Why does Jesus call us to follow Him and abide in Him? Some people assume we should follow Jesus so we can be with God when we die. While this is a significant part of a disciple’s hope, Jesus has a vision for our days between when we become His disciples and when we breath our last breath. He summons us to follow Him in order to give us a purpose. The reason He calls us to follow and abide is so He can work in and through us as we join Him on His mission to love and serve our hurting world (i.e. become “fishers of men”). He empowers all of His disciples to pray, to serve and to testify wherever we go so that His kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. Now that’s discipleship. That’s living!
Sermons by Dean Wertz (Page 27)
“Disciple” is the word Jesus used to describe His followers. “Disciple” is used over 270 times in the Bible to describe those who live a Christ-centered life. So, what is a disciple? In this 3-week series we are reviewing Jesus’ 3-fold description of a disciple according to Matthew 4:19. Last week we learned that a disciple “follow Jesus.” In this message we discover that a disciple also “abides in Jesus.” If you want to honor God, experience His presence in your daily life and join Him in His mission to heaven-ize the world, this message will encourage you whether or not you would presently describe yourself as a disciple of Jesus.
Throughout history the word used to describe those who worship and center their lives on Jesus is disciple. The New Testament describes Christ followers as disciples over 270 times. The mission Jesus left to His church is to, “make disciples of all nations.” So, what is a disciple? In this 3-week series you will discover Jesus’ 3-fold description of a disciple according to Matthew 4:19. If you long to honor Jesus, live with Jesus and ultimately join Jesus in His mission on earth, this messages will guide you whether you or not you would presently describe yourself as a disciple of Jesus.
The teacher is in a boat, the students are on a shore and the lesson is about a farmer. Before the story begins the crowd hears a one-word summons, “Listen!”, and after the story is over they receive a one sentence appeal, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” We were created with ears to hear. Yet, with our world’s increasing level of noise and expanding access to so many voices, it can be hard to actually listen. In His training from the boat, Jesus acknowledges the reality of distractions and He declares to those attentive enough to listen that there is great reward for those who engage their ears to hear His voice.
Your steaming coffee left on a counter will always cool. A dropped pencil will always fall down. The speed of light is always 186,000 miles per second. The earth always rotates from west to east. 2 + 2 is always 4. And God always satisfies those who look to, long for, enjoy, receive from, meditate upon, love, worship, honor, submit to, obey, forsake distractions for, and rejoice in Him through delighting in His Word. Like the laws of nature God’s blessings, according to the first song in the Hebrew hymn book, are consistent and tangible in this life and the life to come for those who delight in His Word. Therefore, let’s be among those who embrace God’s law of gravity, God’s law of mathematics and God’s law of blessing.
Dreams, whispers, visions, open doors… How do you hear from God? While God communicates in numerous ways, He primarily reveals Himself, His will, His promises, His grace and His vision for our lives through His written Word which the Apostle Paul calls, “the sacred writings.” In this message we are encouraged, equipped and inspired to go beyond reading God’s Word to encountering its Author by listening for His voice as we read, meditate, memorize and apply His Word.
Difference makers are not typically masters of many things but those who have been mastered by one thing. What has mastered you? What is your one pure and holy passion? For the past several months we have come to know the Apostle Paul as we have journeyed through the book of Acts. As we come to the close of this book we…
After the Denver Broncos won this year’s Super Bowl they returned home to a celebratory parade. How do we celebrate and love missionaries when they come to town and when they are far away? As Paul approached Rome, some from his Christian family walked 40 miles to meet him and escort him into their city. The hospitable love Paul received after a sacrificial missionary tour encouraged him and moved him to worship God. In today’s message we are encouraged to honor, love and pray for those who have followed God’s voice to leave their home land, familiar foods and native language for the name of Jesus to be known among all nations.
Millions of people don’t know the good news that Jesus is King with all authority over the universe who loves them, died for them, rose to live with them, has a purpose for them and promises a restored future for them and the whole world. Most of these people live on islands and continents far away but some live as refugees right here in Denver. Today we will discover how Paul was brought unexpectedly to the island of Malta in order to show the Maltese people who Jesus is and what His kingdom looks like. We will also meet Ben Sooy who, along with his wife, was unexpectedly brought to Denver to be with and love refugees who would otherwise have been isolated from the knowledge of the love of God. Could it be that part of God’s plan is to direct all Christ-followers unexpectedly to places and people, near and/or far, whom we may have never imagined for the same reason He did this for the Apostle Paul and the Sooys?
If, after loving and befriending a neighbor, they asked you to explain the good news (the gospel) what would you say? If you are not a follower of Jesus do you know what Christians believe? If you are a follower of Jesus are you prepared? One of the privileges and responsibilities that Christians have is to relay God’s message with others when they inquire. While the opportunities may be few and far between, when the time comes we must be ready. Paul was prepared, not with a prepackaged outline or a memorized speech but with the facts about Jesus. In this message, you too will be equipped so that when the opportunity arrives, instead of being ashamed, you will be ready.