Tension

• I want to start with a question that may sound like a no-brainer, but I’m going to ask it.. ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST? 
  • Almost everyone would say yes. How do you know if you are a disciple of Christ? 
• The Separation 
  • Starting with John the Baptist, but then Jesus, there was a constant separation between true and false disciples. 
    • John the Baptist - To the Pharisees (Children of Abraham doesn’t mean anything)
    • Jesus - Not everyone that says Lord Lord
    • Jesus - Two builders
    • Jesus - People wanting follow but not wanting to give up comfort
    • Jesus - The test of fruitfulness
    • Bottom line here - You can be stuck in a mode of religious, but not disciple
  • Recently I prayed with someone who had a family member that is deeply religious, but their life doesn’t at all reflect Christ likeness. 
• Noticing True Disciples
  • Bethany is 63 years old. I have been around for 45 of those years. I am privileged to know some great disciples. 
  • These people have new natures.
  • These people have fruit.
  • These people have the Holy Spirit flowing through their lives.
• Our task as a church
  • Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT) — 18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
• We have seen 2000 people come to Christ since January, now we carry a deep burden to see every one of those people become true disciples. 
• Briefly mention the four things that make disciples, then tackle two today. 

Two Things That Create Mature Disciples

God Moments

• Our journeys are all marked along the way with moments we met God. 
  • The moment of repentance and salvation. 
  • The moment of baptism. 
  • The moment of being filled with the Spirit. 
  • The moment of first taking communion. 
• True God moments change us from before and after
  • Saul was changed to Paul
  • Peter, James, and John on the mount of transfiguration
  • Peter on the rooftop
• Planned moments
  • Baptism
  • Encounter Retreat
  • Holy Spirit night
  • IN THIS POINT EMPHASIZE BAPTISM, ENCOUNTER RETREAT, HOLY SPIRIT NIGHT
• Unplanned moments
  • The unplanned God moments that mark us.
    • Chapel service with Danny Chambers. 
    • Leading worship at an Atlanta church
  • Biblical examples
    • Ana and Simeon in the temple – Luke 2:25–38
  • What we can know about these moments.
  • These moments can be sought
  • James 4:8 (NLT) — 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. 
  • Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT) — 29 But from there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.
• God moments always follow PURSUIT! 
  • When you show up, when you press in, when you sacrifice, when you linger

Spiritual Rhythms

• This next one is so important because our journey with God is not just built on miraculous moments. It’s also built on mundane methods!
• My observation of mature disciples - THEY REMAIN FAITHFUL
• John 8:31–32 (NLT) — 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• True disciples remain
  • Faithful to the word - A little bit every day.
    • Pastor Jude - Whole Bible over 40 times
    • Marylyn Hickey - Could quote many books of the Bible for memory
    • Smith Wigglesworth - 5 pounds to anyone who caught him without his Bible. 
    • We are in our fifth month of the year. How is your daily Bible reading?
  • Faithful in prayer - pray at all times
    • Checking in with heaven. 
    • God made us to be His vassals on earth. How can we work for Him and not check in with him?
    • His disciples said, “teach us to pray”.
  • Faithful in fellowship - spiritual friendships constantly inspiring each other
    • Some of the people I honor in God’s house are the ones who intentionally pursue the fellowship of believers.
    • The Goree’s have led a group for years
    • The Dicharries have opened their home for years
    • Mr. Collier has gotten together with another brother for years and gone witnessing and sharing his faith. 
  • Faithful in serving - there is a consistent outlet of pouring out
    • Tim and Mary Alexander have served in kids ministry for years.
    • Angie Mercier has prayed for every service for years
    • Stephen Lanford has served with Mentorship program and Bold for years. 
• What’s the point of sharing all of these people - They are disciples of Christ. These rhythms are helping to form in them the maturity of a disciple. 

So, you need both God moments, and spiritual rhythms in your life to form you into a mature disciple. Let’s make it practical.

• If you’ve never repented of sin and started the journey with Jesus, today is your day
• If you’ve never followed the Lord in baptism, today is your day
• If you’ve never been on a retreat, sign up for the one in the fall. 
• If you’ve never had a visitation from the Lord, seek Him with all your heart.
• If you’ve had all of these things, but the fire grows cold, try FAITHFULNESS. 

Closing

• I want to appeal to the very first group. If you have never had the moment of repentance, and you need to today, let’s have that moment right now!