DISCIPLESHIP

“They immediately left their nets and followed Him” (Mark 1:18 NKJV).

Today we hear a lot about discipleship – there are a number of books written on discipleship, and churches have discipleship classes and sponsor conferences on discipleship. Our verse gives us gives us three excellent statements about discipleship. It speaks of the fervency in discipleship, the forsaking in discipleship, and the following in discipleship.

Fervency in discipleship – “Immediately.” If we are going to be good disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must be diligent and not lax or tardy. Discipleship requires promptness in doing our duty. It means that we do not procrastinate, but make good use of every opportunity. There are many folks in our churches today that lack earnestness in their Christian commitment. These folks know very little about discipleship since discipleship requires us to be fervent for Christ.

Forsaking – “Left their nets.” It costs to be a good disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Discipleship requires sacrifice. These disciples forsook more than their nets, for we learn later that they also forsook their family and friends (Mark 1:20). Failure to sacrifice keeps many would-be disciples on the sidelines. If we are unwilling to sacrifice our time, energy, friends, family, and possessions for the Lord Jesus Christ, we will not do well in the matter of discipleship.

Following – “And followed him.” The Lord Jesus Christ is the object of discipleship. He is the goal and purpose of discipleship. It is “Him” not a denomination or organization or system; it is the Lord Jesus Christ that we are to follow. The apostle Paul declared in Phil. 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Following the Lord Jesus Christ involves submission to Him. To follow means we give deference to His ways and will. We are only servants; He is the Sovereign. He decides where we go and what we do. At times we may not understand His ways, but we do not need to understand them. All we need to do is follow Him. Discipleship is all about following Christ.

(Adapted from Butler’s Sermon Starters Vol. 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Nothing is really lost by a life of sacrifice; everything is lost by failure to obey God’s call!”

Henry Parry Liddon (1829–1890)

English Theologian

Word Study

Virtue (excellence)

In 2 Peter 1:5 we read, “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge” (NKJV).

Virtue (excellence) is the Geek Greek word arétē (ἀρέτη = ar-et'-ay). It is a term denoting complete excellence or merit and came to mean quality of life which made someone, or something stand out as excellent. In classical Greek, arétē carries the idea of moral excellence or goodness. In the Septuagint arétē was used in reference to magnificence, splendor. In the New Testament arétē carries the idea of moral power or moral excellence that comes through exercising faith in God in relation to His Word. When a Christian lives a life which brings glory to God, he is fulfilling his purpose and thus exhibits “excellence.” True virtue in the Christian life is not to emphasize human qualities but producing qualities that make the person more like the Lord Jesus Christ. Our lives should radiate the excellences of God.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the Lord: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand” (Jer. 42:11 KJV).

Did You Know…

In reference to the birth of the Lord Jesus, Matt. 1:23 cited a specific prophecy from Isa. 7:14 that was made more than 700 years earlier.

Bible Quiz

After telling Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was six months pregnant, what else did the angel tell Mary to convince her that she also would be with child?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: What was the astonishing revelation that was made known to Joseph in a dream? Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“LIVING WATER”

"Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water!” (John 4:10 NKJV).

1. Meaning – LIVING WATER speaks of the Lord Jesus as the Fountain of Living Water; the One who is able to satisfy our need and quench our spiritual thirst.

2. Insights – The word “gift” here denotes favor and carries the idea of a free gift, that is, a gift with no strings attached. Such a “gift” is the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ to the world (cf. John 3:16). “Living water” was a common expression to the inhabitants of both the east and of the west. In one sense, “Living water” simply meant fresh or flowing water as opposed to stagnant or well water. In another sense it speaks of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 7:38-39). So, here the Lord Jesus is speaking of the new life that He will give, a life connected with the activity of the Holy Spirit.

Did You Know – Christian History

Jedediah Strong Smith, Jr. was born on January 6, 1799 in Jericho, New York. He is said to have been the first great protestant missionary to mountain men.

Smith was not your typical mountain man. He never used tobacco or profanity. Reared a Methodist, he was a devout Christian who always remained a gentleman even in the wildest frontier company. He was cool under pressure, with strength and leadership ability that was grounded in his faith. And although tempted to consider a life in the ministry, Smith chose to pursue a career as a trapper, frontiersman, and explorer.

Smith entered California’s San Bernardino Valley on November 27, 1826, becoming the first American citizen known to have crossed the southwestern part of the American continent. As he explored the areas of the West, Smith filled his journal describing the wonders of God’s creation. When he faced hardship or peril, he looked to Scripture for strength. Once he was almost killed by a grizzly bear, but he managed to escape. As he waited for his men to arrive with help, he found comfort in the 23rd Psalm. Whether he faced Indians, hunger, or thirst, Smith handled hardship by turning to the Lord in prayer. Smith was not only the first American to travel by land to California, but the first to cross the Great Basin and the first to reach Oregon by going up the coast of California.

Smith met an untimely death in a conflict with Comanche Indians in Kansas on May 27, 1831. And while his explorations kept him from any form of regular church attendance, he is known to have regularly devoted himself to the reading of the Bible. In fact, at the time of his death, Smith’s estate contained a modest collection of books, which included a Bible and a book of Methodist hymns. Today the Utah Methodist community reveres the memory and legend of Jedediah Smith as a pioneer of both their home state and faith. He is referred to as “Bible Totten’ Jed Smith.” First United Methodist in Salt Lake City proudly displays a portrait of Jedediah Smith as a part of the faith’s community in the Great Basin.

A Little Humor

In an attempt to quiet his restless child during the service, a father handed his son a dollar bill. After a few seconds, the son raised his hand and shouted, “Hey, dad, can I buy a snack?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“In the midst of chaos, find peace in God’s embrace!”