May 28, 2023

Being a Disciple (Part 1)

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 9:18-20, 28-36
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Looking at the life of Simon Peter
    • Him – because no other disciple is more referenced in the gospels
    • God is telling us to take note of his life
      • Above all – see the grace of God in his life
  • Last week – we saw the beginning of a disciple
    • An encounter with the grace of Jesus
      • Changed from an unstable man to a rock
      • Words of grace spoken to a sinner
    • An encounter with the holiness of Jesus
      • He was humbled and made a fisher of men
    • These are two essential elements to be a disciple of Jesus Christ
  • Overview:
    • His Life Calling
    • His Specific Appointing
    • His Intimacy with Jesus
  • Next week – looking at his growth

His Life Calling

  • Luke 5:10 – the encounter with Jesus
    • *Background *
    • Jesus says "Do not be afraid, from now on you will catch men"
  • His profession will be replaced with a life calling to be an evangelist
    • A specific life calling to bring others into the life of God
    • Not all Christians are called to be evangelists – 1 Cor 7
      • We are all called to be witnesses – through lip and life
      • Saved – for heaven, but also to bring others to the glory of God
        • (We are not instantly called into heaven)
  • Their profession as fisher men
    • Long hours – needing patience
    • Preparing and mending nets
    • Long and unearthly hours
    • Sometimes a good or a bad day
  • To be a fisher of men
    • Did he have instant hope – witnessing the recent miracle of Jesus
    • The Day of Pentecost – when 3,000 were saved
      • Did Peter remember this earlier miracle?
    • It would not always be easy – sometimes 1 or 2’s, sometimes nobody
  • The greatest joy for us is to see someone coming to the Lord Jesus Christ
    • Often we are just a link in a chain – example
    • It may be that we have spent a long time with someone
    • We need to be spreading the gospel
    • This is the most valuable work we can be involved in
      • What is the value of a soul?
      • Example
      • What is our burden?
  • Peter had little formal education
    • Acts
    • Education can be a help – but it can be a hinderance
      • Example of Paul
      • We see this through Church history – examples
    • ‘Don’t say God can’t use me’
  • "I will make you fishers of men"
    • I will teach and equip you
    • The Holy Spirit teaches us
  • We need to be made fishers of men
    • We need patience
      • Example
      • Sometimes things are easy and sometimes hard
    • We need preparation
  • Luke 5:5 – Peter initially objected to Jesus
    • We see Peter sometimes confessing or rebuking, pleasing or displeasing Jesus
    • This did not disqualify him from being a fisher of men
  • Our greatest motivation is Jesus’ grace towards us
    • Are you a soul winner?
    • "He who wins souls, is wise" – Proverbs

His Specific Appointing

  • Luke 6:12-14
    • He has been called to be a disciple and a fisher men
    • Now something different is happening
    • Jesus has spent the whole night in prayer
      • Likely praying about who He will send as ambassadors
      • Those who will perform miracles, establish the church, have particular authority
    • The apostles are ‘sent ones’
  • Luke 9:1-6
    • Their task was to represent Christ
      • Some would write the Scriptures
      • Others would found the church of God after Pentecost
    • Here – their task to introduce people to the kingdom of God
      • Learning to live by faith
  • Apostles
    • There are no more apostles today – Paul was the last
    • They had to learn to trust
  • We are not apostles, but we need to learn to trust Christ
    • Example of Pastor Elias
    • They were going to people’s homes, preaching at home or in the open air
    • How much do we trust in ourselves?
    • How much do we trust in God?
    • Pray that God will increase your faith

His Intimacy with Jesus

  • Jesus visited Peter’s mother-in-law’s home
    • Imagine if Jesus came to your home
  • Three instances of intimacy
    • Peter, James and John – part of an inner circle
    • Because these three were to be used in a big way in the Early Church
      • Peter and James – in the Jewish Church
      • John – ending up on Patmos
    • A greater reveal of Jesus’ glory to sustain them during their suffering
  • The three instances:
    • Luke 8:51 – Raising a child from the dead
      • Background
      • Jesus performs a miracle
    • Luke 9:29 – The Transfiguration
      • They hear God’s voice telling them to listen to Jesus
    • Matt 26:37 – The Garden of Gethsemane
      • They saw the extent of Jesus’ sufferings

Closing Remarks

  • Application
    • Peter was to be prepared for great acts
    • We serve God, because of His grace toward us
    • We say ‘here I am, send me’
    • Example of badge
      • Be patient with me, God has not finished we me yet
    • The purpose of the Church is to be a light in the dark world
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