
the
church
Lord
make us
faithful
to
Jesus
make us
obedient
to his
commands
give us
that
ability
to
speak
God's
truth
to
others
help
us
to
prayerfully
depend
on
the
spirit
and
in
prayer
Lord
may
we
see
you
work
in
and
through
us
as
we
look
to
work
for
you
in
our
shared
life
together
we
pray
in
Jesus
name
Amen
now
we
will
shortly
sing
a section
of
Psalm
103
and
while
we
are
singing
those
who
will
share
in
the
Lord's
Supper
you
can
come
down
to
the
front
and
pick
up
bread
and
wine
at
the
front
which
you
can
take
back
to
your
seats
and
we
share
together
as
we
think
about
who
is
the
Lord's
Supper
for
think
back
to
that
definition
of
what
is
a
disciple
the
Lord's
Supper
is
for
forgiven
sinners
who
are
learning
and
following
Christ
in
repentance
and
faith
this
is
something
that
we
need
to
give
strength
to
our
faith
to
give
us
grace
to
enjoy
fellowship
with
Jesus
as
we
meet
together
around
his
table
so
we
will
stand
together
as
our
children
come
in
and
can
I
encourage
folks
to
come
and
get
the
bread
and
wine
as
quickly
as
practically
possible
great
let's
stand
together
and
let's
sing
Grab
like
o
e
envie
dijo
we
to
you
a
ok
dedim