Sunday 23rd March 2014 - Discipleship Followers of Christ - Paul Worth

Followers of Christ - 23 March 2014 Quotes: Jesus of Nazareth always comes asking disciples to follow him - not merely accept him, not merely believe in Him, not merely worship Him, but to follow him: one either follows Christ our one does not. There is no compartmentalization of the faith, no realm, no sphere, no business, no politic in which the Lordship of Christ will be excluded. We either make him Lord of all Lord's, or we deny him as Lord of any. Lee Camp The Christian life does not just evolve. It also requires specific decisions and public commitments to deepen our faith and obedience. Mark Galli Followers follow, it's that simple, we are either following or we are not. We need to make a sober assessment - but recognise there is grace to enable us. The Christian life is a series of decisions, I've made many - we have to decide to follow daily. We should note that the bible refers to disciples - plural. We have to do discipleship together, it is not a solitary practice. Ephesians 5:8-21 The Identity Issue Settle the identity issue - you were once darkness - not in darkness. It's what we were, it was our identity. Now we are light - not just in the light. We may sometimes fail but it doesn't change who we are. There is grace available. The world needs to see a people full of light. Light exposes darkness It will expose the darkness in you first - it will make you uncomfortable. We need to bring our stuff into the light, there is a personal responsibility here. We have lost the power of confession, it breaks the enemies power, it helps to set you free. The light in you will expose the darkness around you, don't be surprised if the world doesn't like it or doesn't understand you. We must bring this light into the world consistently. Find out the will of God We have a responsibility to uncover the will of God, we have to search God out, we have to diligently pursue him. We build up a storehouse of the word of God. His will is revealed in his word. We read the word in order to know God, in order to have relationship with Him. Be Filled With The Spirit To be effective as a disciple you must be filled with the Holy Spirit. You have to go on being filled, daily. The Spirit produces fruit, in particular the fruit of God's goodness. The goodness comes out as or lives get squeezed. The goodness is opposite to the way of the world - we bless those who persecute us! Conclusion Read God word Be Filled With The Spirit Make the decision to follow daily